Descriptive paragraph: When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is blank.
But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.
The Gladers were expecting Thomas's arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up--the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. the Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home...wherever that may be. But its looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.
And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers--if only he can find a way to retrieve dark secrets locked within his own mind.
I was in love with this book. I loved the challenges that they fought through and the the way they did that. I loved the way the girls arrival upset the Glades routine of how they lived their live. I loved how Thomas and the girl had a connection. I absolutely positively loved this book!
--Sophie
Descriptive paragraph: Gerald Wilkins never considered himself a particularly exceptional thirteen-year-old. But that was before he inherited twenty billion pounds, a Caribbean island, a yacht, and three estates from a great-aunt he never knew. With this fortune, however, comes a letter. One from his great-aunt Geraldine. One that tells Gerald she was murdered, and that it's up to him to find out why.
Along with his friends Ruby and Sam, Gerald embarks on a journey that will lead him from the British Museum to dodgy social clubs for the disgustingly rich to mansions in the English countryside to secret places far underground. Who was Geraldine Archer? And what secrets was she hiding? Unless Gerald, Sam, and Ruby can find out before the killer does, they may be next.
I liked the mysteriousness of this book. I loved the characters, and the villains are unusual. I also love how the three friends all contribute to the trio. I really liked this book a lot.
--Sophie
Descriptive paragraph: How are we supposed to be partners? He can't see the cards and I don't know the rules! The summer after junior year of high school looks bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend has dumped him to hook up with his best friend. He has no money and no job. His parents insist that he drives his great-uncle Lester to his bridge club four times a week and be his cardturner--whatever that means. Alton's uncle is very old, blind, and very rich.
But Alton's parents aren't the only ones trying to worm their way into Lester Trapp's good graces. They're in competition his longtime housekeeper, his alluring young nurse, and the crazy Castaneda family, who seem to have a mysterious influence over him.
Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life.
I like the over-all story, but it was a little tough to get through. I liked the characters and how they view each other. I like how it all ends and how the characters act along the way. I liked this book after all.
--Sophie
Descriptive paragraph: Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their fathers grief. What they don't understand--although as time passes they begin to get the inkling of the danger they are in--is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose.
I liked this book from the very first page. I thought this book was a beautiful story and had a beautiful ending. All of the settings had vivid descriptions and emotion. The story had a romantic and dangerous feel to it. I absolutely have nothing but good things to say about this book. I loved it.
--Sophie
Descriptive paragraph: Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.
But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing revelation from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?
I thought this book was really interesting and a bit odd. I liked it because of the way its written, and because of the way the characters all fit together. I wouldn't recommend this book to people looking for thrillers, but who knows, they might find this slightly thrilling in a totally different way. I was very impressed by the simplicity and diversity this book has with the settings. Over all I really liked this book.
-Sophie
