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Delirium #1.5
Hana
Lauren Oliver's riveting, original digital story set in the world of her New York Times bestseller Delirium.The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss.But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.In this digital story that will appeal to fans of Delirium and welcome new admirers to its world, readers will come to understand scenes from Delirium through Hana's perspective. Hana is a touching and revealing look at a life-changing and tumultuous summer.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2011
About the author
Lauren Oliver
49 books118k followersLauren Oliver is the cofounder of media and content development company Glasstown Entertainment, where she serves as the president of production. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the YA novels Replica, Vanishing Girls, Panic, and the Delirium trilogy: Delirium, Pandemonium, and Requiem, which have been translated into more than thirty languages. The film rights to both Replica and Lauren's bestselling first novel, Before I Fall, were acquired by AwesomenessTV; Before I Fall is now a major motion picture and opened in theaters March of 2017. The sequel to Replica, titled Ringer, is her most recent novel and was released October 3rd, 2017.
Her novels for middle grade readers include The Spindlers, Liesl & Po, and the Curiosity House series, co-written with H. C. Chester. She has written one novel for adults, Rooms.
A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU's MFA program, Lauren Oliver divides her time between New York, Connecticut, and a variety of airport lounges. You can visit her online at www.laurenoliverbooks.com.
Her novels for middle grade readers include The Spindlers, Liesl & Po, and the Curiosity House series, co-written with H. C. Chester. She has written one novel for adults, Rooms.
A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU's MFA program, Lauren Oliver divides her time between New York, Connecticut, and a variety of airport lounges. You can visit her online at www.laurenoliverbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,977 reviews
April 7, 2019
It's just me or all of you expected more from this? I thought that there would be more of her story. What happened with her after Lena left.
By the way, I knew it! I did! Since Delirium I knew that it was Hana. It had to be her.
By the way, I knew it! I did! Since Delirium I knew that it was Hana. It had to be her.
October 3, 2018
Español - English
"El miedo me está estrangulando, asfixiándome. No se lo que es más aterrador: el hecho de que lo descubrí, que me veré obligada a volver a mi vida normal, o la posibilidad de que no lo haga".
Es la historia de Delirium desde el punto de vista de Hana, la mejor amiga de Lena.
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This is Delirium from the point of view of Hana, Lena's best friend.
"El miedo me está estrangulando, asfixiándome. No se lo que es más aterrador: el hecho de que lo descubrí, que me veré obligada a volver a mi vida normal, o la posibilidad de que no lo haga".
Es la historia de Delirium desde el punto de vista de Hana, la mejor amiga de Lena.
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This is Delirium from the point of view of Hana, Lena's best friend.
April 6, 2012
Actual rating: 3.5
I was pitying her until I got to the end. I KNEW IT.
I was pitying her until I got to the end. I KNEW IT.
January 26, 2012
I think I've said it before, but I guess it bears repeating - Lauren Oliver can write. While her style in Delirium and this companion short story from Hana's perspective is rather more flowery/florid than I usually enjoy, I won't dispute that she certainly has a way with words.
As with Delirium, Hana is once again heavy on the emotional metaphors and similes. Painstaking attention is given to heartbeats, aching throats, unshed tears, longing.. which is fine except I find it does begin to get a little tedious having every physical and emotional response spelled out in poetic detail.
I'd say that this addendum to Oliver's trilogy is strictly for the fans - while there was a "surprise" at it's conclusion, I can't say that this story particularly enriched my reading experience or heightened my anticipation for the release of Pandemonium.
What it did do, however, was allow me to finally determine why the premise of this series fundamentally doesn't work for me. Had the world of Delirium been one in which whole chunks, or even the entire spectrum of human emotion were removed from its citizens, I think I could more readily suspend my belief. It's the idea that "love" can be singularly isolated and excised that I can't wrap my head around. And I think this is because I can't help but view "love" as an amalgamation of emotions, too braided up in other mental and emotional responses (trust, respect, anxiety, whatever - take your pick), to make the idea of it being something that can be clearly removed a little too ridiculous for me to get behind.
Having said all that, if you enjoyed the concept and style of Delirium, this may be worth a read.
