The Maze Runner, James Dashner, Delacourte Press, 374 pages

I have finally finished it! Not that it was bad and I had to put it down and didn’t want to pick it up again. Nothing like that. I started this book, then was swamped with books coming in from the library. So of course, you have to read the ones with return dates before you can read the ones you own.

I’ve “heard” that this book has been likened to The Hunger Games, and whereas I’m not balking at this suggestion I just don’t really see it. I mean, I suppose I can a little bit, but to me it’s a book all on it’s own.

The premise was pretty cool and although I disliked being thrown into their world with the different slang, I caught on pretty quickly and got over it. Plus, I liked the fact that it put us in the box right along with Thomas.

I thought the characters were all pretty unique in this setting. Considering how many individual voices he had to write.

Some of the plot points were easy for me to figure out, but I was surprised by the whole Chuck thing. Really, James!? Did you have to do that?

I suppose there’s a reason, but still. I also didn’t expect the ending, but it set it up pretty nicely for the second book, The Scorch Trials, that is going to be released in October this year.

Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter, J. Anderson, Harper Collins, 327 pages

I picked this one up because I’d heard really amazing things about it. I started reading it and was disappointed. It was sooo slow and nothing was really happening. I mean obviously stuff was happening but. . .you know what I mean.

Well, then something happened.

And I couldn’t put it down. And then I realized that the author was just laying the foundation for all the stuff that was going to happen.

And I was sucked in until the last page.

I loved this book despite it’s slow beginning.

I loved the twists, and the characters were all really amazing, full of character (ha) and deeper than I first thought.

I was impressed with Paul and all his conflicting feelings and damage.

I think that may have been when I started enjoying the book, when Knife met him for the second time. Actually I’m pretty positive that’s when.

I’d say a quarter of the way through, maybe a little more.

I am anticipating Wayfarer, coming out this year. It is not about the same characters but a continuation of the story.

Wake, Lisa McMann, Simon Pulse, 210 pages

Pleasantly surprised. Not that I thought it would stink of anything. It was just better than I expected I guess.

Interesting premise, kind of reminds me of Nightmare on Elm Street. Kind of.

I suppose if there is something for me to complain about I’d say that the way it is written doesn’t allow for much attatchment to the characters.

I feel like I know Janie, but not well. And that I’d like to get to know her better. And by her I mean not just her ability.

I liked Cabel, although I did just do a small rant on Facebook about his name. I mean Cabel, like cable. Really? I know we may be trying to go with a unique name but it was just weird to me. I do like his character though. Wounded, deeply wounded, really sweet.

There are a few other things that annoyed me, like the constant use of a certain word. I’m not naive, or anything, it just seemed overused. Said in some of the weirdest moments. And then also, the constant misunderstandings between Janie and Cabe. Some seemed like they were thrown in for good measure.

Other than that, great story, great book. Picking up Fade right now.

“When,” he demands. “I promise, all my heart, I’ll be your house elf for the rest of my life if I fail to meet you at the appointed date and time.” He leans forward. “Promise,” he says again. He holds up two fingers.

The bell rings.

They stand up.

She’s not answering.

He comes around the table toward her and pushes her gently against the wall. Sinks his lips into hers.

He tastes like spearmint.

She can’t stop the flipping in her stomach.

He pulls back and touches her cheek, her hair. “When,” he whispers. Urgently.

"That was the goth stage, where I decided I'd never get the girl of my dreams because of my scars. Not to mention my hairstyle. (pause)But then she slammed a door handle into my gut. And when a girl does that to a boy,it means she likes him."

Ex-Mas, Kate Brian, Simon and Schuster, 216 pages

If you know anything about me, from my posts, you should have come across me saying multiple times that a book was too short for me.

Typically if it's under 300 pages I feel like I've been left out, only given half the story, or rushed. And I hate that, the feeling of being rushed through a story.

This book was completely unlike that.

I loved the story. I loved the idea, I loved the Christmas theme.

The blurb on the cover says "A love/hate story" and that's exactly what it was for me, because I hated Lila up until the impromptu wedding singer scene. Seriously. I kept asking myself why I bought the book because I disliked her that much. But I kept reading with the hopes that it would get better. I figured 216 pages, surely it'd get better soon.

Once I reached the wedding singer moment, everything fell into place for me.

I really enjoyed being around Beau and Lila, I related to the little sibling part of the story, having put up with my two younger sisters.

From that moment on it was awesome. Such a joy to read. There were so many different scenes through the book that just made me fall in love with it.

