My thoughts on The Maze Runner Movie

 

               This weekend another book to movie adaptation was released and I was there to check out The Maze Runner.  I have been excited for this movie since I first saw pictures for it.  Now this movie was supposed to be released back in February but it got moved back, I understand they needed more time to finish the product and not rush it, I'm glad.  You don't want to rush something with a huge set and a lot of moving parts.  Now I admit I had a lot going on and I did not have the chance to do what I normally do and reread the book to have it fresh in my mind so book specifics I was a tad bit hazy on but the overall plot/story was still there. I didn't watch a lot of trailers beforehand because if I wasn’t going to get to reread then I wanted to go in fresher.  I saw them once or twice and saw a lot that I remembered.  So these are my thoughts on the movie.          

See how similar they are

                The first real pictures I saw about the movie were ones that reminded me of the book cover and that has to be a positive thing right, to associate a photo of the movie with the cover itself.  I was a bit leery of how they were going to bring a story like this to life and not make it super cheesy.   Being hazy and all I know they did change some things and how it came into play or was relayed.  I get it and I feel the overall plot of the book and the story being told was provided to the audience very well.  I didn't feel like I was missing anything or that I was confused about what was happening at all, which sometimes with movies involving new worlds can be an issue that is usually explained with an info dump.  But with the characters arriving and having no memory, it worked out perfectly because as our main character Thomas arrives they have to explain things to him and in turn to the audience.  You got a feel for The Glade and the boys in it with their own type of language and the community they built for themselves.  The characters easily came back to me and I was so happy to see some of them come to life and to see them played by the cast chosen, Thomas, Newt, Teresa, Minho, Alby, Gally, and little Chuck.  They each had their own little things that made them unique in the books and that shown through with just how different they look and are built and the rolls they took on in the culture of The Glade.  Kudos to the actors for great performances. 

               The story is packed full of action and mystery as the Gladers try and figure a way out and deal with the changes happening around them.  When I saw action we get to see the Grievers and they were just as icky as I imagined when reading.  Something is constantly going on and moving there isn't any dull or dead space.  They packed the almost 2 hours with everything it needed and nothing it didn't.  I felt the time just flew by.  I also liked the change to the mazes and how it made a little more sense for the audience and the 3D map was way cooler.  Also there is a lot of running in this film, running for answers, for safety, for escape, basically I wouldn't survive in this world but it did make me want to start doing cardio again, so that's pretty nifty also.

                If you didn’t know The Maze Runner is book 1 of  a trilogy (with a prequel companion novel), and I really hope we get to see the other movies.  They left it like in the book where you want more and are anxious for it.  Trust me.  I originally read The Maze Runner shortly after it first came out.  I really enjoyed it and was counting down the days until book 2, there was a cliffhanger afterall.  Then on that day I planned my shopping trip around it, as at the time I lived 30 miles from the closest Walmart or Books A  Million.  I went in all happy and no one in my area had it, neither Walmart (there are 2), not Sam's Club (where I got book #1 originally), or the only actual book retailer Books A Million.  I was in shock and in need of this book, I'd been waiting for it after all.  So thanks to smart phones I was able to locate a B&N about an hour from my apartment (opposite direction of where I was at the moment), and called to confirm they had it in stock, even made the guy go get it and physically hold it in his hand for me to make sure it was not a computer error.  Hey it was a long drive for a book. 

                Well I went to my apartment dropped off my groceries, because yes I still did get those while searching for my book, and asked my friend/co-worker/neighbor who knew about my plan to purchase that book on release day to come with.  She said yes, even though she teased me a bit about my determination for a book, and we went off on our little mini road trip for a book.  Yes I drove over 3 hours in total looking book 2 but I found it and I had a good time on my journey.  We ended up doing some early Christmas shopping at shops we don’t normally see, plus being B&N is huge bought more than the one book, as well and had dinner and a pretty amazing time driving around someplace new. 

The Scorch Trials is the one I went on my adventure for.

                I admit these books have a special spot in my heart and some great memories to go with them.  I will always associate this series with good times.  I find I have some memorable stories about obtaining or reading the majority of the books I have and I think that makes it special.  That when I look at my bookshelf I have nothing but happiness and fond memories for the experiences themselves but also with the stories and pretty covers. 

                Due to work schedules and jazz I was unable to get my friend up to come see it with me, being she was off the previous weekend for my Birthday (she's an awesome friend).  But I have advised her she will be seeing it so we can discuss.  In the movie, being alone I was also able to people watch.  I could tell that the majority of the people in there did not read the book, everyone seemed shocked by the end saying they left it open for a sequel.  I helpfully advised it was the first book in a trilogy by James Dashner and to check them out.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the movie and clearly they were unfamiliar with the books.  I think the best book to movie adaptations are the ones that don't leave non-readers feeling like they didn’t understand it completely.  That being said I give this movie 5 Stars for both the movie and an A+ for movie adaptation.  Anyone can enjoy this movie so if you didn't get into the book or haven't had the chance yet you can still enjoy the movie.

