Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Released: August 24, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series: Maze Runner Trilogy, Book 1
Followed By: The Scorch Trials
Page Amount: 375, US Paperback
POV: 3rd Person 
Buy The Maze Runner here: BordersBarnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-16/20
Characters-16/20
Creativity-17/20
Writing-16/20
Pace-6/10
Ending-6/10
=77/100  C
/5

SUMMARY:
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?-Goodreads.com

CONDENSED REViEW:
I'm not going to lie, I thought this book was kind of messed up. It was violent and I found myself wondering why Dashner would want to torture his characters so much. This book was good and very well developed but wasn't particularly my taste.


REViEW:
Ok. This book was not really my style. The plot was something new and really well described, but was gruesome. I'm so used to reading books by a female author where most everything is happy go lucky, so this a change for me. There were a lot of nasty obstacles. The book also seemed a little slow to me at the beginning but sped up towards the end. 



The characters were okay. They were detailed enough to make them feel real. I really got attached to many of the characters and because of that I was hurt. I can't say much more because I don't want to give anything away.


The ending was good but disturbing. I really liked the characters and I hated how they were treated. I think that the sequel will explain things more clearly and make the story seem not as messed up.


My Favorite Part: The characters, especially Chuck. I absolutely fell in love with him. He was so lovable and just amazing. He made this book great!

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, I wasn't my style but it might be yours.
Is this book violent? Yes, there was violence but it wasn't that detailed. Some obstacles were described very grotesquely.
Will I be reading the next book? Yes, I think I might just because I think I might better understand this book.


Thank you all for reading! I love comments, so comment! If you read The Maze Runner tell me what you thought!



It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie

Released: November 30, 2010
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin Group)
Series: Matched, Book 1
Followed By: Crossed
Page Amount: 369, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Cassia)
Buy Matched here: BordersBarnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-19/20
Pace-8/10
Ending-10/10
=96/100  A
★/5

SUMMARY:
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow-Goodreads.com

CONDENSED REViEW:
This book is really good. It started off a little slow but once it sped up and got to the heart of the book, it was breathtaking. I liked the characters and the amount of thought Ms. Condie put into their stories. This is a great book and I know the sequel will be even better.

REViEW:
Matched is quite an interesting read. The Society immediately grabbed my interest. I really wanted Cassia to rebel and "not go gently" against the Society. I'm sure she'll change some things in the Society later in the trilogy. The plot was very intriguing but it was slow at first and seemed rushed at the end. It wasn't was detailed as I had hoped. 


The characters were very detailed. I loved learning of Ky's brutal past. I wish I could've gotten to know more about Xander though. I got to know Cassia by the the end of the book but did not feel as attached to her as I would've wished. I also really didn't have a strong opinion on who I wished Cassia would end up with (though I do prefer Ky). 

The ending was amazing. It was probably the highlight of this book. It really made me excited for the sequel. I really connected to Cassia emotionally at the end.  

My Favorite Part: Probably the twists and drama that occurs in the last few chapters. I won't say any more so nothing is spoiled.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's an enjoyable, relaxing read.
Will I be reading the next book? Yes, I can't wait and am about to pre-order it!


Thank you all for reading! I would love to hear what you think about Matched or the sequel, Crossed.  

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Monday, June 20, 2011

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead


Released: November 13, 2008
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin Group)
Series: Vampire Academy, Book 3
Preceded By: Vampire Academy & Frostbite
Followed By: Blood Promise
Page Amount: 448, US Paperback
POV: 1st Person (Rose)
Buy Shadow Kiss here: BordersBarnes & NobleAmazon
OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-20/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-20/20
Pace-9/10
Ending-10/10
=99/100  A+
★/5




This is the third book in The Vampire Academy series, I will not post any intentional spoilers but please do not keep reading if you have not read Vampire Academy and Frostbite. 
SUMMARY:
For Rose Hathaway, everything seems out of kilter. Ever since she made her first Strigoi kills, a dark shadow has been creeping over her. Looming in the background, too, is another realization: If she follows her forbidden love for guardian Dimitri Belikov, she might lose her best friend forever. And these sleep-shaking worries couldn't have come at a worse time. The immortal unloving are prowling everywhere, famished for vengeance against her. An adrenaline-laced episode of the teen pop favorite Vampire Academy. -Goodreads.com
CONDENSED REViEW:
Wow this book is amazing.  I read the first book of the VA series and I really didn't like it.  I almost gave up on the series but I'm super glad I didn't!  So far this is my favorite book of this series, and definitely one of my favorite books in general!  Go buy this book now! You won't regret it.


REViEW:
Wow. Read this book NOW! Like go out and buy it, it's amazing! Even if you read the first book and didn't care for it KEEP READING, it really, REALLY gets better! The plot was just amazing! It was straight forward and intriguing. I was interested the entire time and never got bored, even though it was a little slow at first. There were a ton of twists and action that made me want to keep reading. 


