That's What I'm Talking About
I generally review romance, paranormal and urban fantasy. I tend to pick review books that I want to read, so generally my reviews will be positive. I always give my honest opinion: good, bad, and indifferent.
Note: on my blog I use a letter grading system. I've listed the ratings below. For sites with stars, I have listed the equivalent rating. If I didn't finish the book, I will not rate it with stars.
A+ Personal Favorite (5 stars)
A Loved It (4.5 or 5 stars)
A- Enjoyed A Lot (4 or 4.5 stars)
B+ Liked It A Lot (4 stars)
B Liked It -- Recommend (4 stars)
B- Liked It -- But I had a few small issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C+ Liked It -- But I had issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C Finished It -- Liked some, didn't like some (3 stars)
C- Finished It -- Liked a little, didn't like a lot (2 or 2.5 stars)
D Not A Big Fan (2 stars)
E Don’t Waste Your Time (1 star)
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TW: Reading this book was like watching a Train Wreck
DNF: Did Not Finish
updated July 9, 2015
Currently reading
Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
THE MAZE RUNNER is an exciting, well-crafted story centering on a group of teen boys (and one girl), trapped in a larger-than-life maze with no apparent exit. None of the children have any personal memories of life before the maze, yet when Thomas arrives, some of the boys recognize him. Thomas himself feels a sort of familiarity within the maze and life inside the Glade.
Mr. Dashner does a wonderful job creating this new and different place. His descriptions of the maze, its inhabitants, life in the Glade, and even the gruesome Grievers, as seen through the questioning eyes of Thomas, bring to life this eerie, unsettling world. While I was half expecting a lesson in human nature ala The Lord of the Flies, I was pleasantly surprised at the direction Mr. Dashner takes with his characters, giving them order and purpose.
THE MAZE RUNNER is original, suspenseful, and engrossing. I enjoyed the narrative as told from Thomas's perspective. We have the benefit of his intelligence and inquisitive nature to help the reader put together the pieces of the puzzle as the children work to find a way out of the maze. While I had my own ideas of what was going on, I never really hit the nail on the head. My only disappointment is that the trials of Thomas and the Gladers appears to be far from over, as made evident this is only the first book in a trilogy. I would have preferred a stand alone book, but I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy when my schedule allows.
Overall, I enjoyed THE MAZE RUNNER quite a lot. The book was a quick read, even with the new terminology and lack of background story due to the amnesia of every character. The story is well-crafted and original, engrossing and entertaining. Although there is some death and darkness, it is not as bad as some of the more popular dystopian teen books. I would recommend for children over the age 11 and to adults interested in a stimulating tale.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
