The Maze Runner, James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner, reviewed by Eleanor

Author: jamesdashner.com/
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 374 pages
Buy this book: Amazon uk/Amazon us

What is this book about?

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers--boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It's the only way out--and no one's ever made it through alive. (Goodreads)

Who should read this book? If you loved the Hunger Games, you'll love this.

Star Rating: 3.5 stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

Minho. Definitely.

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?
Gally. He's mean. Or a griever (nocturnal monsters made up of balls of blubber with hundreds of super spiky weapons protruding from their fat). They're pretty mean too. And very scary.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?
I like it, it's another one of those covers that you only get if you have read the book.

Question 4. Can you read the tea leaves from the beginning or are there twists in the plot?
I kept thinking I knew what was going on only to have Dashner throw in another twists to throw me off track.

Question 5. Favourite quote!

"If you ain’t scared… you ain’t human.”

Overall: I enjoyed this book. I have been planning on reading it for over 2 years now and I have absolutely no idea why it has taken me so long to get my hands on a copy because it is quite honestly amazing! The thing that makes this book is the main character, Thomas. What I cannot stand in a book is when the characters constantly makes stupid decisions that no-one would EVER even consider. Thomas made good decisions, which I adored. Sure, he did reckless things but they were necessary and justifiable. I also really liked the plot of this story as, although it vaguely follows the structure of a dystopian novel, there were lots of little twists and I didn't predict any of these. Lastly, there was no love triangle. INCREDIBLE. I'd definitely recommend this book to all who love a completely terrifying but extremely addictive post-apocalyptic read.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

If You Could See Me Now, Cecelia Ahern

If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern, reviewed by Eleanor


Author: uk.cecelia-ahern.com/
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 401 pages
Buy this book: Amazon uk/Amazon us

What is this book about?

Elizabeth Egan's life runs on order: Both her home and her emotions are arranged just so, with little room for spontaneity. It's how she counteracts the chaos of her family -an alcoholic mother who left when she was young, an emotionally distant father, and a free-spirited sister, who seems to be following in their mother's footsteps, leaving her own six-year old son, Luke, in Elizabeth's care. When Ivan, Luke's mysterious new grown-up friend, enters the picture, Elizabeth doesn't know quite what to make of him. With his penchant for adventure and colorful take on things large and small, Ivan opens Elizabeth's eyes to a whole new way of living. But is it for real? Is Ivan for real? (Goodreads)

Who should read this book? I think it's mainly for adults although there aren't really any adult themes so really suitable for anyone. Although this book may seem like a fantasy from the blurb, I'd say that the main theme is more real life than anything else.

Star Rating: 2.5 stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

Luke, because he may quite possibly be the only sane character in this book, despite being six years old!

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?
Ivan, he's supposed to be this grown man of a similar age to Elizabeth but he was just so childish. I guess that this added to the whole 'is he real? is he not real?' theme (as Ivan is actually an 'imaginary friend' and so only Luke and Elizabeth can see him) but it got really annoying.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?
I was going to write about the cover having no relevance to the book but as I have been writing this I have just realised the connection. So actually I do quite like this cover, you'll have to read to understand it though.

Question 4. Can you read the tea leaves from the beginning or are there twists in the plot?
Except for the obvious 'boy meets girl' this book wasn't too predictable.

Question 5. Favourite quote!

"Don't ever take for granted when people look in your eyes; you have no idea how important it is to be acknowledged."

Overall: This was overall an okay book. The problem was that I found it quite a slow read as the plot wasn't very fast paced and there weren't really any shocking events so it just meandered along and didn't really pull me in. The 2.5 that I have given this book is mainly because of this and also because I found the characters a little hard to like. However, I thought that the story idea was really new as it is definitely not something that has been written about or looked into very much, if at all. Also, once I had got through the first few chapters, the idea of this imaginary friend became a lot easier to accept. This book is definitely different and for this reason I would recommend it to those who want an easy read that you don't need to think about too much but that is completely different from anything you've read before.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

The Rosie Project, Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, reviewed by Eleanor

Author: graemesimsion.com/twitter
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 298 pages
Buy this book: Amazon

What is this book about?

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. So Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.

Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper. (Goodreads)

Who should read this book? The main characters are all adults but this does not make it an adult book. 'The Rosie Project' is definitely suitable for older teens as well.

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

Don. Because he is a scientist and so am I. And also, he's just such an interesting person!

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?

Don again. Because although he has a very high academic ability, his Asperger syndrome causes him to sometimes misunderstand things in social situations and so he says some pretty abrupt things. And these things are occasionally worthy of lots of thrown cups of tea.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

I really like this cover. Simple is best.

Question 4. Can you read the tea leaves from the beginning or are there twists in the plot?

There aren't really any plot twists in this book, the 'main part' of the ending is fairly predictable... i.e. 'The Rosie Project,' but, for me, this is what makes the book so lovable. As the reader you can see what is happening and where the story is going but Don Tillman is COMPLETELY oblivious. This makes the book more about his own self discovery rather than surprising the reader and I think this is what made the book work so well.

