Book Review 24: The Maze Runner

Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You're in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out. Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids -- the Runners -- venture into the labyrinth, trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit from this hellish place. So far, no one has figured it out. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions, victims of the maniacal Grievers, part animal, part mechanical killing machines.

Thomas is the newest arrival to the Glade in this Truman-meets-Lord of the Flies tale. A motley crew of half a dozen kids is all he has to guide him in this strange world. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he's unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out?

In The Maze Runner, Dashner has crafted a creative and engaging novel that's both mysterious and thought provoking.

As it would seem it would appear that I might be the last book blogger to read this book, but as the film's out next year, I decided to jump on the bandwagon! And damn am I kicking myself hard for not reading this book sooner. Lets be honest, the Maze Runner has always been that book, I passed my book shelve and labeled 'next time" then I saw Dylan O'Brian as Thomas and well… eye candy is really motivational.

The prime reason The Maze Runner wasn't an automatic read was because of its lack of romance. As an 18 year old, a book without a hint of romance is a boring book EXCEPT for this book.This was a great, no scratch that; AMAZING, intense read, that really jolts your brain into thinking. The only way this book isn't for you is if your looking for a superficial read that dulls your mind into submission. James Dashner literally drops the reader in the middle of the action as Thomas wakes up in a strange place called the Glade, unable to remember anything except his own name. He and the other adolescents there seem to be part of some kind of a grand experiment, trapped in the middle of a maze populated by horrific monsters, with one hope of finding an exit.

I'm not sure what I can say about this without spoiling anything because for you to get the full experience of this book you can't have any clues going in! All through this book I had no theories, no idea what was going on and when each layer was peeled back or something was revealed I was shocked and amazed! It is the most interesting onion you will ever peel. What I will say is this: I loved the idea of these boys living in a community, surviving on their own, but basically trying to find their way out of a maze.

James Dashner created a world very different from others in its genre.I highly enjoyed every character in the book, even the ones I wanted to strangle because they all had a purpose the ultimately led to an amazing cliffhanger. With there unique lingo that you'd normally think would annoy you, only added to the flavor to each and every character! I loved the brotherhood that was formed. This book was filled with angst, sacrifice, friendship and bravery. I will say that THERE IS NO ROMANCE, although the read can see a relationship developing between Thomas and Teresa; trust me though YOU DO NOT MISS IT ONE BIT.

The one thing that did however make this book a 4 ½ and not a 5 star read was  the Grievers -  I wish they had appeared more  scary or dangerous creatures in the book.

Needless to say, this is a gripping read. The action is frantic and the mystery of Thomas and the others' situation is suspenseful.  Definitely recommended to those who like me who wait 5 years for a kick as trip! As usual...

and for you viewing pleasure and some motivation for those who haven't read it yet… 

Ignite Me Book Pages? WHAT?

First post of 2014, whoop!  whoop! better late than ever right? Anyways I come with gifts to the blogosphere! For those who read the title YES! You read correctly; golden star for you! Lady's and Gentleman actual pages from Ignite Me! THANK YOU FICTIONAL GODS ONCE AGAIN. Ignite Me is scheduled to be releases February 4th 2014 so get ready folks because…

Book Review 21 Sentinel

It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself

-Goodreads.com

* The Break Down:

WARNING: IF YOU HAVE A FRAGILE HEART. PREPARE FOR HEARTBREAK.

It’s done. My precious beloved Covenant series is over and I’m so sad to see one of my all time favorites escapes end. To say I had high expectations for the final novel of the Covenant series would be a lie; They were seriously sky high because of how much I loved every other book and it managed to exceeded every single one of my extremely and ridiculously high expectations. Armentrout gives you everything that you could ever want in the ending of ANY series. It was full of redemption,romance, fretfulness, action, and my personal favorite smart-assery. 

Alex, Aiden, Seth, Luke, Deacon, Olivia, Marcus, Caleb and Apollo. Please stand up and take a bow. Thank-you for giving me years of pure (no pun intended) unforgettable entertainment.

Alex , for one has come a long way from the first book. No longer the girl prone to stupidity, she really stands up and "pulls on her big girl panties" She’s a beautiful, fierce creature. Who really showed what it is meant to sacrifice.

'Blinking back tears, I looked away, working my throat until I was sure that, when I opened my mouth, it wasn't a sob. "I don't want to die."

"I know," Apollo said, and his voice was surprisingly gentle. "I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen. I haven't let you down yet have I?"

"The gods should be fighting. You know that, Apollo. This is their fight."

"This is everyone's fight," he corrected. "Because it is everyone's future."'  

OH GODS! the constant scolding  about Alex's sex life, had me rolling.

“Oh! You're one to talk!" I whirled on Apollo. "Seriously? If I was to Google 'irresponsible sexual activity', it would be your picture staring back at me!"

Apollo made a face at me—actually made a face at me like he was ten years old or something.” 

Aiden *(Pause to swoon) will forever own a piece of my heart. I know I have said this time and time again BUT authors have completely ruined every guys chance of being perfect thanks to characters like Aiden. He’s the rock that held this series together. His unwavering love and support for Alex took my breath away and made my heart ache with pure joy. He would go anywhere for Alex as proven in the end.

