Book: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1) by James Dashner

★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

“Just follow me and run like your life depends on it. Because it does.”

Maybe I was too excited to read this series because of the movie but now that I finished the first and second books I'm not too excited to pick up the third book anymore. It was also recommended to me by a friend, saying she really enjoyed it and things but for me it was a little disappointing. But either way, it was engaging and intriguing and a bit frustrating.

The first book in the series tells the story of Thomas when he wakes up in a lift called the Box and next thing he knows he's surrounded by dozens of teenage boys. He remembers nothing, only his name, and to his luck no one tells him anything about the Glade, his new home. He tries hard to gain information, asking this and that, who and where but even his new-found  friend, Chuck, tells him only the basic things he needs to know. But spending a day in the Glade, seeing the runners, the walls closing, knowing about the Maze, witnessing what happens when a glader undergoes in the Changing, and hearing the Grievers, Thomas knew he has to find a way out of the Maze, one way or another. The next day, the Box brings them another newbie glader, but this time it's a girl, Teresa, with a note saying she'll be the last one ever. Whatever that means, they all know it couldn't be a good thing. And true enough, after Thomas and Teresa showed up things start to change and others start to blame them both.

“Holy crap, I’m scared.”
“Holy crap, you’re human. You should be scared.”

I liked the concept of the book with dozens of boys trapped inside a big Maze, the scary Grievers that roam around the Maze at night, the Changing when get sting by Grievers, the mystery behind the Maze and everything else and it was kind of intriguing why it's happening to Thomas and the other gladers. I was glued right from the beginning until the middle part but when I realized that the book wouldn't tell me anything about what's happening, I started to get a little frustrated. The characters are also likeable but underdeveloped and there were times when I can't tell them apart. I mean, Alby was the leader but Newt was running things around and I honestly still get confused about who is who even after reading two books. Who I liked a lot is Minho. He's the Keeper of the Runners in the Glade and probably the best  among the gladers. Chuck is also a cute character. I liked that he became friends with Thomas and that he's the youngest and therefore the all-around glader. 

 “I just...feel like I need to save everyone. To redeem myself.”

Anyway, Thomas as the main character is fine. He's driven, curious and well, the reason why things started to fall apart. He eventually wants to be a Runner like Minho, analyzing and solving the Maze so they can find a way out. He can be annoying and hardheaded at times but I understand his will on solving the Maze. Being stubborn and breaking one the rules also earns him a few haters and it doesn't help that people who went through the Changing seem to remember him from it. Thomas is also quite special from the others because of his ability to talk to Teresa in his mind. Or rather, he can hear Teresa talking to him in his mind. I didn't really get their telepathy thing because for me it wasn't necessary but well, it was there. Teresa is a so-so character. For the first part after she showed up in the Glade she is asleep and when she wakes she and Thomas start to feel connected with each other.

“It was you and me, Tom. We did this to them. To us.”

The writing didn't impress me that much. The prose is disappointing and I was actually hoping it would eventually improve but it didn't. It felt flat that even though I wanted to feel something, anything, about what's happening, I can't because the writing somewhat lacked emotion and it was very tell-y, just saying this and that and nothing else. The slang words are also kind of annoying sometimes. Okay, maybe a lot of times but you get used to it at some point. What infuriated me so much was the lack of information! Seriously! Because there are so many questions asked but the book only answered one or two and it didn't help that the characters also don't really know anything since their memories are erased when they were thrown inside the Maze. Ugh! But the turn of events are satisfying and I was resolved on just finishing the series for the hell of it. Like I said, it was fine but I really think it could be better if the writing is improved and the characters are well-developed.

So for me, The Maze Runner is an intriguing book with some infuriating aspects. A bit long (for me) but enjoyable enough. I also got to finish to second book in the series (will write a separate review soon) and thinking of reading the third book some time next week.

Book: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

★★★★¹⁄₂/★★★★★

“That’s life, August,” she said. “You wanted to feel alive, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”

It's official. Victoria Schwab is my new favorite author! TSS is as brilliant as ADSoM and AGoS and now I'm in love with a monster! But of course, Kell is still my #1!

This book has gripped me from the first page until the very last that I didn't want to put it down when I had to but too bad I had to sleep! This world Schwab has created with monsters and human-who-act-like-monsters is so engaging and engrossing that it will keep you up all night thinking about the real monsters out there. There isn't much in the world-building but the characters and the writing style, oh my god the writing style, are both amazing!

The story basically revolves around Kate Harker and August Flynn who found themselves saving each other as the war between their families escalates. Kate is the daughter of Callum Harker, the horrendous leader who controls the north side of Verity and the monsters, and all Kate wanted is to be like him. She wants to be powerful, ruthless and feared not only by humans but also by monsters. She finds herself doing horrible things just to prove her father that she can also do what he can. August, on the other hand, wants to be human. He's a Sunai, a monster who feeds on the soul of the sinners, and Henry Flynn, leader of the south, took him in together with two other Sunai, Leo and Ilsa. Despite being a monster, August doesn't act like one unlike his brother Leo who embraces his nature.

