Midnighters: Blue Noon By: Scott Westerfeld

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• Title: Blue Noon (Midnighters #3)
• Author: Scott Westerfeld
• Publisher: Eos
• Publication Date:  February 28, 2006
• Pages: 378
• Genre: YA/ Sci-Fi
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2014
• Source: Purchase
• Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 stars

For the Midnighters, the secret hour has always come at, well, midnight. However, the secret hour suddenly comes sweeping in the middle of the school day turning the cacophony of noise into blissful silence. The Midnighters soon discover that the barrier between the blue time and normal time is weakening. The creatures of the night are hungry after centuries of being confined to one hour of the day, and Jess and her friends must find a way to stop midnight from engulfing them all.

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I have so many conflicted feelings towards this book, and I don't know how I'll ever reconcile them all together. It was an exciting book, and I loved how none of the action stalled. There was a lot more running around, considering midnight is no longer confined to its traditional time. I also liked how Rex and everyone else began to question their sources and really begin to think for themselves, rather than blindly following in other people's footsteps. This made them grow as characters and gave a greater three-dimensionality to them.

However, I definitely have feelings on how the series ended. Like, excuse me, Mr. Westerfeld, are you going to leave us hanging like that? I think an epilogue to the epilogue should happen at least so that we know what happens to everyone and all the loose ends are tied up. But at the same time, the ending gets kind of tricky, so I see how writing anything to follow up the series could be a challenge. It's bittersweet, so maybe that's why I'm slightly upset; I'm a sucker for happy endings but I understand that with a series like this, entirely happy endings would not have fit the story.

This final book is worth a read and is one of those books you may or may not throw at the wall a couple times or so. It's another quick read, and one sure to keep you up long past the secret hour has passed!

Midnighters: Touching Darkness By: Scott Westerfeld

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• Title: Touching Darkness (Midnighters #2) 
• Author: Scott Westerfeld
• Publisher: Eos
• Publication Date:  March 1, 2005 
• Pages: 336
• Genre: YA/ Sci-Fi
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2014
• Source: Library 
• Rating: 3.5 / 5.0 stars

Ever since finding out about Bixby Oklahoma's secret hour, Jess and her friends have been quite busy fighting off the creatures of the night. For a long time, the Midnighters have wondered why the generation before them disappeared without a trace. During their search, they encounter horrors worse than anything they could have ever imagined, and a secret more horrifiying than the creatures itself. With time running out, an extra hour may not even be enough to save the Midnighters even as they race to solve the puzzle.

---

After powering through the first Midnighters, I was super excited to start this one. Again, I read this one in practically one sitting, late into the wee hours of the morning. While still interesting, it was definitely more slow paced than the first volume and was filled with a lot more teenage ~angst~ compounded with super powers, naturally. I still enjoyed this book, and was thoroughly and appropriately creeped out at the *big* reveal that the whole plot centered on, but I couldn't help but feel that this book fell into the dreaded "middle child" syndrome where the first book outshone it a lot more and everyone's attention was already focused towards the anticipated final installment.

I was also a lot more annoyed at the characters in this book, particularly Melissa's, Rex's, and Dess' relationship. Honestly guys- you two have amazing super powers- would it kill you to communicate a little more? I did like all the information I found out from all their separate adventures, so I guess that's a plus. I do wish the book was longer though; there is so much more information that could have helped to flesh out the world more and honestly, I just couldn't get enough of Blue Time.

This book got its job done and set up the final installment, so I guess I can't complain about that. While it felt ironically rushed at times, yet slow in others, I am still fully immersed in the world of the Midnighters and cannot wait to see what happens next. I'll probably be found reading in some corner, curled up in my blanket, devouring this book series.