Question 5. Favourite quote!

“You know what I like about New York?” he said. “There are so many weird people that nobody takes any notice. We all just fit right in.”

Overall: I really really loved this book. It made me laugh out loud at some points and my eyes to fill with tears at others. The main characters are just so great, the love story realistic and the story is well paced so it becomes very difficult to put the book down. In some ways it was a little similar to 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time' by Mark Haddon, which is another book that I very highly recommend! Overall, definitely pick up this book, it's a very special one that you'll want to tell everyone about.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

Top Ten Books We've Read This Summer

Top Ten Books We've Read This Summer is this week's addition of Top Ten Tuesday hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish.

Eleanor:

I have read pretty much nothing for about the last two months as I've been in extreme revision and have only left the house for exams... (I want to say 'hahaha kidding' but I'm sadly not) However, today my exams finished, which means I can start reading again. Woop woop. So as I haven't been reading this summer yet, here are three books I will be reading...

1. The Rosie Project by, Don Tillman -I've heard some good things about this book and it looks so feel-good and funny.

2. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare -because the wait is finally over!

3. The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon -I'm not sure how I haven't read this book because it's been out for quite a while. But soon I will have.

  

Bronte:

4. After the End by Amy Plum. I really enjoyed this new book from Plum - it was just as amazing as the Die for Me series!

5. Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt. My review for this is coming on Thursday but this book was great - I liked it even better than Send Me a Sign which I also loved.

6. Thats actually all the books I've read this summer (because of exams etc) so I am going to pick my favourite book of last summer which was: Wonder by R.J Palacio. This book was something special and different but still completely enjoyable, although emotional.

  

Izzy:

7. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles- I heard so many good things about this book- and to be frank, I was a bit disappointed. We'll have a full review up for you guys soon where I'll go into more detail but it was a shame.

8. A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore- I liked this book, and was a good start for me to try and read more adult books, though to warn you this is not a lighthearted summer read! It was interesting, and definitely made me think as well as having me choked up at moments. Although I won't be re-reading I can see myself thinking about this book for a long time.

9. Sort of cheating as I'm only halway through but- Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This book is not fun and games either but the characters are all incredible so far, flawed but relatable. Also I feel so dumb for never realising Nigeria even had a civil war in the 1960s. To hear history of other countries in novel format is always so interesting for me.

  

Hope you enjoyed this week's Top Ten (Nine) Tuesday, have a great week!

After the End, Amy Plum

After the End by Amy Plum, reviewed by Bronte

Author: http://www.amyplumbooks.com

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 352

Buy this book: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

What is this book about?

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.
At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past. (Goodreads)

Who should read this book?

People who love dystopian with a twist and if you enjoyed Plums Die for Me series. I would say it is for readers 13+.

Marks:

Story Line: 7/10

Well written: 5/5

Enjoyabililty: 4/5

Overall: 16/20

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Question 1. What character would you most like to have tea with?

Probably Juneau's father as I feel that I would be able to get some answers. This book ends with the reader still questioning just about everything and that for me is so annoying! In a good way - I can't wait for the next book.

Question 2. What character would you most like to throw tea at?

Miles. Although he is quite an interesting character, he does have serious trust issues which I found to be frustrating at the beginning. However, I can see why he might have issues which Juneau's stories, but he could have been kinder to her.

Question 3. What do you think of the cover?

I quite like this cover - it isn't as bright or intricate as the Revenants covers but I like the simplicity and boldness of it. You can easily see why Juneau was intimidated by the modern world we live in.

Question 4. Can you read the tea leaves from the beginning or are there twists in the plot?

I think this plot takes multiple twist and turns and it was not obvious what was going to happen - nor was it easy to predict how it ended! It is very much unlike your average dystopian which I liked.

Question 5. Favourite quote!

“I'm lying here in a tent, pretending to be asleep but actually fearing for my life as I watch a bunny murderer have a conversation with our campfire.”

- There were lots of funny quotes like this all the way through as Miles struggled to contemplate what on earth was happening!

Overall:

Overall I thought this book was really good. It was unlike most dystopians and the plot was unpredictable. I think that Plum did a really good job, as the Die for Me series was so good, writing something equally as amazing is a trait of a great author. The ending was a little frustrating as I felt that although the plot is good, I wonder if it can be stretched across two novels - so I am expecting something extravagant to happen at the start of book two. Overall though I liked it a lot and am looking forward to the next!

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

Love Reborn, Yvonne Woon

Love Reborn (Dead Beautiful, #3 by Yvonne Woon, reviewed by Bronte

Warning, this book may contain spoilers of the first book.