"And because I love you, I am willing to die to save you from that. Don't you dare take that decision away from me." 

Seth has always provoked conflicting feeling for me during this entire series, but in the end, I believe we finally got to see the very best of him. He not only does whats right but he also does whats needed from him. We see that Seth's guilt for the things that he did but we also his redemption 

“I wasn’t lying. I never wanted something like that to happen. Out of everything I have done and caused to happen... it’s the one thing I can never ask forgiveness for.”

 Not many characters are redeemed. but Seth proved himself in this book and made all the hope I had for him worth while. But don't get me wrong. SETH WAS STILL SETH. Snarky, kick-ass, arrogant…. swoon worthy.

“We need a plan," he replied.
"Wow," Seth folded his arms. "That's a unique concept."
"Seth," I hissed, shooting him a look.
"That's okay," Apollo replied, smiling at Seth in a wholly creepy "hide your kids" kind of way. "When you least expect it, I'm going to turn you into a pink flower that smells like cat pee.” 

Together these 3 characters finished out the book with a bang. Not to mention when you have a Titan and the 12 Olympians in the mix is becomes a pretty BIG bang.

READ THE BOOK!

There was just SO MUCH about this book I could't possibly fit into this one post so do yourself a favor and READ THE SERIES. I am 100% certain you will love it. From the beginning to the very last page, I was on an emotional twist of emotions. The plot of the series came into full circle as we were introduced to the new world of pures and halfs.

““They’re going to tell stories about us.”

Aiden lowered his head, kissing me softly, deeply, and so lovingly that tears pricked my 

eyes. “They already are.”” 

And just for kicks, here are my Aiden, Alex and Seth?  Who did you picture? Comment Below.

Book Review #16: Origin

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything. 

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? 

And will they even be together?

*The Break Down:

Sweet baby aliens....

If your seeking a breath-taking, action packed, I-can-not-get-my-eyes-unglued-from-this-book,   forget-to-do-my-homework, one-sit read 

...Well you found it!

Origin starts right where Opal ends. Daemon is on lock down by Dawson and Dee while Katy is trapped with the Arum. With the duel perspectives, we as the reader really got insight to Both characters and lets just say...

   Daemon Black is PISSED and seeking vengeance! he’s ready to burn the world down for Katy! I have a question... when did anger become such a turn on?! Seriously I might need my head examined. Daemon was yelling and freaking out for Katy and here was I being like "Be mine"... not okay?  I continue to say that Jennifer Armentrout’s paranormal series'(s) books are her at her best! She has a very unique talent of intertwining a perfect blend of  nail-biting action, snark, and heart-throbbing romance that envelopes the reader completely. It feels like its been an eternity since this book had been announced and it felt so right to jump right back in. And good god...

“Thirty-one hours, forty-two minutes, and twenty seconds had passed since the doors had closed, separating Kat from me. Thirty-one hours, forty-two minutes, and ten seconds since I last saw her. For thirty-one hours and forty-one minutes Kat had been in the hands of Daedalus.”

I literally felt my heart seize and go into ventricle fibrillation. Not that I ever doubts Daemons "awesomeness but walking in to the dangerous bowels of the Daedalus is nothing short of mad. I loved his unrelenting passion for Kat, his unyielding resolve to do whatever it takes.

“Did you think you could stop me?… I’ll burn the world down to save her.”

I just didn't know how literal he was willing to take that though but since it was after all Daemon I probably shouldn't have been surprised.

Meantime, Katy is a prisoner as we left her in Opal, forced to experience some pretty horrifying things. Seriously, some of the stuff she has to do and that is done to her, had me cringing in fear of what would become of her.The more time she spent there, the more she couldn’t help but change under the circumstances…

“And in that tiny second when I’d caved to the fury — nothing in a span of millions — I had changed, become something I wasn’t sure I could ever come back from.”

As for Daedalus, which by the way I still CANNOT pronounce;  Their plot had me  spinning I found myself questioning right from wrong, mulling over the intentions of all the players in the game wondering whether they were real or fake.

I don't want to give anything away because this book honest was the BEST BOOK IN THE SERIES so go read it! But I will say that this book was filled with unthinkable betrayals, surprising deaths, twists and turns that would surly give you whip lash, and of course some of the sexist scenes JLA has given yet.

As always and in typical JLA way, the last part of the book left me nail bitting, pulling out my hair, speed reading and secretly praying she wouldn’t leave us with a cliffhanger. Well good news ladies and gentleman, it’s not quite as torrid as Opal was, but she does leave us wanting more naturally. By the end of the book, the situation has intensified to epic proportions, with the set up of a whole new dynamic beginning to roll, Leaving my brain scrambled in a frying pan. There is one more book in the Lux series and I can already tell it’s going to be packed with action and drama.

Over all, If you’ve been a fan of this series or even if your new to it, you will love this latest installment! After all, what’s not to love about Daemon Black?!

ON A SIDE NOTE: Fans of the Sweet Trilogy by Wendy Higgins will love this, I know I got all excited when I saw it! If you have looked at my blog you will see that I have just read and reviewed Sweet Evil. So what a surprise when Katy's renamed Anna Whitt and Daemon is renamed Kaiden Rowe... and I fit the pieces in my head! It couldn't have been more perfect.