Midnighters: The Secret Hour By: Scott Westerfeld

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• Title: The Secret Hour (Midnighters #1)
• Author: Scott Westerfeld
• Publisher: Eos
• Publication Date:  March 1, 2005 
• Pages: 383
• Genre: YA/ Sci-Fi
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2014
• Source: Purchase  
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

Bixby, Oklahoma seems like a sleepy town in the middle of nowhere. But looks can be deceiving, as Jess Day finds out upon moving there. Soon, she discovers that Bixby's time hides a secret hour filled with both wonder and terror. Along with others who share special abilities, Jessica and her friends must find out why the creatures that haunt the secret hour have suddenly become restless and are on the mission to hunt down Jessica and her friends.

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I love this book series and whole heartedly think it is one of the under appreciated gems of YA literature. The premise is so original and interesting that I finished this book in one sitting, sacrificing my sleep for the sake of finding all I could about this secret extra hour of the day. I loved how this book was fast-paced and full of sci-fi action. It was also a little spooky, and to be honest I caught myself snuggling down in my covers and listening for unfamiliar sounds as I read late into the night.

The cast of characters was also really enjoyable; none of them are "perfect" in any sense and I liked that because it made them all relatable. I mean, as relatable as they could be while having kick ass super powers, you know? While Jess is supposed to be the main character, I found myself cheering on Dess the most because she reminded me a bit of myself and had a lot of the abilities I wish I was better at. All the others were all fascinating in their own ways too, and I loved getting to know them.

This book got me out of my reading slump and I was on the edge of my seat for the entirety of it. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and delve more into the world of the Midnighters. As much sleep as I lost reading this book, I sure would benefit from having that extra hour in the day to catch up on some snoozing!

Heartless By: Marissa Meyer

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• Title: Heartless
• Author: Marissa Meyer
• Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
• Publication Date:  November 28, 2016
• Pages: 453
• Genre: Fantasy
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2017
• Source: Library 
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

Catherine has stolen the heart- and the stomach- of the King of Hearts, but would love nothing more than to forget him and open her own bakery. Until she meets Jest, the mysterious, witty, and wonderfully refreshing court Jester. The two enter a whirling romance at the risk of her parents, and the king's, wrath. However, as it is in Wonderland, not everything is as it seems- and it seems that fate has other plans for her. 

---

This book. Wow. I greatly enjoyed Marissa Meyer's writing in The Lunar Chronicles, so I picked up her new book excited for the ride I was about to take. And man, was I right!

This book follows the origin story, per say, of The Queen of Hearts, and it starts out nice and soft-frothy even, and I fell in love with many of the characters right away, enjoying the whimsy of it all. This book was also filled with descriptions of scrumptious sounding food, so that maaaaay have helped a bit. The fantasy also reminded me of the whimsy I loved so much in The Night Circus, though both novels end up having their own brand of magic. However, as the story progresses, it becomes very dark, very fast, and I absolutely adored this book for that. This book is a tragedy- a beautiful, emotionally writhing mess of feelings- and I wouldn't have it any other way.

What I think I loved most about this book was the balance it had between familiarity and unfamiliarity. I have never read the original Alice in Wonderland books, and have had lukewarm feelings towards the Disney versions, but this world was still highly recognizable, while still bringing in a new twist. Even if you have read the Alice books, you wouldn't necessarily know what is going on because Meyer still brings in fresh characters that seem wonderfully at home in this setting. (ha- see what I did there?) There is a very Victorian setting amid all of this, with the lovely overtones of female oppression, and Catherine is not having any of it by the end.

I loved the characters in this book because, while they seemed a motley bunch at first, they all contain complexities and grow within the course of the novel. I loved the Jester and Raven in particular, with their wit, and Chesire with his trademark sass. They balance out the encroaching darkness of this book and the madness that pervades the edges of the novel- until even they cannot do anything about it.

So whether you're looking for madness, or you're already mad, this book will not disappoint. You'll find yourself in good company because we're all mad in here.

Dreams of Gods and Monsters By: Laini Taylor

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• Title: Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3)
• Author: Laini Taylor
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
• Publication Date:  April 8, 2014
• Pages: 613
• Genre: Fantasy/YA
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2016
• Source: Library
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

Karou and her friends have accomplished much, but there is still so much left to be done, especially since Jael and his army are about to invade Earth. To save both Eretz and Earth, Karou and Akiva must struggle to unite centuries-old enemies in a parody of their long-ago dream for a new world. 

