Review: The Maze Runner #1 by James Dashner

Summary

When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas can remember is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade, an encampment at the center of a bizarre and terrible maze. 

Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there, or what's happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything to find out. 

Review 

The Maze Runner was the one novel that I had wanted to read in quite a while and when I got the chance to finally purchase it, I went for it. The cover of the book is amazing, the colors giving the title more of an effect to entice readers in and it sure as hell worked for me. This book was written amazingly, James Dashner wrote in 3rd person and it was such a refreshing read, because not many books are written in 3rd person, well not the ones I've read so far and it was a surprise when I read it. Though it took me a while to get a hold of it and actually imagine the words create an image in my mind. 

The Maze Runner starts with Thomas in a metal box, why it was unclear and explained in bits and pieces later on by various other characters. The thoughts and emotions running around Thomas's mind where mirrored in mine, I was completely confused just as he was, it honestly felt like I was there and I only remembered my name as well - then reality crushed my imagination and threw everything I know back at my face, oh well - with Thomas only remembering his name, and then being thrown in an unknown place with unknown people, all boys of different ages, what was going on? Was the only question running in my head. 

With Thomas entering the so called place 'The Glade', questions pool in to his mind wanting to ask everything that is humanly possible to understand. But does he get answers? No. Which irritated him and me because I wanted to know what that place was and why there are over 50 boys there. For what purpose are they there? And importantly why are they placed in the center of a Maze? Oh come on I know you'll are surprised but the title kinda have it away, right? 

We meet a lot of characters who help Thomas and some just be the friend that you need in times like these, and that one person is Chuck; a talkative yet calming person who helped Thomas no matter what the situation was. The twist that involved both Thomas and Chuck was so unpredictable I did not see that coming at all, the promise Thomas made was so amazing that I wanted to finish the book faster because by reading Thomas's thoughts about that one promise it was clear that it was pure and intentional that I too believed that he would succeed BUT that twist. *No spoilers* A book is not complete when you don't have that one character who hates the main protagonist right? and there's always that one character that you really like because of his attitude towards everything. Yup guess you'll have to read it to see who i'm talking about.

James Dashner has done an amazing job bringing us The Maze Runner, not only does this book have an amazing dystopian setting that plunges you right in the heart of action, it also has the recurring emotion of hope, hope to finally beat the maze, hope to finally remember their parents, but most of all hope to show the 'Creators' that they will not go down without a fight, no matter how many Grievers they send - oh Grievers are these big ugly mechanical creatures that wait and prey on those that get stuck in the maze at night - The most interesting part was that Thomas felt a connection The Glades, to becoming a Runner and to the girl that came with 'a message'. But what is the meaning of this? Why does Thomas feel the need to become a runner? but most all why does he feel like he's been here before? This book brings you a thrilling Dystopian world, an ever-changing maze, and a perfectly executed twist that will keep you wanting more. 

The Maze Runner - James Dashner 5 Stars  

Review: Dark Secrets #1 by Elizabeth Chandler

Summary

Two girls haunted by the past....

And destined to relive it 

In Legacy of Lies, Megan has to stay with the uptight grandmother who she wants nothing to do with. She's determined to get through the visit without any drama, but when she falls into a twisted love triangle with potentially fatal consequences, Megan may be caught up in her family's legacy in more ways than she can realize. 

In Don't Tell, Lauren knows that by returning to the town where her mother drowned seven years ago, she'll be reliving one f her most haunting memories. When she arrives, she is propelled into a series of mysterious events that mimic the days leading up to her mother's death. Maybe her mother's drowning wasn't an accident after....and maybe Lauren is next. 

Review

Dark Secrets contains two books, both mind whirling and to some extent confusing as to who the real culprit is, I don't remember when I brought this book but I can say that I was amazed by the concept of being haunted by the past, an unspeakable bond that will destine you to the truth or a web of lies? 

In Legacy of Lies young Megan is summoned by her adopted moms mother; her grandmother. Who's more uptight and shows no love to all her daughters family. Like come on she hasn't seen her daughter in god knows how long and when she finally meets her grand-daughter, she has the 10 Commandments placed on her wall, seriously? Given the responsibility of mending the relationship Megan goes to Baltimore. What amazed me most about these short novels where the placing, all in Baltimore a place beautifully described by Elizabeth Chandler; the shops, the high street, the Sycamore River and so many other places. From book one I guess I was enticed by the description of the surrounding. The way Chandler handled the surrounding was astounding, the plot line for Legacy of Lies was just as much amazing as the surrounding, having been haunted by the past bringing both Megan; witty and sarcastic and Matt her 'supposedly cousin brother' who's just as uptight but discreetly hiding something, and keeping a distant from Megan. 

