Black Ice review

When I read it: 11th January - 18th January 2015

Rating: 4/5

As I finished the last words, ebbing away from the world that slowly grew and warped around me these past few days, my mind's thoughts of this novel evaporated and I am not only left empty handed as I stow away this handsome hardback, but also empty headed. 
Black Ice had a very different feel and form from Becca Fitzpatrick's previous series, Hush, Hush. It has matured, and honestly without a better way of saying it, this was Hush, Hush all grown up. You can hate all you want but you have to agree with that.

My first initial thought of the story, flipping through the first few pages obediently, my mind dwell on the words again and again "Not this stereotype of a female protagonist whom is weak, relies on others to survive and above all else finds herself the 'whole package' to use for her advantage." And of course, this story prevails to mould into that shape and prove me right. I was astonished nevertheless, to find in the end, Britt finds herself, she learns how to be 'independent'. But it's like feminism for first school. Yeah, she has finally learnt how to make her own peanut butter toast, and didn't really rely on men in her life to survive but I honestly find that because it was a different scenario and the survival side of her kicked in. 
Aside from all this (and the presumptions of disliking Britt only to find out at the end of the book I ended up detesting her...) I found the story reeled you in right from the beginning. While reading you feel like you're walking on dodgy stepping stones in a rough current stream. It kept you on the edge of your seat and I couldn't literally put the book down until I really slammed it down. 

Honestly, it makes you sweat as each twist and turn makes it way through the pages. You cringe as you can predict what will occur next. And finally, you let out a hefty breath when that 'scene' happens, that seemed to be kept in your throat since you picked up the book.

Yes I hate the protagonist, and the amateur attempt of making a strong female character that doesn't rely on men and love to make her happy- because despite saying she doesn't, she did really in the end, didn't she?
But the actual storyline was gripping, realistic and darn-right scary. Opening the book I felt like I'd been pushed down the rabbit hole and found all, blatantly, crazy shit down there. This book was mesmerizing, not the best in all it's entirely but sure as hell be something I'll look back and remember from back to front. 

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The Scorch Trials (Book 2, The Maze Runner series) review

When I read it: 25th September 2014 - 1st January 2015
Rating: 3/5

I'm really not sure how I felt with this novel. I mean, firstly, the book had a good start, I was curious from the end of The Maze Runner, it's predecessor, to the beginning of this novel. The attachment and continuation between the two was thorough and well-done, it continued like I never left.
The storyline overall was a bit stretched. I thought the whole series didn't really necessary need two more sequels (let alone a prequel, may I add, I was surprised when I found out one existed). I really loved the Maze Runner and with the popularity of the series, it gave me strength to continue on with the series and set forth into the adventures of The Scorch Trials. 
What can I say about this inquisitive tale? The outset certainly gripped me with a mighty force. There was a lot of potential, They're (the Gladers) finally out of the Maze and all was fine and well at the end of the tunnel aka previous book, but like any fellow curious-minded reader like myself, would dream, is "What's after the 'happily-ever-after?'" We all want to know if it stays like that. And boy, did that idea fester, we find out that actually they're in for a lot more trouble and adventure. That, REALLY, they're still inside.

I cannot pinpoint the part where the storyline fell apart, in my eyes, but I can say it must be around the part after they met the Rat-Man who said that they would have to go through another set of trials. While I was reading I felt it was good as a whole, but disagreed with the fact that it was a whole book of another set of trials, and the trials they went through at that was a bit of a stretch. Yes, I must admit I disagree with my original predicament now that I finished this book, I still felt like some scenes were in fact just plain boring. But trust me, through the dull monologues of Thomas' thoughts and the lengthy 'supposed' action scenes (okay, some were boring when I knew they were meant to be oh so more) I felt there were in fact some enjoyable scenes, some loved characters that I would miss to lose adjacent to the story and then there's the extravagant way James Dashner pulled off as a lead on for the final instalment. 
Oh, might I add, if you don't like the popular trend in YA novels at the moment with love triangles, I would read this book with a pinch of salt, i.e. a light read, a book on the side if you will. Because oh my, how the love story ruins it all.

See my other reviews and what I'm reading on my Goodreads account by clicking here.