As storylines converge, destinies entwine, and fates collide, Karou and Akiva must realize that there is more at stake than they know...and that a power more terrifying than anything they can hope to imagine is only a breath away from destroying their fragile existence. Transcending worlds, defying fate, and overcoming the fixed definitions of good and evil, of right and wrong, Karou, Akiva, and their friends fight the true monsters: those within.

---

This was a rollercoaster, a funhouse mirror, and a wonderful carousel ride all encased in a wonderful package. I was enchanted by the different storylines that converged beautifully at the end as I found out where everyone fit- like starting a puzzle thinking it was one thing, but in when you finished it, realizing it was something different- and way better- than you ever imagined it to be.

My favorite character in this book was Eliza because I didn't expect her storyline at all and was presently surprised at all the barriers she broke and her general badassery in this book. To quote Karou: "she's a pretty cool chick." Also, even though Karou and Akiva are clearly the main characters, I was more in love with Zuzana and Mik's relationship because it was just so sweet. Also Liraz...I am Liraz when dealing with emotions honestly and I just love her character development, from being incredibly unsure of her emotions to being able to accept them.

The plot was stellar; like I said, everything converged in this beautiful way that made sense in retrospect yet you couldn't see coming because of the possibilities. Combined with Taylor's always poetic writing with a splash of sarcasm and liberal amounts of wit, it was a perfect read. This one of those books that I thought about even when I wasn't reading it; I would catch myself thinking of the plot and characters when I was idly daydreaming and as a result would immediately want to get back to reading.  I was really sad when this series ended because it had been a while since I had a good series to sink my teeth into and this really hit the spot. I guess it's time to find another great series now...

Days of Blood and Starlight By: Laini Taylor

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• Title: Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2)
• Author: Laini Taylor
• Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date:  November 6, 2012
• Pages: 517
• Genre: Fantasy
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2016
• Source: Library  
• Rating: 4.0 /  5.0 stars

Karou finally knows everything she has sought to know. And she hates it. Being an angel lover and betrayer of her people would not sit well for anyone, but for Karou, it's even worse because she dared to dream. Dared to dream with Akiva of a world where peace was possible.

And all that was wrenched away from her. Now, Karou tries to correct her past mistakes while suffering under an almost unbearable burden while Akiva struggles a world away with his own troubles. Whether they will ever see each other again is not the real question, but whether Karou will ever find it in herself to forgive Akiva for what he has done to her. Or if she can forgive herself for what she has done to her own world.

---

I was super excited to start this book after the cliffhanger that left me reeling in the last book, in general this book didn't disappoint. I think the best way to describe this book is that a lot of things happened without anything actually happening. It sounds a little bland, but like many middle books in a trilogy, this second book had to be a bridge between what had already happened and what would later happen.

I liked this book because I got to know Karou even better, especially through the internal dialogue that went on. Oftentimes I hate it when characters go too into depth with all their icky *feelings* and such, but in Karou's case, I think it allowed the readers to gauge the shifting perspectives and sense of worth Karou felt throughout the novel. She was never the helpless, lovestruck girl in a romance novel, and I admired Karou's sense of self in this novel even more because she was able to get through everything despite all her additional hardship.

I also loved getting to know a whole new set of characters within the chimera and seraph ranks, especially Liraz, Hazael,  and Ziri. I was immersed in their worlds and it gave me a greater perspective of what each side felt, giving very real feelings to mythical creatures and made me think of our own human conditions and the perspectives that drive our decisions.

As always, I loved Taylor's beautiful writing and I wrote down quite a few quotes for safe-keeping. I love the beautiful descriptions she is able to weave into my imagination and the depth of feeling she is able to convey without saying too much.

