The Maze Runner (James Dashner)

This review is for the first novel in a series of 3 by James Dashner. The first book - The Maze Runner - is one I’ve been intrigued to read for a while now. Before beginning the book, I really had no idea of what the storyline was; but something about the title called me in and it was recommended by YouTuber Joey Graceffa. I also learned, from Strawburry17's website, that this novel is being made into a movie! I can't wait until later in this year to see this book unfold before my eyes.

An Unofficial Movie Poster

The Cast of The Maze Runner Movie

 The Maze Runner follows the main character Thomas as he enters a new sort of world. Upon entering this world he finds himself surrounded by four walls and a community that is unorthodox; it’s a community run by teenage boys. This world is even more obscure because outside of those four walls is a maze that tests your bravery, fitness, and mental stability. I can’t give more of a synopsis than that as I think it would give too much of the storyline away; experiencing the plot first hand is definitely as aspect of the book that needs to be felt to understand the full experience.

The Book Cover

Though the story did start of slower than I usually like, it didn’t really bother me this time. I think the atmosphere that the author paints was enough to hold me this time. There is an unwritten suspense to the beginning of the story; it almost feels as though you ARE Thomas. You are both experiencing this new world at the same time. Everything is new, strange, and you don't know where you've come from; the "before" of this world is unexplained to you as a reader much like the "before" has been wiped from Thomas's memory.

Movie Depiction of Thomas

However, the story does pick up very quickly. It’s almost like when you roll a ball down a hill: it starts off slowly but picks up speed continually until it can’t seem to stop - only does it stop when it hits something. This book after about a quarter of the way drastically picks up speed and doesn’t slow until the last chapter. I finished two thirds of the book in one day! I honestly couldn’t put the book down!

I would rate this novel 4/5 because of the way it pulled me in. Of course, because of the slow start, it has a slightly lower rating.

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

The Fault In Our Stars (John Green)

This book by John Green had been receiving a lot of hype both through the media and online, therefore I had to make time to read it. I knew nothing of the content before starting the book so my opinion on the book is solely mine. I also found out that they are releasing this as a movie in June of this year. Upon finishing this book I had some concerns about how they would do this tastefully, however I have seen the trailer and my reserves have faltered a little since that initial concern.

The Movie Poster

The Fault In Our Stars follows these two young characters who are far from your average teenagers. The plot follows the lives of Hazel and Augustus, both teenage cancer patients, who meet at a support group where they talk with others, such as Issac, going through the same things. The story is much more than that simple description, but I don't want to give away too much. If you find cancer stories triggering, then I don't recommend this because in no way does John Green sugarcoat that concept, much like other novels do.

The Book Cover

This book took me a little while to get into it and I found myself easily predicting the ending, or so I thought. As I really got into the story, I found myself very much invested in the two main characters, as well as some of the other minor characters. The way John Green wrote the novel allowed me to feel like I was there, and not just reading a book. John Green's style of writing is so elegant that you can't stop yourself from falling into the pages and visualizing everything that he lays out on the page.

Author John Green

Upon reaching the end of the novel, I was in tears. I never expected what was coming until it was just about to happen. It is rare for a book to make me cry as much as I did, and therefore I have full respect for John Green and his work. To be able to write a novel about cancer in a beautiful yet real way is difficult to do and convey to a reader.

Based on the fact that it made me cry, a rarity in my life, I rate this book 4.7/5. I would give it a perfect score however, I found the initial rate of this novel to be a bit slow; I understand why John Green did it - as it reflects how cancer works - but my personal liking is to dive head first into the story.

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

Champion (Marie Lu)

Champion: the final book in an amazing trilogy! It was everything I could have imagined and so much more than I initially imagined. This book was one that I really struggled to put down. Champion picked up directly where it left off and never lost it’s pace. Marie Lu is definitely an author who knows when it’s time to describe things in detail and when to let the pace of the novel take over from the details. Again, this book alternates between the view points of June and Day. As I have said before, typically I don’t enjoy this but it is definitely essential to this storyline and series.

The Book Cover

I don’t want to spoil any of the storyline as I think it’s important to get right into the novel yourself without trying to see where the story is going. The suspense is an important aspect of this book, and an aspect that Marie Lu uses to the maximum. As I approached the final 40 pages of the book, my heart was being pulled in many directions at once, and my emotions were really being worked on. Again, I was in tears for the majority of the closing of the novel. However, Marie Lu does throw a somewhat nicer plot twist at you towards the end.

As this trilogy entered this third book, I had really begun to feel for the characters and want them to succeed in everything they were accomplishing. Marie Lu definitely made me feel as though I was a part of these characters' lives and the world that they existed in. I admire her writing in this novel.

I would rate Champion 4.8/5 because the story became very well-developed and complex, something that I enjoy. I struggled to predict what the next page would throw at me, and I think that’s important in a book.

