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… 

Book Review 23: Allegiant

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?

What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?

What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

I am still in denial that its all over. Allegiant was one of the most anticipated novels of 2013 written in duel perspectives of Tris and Tobias I couldn't hide my excitement for the life if me. It was like my own personal bible, I read it as much as possible any chance I got. 

Now that I've finished this all I can say is that it is:

WARNING: Those who suffer from a fragile heart prepare for heartbreak

Let's just start by saying: there is NO supplement for reading the book, so if you are depending on a review to finish out the series or sum up how to feel about the book; its not going to happen! Read it now and be brave.

The plot was amazing. If your a reader looking for a forgot-to-pick-up-the-kids, my-heart-just-bursted-into-thousands-of-shreads one sit read WELL YOU FOUND IT! but I'm not about to spill ALL the beans about what happened! READ THE BOOK.

Let's begin with a slow applause for our characters: they truly are what made the Divergent series great, but that's not to say there wasn't character-reader friction cause there was ... ALOT

Tris really pissed me off in this book, not because she was underdeveloped or a bad character, but because SHE WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED HER TO BE! This just goes to say: be careful about what you wish for! I know I don't make much sense but it's true, she was strong, loving and in the the end shows what true bravery is.

“There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater.

But sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life.

That is the sort of bravery I must have now.”

 Of course I never wanted it to end like that though! I understand the decision that she made but it shattered my heart for Christina and Tobias. They were supposed to grow old and have 29 little grand babies after everything was done!  

Oh god Tobias! 

Who knew that the jerk-instructor at the beginning of Divergent would have ever melted my heart! It seriously turned into goo. We all knew that Tobias had a past but I had no idea how deep he truly was until I was in his head. We see this new vunurable side of Four that I for one never saw coming, we saw his need for human comfort and his need for Tris.

“She taught me all about real sacrifice. That it should be done from love... That it should be done from necessity, not without exhausting all other options. That it should be done for people who need your strength because they don't have enough of their own.”

*wipes tear

and when he found out that Tris dies I died...

“But when I do feel all the strength go out of me, and I fall to my knees beside the table and I think I cry, then, or at least I want to, and everything inside me screams for just one more kiss, one more word, one more glance, one more.”

DO NOT GET ME WRONG THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THIS BOOK THAN THE SADNESS!

“You're not very nice," I say, grinning.

"You're one to talk.

"Hey, I could be nice if I tried.

"Hmm." He taps his chin. "Say something nice, then.

"You're very good-looking.

He smiles, his teeth a flash in this dark. "I like this 'nice' thing.” 

Even though it didn't the way I invisioned, I thought it was a beautiful and slightly prefect ending because it reality the character were true to them self and there was a sense of hope that everyone was going to be okay. If you know the characters then all the decisions and everything that happened was meant to be:

The girl who jumped first on initiation day, took knifes to defend her friend and risked her life to let out the truth about the video...did what she was suppose to do; be brave OR The boy with only four fears learned how to depend on other for support. He learned how to trust and when to let go. He shows us the meaning of love and the need to change.

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 freedom. This post was a blink so do yourself a favor and read it

“I'll say it one last time: Be brave.” 

Waiting on Wednesday #9: The Retribution of Mara Dyer

 ***"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill at the Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.***

So what book am I anxiously awaiting to read?

The Retribution of Mara Dyer By Michelle Hodkin

After the cliffhanger, I sat like a child in time-out for about twenty minutes, more or less.

And then firstly, I saw this… 

Secondly, Read this:

"The first thing I noticed when I woke up was that I was covered in blood.

The second thing I noticed was that this didn’t bother me the way it should have.

I didn’t feel the urge to scream or speak, to beg for help, or even to wonder where I was. Those instincts were dead, and I was calm as my wet fingers slid up the tiled wall, groping for a light switch. I found one without even having to stand. Four lights slammed on above me, one after the other, illuminating the dead body on the floor just a few feet away.

My mind processed the facts first. Male. Heavy. He was lying face down in a wide, red puddle that spread out from beneath him. The tips of his curly black hair were wet with it. There was something in his hand.

The fluorescent lights in the white room flickered and buzzed and hummed. I moved to get a better view of the body. His eyes were closed. He could have been asleep, really, if it weren’t for the blood. There was so much of it. And by one of his hands it was smeared into a weird pattern.

No. Not a pattern. Words.

PLAY ME.

My gaze flicked to his hand. His fist was curled around a small tape recorder. I moved his fingers—still warm—and pressed play. A male voice started to speak.

"Do I have your attention?" the voice said.

I knew that voice. But I couldn’t believe I was hearing it"

And now I am died. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS.

I cannot wait unit the final installment comes out. Although as you guys might know, it's publication date has been pushed back to June 10th 2014 

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…