I did rate this book lower than the first book because the action was mostly centered on Karou and her internal conflicts, though done in such a way that the plot lines eventually converged. I think it's still a great book, but the lack of mystery with Eretz kind of dimmed the magic, even if by an infinitesimal amount. But that being said, I still cannot wait to read the next installment!

Daughter of Smoke and Bone By: Laini Taylor

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• Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone 
• Author: Laini Taylor
• Publisher: Little Brown Books
• Publication Date:  September 27, 2011
• Pages: 418
• Genre: YA/Fantasy
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2016
• Source: Library 
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

Karou. Silky blue hair. Beautiful sketchbooks filled with otherworldly creatures. She lives a double life that leaves many wondering who she truly is. And the person who wants this question answered is Karou herself. 

Part-time art student, part-time errand runner for monsters, Karou is about to become embroiled in a war filled with creatures both monstrous and beautiful. Then there is Akiva. Akiva with the orange eyes, Akiva who holds the key to her deepest secrets, if Karou only dares to find out the truth...

---

I was very pleasantly surprised with this book, and I honestly couldn't be happier. I loved Karou's character because she was unconventional without being cliched, mysterious without being ridiculous. She wasn't the helpless, lovestruck, ditz that I thought she was going to be and found her to be extremely believable, considering the fact that she was involved in a war between otherworldly creatures. I also liked her "no complaining" attitude, which tends to turn me off to other female characters who rely on the guy and keep moping around because of "love" or something like that. 

Don't get me wrong. This is first and foremost a love story between Karou and Akiva, but the circumstances that they find themselves in are intriguingly wrought and neither of them are dumb enough to do anything that makes this book  *sickeningly* sappy.

I also think I enjoyed this book so much because most of the book was set in Prague, (among other beautiful places) which was new for me. It added an extra otherworldly touch to the entire novel and I swooned at the beauty of it all. Yes. Swooned.

Many people these days seem to dismiss YA novels because they say that the writing is not on par with some of the "classics" or something like that. And yes, there are some books out there that are not exactly great, but that is true for all book genres. But guys, the writing in this book was beautiful. It was poetic. I fell in love with everything about this book and can't wait to pick up the next book in the series!

My only regret about this book? Putting off the day that I read it because it's honestly that great!

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

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• Title: Lady Midnight (Dark Artifices #1)
• Author: Cassandra Clare
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
• Publication Date:  March 8, 2016
• Pages: 668
• Genre: YA/Fantasy
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2016
• Source: Purchase
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

It has been five years since the Great War and Emma Carstairs is no longer a child. She is a capable shadowhunter who has been obsessed with finding out who or what really killed her parents all those years ago and is constantly on patrol to fight off the demons that dare to disturb her beloved city of Los Angeles.

However, since the Dark War, tensions with the faeries have been escalating to almost unimaginable heights. When dead faeries are discovered with the same markings that covered Emma's dead parents five years ago, Emma and the Blackthorns embark on an investigation that takes them from the depths of the ocean to the bowels of humanity.

---

I cannot even begin to explain how excited I was for this book, and how even more excited I was when it was everything I hoped it was and more. I fell in love with Emma Carstairs and her parabatai Julian, as well as the entire Blackthorn family. It was like being welcomed back into a world that I had left for a while, but when I returned, I found that just enough had changed to keep everything interesting. I really liked the fact that five years have passed so that all the characters have had time to grow up a little bit from when we last left them. It gave an air of maturity to the characters, especially since I had first met Emma and Julian when they were only 12 years old.

My favorite aspect of this book was the fact that it included my all-time favorite poem interwoven into the plot (which I won't tell you, because of possible spoilers!). The plot itself was familiar a sense, yet it still kept you guessing, which made me read this almost 700 page book in two days-yup-I got sucked in again! I also really liked that I felt my familiar rollercoaster of emotions that only happens when I'm reading something really good. There is a greater amount of diversity of characters in this book too-if you can get any more diverse than the world already is, I guess. Shadowhunters are represented in a more human way, I felt like I connected with the characters more because of that.