As with Delirium, Hana is once again heavy on the emotional metaphors and similes. Painstaking attention is given to heartbeats, aching throats, unshed tears, longing.. which is fine except I find it does begin to get a little tedious having every physical and emotional response spelled out in poetic detail.
I'd say that this addendum to Oliver's trilogy is strictly for the fans - while there was a "surprise" at it's conclusion, I can't say that this story particularly enriched my reading experience or heightened my anticipation for the release of Pandemonium.
What it did do, however, was allow me to finally determine why the premise of this series fundamentally doesn't work for me. Had the world of Delirium been one in which whole chunks, or even the entire spectrum of human emotion were removed from its citizens, I think I could more readily suspend my belief. It's the idea that "love" can be singularly isolated and excised that I can't wrap my head around. And I think this is because I can't help but view "love" as an amalgamation of emotions, too braided up in other mental and emotional responses (trust, respect, anxiety, whatever - take your pick), to make the idea of it being something that can be clearly removed a little too ridiculous for me to get behind.
Having said all that, if you enjoyed the concept and style of Delirium, this may be worth a read.
July 30, 2012
****Slightly Spoilery (if you haven't read Delirium)****
Seeing it from Hana's POV makes me definitely understand her more.
I don't hate her. I don't agree with her, but that's because for us, love is not a disease, so of course I don't agree with her actions in the end.
But understanding where she's coming from, how she, and Lena for that matter, were brought up, it makes sense.
The reasons for her action in the end aren't definitively told outright, but there are a few conclusions as to why she did it, what with how she was treated by Steve Hilt (and we all have probably experienced that in one way or another) to the idea that maybe Alex isn't safe for Lena. And the fact that there was that slight resentment that Lena found something that Hana didn't find.
Either way, Hana does something that she could not have foreseen how it would change everything drastically for both Lena and Alex.
I don't hate Hana. It does make me wonder how she felt in the aftermath of all that, though.
Seeing it from Hana's POV makes me definitely understand her more.
I don't hate her. I don't agree with her, but that's because for us, love is not a disease, so of course I don't agree with her actions in the end.
But understanding where she's coming from, how she, and Lena for that matter, were brought up, it makes sense.
The reasons for her action in the end aren't definitively told outright, but there are a few conclusions as to why she did it, what with how she was treated by Steve Hilt (and we all have probably experienced that in one way or another) to the idea that maybe Alex isn't safe for Lena. And the fact that there was that slight resentment that Lena found something that Hana didn't find.
Either way, Hana does something that she could not have foreseen how it would change everything drastically for both Lena and Alex.
I don't hate Hana. It does make me wonder how she felt in the aftermath of all that, though.
August 11, 2021
What the f...! I can't believe this!
February 23, 2015
I really liked it, so five stars. The only thing that bothers me is that I liked Hana better before reading her side of the story. I was wrong about her, I mean, I've read Requiem, I already knew what she did, but I thought that, maybe, she did it because she didn't have other choice.
It is sad that you can't even trust your best friend. Hana betrayed Lena in te worst way possible.
It is sad that you can't even trust your best friend. Hana betrayed Lena in te worst way possible.
January 16, 2013
Read this and other reviews at Madison Says.
Initial reaction when I finished --> Oh I'm pissed.
And my real review...
Hana is a novella (1.5) in the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver. Told from Lena’s best friend, Hana’s POV, this story falls during the same summer as Delirium. There’s not much that can be said about this in particular without giving anything away –> it is only like 65 pages long.
I loved being able to get a glimpse into what was going on with Hana during this summer because while Lena definitely had her secrets, I could always tell that Hana did, of course, as well.
It’s no secret how much I love this series. I’m so happy to have had it recommended so highly to me, because I don’t think I would have ever taken the chance. I always thought I wouldn’t enjoy dystopian fiction because fantasy worlds are hard for me…must be my fear of not relating. I’ve never felt this way about this series, though. While it’s set in a world unlike ours, the kids still face the same sort of issues any kids these days do. There is certainly just that coming of age feeling to it, and that makes it relatable. Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the beauty in Lauren’s writing. It doesn’t matter if she’s writing a full-length novel or a synopsis for the back of a book — I’d read it. Her writing is engaging, exciting and always leaves the reader guessing. This couldn’t be more true after reading Hana.