                So Greenies share your thoughts.  Have you already seen the movie?  Read the series?  What did you think?

Not your typical Prince Charming...my thoughts on the upcoming book by Krystal Wade

                

Website Goodreads

               If you follow my blog regularly you know I’m a big fan of Krystal Wade and I even had the pleasure of interviewing her for her last book.  I have been a fan since I first got approved to read the first book in her first trilogy Wilde’s Fire.  She had such an interesting story to tell and characters I fell in love with and she even messaged me.  Come on who doesn’t get a little excited and fangirl happy when an author who wrote something you liked speaks to you?  No one with any sense.  She is a very down to earth person and pretty funny as well.  I follow her on Facebook and she has been posting teasers for her upcoming book Charming for some time now and I was lucky enough to snag myself an ARC to review.  Score!  *Did my little happy dance around the apartment*

                They say what doesn’t’ kill you makes you stronger, and that’s great…as long as you don’t die.

                What a tagline.  It says it all right there I think. 

Goodreads Amazon

                Charming is about our 16 year old Haley who once had it all, the prestigious school, great family, tons of friends, a boyfriend, and a bright future until it all fell apart.  Now with an alcoholic father, a bitter little sister, and only a headstone left of her mother she has nothing left.  On the flip side is Chris Charming, with his CEO father, money, school, anything he wants, including a reputation as a trouble maker.  He may not be everything people say he is, Haley knows she isn’t what everyone thinks she is.  He has his own struggles in life and the one thing he wants is: Haley.  Little do either of them know just how determined someone is to bring them together even if it means murder. 
                So yes this is a break from the supernatural type books in the previous series but more suspense/thriller.  What do you do when the guy who has everything you used to have seems to want you as well?  Can he be trusted?  Can you let him in or is it safer to stick to what you know and never let anyone it?  I wanted to devour this book in one sitting and every time I got interrupted I would hurry to get back to it.  I needed to see what was going to happen next, never really trusting anything in the book waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Let’s face it, Haley has it rough and she doesn’t expect good things, hoping for them hurts too much.  I understand that and my heart broke for her.  I think the beauty in this book is that you root for her and want to step into the book and help her through. 
                And you also want to know what the H is going on.  Because let me tell you there is so much happening and you are thinking of a million ways the story could go and who this mysterious person is who plays a sick kind of fairy godmother to her.  I was on the edge of my seat, and with the new chairs at work that is dangerous ground, reading and couldn’t wait to get home to finish it up.  If I didn’t live so close I might have went into an open room and just read but a 6 minute break to get home was all I could take.  I won’t say too much more I don’t want to ruin the surprise for all of you.  I enjoyed delving into the characters, particularly seeing everything and everyone from Haley’s perspective while she tries to find the best solution to an impossible mess.       
                Now knowing there are a variety of tastes and preferences out there, I do want to mention that if it isn’t clear there are some pretty dark times/themes in the book in parts.  This includes child abuse, but let me assure you it’s not gratuitous or in there for shock value.  The violence serves a purpose and moves the story along, so please don’t turn away just from the implied violence there is so very much more to the story and worth the read.  I highly recommend this book to everyone!
                  It comes out October 6^th and I have my official copy pre-ordered with Amazon.  Share your thoughts below!

If I Stay Movie & Book thoughts

                Books being made into movies is one of those things I both love and fear.  I am stuck in the middle you see because I was addicted to movies before I rediscovered my love for books so now loving them both in equal measure I sometimes am conflicted.  Book to movie adaptations, I'm going to see them no question about it.  So over the years I have developed this method of looking at them independently.  If the movie is on point with the book, book nerd me is super excited.  If it veers from it or becomes something that is nothing like the book then I think about the movie as a movie only and decide if I like it from there.  Case in point with some, I liked the movies as free entities but as adaptations they kinda sucked.

                 I saw this as I have If I Stay the book by Gayle Forman and movie to review.  Now this movie came out a few weeks back and I just managed to watch it today.  My good friend (Thank you Ninja) took me out for my birthday (yesterday whoohoo) and I got to see it.  The first week it came out I had just picked up the book and wanted to wait until after, of course, then my work schedule did a flip around from days to swings and 11 days straight when meant the next weekend was only there in theory and the next one I spent catching up on my house chores.  I wish my local theatre opened before 3pm during the week, if they opened at say noonish I'd be able to squeeze in movies before work but working 3:30pm to midnight kinda limits movie options.  So I was thrilled to have my plans for this birthday weekend include finally getting to see If I Stay.  