If I did have any qualms about this book though, I felt as if though the twists and turns barely masked the all-too familiar plot that had already been explored in the other two Shadowhunter series. But I was willing to overlook this fact because I am a sucker for this entire world and anything new I can find out about the characters always gets me excited. If you are one of those people who get bored after a while, I might suggest taking a break from this book, but if you love the shadow world just as much as I do, then by all means, please come back!

For fans of the other books within the Shadowhunters universe, don't worry; all of your favorite characters make a cameo (some more than others) and everything is just perfect and lovely and I can't control my emotions even though it's been a couple days since I have read this book.

The Boy Who Dared By: Susan Campbell Bartoletti

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• Title: The Boy Who Dared
• Author: Susan Campbell Bartoletti
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication Date:  February 1, 2008
• Pages: 202
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2015
• Source: Library 
• Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 stars

I was so excited when I found out this book existed because 1) I had read many books by Bartoletti before and have always enjoyed them and 2) the story seemed extremely intriguing because it was told from a viewpoint that not many books delve into. 

Helmut Hubner is a young German boy during the outbreak of World War II. At first he goes along with what everyone else is doing, including joining the compulsory Hitler Youth. However, after listening to multiple illegal BBC broadcasts via his illegal radio, Helmut starts to realize that the German government is lying to the citizens. And what Helmut does next could mean the end of his life. 

This book is based on the true story of Helmut Hubner and is told through a series of flashbacks, but I didn't mind the format at all. It was a little confusing at times to switch perspectives but that was more my fault than the author's; I was simply too caught up in the present story to wrench myself away from it. 

I liked this book because it shows a perspective that is not often portrayed in books, fiction or otherwise. The world often forgets the plight of the average German citizen, many of whom did not approve of Hitler's actions either, and this book gives them a voice. The best-and worst-part of this book was certainly reminding yourself that this was based on a true story and Helmut did do all of these things. One of the great marks of a writer is when you have to remind yourself what is real and what is not, and this book certainly did it for me.

Bartoletti includes additional historical information and this in itself is extremely interesting. And if you don't want to read that (which I wouldn't know why) you can still pick this book up for its story because it is quite engaging.

Never Fall Down By: Patricia McCormick

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• Title: Never Fall Down
• Author: Patricia McCormick
• Publisher: Baltzer + Bray
• Publication Date:  May 8, 2012
• Pages: 216
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Recommended Age(s): 16+
• First Read: 2015
• Source: Library
• Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 stars

I'm so glad I found this book because it has become one of my favorites for sure. This novel is based on the true story of Arn Chron-Pond and his experiences during the Cambodian genocide of 1975-79. It follows Arn's story of survival from the labor camps of the Khmer Rouge, working in the rice fields and becoming a musician and part of a dance troupe to the refugee camp in Thailand where his future ultimately begins.

Told from his perspective as a child, the novel eloquently captures the sights and sounds of Arn's journey. It is a young adult book that deals with incredibly mature themes in an incredibly tactful way, though there are many instances of graphic depictions, in order to reiterate the horrors of the situations Arn faces.

Before reading this book, I had almost no information about the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge, so it was an incredibly eye-opening read. The language in this book contains no complex descriptions or sentences, as it is told from Arn's childhood perspective when he hadn't quite mastered the nuances of the English language. But the simplicity of the writing style brought a greater weight to the story being told and I just couldn't put the book down.

Though a novel, it is heavily based on Arn's life and reminds me once again just how resilient the human spirit is, and how an imperfect person can go on a quest to create a more perfect world. Arn wasn't anyone particularly special, but his kindness and will to help others strengthened his will to live another day. 

I read this book in one sitting and couldn't find any faults with it. It's simple yet complex, with the most important aspects about Arn's character shown indirectly through his deeds. It's a book I soon won't forget.

The end of the book includes additional information about Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge, and though I'm not sponsored in anyway to mention this, I encourage anyone interested in finding out more about Arn and his humanitarian projects to visit Cambodia Living Arts as a starting point. I also found this Tedx video of Arn, recorded in May 2015, talking about how music saved his life, so I encourage you to check that out as well. When I watched it, after reading about his story, I cried when he played the flute at the very end.

