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 

Add on Goodreads

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
Add on Goodreads

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

Thirteen Reasons Why Review

Th1rteen R3asons Why

Title: Thirteen Reason Why

Author: Jay Asher

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Publication Date: June 14th 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 288

Add on Goodreads

Synopsis:

You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret. . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen doesn't want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her.

Then Hannah's voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes-- and that he is, in some way, responsible for her death.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his small town. . .

. . .and what he discovers changes his life forever.

My Rating: 

Review: 

Thirteen Reasons Why is a novel that will most likely captivate you and leave you feeling a bit dazed after you've finished it. At least, that's how it was for me. What I liked most about this book was its originality; the idea of passing around audiotapes that have been recorded by someone no longer living does sound morbid, but I found that the writing and the story itself distracted away from the initial premise. 

For starters, I actually ended up liking Hannah. I can understand why someone would not like her because killing yourself and sending audiotapes to make those left behind feel guilty does sound morbid and selfish, but I honestly didn't see that way. Yes, at the beginning, I thought Hannah was a little snarky, but as the story progressed I found myself becoming more and more enveloped in her story, and her reactions, and her thoughts. By the end, my heart was breaking for her.

While we don't hear as much from Clay, I really liked his character. I felt awful for him, considering how great of a guy he was and how genuine his feelings were for Hannah. I also liked how he would interject and speak to Hannah in his mind, telling her she could have prevented this and that it didn't need to happen. Before he takes the blame for anything, he realizes how in control of her own life Hannah actually was and how, ultimately, what she did was her own decision. For me, these reactions made the story seem more real.

For those saying that Hannah's reasons for killing herself were stupid, keep in mind that they aren't your reasons, they are hers. Those reasons were enough for her to end her life. It was to show the reader that despite what you may think in the moment, suicide is never the answer and there is more to live for. Asher doesn't want Hannah to appear strong for that would defeat the purpose of his novel.

This story was amazing. It was emotional and heavy, but also moving and beyond memorable. I feel grateful to have read this book and cannot say nearly enough about how highly I think of Asher's writing and technique and his amazing gift for story telling. I may not be able to look back at this book and want to re-read it over and over again, it's just not that type of book. But I also can't bear to part with it. I'm not sure I'll ever read another that can even come close to being it's equal. I will never forget Hannah's story.

Listen to Hannah's Tapes

 

 “No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.” 

 Precise, understandable.. Hannah

-Alex 

Most Anticipated Tbr Series

Most Anticipated Series to Start

I can't wait to read all these books, but these are my most anticipated!

      1. Throne of Glass      

   

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion.

Her name is Celaena Sardothien. 

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world. 

Add on Goodreads

      2. The 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.

Add on Goodreads 

      3. Proxy      

 

Knox was born into one of the City’s wealthiest families. A Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want—the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy to take all his punishments. When Knox breaks a vase, Syd is beaten. When Knox plays a practical joke, Syd is forced to haul rocks. And when Knox crashes a car, killing one of his friends, Syd is branded and sentenced to death. 

Syd is a Proxy. His life is not his own. 

Then again, neither is Knox’s. Knox and Syd have more in common than either would guess. So when Knox and Syd realize that the only way to beat the system is to save each other, they flee. Yet Knox’s father is no ordinary Patron, and Syd is no ordinary Proxy. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test both boys’ resolve, and shine a blinding light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay. Some debts, it turns out, cannot be repaid.

Add on Goodreads 

      4. Angelfall      

  

 It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street.

After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl. 

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Add on Goodreads 

      5. The Maze Runner      

   

"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.

Add on Goodreads 

 What do you guys think? 

Have you read any?
-Alex