The Maze Runner Reivew

The Maze Runner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Dystopian
Publication Date: Oct. 9th 2009 
Publisher: Delacorte Press  
Pages: 374 

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Synopsis:

"If you ain't scared, you ain't human." 

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers--boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It's the only way out--and no one's ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

My Rating: 

  

Review:

The Maze Runner is exciting and action-packed, with mystery and suspense on every page. It's fast and fun while also being disturbing and terrifying. Most importantly, it sucks you in and doesn't let go.

The Maze Runner was a bit of a slow start for me. I had a hard time getting into the story because it was super confusing. I thought the setting was strange, the language the characters used made no sense, and the main character was annoyingly clueless. However, looking back, I can appreciate this rough start. In the beginning of the book, the main character was confused and scared and uncomfortable, so it makes sense that the book was written in such a way that the readers felt the same. It makes it easy to relate to Thomas, and as he starts to understand more of the world he's thrown into, so do the readers.

Once I got over that rocky patch in the beginning, I was completely hooked by the story. Something exciting seems to happen on every page, and there's no time for the readers or the characters to relax or take a break from the action. This book is difficult to tear yourself away from because you can't help but feel desperate for answers and explanations as to what happens next. The pacing of this book is fantastic. It's fast, but not too fast that things start to get rushed or confusing. 

The characters are surprisingly likable and well rounded. We don't get to know many of them, because shortly after Thomas arrives in the Glade (what they call where they live), things take a turn for the worse and they're running out of time. But the guys we do get to know are great and easy to root for (MINHO! NEWT!). I was also quite happy to find that Teresa played such a neutral part. It would've been so easy to make this all about the romance and lost memories and blablabla, but the story never loses focus, and that's one of its strengths.  

Ok, now I'm going to add my problems with this book, apart from it being too short.

I thought that he should have put more monsters. I don't like that sort of thing, but I was hoping there were more than just that one type. I was a little disappointed when there weren't other monsters. Also, what the crap were the monsters? They were like freaky! I mean don't get me wrong, they were amazing and crazy and just freaked me out like none other, and made my skin crawl. Also it was difficult to get a picture of the Grievers. he gives a very detailed description, don't get me wrong, but I just can't get a firm picture on them.I was a little confused about why there were Maze Runners, maybe that just because I read it so fast. I'm a little worried about his relationship with the girl. I'm worried that Dashner will make them relatives or something like that. Then it would be very odd, but whatever the Author can do what he wants.

All in all it's an interesting read. The world-building within the Glade is well-done, and getting to know the boys in such a secluded space makes you very familiar with them, they have their own slang, their own hierarchy and it's a great way to introduce us to the story, because Thomas is as much in the dark as the readers and we get to explore the whole thing together. 

It was definitely a good way to get me reading again, and that last part was the perfect teaser for the sequel.  

 

“You are the shuckiest shuck faced shuck in the world!” 

― James Dashner, The Maze Runner

This series was wonderful :)

-Alex

Champion Review

Champion 

Title:Champion
Author:Marie Lu
Genre:Dystopian
Publication Date:November 5th 2013
Publisher:Putnam Juvenile
Pages:369
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Synopsis:

He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion? 

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position. 

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything. 

My Rating:

Review: 

If I can breakdown the things that made me love this book, I probably end up writing the whole book. Everything was just satisfying and wonderful. First of first, Champion picked up what Prodigy left 8 months later. Day & June were apart for 8 months because of Day's goddy reason. Day also has Eden to watch an eye for and he will do anything just to protect his little brother while June has to train as a contender Elector-Pricep. With the plague that caused the Colonies to go ballistic over Republicans, the two government set in into a war of power, territory & governance. This war needed Day. Day needed June. Republicans needed everything they have to stop the Colonies taking over them completely. Will they make it?

Marie Lu never disappoints her reader in feeding us a very vivid writing and exceptional world building. It was the way she crafted and weaved the politics and romance that made me gush over the series over and over. It's so hard not to be sucked into her writing when I feel like the scenes in the books just lay infront of my eyes in play mode like a movie. That's how descriptive and technical her writing can be. But on the other hand, she molded the characters in a way that they stay true to their form all through out the story. Especially in Champion where the characters were bent into their extent almost breaking them.

Plotwise, Champion is no different from the other books in the series. It had the same struggle of the Republican against the Colonies, but it was the wild twists & more vehement action scenes that will put the readers into the verge of grabbing a chair. Antartica and its futuristic cool jeebus. I was in awe while reading that part. What can I say? Some time later in the future, a dystopian book might came into reality. It is not hard to immersed myself in Champion's set up for it provides all the details that wipes away the confusion of any reader. Action-packed and more kickass stunts from the characters. Well done. Hats off.

The main storyline of the republic becoming more than it was under the regime of Anden’s father and being broken but change taking some time was steady with what I expected from the trilogy. June and Day’s continued involvement against the new threat was engrossing and I felt like they were both in real danger multiple times. Day got to go back to his roots from Legend where he pulled stunts for the republic now against the colonies instead of the other way around. June really grows into the woman she is going to be. There are some very hard choices she makes and her emotions sometimes broke my heart as she struggle to do the right thing.

Some people get to redeem themselves against the mistakes made in Legend and Prodigy while others continue down more destructive paths. Thomas and June had quite a moment in the book reliving the death of Matias and it is a very well written argument where you could see the motivations behind what Thomas did even if you can’t forgive his betrayal. He really did strive protect the republic in his own twisted way. 