You could say that Arn's just a little bit famous.

Hidden: An Irish Princess' Tale By: Donna Jo Napoli

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• Title: Hidden: An Irish Princess' Tale (Hush #2)
• Author: Donna Jo Napoli
• Publisher: Simon and Schuster
• Publication Date:  2014 
• Pages: 384
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2015
• Source: Library 
• Rating: 3.5 / 5.0 stars

This is a companion book to Napoli's other novel, Hush. Hidden focuses on Brigid, an Irish princess who gets kidnapped by slave traders but managed to escape. Her sister Melkorka (who is the heroine of the novel Hush) does not escape however and Brigid focuses all of her energy into locating her sister so that they be reunited again.

If you're looking for a spunky, absolutely  kick-ass heroine, then Brigid is your girl. She takes no dirt from anybody and from the tender age of eight, becomes one of the most clever book heroines that I have ever read about. I love all of the adventures that Brigid goes on to find her sister, and I have to admire her bravery when she's faced with circumstances that other people may have run from.

My favorite part of this book is when Brigid and her gang of gal pirates embody the Robin Hood spirit, stealing back slaves from the slave captors and returning the would-be slaves back to their homes. I wish there was more of that because that's when Brigid's spirit was really on display.

And though I did like the overall composition of this book, I was highly disappointed with the ending of the book, and this was why I bumped my rating down from what would have been a four star rating. The ending came rushing at me so fast that I couldn't really fathom that after all this time, after all she had done to find her sister Melkorka, that was how the book was going to end. I also wished, as I said earlier, that the book could have spent more time on Brigid's life as a young adult, instead of a child. I do get why there was so much time spent in early childhood and adolescence-because that's when she was kidnapped, but there was just so much more potential in her young adulthood.

But all that being said, I did think this was a pretty enjoyable read and I would certainly read even more by Napoli and if there was yet another book in this series, I would pick it up as well. It was really Brigid's spirit and her tenacity to survive that made me keep reading and in the case of this book, the journey is certainly worth more than the destination.

Ophelia By: Lisa Klein

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• Title: Ophelia
• Author: Lisa Klein
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
• Publication Date: October 31, 2006
• Pages: 328
• Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
• Recommended Age: 13+
• First Read: 2012
• Source: Purchase
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

In this re-telling of the classic Shakespeare play Hamlet, we get to hear Ophelia's side of the story as she grows up in the kingdom of Elsinore as Queen Gertrude's most trusted lady in waiting. Ophelia is rowdy, quick witted, and an overall rocking heroine because she tells people exactly what she thinks and doesn't sell herself short and I love that.

The author blends the original play seamlessly within the plot and creates an entire backstory for Ophelia that I appreciate very much because we get to know her as a young child before she "supposedly" went crazy. My favorite aspect of this novel is the perspective Klein takes on Ophelia's (and Hamlet's) madness and how, though it ended quite horribly for Ophelia in the original play, there might be a chance for her in this novel. 

I love Ophelia. She is an absolute spitfire for sixteenth century standards and ends up having a lot of people in the palm of her hand even though others don't realize that they are. She transforms from the almost absent character in Shakespeare's original to the girl that leaps from the pages of the book so that I can almost hear see her strolling along the river picking herbs and pining about Hamlet.

My favorite part is actually the plot Ophelia concocts to get her out of Elsinore before she gets killed and the author skillfully weaves the traditional state of her madness into something that actually benefits Ophelia. I won't say any more because I don't want to spoil the ending of the book, but it's genius.

I think I'll stop gushing now and just let you guys read the book for yourselves but this is definitely one of the best re-tellings, or should I say, re-imaginings of any classic work I've ever read. This novel is highly under appreciated and I hope that changes soon!