I have yet to read Annabel, which is the prequel to the series, and was just released at the end of the year. To get into Lena’s mom’s head should be nothing short of fantastic. After reading Hana, though, and having my world rocked (I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING), I’m scared to see what’d be in store for me with Annabel. If you’re a fan of this series, as well, make sure to pick up these novellas, ASAP — but make sure to read them in order, of course! :)
Initial reaction when I finished --> Oh I'm pissed.
And my real review...
Hana is a novella (1.5) in the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver. Told from Lena’s best friend, Hana’s POV, this story falls during the same summer as Delirium. There’s not much that can be said about this in particular without giving anything away –> it is only like 65 pages long.
I loved being able to get a glimpse into what was going on with Hana during this summer because while Lena definitely had her secrets, I could always tell that Hana did, of course, as well.
Is this freedom? Is it happiness? I don’t know. I don’t care anymore. It is different — it is being alive.
It’s no secret how much I love this series. I’m so happy to have had it recommended so highly to me, because I don’t think I would have ever taken the chance. I always thought I wouldn’t enjoy dystopian fiction because fantasy worlds are hard for me…must be my fear of not relating. I’ve never felt this way about this series, though. While it’s set in a world unlike ours, the kids still face the same sort of issues any kids these days do. There is certainly just that coming of age feeling to it, and that makes it relatable. Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the beauty in Lauren’s writing. It doesn’t matter if she’s writing a full-length novel or a synopsis for the back of a book — I’d read it. Her writing is engaging, exciting and always leaves the reader guessing. This couldn’t be more true after reading Hana.
I have yet to read Annabel, which is the prequel to the series, and was just released at the end of the year. To get into Lena’s mom’s head should be nothing short of fantastic. After reading Hana, though, and having my world rocked (I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING), I’m scared to see what’d be in store for me with Annabel. If you’re a fan of this series, as well, make sure to pick up these novellas, ASAP — but make sure to read them in order, of course! :)
March 8, 2012
Una historia corta que muestra e otro lado de la historia! La historia de Hana. Lo que paso mientras estuvieron separadas con Lena, sus sentimientos, contradicciones. Deliaria, no deliria? Esta bien así, están haciendo las cosas mal? Es que lo que estoy apoyando en realidad no es así? Y su decepción.... Al final regresa con Lena, para descubrir que ella estaba viviendo lo que en realidad tanto deseaba.
No, no no...no lo puedo creer!!!!! Fue ella? Si es asi las cosas se ponen feas! Una traición....
"Una ciudad de papel, un mundo de papel: papel susurrando en el viento, susurrándome, siseando un mensaje de veneno y celos.
Si sabes algo, haz algo.
Lo siento, Lena."
No, no no...no lo puedo creer!!!!! Fue ella? Si es asi las cosas se ponen feas! Una traición....
"Una ciudad de papel, un mundo de papel: papel susurrando en el viento, susurrándome, siseando un mensaje de veneno y celos.
Si sabes algo, haz algo.
Lo siento, Lena."
August 20, 2020
I'll admit, I've always hated Hana, but this novella briefly made me pity her.
But then the ending.
So I still hate her.
But then the ending.
So I still hate her.
April 11, 2012
I adored Hana, Lena's best friend, and her vivaciousness in Delirium, so I was excited that she would be getting her own story. Hana takes place during the time of Delirium but now we're seeing the story through Hana's eyes. I was bummed that the fun-loving girl we knew from Delirium is gone, but considering the events that take place in Hana, it is understandable. The best part of Hana is the best part of any Lauren Oliver read, in my opinion: the writing, which was lovely and powerful, just like it always is.
Would I say that Hana is a must read? Well, no. I don't think it's critical in the overall series as for the most part, it is just a rehash of some of the events that took place in Delirium from a different point of view. However, there was one very significant reveal right at the end of Hana - a true 'oh my gosh' moment - but I can't say I liked it. I find it difficult to believe Hana would rat out Lena to the regulators for such an immature reason. I needed more development and explanation in this instance.