The characters were so much more developed in this book. I really liked them a lot more and was able to relate with them. I think that the characters really made this book memorable. I started to respect Rose a lot more in this book. She's really tough and I really enjoyed that. Dimitri was amazing, as always, I really wish he existed... Lissa is still as sweet as ever. I really started to love Christian in this book, he wasn't as arrogant as usual. Same with Adrian, he gained some respect.


The ending proudly did this book justice. It was amazing just like the beginning and the middle. I really liked the ending but it did leave me a little sad. It really made me want to read the next book, which I have already started.

My Favorite Part: This was a hard one... I think it would have to be Dimitri and Rose's relationship. I just really enjoyed it.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? YES BUY IT RIGHT NOW
Does this series get better from Vampire Academy? YES just please BUY IT NOW you will not regret it 
Will I be reading the next book? Yes, I already started it :)


Thank you all for reading! I would love to hear your comments on the Vampire Academy Series or any comments in general! 


It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Saturday, June 18, 2011

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

That Summer by Sarah Dessen


Released: October 1, 1996
Publisher: Speak (Penguin Group)
Page Amount:198, US Paperback
POV:1st Person (Haven)
Buy That Summer here: BordersBarnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-18/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-19/20
Writing-18/20
Pace-8/10
Ending-8/10
=90/100  A
★/5


SUMMARY:
For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She's nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister—the always perfect Ashley—is planning a wedding of her own. Haven wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley's reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future. -Goodreads.com


REViEW:
The plot of That Summer was pretty unique. I liked the incorporation of two weddings and constant changes for Haven. It took on more of a family story than a romance. Some descriptions were very lengthy and I found myself thinking "Is this really necessary?" It took awhile to get to the whole point of the novel. The plot was really good but something was missing for me. 


I really liked all of Ms. Dessen's characters. There were an array of different personalities and I really enjoyed that. I was able to relate with each in a special way. I loved Sumner's part of the story, he added fun and really surprised me. The characters were all very realistic and relatable. 


I really liked the ending.  It was simple but really warmed my heart.  The sisterly love was enough to make this book great. I really enjoyed this book. It had some disadvantages, but overall it was great.  The characters alone are a reason to read this book.


My Favorite Part: Sumner.  He lightened the mood, gave Haven a friend, and sounds incredibly handsome.  


ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's a relaxing summer read.
This was the second book by Sarah Dessen that I read (the first was This Lullaby). I recommend checking out some other Dessen books because the others that I have read were amazing.  I would have to say this is one of my least favorites by her.

Thank you all for reading! I would love to hear your comments on the book or any comments in general! 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

In My Mailbox (2)

This is my second IMM! So exciting. I didn't buy that many books recently but still. Sorry it has taken me so long to post but I promise some more reviews and other cool things are on the way! 



 I read the first Vampire Academy book, wasn't crazy about it, but after some persistent prodding from a friend of mine I finally bought this book. I'm glad I did because I loved it! I already finished it and plan to write a review soon! 

 While at the bookstore I just HAD to buy the 3rd VA book too! I only read a few pages so far but it's off to a good start!
















I've heard a lot of good things about this book so I decided to give it a shot. I also picked it because I luckily found it on sale. I can't wait to read and review it!

I was kinda curious about this book. It sounded interesting so I decided to pick it up. It seems like a nice change from my typical vampire/werewolf book.














I also bought the sequel to Fade because it was on sale. I can't wait to read it.
















So what's in your mailbox this week? Did you read any of these books? Please comment and let me know!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Released: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Speak (Penguin Group)
Series: If I Stay (1st Book)
Followed By: Where She Went
Page Amount: 234 (259 including discussion guide), US Paperback
POV: 1st Person (Mia)
Buy If I Stay here: BordersBarnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-20/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-18/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-9/10
=97/100  A+
★/5


SUMMARY:
In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands. -Goodreads.com
REViEW:
The plot of If I Stay was simply beautiful.  The story had a darker tone to it but the flashbacks lightened the mood.  Ms. Forman really stuck to the plot throughout the entire book. 


Mia, as well as all of the characters, was very believable. Though faced with a difficult decision, Mia was a very relatable character. When reading this book, I really began to love Mia and her family. Another thing I loved about Mia was that she struggled, she's not superwoman, she's real. I enjoyed reading how Mia contemplates her choices and actually has to choose.


The ending did not disappoint.  When I read the last line, I wished that there was more.  I went on this wonderful, heart-wrenching journey with Mia and it was just over.  The ending is not really a cliff-hanger, but there is a sequel that take place years later.


My Favorite Part: It would probably have to be the incorporation of music in this book.  I loved how Mia lost herself in the music, especially when playing her cello.  I also really liked how her boyfriend, Adam, shared Mia's passion for music.  
ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? YES
Do I think that you will enjoy it? YES, this book has everything, romance, suspense, it has something for everybody.
Will I be reading the sequel? YES


Thank you all for reading! I would love to hear your comments on the book or any comments in general! 
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