Gone vs. Maze Runner

The Gone series by Michael Grant versus the Maze Runner series by James Dashner. Since I just finished Fear, the fifth book in the Gone series, I realized several reasons why this series is one of my favorites. The best way to show this is to compare it to another book. Not that the Maze Runner series isn't a good series; it is. But for me, Gone, is just my kind of book. I chose Maze Runner because it is very similar as in the things they encounter. They're both about a group of kids who encounter horrifying obstacles and must use the resources they find to survive. A ton of people die on the way, as they face challenges that threaten their lives. Only the structure of how they're written is different.

One thing a good story needs is a variety of different characters. Although both series has a good number of main characters, Maze Runner is told solely by Thomas's point of view, while Gone is told from many different points of view. Although it may be for a purpose such as if it's only told from a single person's point of view, you have no idea what's going on, making the plot more suspenseful, I found it frustrating that I had no idea what was going on in another character's mind. In Gone, the character's points of view just gives a better insight on what's going on, creating more of a horror scene when you don't want them to fall into a trap or something.

The plot itself differs in many ways. In Maze Runner they encounter obstacles one after another; they would get pass one horror only to find themselves facing yet another obstacle in their path. I think this is why it seems so fast-paced, when it never gives you a decent break. Gone has many obstacles too, yet they are organized in a more confusing way. All these little obstacles in the beginning overlap each other, while it leads to an even bigger problem. More like that there are so many things going on, you can't even stop to think. All the different characters, all in different situations, it's enough to make your head spin.

Why they are similar is because they both face horrifying obstacles as they struggle to survive. They both face horrifying creatures, struggling in a crazy new world. They are both exciting, terrifying, suspenseful sci-fi novels. They are both great series. But in my opinion, I think the Gone series is superior.

Fear

Fear, the fifth book in the Gone series by Michael Grant finally gives you a glimpse of what's going on outside the FAYZ. In a world without adults, the barrier and the gaiaphage are both weakening, causing the FAYZ to turn black, into darkness, obliterating any light from the sun or stars. The gaiaphage is dying, and needs to be reborn. The Big Split has them separated when they need to be working together in order to survive. Fear starts to grab at them as they are emerged into complete darkness, as anything or anyone could be lurking around, attacking when you least expect it.

You can never put down any of these books. It's a high-tension, thrilling, terrifying story of a group of kids striving to survive at all costs in an impossible world of horror and hopelessness. The vivid characters and the intense plot keeps you reading, page after page, impossible to put it down as you are drawn more and more into the story. There's always so many things going on you can't stop to think. The author keeps switching from different character's points of view, providing a bigger insight to what's going on in so many different places.

This book is where they introduce the parents, long gone from the first book, and where their role is played in the result of the end of the book. I'm really looking forward to the next and last book in the series; Light. The change in the dome (I won't spoil it for you...) is really going to change the relationship and understanding between the kids and the adults. I'm really curious how this change will affect their lives, both inside and outside of the FAYZ.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

To find out how the FAYZ came to be, check out my review on the first book; Gone. Click HERE to read it.

Dark Visions

Dark Visions by L.J. Smith is one of my favorites. Kaitlyn Fairchild can predict the future though her drawings, though they're often too abstract to understand until too late. Tired of being an outsider, she decides to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can study and learn how to control her powers with four other psychic teens who have different powers. There she and the others start an unlikely friendship, and bond, when they discover the true meanings behind the institute and why they were brought there.

As they strive to escape and to destroy the evil intentions of the Zetes Institute, Kaitlyn finds herself torn between two irresistible, opposing guys; Rob and Gabriel. Rob is kind and gentle, where as Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious. When their opposing sides threatens to tear the group apart, Kaitlyn must decide who to trust, and who to love.

This book was soo good. I love books where the bad guys and the good guys join sides to stop the REALLY bad guys. The friendship between the five of them, or more importantly, the telepathic bond was too captivating to stop reading. In the end, they just want to help each other, no matter what the differences. The ending was a brilliant one, not disappointing at all, as it ties the story off perfectly, and everything is resolved.

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Night World 1 and 2

L.J. Smith puts a new twist on the world of vampires, witches, and werewolves with the Night World series. They walk among us, appearing to us as ordinary humans, yet they have a dangerous secret. It is against the law to tell any humans about the Night World, and it's punishable by death if you manage to fall in love with a human. But the Soulmate Principle, which some people believe in and some people don't, is where everyone has just one perfect soulmate, and when you meet them, you recognize them instantly. However, more and more Night Worlders are finding human soulmates, in which they find themselves breaking the law for love. Can they establish the peace between Night Worlders and humans once and for all?

I love these books. Each book is separated into three shorter stories, with three different plots. The overall plot of the series is that there's something that's making Night Worlders have human soulmates, yet they don't quite know what it is. The books are always full of mystery and action, making it exciting at times, and spooky at others. A true thriller/horror book that alerts you to your senses with every sentence. My favorite of the three from the first book would be Secret Vampire, and my favorite of the second book is The Chosen.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

The Scorch Trials

The Scorch Trials is the second book in the Maze Runner series by James Dashner. After escaping the maze, they thought that they could now rest in peace. Instead they find themselves facing another trial; the Scorch Trials. They have to cross a large section of land called the Scorch, which the sun flares had baked into a wasteland. They finally know now what the outside world was like while they were in the maze; the sun flares have wiped out half the planet, while many of the surviving people are infected with a deadly disease called the Flare, which slowly causes you to become insane. They have to cross the Scorch and make it to the safe haven in two weeks, or be left out to die.

I personally liked this book a lot better than the first. The first book was too fast-paced for me; it was a panic attack one after another. In the Scorch Trials though it's more of betrayal; finding out who to trust and who to not. The continuing plot was as great as ever as they encountered many new obstacles and met new people. It really kept me interested as the story slowly unraveled, and the mystery of WICKED became clearer.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

To read my review of the first book, Maze Runner, click HERE.

The Alchemyst

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, introduces you to Nicholas Flamel, who discovered the secret to immortality. Born 700 years ago, he is still alive, and is continuously protecting an ancient book, which if in the wrong hands can be used to destroy mankind. But now it's been stolen, and two twins find themselves part of an ancient prophecy, as they struggle to cope with this strange magical world they've stumbled into.

This book just wasn't for me. It was slow, a bit boring, and not exciting enough. What I did like was how well the magical world was described. The author mixes many of our legends, myths, and history into this world. I thought of it as unique, with an interesting plot to begin with. Yet my main problem was with the characters.

Sophie and Josh, the twins, are way too perfect; they're always there for each other, they worry about each other, and so on. Although this may be the ideal relationship, it wasn't very interesting to read about. I felt like there should be more of a conflict both in the plot and with the characters. It just annoyed me for some reason. Overall, it was an okay book. However, there are way more better books out there than this one.

My Rating: 4 out of 10 stars