Would I say that Hana is a must read? Well, no. I don't think it's critical in the overall series as for the most part, it is just a rehash of some of the events that took place in Delirium from a different point of view. However, there was one very significant reveal right at the end of Hana - a true 'oh my gosh' moment - but I can't say I liked it. I find it difficult to believe Hana would rat out Lena to the regulators for such an immature reason. I needed more development and explanation in this instance.
June 14, 2012
A piece of Delirium from Hana's point of view. Hana is Lena's best friend and everyone thinks of her as the perfect and confident girl when she's just as simple as everyone else. She is just scared as Lena. From deliria, from the future and life. While in Delirium I thought Hana was the brave and fearless one, this installment proves that she is afraid and even more vulnerable than Lena. She is alone and is fearing that her best friend is already drifting apart.
Living in that kind of world must require some nerves. I seriously have trouble reading the Delirium books because I really get sucked once I start and a world with such rules and loneliness is what scares me most. I'm the most anti-rules person in my society and dystopian books really distress me.'Hana' is about finding your place in a world where you are truly alone. Just much more of a deeper version of a teenager's life. I'm sure everyone feels as Hana sometimes.
Living in that kind of world must require some nerves. I seriously have trouble reading the Delirium books because I really get sucked once I start and a world with such rules and loneliness is what scares me most. I'm the most anti-rules person in my society and dystopian books really distress me.'Hana' is about finding your place in a world where you are truly alone. Just much more of a deeper version of a teenager's life. I'm sure everyone feels as Hana sometimes.
March 12, 2024
“And for a moment―for a split second―everything else falls away, the whole pattern and order of my life, and a huge joy crests in my chest. I am no one, and I owe nothing to anybody, and my life is my own.”
―୨୧⋆ ˚ poor hanna, steve is such a piece of shit. I loved reading scenes in delirium from her perspective, it just gives sm more depth to the book. even though, I just know that ending doesn't mean well
“All this time, I thought we were growing apart because I was leaving Lena behind. But really it was the reverse. She was learning to lie.
She was learning to love.”
―୨୧⋆ ˚ poor hanna, steve is such a piece of shit. I loved reading scenes in delirium from her perspective, it just gives sm more depth to the book. even though, I just know that ending doesn't mean well
“All this time, I thought we were growing apart because I was leaving Lena behind. But really it was the reverse. She was learning to lie.
She was learning to love.”
November 29, 2016
Geeze! If you weren’t pumped for Oliver’s second installment: Pandemonium (coming to a bookstore near you in just 1 week!) the novella “Hana” is sure to get you salivating.
I just want to take a second right now and remind you all that the novella is Free Online right now. If you don’t mind reading from your computer. Though from personal experience I can tell you it makes it a lot easier to read at work *wink*
But back to the story. This novella gives insight into Delirium. I thought I had Hana pegged. I thought she was a wild child who didn’t really have the guts to go wild or, err, into ‘the wilds’. I thought she was a little rich girl playing with the idea of revolution before heading back into the ranks of good society in September.
Who knew Hana was really off having her heart-broken and her ideologies of love beaten up. Seeing the story through her eyes busts apart what you thought was going on in Hana’s world. And it leads to a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming. I can’t go any further without revealing some spoilers. If you’re now dying to go out and read this one. The Link is Here.
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*Spoilers*
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Honestly, what Hana goes through in this book is so very normal; downright average for our society. It’s all about Hana flirting and going to second base with a guy. Steve to be exact. Hana is dreaming of rainbows, unicorns, and escaping to the wilds to live on love. Steve just wants in her panties.
Ouch – For Hana’s heart and her panties as Steve is not the smoothest maker-outer
But Steve remains a sketchy dude, in part because that’s exactly what he is, but also because he never becomes a fully formed character in our eyes. We see that Hana is pinning her heart on a man who really isn’t in this for the long haul with her. We’ve all watched a girlfriends go through this same process…Wondering why she can’t see a booty-call for what it is…
But in a society where your shot at love is so brief, mistakenly choosing the wrong guy is akin to love-suicide. There will be no second chance.