Of course at the end when we had to do the conflict before the resolution that I knew deep down would come, I was still annoyed that she went back, (I'm trying to be cryptic here) but ultimately I was very happy (sappy, happy) with the ending and the book.

Beautiful Creatures, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, Little Brown, 563 pages

I have heard nothing but amazing things, lots of hype and anticipation in regards to this debut novel. And for 98% of it I agree.
The story was amazingly well written, chock full of information. I read a review (can't remember who's, sorry) where she said every page, every paragraph had information you needed (paraphrasing), and I also agree with that.
Reading this story if felt like I had to keep turning the pages because the previous page had so much in it that I needed to know what was coming next.
The characters were well-written, I felt a connection to most of them. I loved the Sisters, Link was pretty fun, Uncle Macon in his own way, and of course Amma. I thought it was awesome how much family involvement there was. Especially in YA "fantasy" there usually isn't much so that was a nice change.
And although I felt like the two main characters were relatable enough, there just seemed to be something missing. I think maybe it had to do with the amount of information we had thrown at us, with all of that something had to be lacking a little.
The history that was woven into the story was deep, it was all so intricate. I was so sucked in and enjoyed it so much until...dun, dun, dun...pages 510 to 563, so basically the very end. To me it just seemed rushed. It seemed lacking in some way, and it seemed to me, a little confusing. There are questions that I have that I can't mention or it would give too much away and I don't think they have anything to do with a second book, if there is one. Which I am unsure of.
Over all an amazing first novel. Amazing.

Impossible, Nancy Werlin, Dial Books, 366 pages

(Nov. 29) Okay guys, sorry for the hiatus but I have been sick. And over Thanksgiving. Let’s just say we didn’t do anything. No turkey, no family, nothing. It was nice. :)

That being said I’m gonna try and get a few reviews up. Starting with this one.

I read this book right after it came out so it’s been a while but I loved it. It was one of the first (I bought it along with Graceling) that got me started reading YA again.

So thank you Nancy.

Lucy Scarborough is trying to lead a typical teenage life despite the fact that she lives with foster parents, her mom is insane, and pops in and out of her life singing the same song she always has, and that she’s in love with the boy she grew up with.

I’m trying not to give away too much so let’s just say she becomes pregnant under unusual circumstances and that’s when things start falling into place.

She finds a letter and journal from when her mom was pregnant with her and it starts to explain what’s really happened and what will happen if she doesn’t figure out the answers to the riddle her mom has been singing to her her whole life.

With the help of her foster parents and Zach (the boy) she sets out to unravel the three impossible tasks that have been placed upon her before her daughter is born or else she will go insane just like her mom.

Such a good book. I love the use of the folk song as a foundation for the plot. The story was enthralling, it sucks you in. The characters, especially Lucy, feels like a true friend. You want to help her, you want to be there for her.

The story was clever and the riddle and answers even more so.

Highly, highly recommend this book.

and I know I’ve been slacking...

Zach grinned. And even though Lucy was not looking at him, she knew, because when somebody grins and your cheek is pressed against their chest, you can feel the smile right there in their body. Right in the muscle movement.

Lucy turned away abruptly. But not before she was suddenly aware that Zach was looking at her, too.

Candor, Pam Bachorz, Egmont, 249 pages

(Nov. 21) It’s hard to describe how I felt about this book.

I liked it. Couldn’t put it down, pages kept drawing me in. But by the middle when everything started to fall apart for Oscar I couldn’t help but feel a loss.

A loss of hope.

And that hope never returned.

I still have it with me. It hurts my heart a little.

It was a great story. Well done.

The characters were pretty believable, even in their Stepford Wives way.

Oscar was cool, smart, strong.

Nia was a little dark and artsy and an individual.

What happened to them was heartbreaking.

Like I said I couldn’t put it down.

A Curse as Dark as Gold, Elizabeth Bunce, Arthur A. Levine Books, 392 pages

(Nov. 20) I was amazed. Despite being a smidge bored at some parts.

Elizabeth Bunce is incredible at storytelling. If you can’t guess or haven’t heard this is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. And quite a believeable one at that.

I loved the characters, some a little more than others but they were all extremely well written. The main character, Charlotte, was strong, yet unsure. Rosie, her sister, was sassy and didn’t hold back. I loved the romance between Charlotte and Randall, of course cause I’m a sap. And the slowly budding relationship between Rosie and Harte. The villains were, well, villains. :)

I felt like I was there, like I was transported to this quaint little country village. I thought the descriptions of mill life were intricate and well researched.

Great story. Really.

The suspense just kept building and I didn’t want to put it down.

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!

Read this book.