Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Speculative Fiction - Dystopia
Edition: Hardcover; (Won) Publisher
Page Count: 374
Pub. Date: October 6, 2009
Series: The Maze Runner Trilogy, Book 1

Reading Challenge: Young Adult, Speculative Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.03 (Average)

Recommended For: YA readers. Fans of high adrenaline dystopian novels with plenty of twists and excitement.

My Summary & Thoughts:

Thomas wakes up surrounded by nothing but his breath and cold darkness. Suddenly, after what feels like hours of a slow ascension, he sees the light. (No, not THAT light.) A cold metal box is taking him up to a place so vastly different from anything he's ever experienced - that is if he could actually remember anything besides his name. He can remember vague images, people, and items but they quickly slip away like his brain matter is leaking out of his head. Hands grab him and soon he is standing in the middle of what is called The Glade, surrounded by a mass of boys.

Like Thomas, none of the boys remember how or why they are there. The only facts are these: every 30 days a new boy arrives, and every morning the stone doors leading into the maze open and every night, they close. And no one wants to be caught outside in the maze after dark.

Alliances are made, as well as enemies, and Thomas is kicked head first into an awful, yet fairly organized community, considering the circumstances. The basic rule being: Pull your weight and you survive. Every morning Thomas watches as the runners take off into the abyss of the maze - trying to find a means of escape - and every time they come back empty handed. That's assuming they survived the maze in the first place. Soon, Thomas gets a feeling that being a runner is a job he was destined to do.

But just when life starts to settle down, everything starts to change. Thomas and the Gladers realize that it's time to find a way out once and for all or they're going to be in deep klunk.

Oh man, as much as I want to keep going, I simply cannot reveal any more of the awesomeness ready to spring at you within the pages. James Dashner did a spectacular job at creating a scenario that just sucks you in. Just when you think it's safe to put the book down for the night (if you can) you are suddenly faced with dire situations and there is just no way you can stop reading. I loved all the characters created in this story. Even the nasty ones. They were easy to like (or dislike) in all their vitality and what they offered to the adventure. And the twists kept me flipping pages till my eyes hurt; all accompanied by the occasional whispered chorus of "OhMyGod".

Overall consensus: Bold and daring. The Maze Runner is one wild tale about perseverance and the will to survive. About coming together with a band of unknowns, despite all differences, and working together to solve the seemingly impossible puzzle of the maze. Once you think you have it all figured out, think again. Talk about one mad adrenaline rush from start to finish. I cannot wait for the next installment!



CLOSED

THE GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Random House, one lucky winner will receive a brand-new hardcover edition of The Maze Runner to read and enjoy!

To enter, all you have to do is:

► FILL OUT THE FORM ◄

Simple right? I decided to forgo extra entries this time. Open to US & CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY. GIVEAWAY ENDS MARCH 1ST!

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Page Count: 461
Pub. Date: October 5, 2009
Series: Companion to Graceling

My Rating: 4.5 Stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.27 (Average)

Recommended For: Everyone, Fans of Fantasy, Readers who love a strong female protagonist.

(First Impression: Gorgeous cover. Definitely grabs your attention at first glance)
(Reaction after I finished: I don't remember. I might have flailed around a bit, it was just that good.)

My Summary:

Fire is a monster. Or rather half-human, half-monster. Her viciously bright hair and her flawless appearance make her an outcast in the world she lives in. But her beauty isn't the only thing that keeps her displaced from society. Fire has the ability to read and control people's minds. Unlike her father, she chooses not to inflict her ability on the weak minded. But she soon learns that there is more to her power than she could ever dream.

The story takes place in a mountainous and rough world. Separated by the impassible Western mountains and hidden away from the Seven Kingdoms, The Dells is a land filled with treachery, deceit, and a kingdom heading towards impending war. Among the cities of The Dells is King's City - home of the royal family who are plagued by a legacy of a king turned to madness. With the kingdom on a slow descent to ruin, King Nash must right his father's wrongs and prevent the land from falling into the plotting hands of two conniving lords. But the war isn't the only thing threatening to disturb the peace. A young boy with two different colored eyes has plans of his own.