“Suddenly all I can think about is a line from the book of Lamentations: What glitters may not be gold; and even wolves may smile; and fools will be led by promises to their deaths.” (26, Scribd ed.)
This is about the point that Hana hits her wall. You can see it all fall apart. Her view of the party raid is terrifying. Followed by learning that Lena is secretly in love…The loss of her romantic hope and her best friend is too much. Ending in that cliffhanger! Why Hana? Did you really? WTF?
Dying for Pandemonium next Tuesday!
Rating: 5/5 A little novella that rips what you thought you knew wide open.
I just want to take a second right now and remind you all that the novella is Free Online right now. If you don’t mind reading from your computer. Though from personal experience I can tell you it makes it a lot easier to read at work *wink*
But back to the story. This novella gives insight into Delirium. I thought I had Hana pegged. I thought she was a wild child who didn’t really have the guts to go wild or, err, into ‘the wilds’. I thought she was a little rich girl playing with the idea of revolution before heading back into the ranks of good society in September.
Who knew Hana was really off having her heart-broken and her ideologies of love beaten up. Seeing the story through her eyes busts apart what you thought was going on in Hana’s world. And it leads to a cliffhanger I didn’t see coming. I can’t go any further without revealing some spoilers. If you’re now dying to go out and read this one. The Link is Here.
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*
*
*Spoilers*
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*
*
*
Honestly, what Hana goes through in this book is so very normal; downright average for our society. It’s all about Hana flirting and going to second base with a guy. Steve to be exact. Hana is dreaming of rainbows, unicorns, and escaping to the wilds to live on love. Steve just wants in her panties.
Ouch – For Hana’s heart and her panties as Steve is not the smoothest maker-outer
But Steve remains a sketchy dude, in part because that’s exactly what he is, but also because he never becomes a fully formed character in our eyes. We see that Hana is pinning her heart on a man who really isn’t in this for the long haul with her. We’ve all watched a girlfriends go through this same process…Wondering why she can’t see a booty-call for what it is…
But in a society where your shot at love is so brief, mistakenly choosing the wrong guy is akin to love-suicide. There will be no second chance.
“Suddenly all I can think about is a line from the book of Lamentations: What glitters may not be gold; and even wolves may smile; and fools will be led by promises to their deaths.” (26, Scribd ed.)
This is about the point that Hana hits her wall. You can see it all fall apart. Her view of the party raid is terrifying. Followed by learning that Lena is secretly in love…The loss of her romantic hope and her best friend is too much. Ending in that cliffhanger! Why Hana? Did you really? WTF?
Dying for Pandemonium next Tuesday!
Rating: 5/5 A little novella that rips what you thought you knew wide open.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2016
De la peor manera posible Hana traiciona a Lena.
Las amistades siempre tiene altos y bajos pero eso no te da un motivo para traicionar a tu amiga, y peor aún en este caso. Lena siempre supo lo que hacía Hana respecto a sus salidas después del toque de queda y ella nunca dijo nada para que Hana le pague así. Con amigas así, ¿para qué tener enemigos?
Las amistades siempre tiene altos y bajos pero eso no te da un motivo para traicionar a tu amiga, y peor aún en este caso. Lena siempre supo lo que hacía Hana respecto a sus salidas después del toque de queda y ella nunca dijo nada para que Hana le pague así. Con amigas así, ¿para qué tener enemigos?
March 7, 2012
WHAT?
I mean... WHAT???
Lauren Oliver, you SADISTIC AUTHOR.
QUESTA È MALVAGITÀ ALLO STATO PURO. E COSA MI SIGNIFICA QUESTA FINE? CHE COSA????
SE QUEL CHE SI LASCIA INTENDERE ALLA FINE È VERO, IO NON SO COSA FARÒ. HANA, TI UCCIDERÒ CON LE MIE MANI.
I mean... WHAT???
Lauren Oliver, you SADISTIC AUTHOR.
QUESTA È MALVAGITÀ ALLO STATO PURO. E COSA MI SIGNIFICA QUESTA FINE? CHE COSA????