The Death Cure By: James Dashner

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• Title: The Death Cure (Maze Runner #3)
• Author: James Dashner
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Publication Date: October 11, 2011
• Pages: 325
• Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
• Recommended Age: 13+
• First Read: 2013
• Source: Library
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

Well, I have to say, the ending was nothing like what I expected it to be. And even after reading it what, three times now, I still don't think that that was how it should have ended. But I am getting ahead of myself...

So this book is basically one huge heart wrencher, because you finally get to be out in "the real world" away from the confines (and protection?) of WICKED and be exposed to what the Flare really does to people. And can I tell you guys that I'm absolutely terrified of the idea of the Flare; the very idea that you slowly go insane and you lose all of your humanity to become something worse than the most primitive animal? It's horrible. And seeing people like this, especially when it hits close to home just makes me glad that I don't live in their world. That this is just a novel. 

I don't know how many times I almost lost it with this book because of even more revelations finally come to light, especially concerning the Gladers and the Flare. The Gladers are *finally* free of WICKED (hmmm where have I heard that before?) yet there are bigger problems at hand, and Thomas and his friends aren't really free from any of their problems. 

I liked that Brenda and Jorge are back, not dead, and are as fierce as ever, but even they can't get Thomas to stop whining and mouthing off. I also really liked the fact that this book, like the other two, was full of action and was fast paced. I also really liked how the book went full circle, but I never did find out more about Chancellor Paige, at least not as much as I would have liked, seeing she was one of the most instrumental people in the whole operation. 

I really don't like Thomas anymore ( I never really did in the first place) because he again, made extremely dumb decisions and just kept boo-hooing like he had the biggest problem in the world, not, I don't know, Newt or anything. 

But in the end, even though I was not entirely satisfied with the ending, I was glad that well, some people have the chance for a better future.

Oh, and WICKED is not good.

The Scorch Trials By: James Dashner

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• Title: The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2)
• Author: James Dashner
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Publication Date: October 12, 2010
• Pages: 360
• Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
• Recommended Age: 13+
• First Read: 2013
• Source: Library
• Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 stars

After ending in such a cliff hanger, The Scorch Trials picks up right where the The Maze Runner left off with the Gladers thinking they have escaped from WICKED. But things are not always as they seem, and the real trouble is only beginning.

Did I enjoy this novel as much as the the first book? Well, no, but it was still action packed and filled with revelations about WICKED, the Flare, and Thomas' role in the Trials. I think the reason why I did not enjoy this novel as much was because I was so entranced with the world of the maze and the glade that in a way, I couldn't quite get as much into the Scorch. But I did enjoy the book immensely in its own way because it provided a vastly different environment for the Gladers to explore in and to survive in.

This is what I pictured the scorch to be:

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I think my favorite part was when Thomas and Brenda were running through the city, just trying to survive and get to the safe haven they was promised to. I also liked that new characters were introduced and that they added a new complexity to the themes already there (as if things couldn't get complicated enough). I loved the original characters, Newt and Minho being my favorites, but I liked to see how the group dynamic would work outside the maze, and I wasn't disappointed. Minho was even sassier, if possible, and Newt was just so adorable that I could barely stand it.

Thomas though, was getting more annoying because he just couldn't stop asking questions (again) and just kept rambling and rambling and rambling blah blah blah about Teresa, about his feelings...I could have done a lot without that and instead focused on the action happening around them and the fact that people are trying to kill them!

The book, of course, ends in another cliffhanger (shocker) much like the first book did, not really providing any answers as much as more questions and even more WICKED.

Well, at least there's a third book, which I will gladly re-read again, but I won't like page 250 at all. And to quote Forrest Gump: Well that's all I have to say about that.

The Maze Runner By: James Dashner

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• Title: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1)
• Author: James Dashner
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Publication Date: October 6, 2009
• Pages: 374
• Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
• Recommended Age: 13+
• First Read: 2013
• Source: Library
• Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 stars

I've read this series a few times now, and I thought it was time to finally write a review about it. And it's about time I share the magic of the maze with everyone who hasn't read this series yet.