In the north, Harker controls the monsters and people have to pay for his protection so that monsters won't harm them. In the south, Flynn protects the people by hunting down the monsters. The two have a peace agreement and as long as neither break the promise, a war won't happen. But the agreement could only last long for the monsters also want to own the city now. And what a perfect way to break the truce when Kate is presumed missing and August is the main suspect.

I really enjoyed this book but I have to admit that the monsters in this book scared me a bit. I was imagining Sloan and oh my god he is frightening! I didn't want to imagine the Corsai anymore but everytime I see a shadow they come to mind. And this is the reason I don't read horror!

"Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.
Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul."

The characters are well-rounded and though I kinda didn't like Kate's character at first, I came to understand where she's coming from later on. She wants to be like her father because she knew there's no place for weak people in their world. You must be powerful, ruthless and act just like a monster if you want the monsters to fear you and not the  other way other. And since her father has proven his ruthlessness long ago, Kate realized that it's her turn to prove that she's a real Harker just like her father. But while Kate wants to be a monster like her father, August wants the opposite. He doesn't want to steal souls, doesn't want to scare people. He just wants to be like them. To be normal.

"Kate," he said with a sob. "I can't keep going toward the edge―don't let me fall." His breath hitched. "I can't I can't do it again I can't go dark again I'm holding on to very little piece and if I let go I can't get them back I don't want to disappear―"

"Okay, August," she said, trying to keep her voice calm and even. "I won't let you fall."

I loved August's character right away and though he felt a bit cliche (a monster wanting to be human) he isn't hard to love. He genuinely wants to be different, to protect the innocents, to be able to do what's right. And the moment I found out that he's a monster who wants to be good, I was sold! Because I already knew what happens next.

He could be the monster, if that kept others human.

I know I would've loved it even more if there's romance between Kate and August (I know, I know, but  what can I do when I'm a sucker for romance?!) but somehow I wasn't disappointed that there isn't any in this book. Actually, I liked that they started off having negative/wrong ideas about each other and then eventually worked their way from there, trying to keep each other alive. And I have a feeling that there's a great chance we'll see a progress in Kate and August's relationship in the next book! Haha :P

Anyway, aside from the characters, Schwab's writing wowed me. It's like she writes and words just start to form beautifully! She has a way of threading characters and telling story and how I wish I could write like her. It's only my third book of hers but like I said, she's my new favorite author and I would love to read more of her works. And maybe I'll read Vicious next!

But while I loved the characters, plot and the writing style, I feel like it lacks something in the world-building. And that's the reason for a minus half-star. I guess I was waiting to see a more vivid Verity, the world where monsters are born whenever people commit a violent act. Aside from that, this book is amazing! It's action-packed, fast-paced and the monsters will keep you awake.

* * *

“Are you all right?” he asked.

His voice was still distant, but there was something in it. A sliver of concern. Kate let out a ragged breath. She looked down at herself, her torn sweater and bloodied hands. “I’m alive.”

A tired smile flickered across his face. “Well,” he said, “that’s a start.”

Movie: Mockingjay Part 2

★★★★/★★★★★  

Characters:

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne

Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy

Julianne Moore as President Alma Coin

Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow

Director: Francis Lawrence

I haven’t read The Hunger Games series so I was okay on watching the movies. My sister loved the series so much and she said I should read it but since I’ve watched all the movies already, I think I’ll pass on it.

And though I haven’t read the series, I loved the movies! Especially Catching Fire! The last installment, The Hunger Games: Mocking Part 2 was released last year and it surely became a box-office since everyone loved Katniss Everdeen.

Mockingjay Part 2 picks up as Katniss brings together an army and marches towards the Capitol to bring down President Snow. As the war continues, she tries to do what’s right, to save even those who side with the Capitol and to protect those who are dear to her, even Peeta who now hates and wants to kill her after getting tortured at the Capitol.

 The movie was really thrilling and I loved the characters. I liked that Katniss is brave and determined and she would do anything to save others just as long as she can. And I think that’s one thing only a good-hearted person can do. I also loved Finnick and it broke my heart when he died! Why did he have to die? WHY? He was my favorite since Catching Fire and seeing him die was hard. *sob* Poor Annie. I’ve also grown to love Boggs and Prim and they had to die, too. Anyway, what’s important is these people were a part of the revolution that helped in liberating Panem in the hands of Snow.

The movie ended with  Katniss and Peeta back in District 12 with their two children. And well, it was happy ending.

Based on a novel by Suzzane Collins
Title: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)
PubDate: April 24, 2010
Page count: 392