The House of the Scorpion

Considering that this YA novel won so many awards and is read by pretty much every middle schooler ever, I cannot believe that I hadn't really heard of it let alone read it. I was randomly looking up young adult books to read for a young adult book club and this was one I came across with many awards behind the title. It was vetoed as a book club choice, but I put it on my to-read list anyway. I can't say that I loved it, but I am glad that I read it.

The House of the Scorpion brings up some interesting moral and ethical dilemmas like cloning, free will, and use of power. Matt, as El Patron's clone, finds out quickly that he is not viewed like other little boys in the drug land of Opium. Matt's coming of age story has its moments, but to me it seemed like Matt's voice from early childhood to teenager didn't change very much. He still seemed very childlike. This was part of why I got bored with it. I wanted a young adult book that actually spotlighted a young adult, not a child. Plus, the last third of the book just went in a completely different direction, and seemed unnecessary.

Overall, I think if I had been in middle school or even high school I would have enjoyed this book much more. As an adult, it was underwhelming. I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't nearly as good as I expected it to be with all the awards it won. With that said, I checked out the sequel at the same time as The House of the Scorpion, so I started reading The Lord of Opium. We'll see if this one is better. Stay tuned!

Welcome to the Glade

It all begins when Thomas wakes up inside an elevator with no memory of who he is other than his name. When he eventually arrives in “the Glade” after what has to be the longest elevator ride in history, he meets the other boys living there who all went through the same experience: no memory and mysteriously delivered to this place. Around the Glade are huge walls that move every night creating a maze. Some of boys are designated runners who try to find an escape route every day to no avail and Thomas quickly learns rule number 1: don’t get caught in the maze after dark. Once the lights go out (or the sun. They may be in a completely manufactured world, so I’m not really sure how it works) the maze fills with Grievers, half machine half gross monsters who eat children. If the boys get stung they go through a painful process called the Changing which drives some mad.

I love, love, love, loved this book! It was perfectly plotted. The boys are trying to figure things out at the same time as the reader and So Much Tension! It started out a little slowly as Thomas tried to figure out his place in this new world, but with the arrival of Theresa, things really starting picking up. Escaping from the Glade became ever more important and I was completely rooting for these kids even as I dreaded the world they would find on the other side. 

Dashner did an amazing job at world-building. The setting was its own character, well fleshed out and with complexity (because it’s a maze, get it?). The walls dominated every aspect of the characters lives and while reading, mine. I’ve seen some images of the upcoming movie version and they *nailed* it. I’m so excited for the movie and to read the other books in the series.

2 small notes: 

1.) While I was reading, I honestly thought this book was written by a woman, sorry James Dashner.

2.)  Read the epilogue! Sometimes people skip it. Do not skip it!

Elite

Go ahead. Judge me. It's fine. No, really it is. I loved the first book in this series. Loved. A dystopian novel meets the bachelor? Oddly enough...sign me up!!!

I didn't expect it either. The cover drew me in with the pretty dress and the premise was unlike anything I had read before and that was all it took. The main character has an AWFUL name. America Singer. I know. There is definitely a love triangle but I thought the first book did an ok job with it. America didn't seem super hung up on guy #1 and guy #2 is 'The Bachelor' so he was new. I can understand the torn feelings since she also sort of got dumped and forced into the competition.

Anyway, the love triangle really almost ruined book 2 for me. I was so fed up with the main character I was ready to scream. Why did I keep reading? My love for book 1 forced me to persevere. I was starting to get really upset because America would be with Maxon and then tell him "I need more time. BUT I really care for you. I will be here for you" Then she would go dink around with Aspen and tell him how much she still cared for him and he still had a place in her heart. Then she would do the same thing all over again!! Not only would she do that but she got all pissed off at Maxon for kissing a couple of the other girls after she and Aspen made out! I despise double standards and that alone almost made me up the book down.

I will still read book 3 because I have to know how this ends. If she picks Aspen I will be super pissed. I think he's kind of a tool. Unsure if I am excited but I will read it anyway. I will give this 3 stars still so that's acceptable.

Mystic City

Well let me start off with saying I loved this. It didn't feel like it was written by a guy for most of the book which is kind of cool. I found Aria pretty believable if not predictable. 

There were some things that did bother me. Her constant need to be saved and how naive she was. I know, I know. It is the norm but WHY? She did step up her game the last 1/4 of the book so that was neat. The other thing that bothered me was why are the villains so predictable all the time? I was only slightly surprised by one of the characters but the rest were so obvious.

Let's talk about the romance. It was pretty awesome. I won't lie, I enjoyed the Romeo and Juliet thing that was going on. This was fluffy and sort of exactly what I needed for a Sunday afternoon spent reading in bed.

I was a little miffed when I got to the end of the book and it says Renegade Heart Summer 2013. Yet the internet seems to be telling me this is not the case, try April of 2014! I am a little tired of series but this was really addicting! I didn't want to stop reading until I had finished this.

Even though this is kind of a dystopian book it is way more urban fantasy/science fiction so I wouldn't really compare it much to the Hunger Games. I think publishers are really trying to push that series way too much on other books of the genre when they only think they have in common is they are both considered dystopian.

I am also started to get annoyed with the main characters falling in love right away. You think he is hot? Awesome, he is. You love him? Not yet. I get where the author was going with it and the memories being erased and the insta feelings but c'mon. C'mon. Thankfully there wasn't really a love triangle. There was a sort of love triangle but it makes sense versus her debating the whole book of "I love him!" "But I can't hurt him!" "Oh but I really like both of them!" Blech. I am so over that.

Can we also just take a moment to look at that cover? I loved it. I like the font and the pretty background and the blues and the silvers mixing together. So lovely.

Ok so to wrap this up I will just say I am quite excited to read the next book. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. The jury is out on that one since most series have been a bit of a let down lately. :)