Definitely read the full trilogy!

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

Prodigy (Marie Lu)

Prodigy is the second book in the Legend trilogy, written by Marie Lu. Much like the first novel in this series, Prodigy has a fast paced plot line and many plot twists throughout. The storyline picks up directly where the previous left off and continues to follow the journey of both June and Day. Again, the author has chosen to alternate perspectives between these two main characters; this adds a great dynamic to the story, especially towards the second half.

The Book Cover

This science fiction novel is definitely one that I failed to pace my reading on and I ended up finishing it within a week. The end of the novel is definitely part of the reason that I finished it so quickly, as I desperately wanted to see a conclusion of the main plot. However, upon finishing Prodigy, I was left in tears. Again, as I always do in my reviews, I will not spoil the reason as to why I was left emotional, but I do warn you to prepare for the plot twist.
This sequel doesn't really show any character development in comparison to the first novel, but towards the end you can see a small shift in there mental state; however, their morals and main personalities remain constant.

I would rate this novel 4.5/5 because it was definitely more developed than the first novel, but there were still a few little moments that lacked something. However, if you enjoyed reading either Divergent or The Hunger Games, you’ll most likely enjoy reading this one as it shares similar aspects to both of those series.

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

Legend (Marie Lu)

Legend is a science fiction, action novel that also has hints of romance and survival. The story alternates between the view points of the two main characters, June and Day. Personally I’ve never been a fan of multiple perspectives however, in this book, it adds to the feel of the story and brings more to it as well. It adds to the plot because the two characters come from two very different lifestyles that co-exist in one city.

The Book Cover

The novel starts off a bit slow, introducing you to the world in which it takes place, but then it reaches a point and drastically picks up the pace to the point of not wanting to put it down. I really struggled to pace myself as I passed the halfway point of the story. Normally I would be disappointed by a slow-paced beginning of a book, but in this case there was something about it that kept me hanging on. Since the plot takes place in a corrupted society and the hierarchy of the citizens was determined in an unorthodox way, I found myself enjoying the prolonged descriptions.

The first main character, June, is brought up in the upper class society and never has to fight for her high quality of life. Despite that, she has grown to be a grounded and morally driven person; this adds a dynamic of contrast that you get to see develop. The second main character, Day, is brought up in the lower class society and is the criminal of the city. Despite that, he too is very grounded and never commits crimes without moral reason. He focuses on what he needs to do to survive and never just lays down and allows the upper class to rule him; this too adds a dynamic of contrast compared the to the lower class civilians.

Legend is the first novel in a trilogy followed by Prodigy and then Champion.

I would rate this novel 4.3/5 because it really held my attention for the majority of the novel.

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag (Alan Bradley)

The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag was the second book in the series of six involving the character Flavia de Luce. After reading the first book - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - and loving it, I was quite excited to start this one because I loved the character Flavia de Luce.

The Book Cover

Upon beginning the novel, I was faced with a little confusion. The story began in such a weird way that I struggled to grasp the plot that was evolving. Once getting on track with the storyline, I was faced with some disappointment. I knew before starting this novel that it was not a sequel but was, however, a continuation of the character and her town.

Despite knowing this concept before starting this novel, I was disappointed by the fact that it was basically the same plot outline, but with different people and a slightly different mystery. This put me off the book and eventually I gave up on the story; I never finished reading it.

I would rate this novel 1/5 because it failed to hold my attention and it was simply a disguised repeat of the previous novel.
*(Despite this low rating, I ask that if you liked the first novel to at least try this one. When reading this novel I was faced with moving to University and perhaps my focus was off therefore making my judgement clouded.)

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Alan Bradley)

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is a mystery novel that follows the thought path and detective work of an 11 year old girl named Flavia after a murder in the garden of her family home. This book, though a little slow at the start, is quite fast paced and takes many unexpected twists and turns.
Similar to all mystery novels, the goal of the story is to determine who committed this act of murder and make sure an innocent person does not go down for it.

The Book Cover

What intrigued me most about this story was the character Flavia. Despite only being 11 years old, she has this maturity and confidence about her that draws you in. Personally, this aspect is what really kept me reading - other than finding the murderer - because I was fascinated by the fact that an 11 year old girl could have that much confidence; it sprung from the pages even more as the story progressed. That little girl made me reflect about myself and the confidence, or lack there of, that I myself possess.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first novel in a series of 6 books by Alan Bradley:

1. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
2. The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag
3. A Red Herring Without Mustard
4. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows
5. Speaking From Among the Bones
6. The Dead In Their Vaulted Arches 

   

   The First 5 Novels (6th not shown)

I would rate this book 3.7/5 because of the hidden theme throughout the story and the well thought out storyline; however, it did lack some aspects of mystery novels that I enjoy. I found this mystery book to be a little too light-hearted and "fluffy".

Until next time,
Happy Reading Fellow Bookworms :)