If you ain't scared, you ain't human.

The plot itself was fast paced, engaging and cringe-worthy in the right places, making it one of my favorite dystopia YA series. And I like this particularly because of the fact that it contained a plot that was not so heavily centered on a love triangle or a couple in love. Sure Tom and Theresa have their moments, but I feel like we get to know the other characters just as well and we are able to fall in love with each of the relationships between the characters.

Hands down my favorite character in this book, and consequently the entire series is Newt because there is a strength within him that does not exist within the other characters. Newt is everything in a hero, and though he is not the main character, I feel like he contributed just as much as Thomas did.

I also really liked Minho because he provided the sort of dry comic relief that I enjoyed, in addition to having the coolest job in the Glade. I love the relationship between the three boys, Minho, Newt, and Thomas because they shared a brotherhood that could only come from enduring an extraordinary experience together.

My favorite aspect of this book was the fact that we as readers found facts out at the same rate as the main character, Thomas did. I felt like I was part of the story because I felt disoriented along with Thomas when all of these new vocabulary words like "greenie" and "shank" were thrown at me. And I felt like I was becoming one of the Gladers when the new vocabulary words did not disconcert me anymore and just seemed natural. That was a great feeling.

I also loved the maze itself, with its enigmatic persona, it was a character unto itself. And if there is anything worse than being in a maze, it's being in a maze with monsters that want to kill you. And it is delightfully suspenseful to read those scenes because you never know what's around the next turn. I'm sure Dashner took some of his inspiration from the Labyrinth in the Greek myths, just as Riordan and Collins did for some of their series but I liked the way Dashner portrayed the maze as not something to get through, but something to escape because the Gladers are stuck in the middle of it and don't have to travel through it to get to another destination.

Genius. Stunning.

If I did have any complaints with this book, I would have to call out Thomas for asking so many questions that he just could have waited to ask!! And the fact that interrupts and doesn't keep silent when people are trying to explain things to him. Oh well. I'm nit-picking.

But seriously, go read this book before you watch the movie. Because although the movie is pretty great (though they took some creative license that I condone to an extent) with a stellar cast playing the Gladers, the book is where the magic starts.

I am the Messenger By: Markus Zusak

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• Title: I am the Messenger
• Author: Markus Zusak
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Borzoi Books
• Publication Date: May 9, 2006
• Pages: 360
• Genre: Fiction, Young Adult
• Recommended Age: 15+
• First Read: 2014
• Source: Library
• Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 stars

So this was me, reading I am the Messenger for the first time: 

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Needless to say, Markus Zusak blew me away. To the moon. To Mars. To the next galaxy.

The book starts out innocently enough, with Ed Kennedy as a deadbeat cabdriver, hopelessly in love with his best friend, and living with an ancient dog, the Doorman. His life has been an endless cycle of card games and dead ends.

But then Ed casually stops a bank robbery.

And then he receives the first card in the mail.

And that's when Ed becomes the messenger, going around town, becoming the (not so perfect) guardian angel of his little Australian town. But as he delivers his messages around town, Ed cannot help but wonder: Who's behind his mission?

Zuzak's language is poetic without being flowery because it speaks directly to the human soul and I cannot help but fall into it every time I read one of his books. The magic that this story weaves is even more magical than if the author had included glass slippers because he is able to transform a young man who is the "epitome of ordinary" and urge him to change people's lives. I just fell in love with Ed, flaws and all because he didn't have any magic powers, was not particularly attractive, nor was particularly smart, at least in the bookish sense. The fact that he was just a regular guy trying to find his place in the world and picked out to care about the lives of others was perfect.

It's extremely difficult to write a review about this book because no box will ever contain just how "marvelous" this book was because it encompasses so many themes-of love, acceptance, joy, and loss- without being preachy or cliched. There's a simpleness to the way this book is told that deals with such complex themes that both breaks my heart and gives me faith in humanity at the same time.

Ed will take you on an adventure, and all you have to do is get in the back seat of his cab.

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