                For those of you who don't know it's the story is about Mia (in the movie played beautifully by Chloe Grace Moretz), and how life can change in an instant; and about choice.  After a car accident her body is in a coma type state and Mia is in an out of body type experience and she must decide to wake up and live a life changed or give up.   The book and the movie stayed pretty close to one another.  Of course some things were changes for better imagery in the movie, as you would expect, and some scenes added in there to show something better than narration/internal dialog that may be in the book explaining something but I enjoyed it.  There was one little thing that got me and it was pretty much at the very end part of the movie, so I won't be spoiling it but anyone who read the book will understand.  The cast did a great job bringing the characters to life sure but then we have music, which is like a character all in itself.  The main characters, pretty much everyone is a musician of some sort and that was an important part of their story and that stayed true.  Also keeping with the book the movie ends just as abruptly as the book did.  The book which as I finished…my kindle said complete I felt I must be missing more.   The story is complete, yes but I'm not accustomed to that abrupt an ending.  It is strange for me but still it felt right after the initial shock.  I do know there is a sequel book Where She Went that I look forward to picking up soon.

                If it isn't clear, this story is told mostly through flash back/memories.  I know some people don't like reading those type of books that they can get confusing, I understand.  I didn’t have that problem with this book, it seemed the only way to tell this type of story and make the readers/watchers feel for the characters.  And there are some serious feels in this.  When I first saw the trailer I got teary eyed, then with the second trailer I was flat out in tears.  A+ to whoever made that trailer because it explains the plot, the feel, and the song was key on and hit at the right points.  Beautiful.  I cried my eyes out at parts of the book and movie.  I knew I would and brought tissues, this just tugs at the heart strings and makes you wonder if you had that choice to make, would you stay?

                I'm older that Mia and don't live at home but I'm still close to my family.  I felt conflicted and heartbroken right along with Mia as I devoured the story and tried to piece things together to figure out what is the right answer.  Because honestly everyone is different but it makes you think about the fragility of life and how you could easily lose someone you love.  So I guess the take away from this book/movie is to always live in the moment and make sure to cherish the ones you love and enjoy your family both the one you were born into as well as the one you picked. 

                I give the book and the movie 5 Stars.  Have you read If I Stay or watched the movie?  Tell me below your thoughts and if it was you in Mia's place, would you stay?

What type of book are you?

               I’ve been a bit MIA this week and a slow reading week too.  School came back in session and work is picking up a bit and I’m learning more and more information and dealing with different situations.  In the last few weeks I’ve been pondering a few things.  One of those things is that people are horrible drivers/parkers in parking decks; seriously there is no need to act like Indy 500 meets Tokyo Drift.  The other is about my reading patterns and preferences.  I think the majority of the reason is that there have been a lot of recommendations for some light breezy contemporary books; some summer beach reads I guess you'd call them.  I have nothing against them, I had a few I really rather enjoyed and a few others I haven’t gotten to yet.  I never seem to pick them up right away; always leaning towards the other choices.

                I have been hearing about some newer ones lately; some I’ve purchased others and others I have not.  As the contemporary genre is not a section I've been drawn to in the past I think twice before dishing out my hard earned dollars.  That realization made me take a harder look at my book shelf.  I have a healthy selection of books but they are generally in the same categories and mostly supernatural or fantasy.  It was never intentional and I always prided myself on being eclectic.  So I have set out to try and diversify my collection and have purchase a bunch of new books, both series I have read good things about in my fantasy side and several contemporary types and I'm excited for them to arrive.   I did splurge and go on a bit of a book spree, had to even buy another shelf to house them on.  However, I found several at a fantastic price.

                The ones I have received and read, were a great break from the more supernatural, paranormal, fantasy worlds I've been in and out of.  I recently read a handful of books by Hailey Abbot to go along with my handful by Alyson Noel that I read a few years back.  I enjoyed them, quick and refreshing and down to earth.  Reading through them quickly I decided to start checking out the other books, newer ones people recommended in the contemporary field.  I have several that vary in their themes and topics but all seemed different and interesting.  I currently am looking forward to the Rainbow Rowell books Fangirl and Eleanor & Park and Stephanie Perkins Lola and the Boy Next Door and Anna and the French Kiss which I heard rave reviews from a few booktubers I've started to follow recently.  If you'd like to check them out, some of my favorites thus far are polandbananasBOOKS, Katytastic, abookutopia, and jessethereader to name a few (note some have more than one channel to check out). 

                The Hailey Abbot books I’ve read the last month include Boy Crazy, Flirting with Boys, and Forbidden Boy.  I have one more that arrived 2 days ago The Other Boy that I look forward to reading this week, hopefully.  They were all quick reads I finished in a shift at work and made me smile.  They were light and airy and had a good dose of sweet summer fun and romance with enough going on elsewhere to keep it interesting and make each one different.  I can’t really give much about them without spoiling the summer fun so if you need a quick little contemporary story to bring a few hours of summer romance to your day check them out.