SE QUEL CHE SI LASCIA INTENDERE ALLA FINE È VERO, IO NON SO COSA FARÒ. HANA, TI UCCIDERÒ CON LE MIE MANI.
October 13, 2019
Que clase de final es ese?! 😱
March 6, 2012
This book is by my current favorite YA author, Lauren Oliver. Her book Before I fall and her Delirium series (particularly the recently released Pandemonium) rank among my favorite books of all time. I think because of this, I have the highest expectations of her work.
This installment is in the Delirium-verse and is in the viewpoint of one of Delirium's most interesting characters, Hana. We get to see the story of Delirium from her eyes and her experiences when she is not in Lena's company.
Lauren Oliver's prose is still beautiful. She has a way with words that makes me catch my breath after each paragraph. However, this story left me very disappointed. I think it is because to me, this is not the story that I was most interested in hearing. I did not really care to hear about Hana's perspective of the events in Delirium-- there were no surprises... Lena has pretty much deduced most of these events. There is a surprise ending and while it was a shocker, it just raised more questions.
How did Hana get to this place? We aren't guided there, there is just two pages of reflection at the end that don't lead up to this event. And what I'm interested in, is what takes place after this twist. How does this change Hana? Does she ever get the operation? What is her life like after Lena leaves? That's the story I wanted.
That said, I am incredibly excited to see the final installment of this trilogy.
This installment is in the Delirium-verse and is in the viewpoint of one of Delirium's most interesting characters, Hana. We get to see the story of Delirium from her eyes and her experiences when she is not in Lena's company.
Lauren Oliver's prose is still beautiful. She has a way with words that makes me catch my breath after each paragraph. However, this story left me very disappointed. I think it is because to me, this is not the story that I was most interested in hearing. I did not really care to hear about Hana's perspective of the events in Delirium-- there were no surprises... Lena has pretty much deduced most of these events. There is a surprise ending and while it was a shocker, it just raised more questions.
How did Hana get to this place? We aren't guided there, there is just two pages of reflection at the end that don't lead up to this event. And what I'm interested in, is what takes place after this twist. How does this change Hana? Does she ever get the operation? What is her life like after Lena leaves? That's the story I wanted.
That said, I am incredibly excited to see the final installment of this trilogy.
September 14, 2012
This book is fine. It does not stand alone, though. I think you should read it soon after you finish Delirium, while the story is fresh in your mind, but before you read Pandemonium. I read it after Pandemonium. That was a mistake. Still interesting, but not as powerful.
I liked Hana more from the perspective of her adoring best friend. When you are in her head she is more complicated and intimate, but I don't know that it really serves to make her more sympathetic or interesting? I wanted to know more about Hana's future and Portland - did she marry her match? What went wrong with her match's first wife? What was Portland like as the Resistance grew up? There should be Hana #2(Delirium #2.5).
There is more queer content in this book than in Delirium, but unfortunately it is not Hana getting experimental - just a passing reference to queerness as something that happens in the underground scene. :(
I liked Hana more from the perspective of her adoring best friend. When you are in her head she is more complicated and intimate, but I don't know that it really serves to make her more sympathetic or interesting? I wanted to know more about Hana's future and Portland - did she marry her match? What went wrong with her match's first wife? What was Portland like as the Resistance grew up? There should be Hana #2(Delirium #2.5).
There is more queer content in this book than in Delirium, but unfortunately it is not Hana getting experimental - just a passing reference to queerness as something that happens in the underground scene. :(
May 6, 2016
The finale made me cry. And now i want to read Delirium again! (for the secound time) And at the same time i want Pandemonium in my hands right now!
April 20, 2020
I loved how this book fit together with the rest of the series. It was nice to see Hana’s side of things. (And I LOVE how it ended. It was so perfectly suspenseful and it really helped to connect the story.)
June 8, 2012
This book was such a waste of time. Only half of it is actually about Hana; the second half is a "preview" of Pandemonium.
In Delirium, Hana was a delightfully complex and realistic character. In "Hana," she is flattened and demonized.