Dead Beautiful
Life Eternal

What is this book about?
Renée has in her possession a legendary chest said to contain the secret to eternal life-if only they could solve the clues that lie within it. With both the Liberum, a Brotherhood of the Undead, and a team of Monitors, led by Renée's own grandfather, in hot pursuit, Renée and Dante must keep the chest safe or risk having it fall into the wrong hands. (Goodreads)
Who should read this book?
Anyone who read and enjoyed the previous books, obviously. Also people who enjoy books with suspense and thrilling turns. Maybe 13+ I would say.

How long is this book?
368 pages, actually the shortest of the other books.
Marks
Story Line: 8/10
Well written: 4/5
Enjoyablilty: 4/5
Overall: 16/20

Star Rating: 4 Stars


Question 1. What character has remained the same pot of tea?
Anya. I love Anya, Renee's closest friend at the moment. I think that she is just lovely and cares about the right things and right people. She is quite odd and has some weird aspects about her, but isn't everyone a bit weird in their own way; its what makes them them.

Question 2. Which character has a whole new flavour?
Noah. Aww, this part of the story make me so sad as I loved Noah. If you did the 'Team Dante' 'Team Noah' think, I think that I probably would chose Noah. He was just so lovely. Now he is quite detached and you don't see much of him in the story. The ending was a bit disappointing and left things hanging a bit...but thats all I am saying.

Question 3. Which characters would have the most awkward conversation whilst drinking tea?
Renee's Grandfather and Dante near the end. Obviously, for those who have read the book, this wouldn't happen, but if it did it would be funny. The look on her Grandfathers face when he realises he was *gasp* wrong!

Question 4. What book would you prefer to read while drinking tea?
I'm still going with Dead Beautiful because it was just so great. I have actually read it twice and even during the second sitting I still read it for hours on end so I could know what was going to happen, even though I knew!

Question 5. Favourite quote!
This quote is actually from Dead Beautiful but I didn't have a stand out quote from Love Reborn so here it is - 'Everyone has the ability to hurt. It's the choice that matters.'

Overall:
I really liked this book, and this series. It was thrilling and taking twists that I couldn't have ever guessed! The characters had personality and were relatively realistic but this is where my problem occurs.

You have to think back to the beginning because originally Renee was so absorbed into Dante she became almost - obsessed, maybe? for a couple of terms, which then made her want to go on the most dangerous adventure of her life, that many had attempted, failed and even died just trying. It makes me question - why was she doing this for a boy that she had known for just over half a year? I mean, obviously they share the same soul - so that perhaps is my answer. But this whole series is basically created because a girl fell in love with someone she couldn't be with so because they couldn't be a couple she went on the adventure - but how was she ever to know that they would still want to be a couple after only meeting each other a few months ago.

I have babbled to much about it now, but even though it is a bit ambiguous it made for an excellent story that I thoroughly enjoyed! I like the fact that Woon left the ending slightly open so perhaps another novel might be coming. I'd like that.

What did you think of this book? What would you like us to review next?

Top Ten Books That Will Be In My Beach Bag This Summer

Top Ten Books That Will Be In My Beach Bag This Summer is this weeks addition of Top Ten Tuesday hosted by the The Broke and the Bookish.

Bronte:

1. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. I've been waiting and wishing for this book ever since Lola. Thank goodness it's almost here!

2. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare. This book has so much riding on it and so much pressure. It has to be perfect (no pressure for Cassandra Clare then!) and I really hope Tessa has more of a part after what happened in the Clockwork Princess. I'm not sure if everyone will consider it a beach read but I've waited so long I will read it anywhere!

3. This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith. I love Jennifer E. Smith and I have yet to read this book and I feel it will be perfect for a beach read.

4. Happenstance by Jamie McGuire. I loved Beautiful Disaster so hopefully this will be just as good and really enjoyable.

5. The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry. I've just recently added this to my to read and I think it looks like a good beach read!

                                          

Izzy:

6. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys- So. This book is set in New Orleans. Now, I have never been to New Orleans but I often google image New Orleans, or put it into tumblr. I honestly believe that my heart and soul belongs in New Orleans. Therefore, any book set in New Orleans I need in my life. If you know anymore let me know. Because remember, I belong in New Orleans.

7. Landline by Rainbow Rowell- I loved Rowell's last, and only, adult book Attachments, so I can't wait for her next adult novel. It sounds great to me- and knowing Rowell's writing this will be more than perfect. When it comes to conversation, no-one does it better than Rowell.

8. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick- I have only heard brilliant things about this book.Plus it sounds like the perfect mixture of good writing, cute love story with just a pinch of Sarah Dessen! Have any of you read this book? What did you think?

9. Road Ends by Mary Lawson-You may not know about Lawson but you really should. Her book, "The Other Side of the Bridge," is one of my favourite books of all time. She released this novel in 2013 and I still haven't got my hands on it, but this summer will be the summer.

10. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E.Lockhart- This YA book was a National Book Finalist. No more needs to be said except I need this.

We hope you enjoyed our rendition of this weeks Top Ten Tuesday - what books will you be taking to the beach this summer?