[Book Review] The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner (Maze Runner Series, Book 1)

James Dashner

Blurb:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recolection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.
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 expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don's know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas' arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up- the first girl ever to arrive at the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.
And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers- if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

Review:

"The Maze Runner" has been on my to-read list for quite a while. I am so glad that I finally got the chance to give it a try! I truly enjoyed this novel. What this one has going for it is an intricate plot filled with the perfect balance of suspense. It has been a long time since I last read a novel that hooked me, kept me on the end of my seat with my heart beating violently, as much as this one had. From page one, I was anxious about the fate of Tommy and the gang. The ending especially is an effective one for a trilogy. I cannot believe how much I feel the NEED to read the sequel. I mean it's 10 minutes before my local library closes and I'm VERY tempted to run out and go get "The Scorch Trials"! My only complaint about this novel is that it needs more fully developed characters. It would have been nice for Newt, Teresa and Minho to be more developed as characters and for readers to have been able to truly get into their and Thomas' heads. Overall, "The Maze Runner" was worthy of staying up late to finish! :-)


** Enjoyed the Maze Runner series? Abhorred it? Liked the Hunger Games exponentially better? Leave your rants in the comments!

[Book Review] Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

By: Ransom Riggs

Blurb:  

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Review:

Oh Riggs....why do this to me?

This book captured my attention because of the photographs--the intriguing, creepy, and well, peculiar photographs. The amateur photographer in me was giddy with excitement at the prospect of a great story told around these photographs. For that Riggs does a very good job. The images are very carefully and appropriately placed and the visuals really add more depth to the story. 

I enjoyed Riggs simplistic, but effective writing style, BUT (you knew it was coming) what the heck happened about half way through? For the first 150 pages or so, the suspense, tension and mysterious creep factor were captivatingly balanced, but then readers are handed a sparknotes version, giving all of the answers in one swoop. With all the mystery...demystified, the rest of the novel sort of plopped. I found myself speed reading just to see how it would end. Overall, it was a good try and I will still most likely purchase and read the sequel to find out the end of Miss P's peculiars and to see more of the amazing photographs. 

**Read Miss P's Home for Peculiar Children? Leave your thoughts in the comments! ^__^