Oliver could have done something really cool with this novella. She could have brought us into Hana's voice, which I'd imagined as a sort of no-bullshit, straight-to-the-point energetic narrative; instead, Oliver writes Hana with exactly the same voice and narrative style as Lena in Delirium, which I found confusing and totally opposite of Hana's carefree character.
There were so many places in Delirium where I wondered, "Why would Hana say that?" Why does she tell Lena that without unhappiness, how can you truly be happy? I had hoped "Hana" would delve into these mysterious parts of her character and shed some light. Instead, Oliver picked some random place to insert a new character and this new plot does not intertwine with the plot of Delirium at all. Even the one concurrent scene (where Lena and Hana talk after being apart for three weeks) is not at all what I remember from Delirium.
Even worse than creating a new plot and new character that are not interesting at all, Oliver ignores the one new character that could have been fascinating--Hana's match, Frank, the mayor's son. Frank's character is inquisitive, genuinely kind, and seems to be hiding some things. I don't know why Oliver (or Hana) simply dismissed him out of hand.
Don't waste your money on this book. It will only disappoint.
In Delirium, Hana was a delightfully complex and realistic character. In "Hana," she is flattened and demonized.
Oliver could have done something really cool with this novella. She could have brought us into Hana's voice, which I'd imagined as a sort of no-bullshit, straight-to-the-point energetic narrative; instead, Oliver writes Hana with exactly the same voice and narrative style as Lena in Delirium, which I found confusing and totally opposite of Hana's carefree character.
There were so many places in Delirium where I wondered, "Why would Hana say that?" Why does she tell Lena that without unhappiness, how can you truly be happy? I had hoped "Hana" would delve into these mysterious parts of her character and shed some light. Instead, Oliver picked some random place to insert a new character and this new plot does not intertwine with the plot of Delirium at all. Even the one concurrent scene (where Lena and Hana talk after being apart for three weeks) is not at all what I remember from Delirium.
Even worse than creating a new plot and new character that are not interesting at all, Oliver ignores the one new character that could have been fascinating--Hana's match, Frank, the mayor's son. Frank's character is inquisitive, genuinely kind, and seems to be hiding some things. I don't know why Oliver (or Hana) simply dismissed him out of hand.
Don't waste your money on this book. It will only disappoint.
June 13, 2013
This is a short look -- not really a complete story -- at what was going on for Lena's best friend Hana during the events of Delirium. (Do not read this first!) I like that it realistically shows that not all forbidden interactions were as sweet and romantic as Alex and Lena's, but the story depressed and angered me and I kind of wish I hadn't read it.
June 22, 2012
This was a very short ebook to tell the story of Hana, Lena's best friend from the delirium story. And while yes, it did definitely fill in some blanks, I didn't feel it was really worth it. If you're going to brach off and write some an add on... have it be a little more detailed or a little longer. I know it was a short story, but I felt like every word I read was predicted, expected, and didn't say much. Not worth the $2.99 I paid for it to be frank. Cute story, but not worth the hour it took to read it.
September 11, 2012
***Spoilers*** Do not read unless you've read DELIRIUM.
Ok so this was a good in between for Pandemonium. I had a feeling Hana was jealous of Alex ever since that encounter in the back room of Lena's work. I can't say I blame her because those are natural feelings, specially for a best friend, but that to betraying her best friend are two different things. I think I was more upset by her betrayal than by Alex's death.
Ok so this was a good in between for Pandemonium. I had a feeling Hana was jealous of Alex ever since that encounter in the back room of Lena's work. I can't say I blame her because those are natural feelings, specially for a best friend, but that to betraying her best friend are two different things. I think I was more upset by her betrayal than by Alex's death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2012
You don't have to read this before you read Pandemonium (Delirium #2) but you do have to read it. Wow. Interesting to see things from Hana's perspective, but wow.
January 23, 2015
Te odio, Hana.
December 9, 2014
No me sorprende ni un poco lo que hace Hana. Lo sospechaba pero tenía la esperanza de estar equivocada porque. por un segundo su personaje me agradó.
November 23, 2016
Nice addition to Delirium. :)
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