2014 Blogger Challenge #3 | The maze runner trilogy + prequel

What's the 2014 Blogger Challenge?

It was started by Gaby from AnotherGirlyBlog. Two posts will go up each month (towards the beginning and middle), each with a different topic.

This week's topic: Once upon a time...

I mentioned The Maze Runner trilogy (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure) by James Dashner in my 'A few of my favourite things' post, but I haven't dedicated an entire blog post to it. It deserves one. I read the trilogy (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure) and prequel (The Kill Order) about a month ago, but updates on the movie are still exciting to me.

 

Left image. Right image.

  The Plot
This reminds me of The Hunger Games. I mean, it's not exactly similar, but they have things in common. They also run for their life in a contained setting, with 'cameras' watching their every move. Basically, each month a new person arrives in the Glade, knowing nothing about their past, except for their name. Each person has a job within this community, but the story focuses on the runners. They risk their lives running out into the maze each day, searching for an escape route and returning each night before the gates close and the Grievers go wild. They find out about W.I.C.K.E.D's role in creating the maze...

The Characters
They are quite similar to what you would expect in a dystopian society. There's Thomas, the brave one with strong morals, is unexpectedly good at the most important role and believes that he could have some impact on the world. There's Newt, the former runner and one of the 'leaders' of the group. He has been discouraged from running, but remains to be one of the vital characters in the series. And Teresa is the one girl who raises confusion amongst the boys. You don't know which side she's on until the end.

The Writing
The children of the community have developed their own version of English. I thought that was quite interesting because it adds some integrity to the story. It shows how they've created and organised their own community, and that part can't be controlled by W.I.C.K.E.D. The writing definitely sucked me into this world of fear and instability, but I wouldn't say it was the best. I connected with the characters and understood their reasoning when making decisions, which I believe to be really important. You have to understand their personality and logic to make the characters more believable.

The Books
I would probably say that you must read the entire series and the prequel to fully understand what went on prior to the maze. The government's reasons in creating this 'world' are clear once you read all four books!

The Movie
September 2014!
From the pictures I've seen, they look very similar to what I visualised when reading the books. I'm excited for the cast and the characters they are playing. Don't you just love it when a series you love is made into a movie?

What do you think of the Maze Runner series? Or what have you been reading?

Hello-worldxo

The fault in our stars

I have smiled, laughed and cried during the 1.5 days of reading this book. My curiosity got the better of me and I finally decided to start it one night, before bed. What I thought was going to be 10 minutes of reading, turned into an hour... I couldn't help but think about it the next few nights before falling asleep.

The Plot 

I was hooked from the first chapter, which rarely happens. At first I thought it was a predictable romance, like in A Walk To Remember, but it wasn't at all. The twist blindsided me! But I love it! Basically, Hazel Grace, has cancer and attends Support Group meetings. At one of these meetings, she meets Augustus Waters. They fall in love bla bla bla... you get it.

The Characters

Hazel - She has an interesting outlook on the world, and life. She is portrayed as vulnerable and strong at the same time, if that makes sense (if it doesn't, read the book!). At one point, she thinks of herself as being a 'grenade', which may explode at any moment and hurt the people she loves.

Augustus - As girls, we all wish to find someone like Gus here (unless you've already found him). He's so loving, supportive, considerate and says the most unbelievable things (in a good way). He is am amputee as a result of cancer.

Peter Van Houten - Was described as an 'assclown' by Gus haha. This character highlights that there's good in everyone, and that there's usually a reason for their mistreatment of others.

The Love Story 

The relationship developed slowly, and there were moments of doubt, which makes it realistic. I completely fell in love with the love story and their relationship. I wanted to be Hazel. Despite having cancer and through all the suffering, she managed to find something worthwhile (other than her parents). I also love the 'okay' as a form of flirting between Hazel and Gus. It adds to their relationship.

The Writing

 Green's writing flows so well, and he makes the characters come to life. Saying this, there were many sections in Van Houten's letters and conversations between Hazel and Gus which I had to re-read. Even then, I did not understand it completely. I just can't imagine 17 year olds speaking like that. 

The events were made to seem so real. For instance, towards the end when Hazel witnessed Gus' inability to take care of himself (when he pissed the bed, and when he called her to help him).

There are so many memorable quotes:

• "The existence of broccoli does not in any way affect the taste of chocolate"
• "I bought them a minute. Maybe that's the minute that buys them an hour, which is the hour that buys them a year"
• "The world isn't a wish granting factory"
• "Some infinities are bigger than other infinities"
• "His sisters were there with their banker husbands and three kids, all boys, who ran up to me and chanted who are you who are you who are you, running circles around the entryway like lung capacity was a renewable resource"
• "Pain  is like fabric: The stronger it is, the more it's worth"
• "You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world... but you do have some say in who hurts you"

 You should read The Fault In Our Stars if you:

1. want to experience an emotional rollercoaster
2. haven't had a good cry in a while
3. haven't experienced love
4. love reading/books
5. don't love reading/books

If you don't want to read it, the movie is expected to be realeased in mid 2014. Mark your calendars, June 6!!

Image. Shailene Woodley as Hazel. Perfect!

Image. Ansel Elgort as Gus. Not what I envisioned, but not too bad.

Image. Now this is what I pictured.

Any other differing thoughts about the book? If you loved A Walk to Remember, PS I Love You or My Sister's Keeper then read it!