This story line was amazing, I don't remember how many times I've read this novel; and yet still be surprised by who was behind the death of Avril Scarborough sister to the uptight grandmother, What? The conflict between her and Matt is just too cute and sometimes downright hilarious, no matter how much he tries to deny it there's a hidden bond between the two that not even they can grasp. A twist that will keep you reading more and more until you, yourself are caught up in the web of lies that might just be Megan's last chance to survive. 

In Don't Tell the second novel in the Dark Secrets, young Lauren is brought back to the place of her mothers death; in Wisteria. Compelled by her godmother to visit only to return after seven years to come back and relive the hellish moments that lead up to her mothers death, was Lauren's mother murders? is now the only question on Lauren's mind, and cannot trust anyone. 

I didn't quite find myself gripping on to this novel, I guess after all the re-encounters Lauren faced and her accusing Nora all the time kind of reminded me of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf', having accused Nora all the time, and when the real murder was finally pulling the last straw to kill her, no body listened until eventually something happened making them believe her? Yeah that's what I thought of this novel. Nevertheless the twist was interesting the secrets that came out where even more unpredictable, overall it was a satisfying read. 

Elizabeth Chandler has done an amazing job at keeping her readers gripped till the last page was turned. I sure as hell was. Though the second novel could have been better, both books complimented each other well to be in the same book. This novel brings you suspense, thriller, unpredictable plot twists but most of the battle of two girls haunted by the past, in search for an ounce of trust somewhere. Will they succeed or be caught in the lies surrounding them; everywhere. 

Dark Secrets #1 - Elizabeth Chandler 4 stars 

Review: Boy21 by Matthew Quick

Summary

It's never been easy for Finley, particularly at home. But two things keep him going: his place on the basketball team and his girlfriend, Erin - the light in even the darkest of his days.

Then Russ arrives. He answers only to boy21, claims to be from outer space, and also has a past he wants to escape. He's one of the best high-school basketball players in the country and threatens to steal Finley's starting position.

Against all odds, Russ and Finley become friends. Russ could change everything for Finley, both better and for worse. But sometimes the person you least expect can give you the courage to face what's gone before...and work out where you're going next. 

Review

Boy21, odd name for a book, don't you think? Maybe. But different in it's own way, this book was a very interesting read about overcoming the past to accept what the present and future has to offer for you. Finley McManus is an 18 year old basketball lover, who might not have the best abilities to be an NBA player but enough to get his mind to thinks about winning and becoming part of something different. In the town Belmont, Basketball is a big deal, fair enough I guess it's different in all places, right? - I don't have much interest in Basketball but it's sure something that I would love to get to know more of - Not only has Finley taken shelter in basketball to lose himself from the past he's also portrayed as a quiet, good nature kid who only has one best friend, who is also his girlfriend Erin, who has been there for him since forever playing Basketball as well till this very day. There relationship is one that cannot be described, she was there for him at such a age where he needed the most. *No Spoilers*

This book takes many twists and turns bringing new characters in that threaten a lot of aspects in Finley's life, yet he will agree to bring those characters out in the open and by that I mean, Russell Allen, number one basketball champion in the country who threatens to take Finley's place aka Russ Washington aka Boy21 who claims to be from outer space and will return back to his parents real soon, guess there was a slight glitch in the communication as to when he's going back. Uh-oh. Nevertheless this book is very thought provoking, talking about Irish mobs, drug dealers the unspoken racial conflict, also bringing issues to surface after a series of incidents that take place, all that affect Finley's state of mind, I guess having those who are close to you get hurt, it only hurts more for you. Finley is quiet and by that it only makes you to take in every aspect around you whether that is peoples happiness or even times of sadness, Finley makes it his own. I guess that's why he agree's to help Russ because of his past. 

Matthew Quick has done an amazing job bringing a novel about friendship that can start from a simple request, transforming to something utterly in-describable. Finley and Russ have had a rough past and bringing them together only formed a bond that made both of them get rid of the facade they put on for other people; Finley's quietness and Russ's outer space, alien story. This book could have included more about what their friendship actually meant to them both, regardless of where they both ended it was because of one or the others sacrifice, reading more on the outcome would have been cool. But nonetheless this book was a compelling read, I guess the evidence is in me reading it in two days and having this review written on the second day - yeah not obsessed at all, I hope? - this book brings you friendship, loyalty, true realization and most importantly the motivation to achieve anything. A compelling read that will leave you reeling over it for days. Oh not to forget the awesome harry Potter references and the amazing parts of constellations, galaxies and mostly stars; the most simplistic thing in life became so unimaginable luminous through Matthews novel, I sure as hell will be staring up at the stars tonight, why don't you join me? 

Boy21 - Matthew Quick 4 Stars