Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Publication Date: October 2009

Summary:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind. [GoodReads]

My Thoughts:
This booked is packed with adventure and action. A mix between Gone by
Michael Grant and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

The main reason I love this book is the constant pace which also maintains the right amount of detail in every chapter. The first page is gripping and exciting as  Thomas finds himself in the Glade with no memory of his life before, only his name. The book is constantly following what he wants to do but this is what made the book such a page turner. As the newbie, Thomas isn't afraid and instantly jumps up to the most dangerous job. This part of the book, I found, was the most irritating as every so often he'd just keep saying "I need to be.." so-and-so "I will be..." so-and-so.

The description of everything around the maze was so well written and easy to imagine, which included all the characters. When we first read about the characters their is that instant feeling of a really close community (and not just because of the way the Glade is set out.) They don't break the rules and fear beyond the maze where Grievers roam when it goes dark and deadly. There are so many interesting twists with the characters around two thirds of the book (I think it's around there) which is actually mind blowing. I thought it's so clever and I would of never thought of it.  

It was interesting and funny to read and get to know about the Glade. The main part of the enjoyment was to their language, but I couldn't help think that it was tied into some swear words...

There was one character which I found predictable. When we first met him in the story I knew that he was the character. It did twist a little but the outcome remained the same. Did you pick up that character, or was it just me?

Recommend or Not? Yes, definitely. Drop whatever your reading now and pick up THIS book!

Happy Reading :)

What did you think of the book?

Book Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Title: The Summer That I Turned Pretty
Author: Jenny Han
Published: 3rd June 2010

Summary:
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along. [GoodReads]

My Thoughts:

Bitterly disappointed. Read raving reviews about this book and was surely let down. A reviewer said, I quote: "If you are a fan of Sarah Dessen, you will definitely enjoy reading this book."


A nice introduction to the characters at the beginning with background which was pleasant, with a similar outline to Endless Summer (although I did read this book first), Belly wants to get the attention from Conrad more than anything. Obviously, not that simple with Jeremaih in the way. I only wish that Belly wasn't such a irritating character with what she thinks, says and does. All the reasons for "crush" just seemed pointless as there is a huge sign of interest waving around her from what we can see as "Prince Charming". Reading this, it is constantly painful to read the actions around Belly and how she is so blind with everyone!

The storyline could have spanned out really well but the sad decisions of where the story gets blown to has let down the book. The main disappointment was the, what I think was supposed to be, "twist" that left everything very sour.

Above all the negatives:
I do like the occasional jump back to Belly's different memories of her summers which link back to the main story. Reading the past events in the moment was a better idea to have rather than, what Jenny could of done, is let Belly hint about what happened in the past.


Recommend or Not?  Sadly, no. Characters are irritating and the unrealistic events brings a bitter result. Not my cup of tea.

Happy Reading

What did you think of the book?

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Published: 12th January 2012


Summary:

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.[GoodReads]

My Thoughts:

When you go up you always have to fall back down. For all those emotional book lovers, I recommend reading with several boxes of tissues on the side. BE PREPARED!

Everything changes when Hazel meets Augustus. Both suffering from cancer it goes through a tonne of emotion: laughing happy to then down right sad. It's such a good read that you are likely never to put the book down until you read the last line.

The relationship between Isaac and Augustus was cute and their on-going jokes, nothing but good old friendship. So when Hazel is included it is so perfect because she fits in with them so well.

Augustus is a character who you could look up to. He has such a boldness to him and doesn't let anything put him down. He always lives his life to the max, which is what really drives this book on. The idea of the cigarette in the mouth without lighting it was also something I found interesting, with the whole idea he had with it.

Recommend or Not? Yep...tissues at the ready!

"The real heroes aren’t the people doing things; the real heroes are the people noticing things, paying attention."

Happy Ready :')

Book Review: "Endless Summer" - Jennifer Echlos

Title: Endless Summer
Author: Jennifer Echlos
Published: 25th May 2010

Summary:
Lori can't wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends--including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she's always been just one of the guys. Now that she's turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that's not going to happen--not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori's romantic summer melt into one hot mess? [GoodReads]

My Thoughts:

It only took me 6 hours to finish reading this entire book. No, not in one go but around 3 hours at night to read the first book and the other night another 3 hours to finish the second book. Loved it? Well, I think that the speed that I read the book at it's more than obvious.

I'm pretty much a sucker for cute romantic stories, as you may know through my other review and what genre the book is, and it has the romance as well and laughter along the way.

The first book is something that I'm pretty sure everyone can relate to. Wanting to get a boy to pay more attention to the friendship you have and possible more. For Lori her instant reaction to all of this is through her clothes. Yep, short shorts and a low-cut top. I love her narration through the book and there is a sense of wanting to be in control and "knowing" of what she wants and going for it.

Adam is so almost perfect. He's the blind spot, I think that's what I'll call him, and he’s the person who you never think anything more than a best friend. He's the decent boy who is awesome but you see it as kindness because he's your best friend. Sean is slightly annoying, but only in the first book. The character development in the second book was really nice to read especially when you read what Sean says to Lori, more emotion opens up and you feel almost sorry for Sean (but I still don’t like him very much :P )

Recommend or Not? YES, YES, YES!! This is truly the ultimate American styled book with all the key points put in.



Happy reading! :D

Book Review: "Going Too Far" - Jennifer Echols

Title: Going Too Far
Author: Jennifer Echols
Release Date: 17th March 2009


Summary:
All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.
John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge--and over... [GoodReads]

 My Thoughts:
Something that struck me as I read the beginning page is that it goes straight into the action. You are thrown into the character of Meg, rebellious and so called bad girl. There isn't some long description which becomes boring before starting the book properly. However details are definitely there later in the story but links in well and is put in at the right moments.

Throughout the book there is a connection between the characters John and Meg. They seem to constantly challenge each other without knowing, pushing themselves further and further until they reach consequence which I cannot tell you . . . *cough* read the book *cough* Also the fact that John is a policeman give this book more of an edge of difference especially because of his age, but that maybe because I live in the UK, and the reasoning behind it all is definitely unexpected. Yet the age of them both come through, both some what lost in life. Meg's voice throughout the book is just great.


Covering topics about what drives us to be where we are, trust and also friendship. It does have some strong language and some content about sex so I would recommend this book to ages 15 plus.

Recommend or Not? Yep. I don't see why you wouldn't unless you are below the age of 15...A truly romantic roller coaster story


What did you think of the book?
Happy Reading