A story wrought with tension, despair, hope, and love - it will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat until you finish.

My Review:

Taking place at least 30 years before its companion, Graceling, Kristin Cashore delivers such a rich and compelling tale that will hold you in rapture. It reveals a whole new world beyond the lands of the Seven Kingdoms, full of secrets, hidden agendas, and deadly creatures. It's dark, beautiful, and unfolds with a certain elegance that is borderline perfection. The pacing is one of the strong points of the novel and takes the reader completely through the journey and envelopes them in a mixture of emotions. Fire, herself, is a force to be reckoned with. She is such a strong female protagonist and provides so much intensity to the story while also giving the reader a sense of warmth and independence.

I loved how easily I got lost within the pages. So mixed with intrigue, love, complexity, morality, and more, that I never wanted it to end.

The only thing that is keeping Fire from a 5 star rating in my books, is the ending. I felt it was "okay" rather than spectacular but it did tie up the story nicely. Trust me when I say that it does not, in any way, take away from the quality of the book.

Notable aspects:

• * I admire Kristin Cashore's ability to give two distinct voices to two separate heroines in both Graceling and Fire. They are strong, original, and both unique in their own way.


• * The writing itself is just so eloquent and flowing with purpose. I can't recall a time when the novel lost pace or the writing became uninteresting. And the descriptions are so teeming with vivacity and life that it is easy to wrap yourself around the words.


• * Like Graceling, Fire has a strong plot of romance, but it doesn't overwhelm the feel of the book. It is wonderfully developed and gives to the overall story, rather than taking away from it.


• * A great secondary cast. Each has their own sense of individuality and contribute wonderfully to the developing story. They easily grow on you and you'll find yourself completely enveloped in their lives in just a short time.
  

For those of you who are wondering, you needn't have read Graceling before Fire in order to enjoy it. Come to think of it, Fire works just fine as a standalone novel. Although, I can pretty much guarantee once you finish it you'll be grabbing for Graceling with hasty hands. Whether you read it before the first, or read it alone, just make sure you READ it, period! A worthy and satisfying sequel (or rather prequel) to its companion, Graceling.

Amazon.com review:

The Magician's Elephant tells the tale of Peter Augustus Duchene, a ten-year-old orphan who receives an unbelievable piece of information from the local fortuneteller. Peter learns that his fate is tied to an elephant that has inexplicably fallen from the sky when a magician's trick goes terribly wrong. Why did it happen? And, how can an elephant possibly change the course of Peter's life? This darkly atmospheric, yet hopeful tale, demonstrates that when the answers to life’s big questions are opaque or unforthcoming, all is not lost. DiCamillo's rhythmic writing, combined with Yoko Tanaka's mysterious black-and-white illustrations, enchants and calls out to our sincerest wishes and dreams (recommended for readers ages 8-13). --Lauren Nemroff

Genre: Children, Fantasy, Fiction
Page Count: 208
Edition: Hardcover; Library
Pub. Date: September 8, 2009

My Rating: 4.5 stars
Amazon.com: 5 stars
Goodreads: 4 stars (average)

(Initial reaction after I finished: PRECIOUSSSSS)

Set in a somber world, The Magician's Elephant will bring light & warmth to any heart. What a precious gem of a story! Intended for readers of a young age but definitely enjoyed by all. It's about dreams, hope, and making the impossible, possible. There is no age limit for such things.

"What If?" he said to the policemen.
"Why not?" said Leo back to him. He smiled.
"Enough," said Gloria.
"No, said Leo Matienne, "not enough. Never enough. We must ask ourselves these questions as often as we dare. How will the world change if we do not question it?"

This books is filled with many great pieces and just leaves you with a feeling of goodwill and satisfaction. So much so, that you just want to share it with everyone. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are every having a rough day or are in dire need of a pick-me-up, this is the book for you.

All this praise and why 4.5 stars? Well, because it was so short! 208 pages just wasn't enough!