There is also some good time spent on the June/Day relationship. Their lives have been intertwined in love and pain. Each trying desperately to do what is best for the other.

“Do you have any idea,” He says in a soft broken hoarse whisper, “Do you know how, how badly I wish?” He pulls away long enough to look me desperately in the eyes. “If you don’t love me, just say it. You have to help me. It would probably be for the best. It would make it easier to stay away from you. Wouldn’t it?” 

June really proves how unconditionally she loves Day how much she is willing to sacrifice for him. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.

Marie Lu gives us a look 10 years in the future at the end and I think that ties up all the loose ends rather well. I liked how the entire story really comes full circle. The last chapter is really beautiful and full of hope for a better future. 

  

“Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time. -Day” 

Please read this series you guys... It was amazing

-Alex

Prodigy Review

Prodigy

Title: Prodigy

Author: Marie Lu

Genre: Dystopian

Publication Date: January 29th 2013

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 371

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Synopsis: 

Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

My Rating:

 Review:

I know that many people felt like Prodigy was a step-up over the first installment in the trilogy, and I can say that it did have quite a few areas of improvement over Legend when it came to showing more world detail. There was a great amount of time spent on bringing the bigger picture into focus, and it probably satisfied many of those who felt as if Legend was skimping out on the details of what made this government and world tick. 

Prodigy, though, in a word, is lost. So many sacrifices, so many fears, so many character developments, so many plot twists, so much genius that even a hundred Hershey's bars wouldn't stack up in comparison. This book was not a rollercoaster: it was a freaking cannonball. You don't even get the time to prepare with the proper goggles before Marie pushes you into the waters from a height beyond Shangri-la. Then the words wrap around you like air currents and slam you down into the water with a splash that hurt more than a hundred million bombs setting on fire. 

Now not only is the story line fantastic but the dual point's of view does not disappoint. They are written perfectly and they complement each other so well. Not once do you get lost in either of the narratives. June and Day are unique and such well rounded characters that it's hard not to love them. Their faced with a lot of tough decisions through out this book - if not, more than before. They seem to have to take everything will a little bit of faith. Everywhere they turn, there seems to be someone there who is using them and it's a shame they can't confide in anyone - other than themselves and possibly even one unlikely ally, which is honestly going blow your mind. And there also a lot of uncertainty about June and Day's relationship which really throws a spanner in the works and then of course, that ending. HOLY SMOKES THAT ENDING!! I felt like screaming "WHY MARIE, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO THAT TO US?!" No!!! It can't possibly be true....I refused to believe it. It's safe to sending the ending of Prodigy will leave you completely blown away but it will also leave you wanting to pull your hair out. It's that good!  

All in all, there are many things that make Prodigy is a fantastic book and the only way you're going to find out, is by reading it yourself. I urge you to pick up this series because it just becomes even more mind-blowing with each book.

Can't wait to read Champion!

-Alex

The Darkest Minds Trilogy

Cover Reveal- Into the Afterlight

                          

Darkest Minds: 

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her-East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Darkest Minds Goodreads  Never Fade Goodreads   Into the Afterlight Goodreads

 Author: Alexandra Bracken

Legend Book Review

Legend

Title: Legend 

Author: Marie Lu

Genre: Dystopian

Publication: February 2nd 2012

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 295

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Synopsis: 

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. 

My Rating: 

Review: 

Let's just say that this trilogy will be one of my favorites, if not, my favorite. It was such a crazy experience reading your book. There was a lot of gasping and screaming and wanting to throw the book at the wall out of frustration. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next, bang! Something crazy and unexpected happened. I loved how Marie Lu just kept throwing insane plot twists in my face, and I didn't know whether to love her or hate her for that.  

Day and June were not some random citizens in a dystopian world. They were a really big deal. Their names were widely known: June's for being a prodigy and Day's for being a criminal. They were important not just to the story, but to the world that the story takes place in. Being a sort of celebrity was very dangerous in this book, especially when trying to break the law and rebel against the government.

What I also loved about Legend was that I actually felt something for the secondary characters like Metias, Day's family, and Tess. From the synopsis, Metias's fate is known, but his presence is still there in the book. He was a loving brother to June, and I wish his life didn't have to end that way. Tess is a young girl who Day took under his wings two years ago. She's a great person, and I really hope we get more of her in the next book. Day's caring personality definitely comes from his family. The situation Day's family is put through is horrible and broke my heart, and I hope justice is served out to those people who caused their suffering. Antagonists were just oh-so depressing as ever. I wanted to strangle them, but at the same time hug them for being haughty and rotten. I never trusted Thomas at any point of the story. He seemed suspicious and irrelevant and I didn't like him one bit. Tess was just a cute little doll. I really liked her. She was so kind and friendly and helped everyone with everything. She was so small and felt like any could've controlled her even though she's 13. 

While the book did not focus on the relationship between Day and June, it was certainly a large part of the story. It felt incredibly real and believable. Day and June were not utterly obsessed with each other; there was no love at first sight. Their relationship was really gradual, and it just kind of...happens. I really liked the whole forbidden-love element to it; they were supposed to be enemies, after all. These are two characters who complimented each other really well, and they made an excellent team. I can't wait to see where the next book in the series takes them! 

Another thing very evident in this book is the siblings-love. Parts and parts of this book tackled and explored the extent of sibling-love. From Metias and June to John-Day-Eden, all exhibited unwavering love to each other. Sacrifices had been made in order to give way for the other's survival. Especially when John sacrificed himself for Day. That part almost made me shed a stream of tears down the page.  

 

Alex