                So please share with me your thoughts about books.  Do you only read one type of book?  Are you like me and do it unknowingly or do you simply have a preference?  Also book recommendations?  Any contemporary stories you think I should add to my list to complete my collection?  Have a booktube channel you think I might like share that too, I have started to really enjoy them and considering doing one myself but that means being in front of the camera and I've always been behind so it might take some time to build up the courage there.  Comment below and let's discuss books!

Worlds Collide. Magic Reigns. Love Burns. Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Amazon 

                So I realized I’ve only done I think 1 review from a NetGalley provided book in while.  I have been behind in checking and requesting books as I had so many others to read and I didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew.  However, they did approve me for Trial by Fire Book 1 in The Worldwalker Trilogy by Josephine Angelini about a month ago, but I held off on reviewing until closer to the release date which has moved up from the end of October to September 2^nd.  Score—always great to get a book sooner than expected in my opinion. 

                Cover lover for this one.  It's all dark and mysterious with a castle looming in the distance and a lone girl standing before it with her hair whipping in the wind and fire and fog blocking her path.  It makes you want to pick it up.  I have been reading some pretty great books lately.  I really enjoy them and am ecstatic to share them with you all so that you may learn about books you might not have heard of yet.  Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini, the book I’m reviewing today is another supernatural story that deals with magic and alternate worlds; like a fun house mirror image that can leave some things the same and others distorting them.  Our main character Lily is having a hard time at life, what with everything trying to kill her on a daily basis.  She has these horrible allergies that are a huge detriment to her life.  I have a friend who has some serious issues with new things popping up and being allergic to them so I was instantly interested in this character.  Lily has been unable to enjoy most of the normal things kids her age do because of said reactions but she is bound and determined to go to one high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan.

                Something horribly embarrassing happens in front of not only her crush but half of her class and all she wants is to disappear.  Frankly who hasn’t had one of these moments?  I know I’ve had plenty where I wished I could become invisible in that second or magically be somewhere else.  Well Lily does go somewhere else, she is transported to a different Salem than she grew up in; one with horrifying creatures, the Woven,  and ruled by Crucibles.  She finds many things and people she is familiar with in this world, even herself; but in this world of magic her other self is a powerful and cruel ruler.  She soon finds that what makes her weak in her home world makes her special in this new Salem. 

A handy little chart from the authors blog

                Everything is a bit of a mess for Lily.  She wants to get home.  Talk about confusing to magically be in a new world with magic, and then to find out a majority of the people want you dead, well technically the other you(Lillian) but still.  She meets with the Outlanders, those who live outside the walls and are in constant danger of being hunted down by not only Lillian but the Woven.  No one knows for sure what to make of Lily.  If trained will she turn out to be just as vicious as her other, or will she save them all?  Most conflicted is Rowan, a Mechanic, Lillian's ex Mechanic specifically, who isn't her biggest fan.  Can Lily prove she isn't like the other her and she only wants to find a way to get herself home?

                The story line was pretty interesting and I was pulled in pretty quickly.  I liked being inside her head and seeing the way she processed all the information she was thrown.  She is a very understanding person and is able to look past a lot.  She tries to be strong and confident but she is also fragile, not only in body but in her heart.  I loved seeing how she interacted with the different people and handled different situations thrown her way.  She stayed strong and kept who she was as a character is.  She learned more each day and used it to make up her own decisions despite everyone trying to pull her one way or another, including Lillian.   There was a lot of good banter to be had as well.  I love jokes and references made to things in her world that only confuse people in this world; it always reminds me when I make a book reference and no one in that group reads so I'm left with, "you don’t get it but trust me its hilarious."

                The different characters all have their own little things, similarities and differences with her old world and new world, but then there are plenty of people she has no reference for.  Rowan for one is very closed off and he seems hot and cold but as we slowly see the different layers inside we along with Lily grow to understand him better.  I can't give much more without ruining the story so I'll leave it at that.  I really enjoyed this story and give it 5 Witchstones.  Have you read this book already?  What do you think?  Tell me below in the comments.

A little chill in the heat of summer: Frostbitten by Heather Beck

                Happy Friday everyone!  I was contacted a few weeks back about a new series, one I had not heard of at the time, and provided a copy for an honest review.  Frostbitten by Heather Beck is this book.  I was able to dive right into it and really enjoyed it, and planned to get this up a bit sooner but had baby showers and cakes to do and got a bit off track.  See they are not the best but I’m only just starting to work on decorating skills, not a fan of fondant (at this moment it’s almost as evil as chickens towards me).  But now that things have calmed down and I can collect my thoughts I am so happy to share my thoughts of this book with you all.

                The story of Frostbitten is one of great beauty hiding dark secrets.  Our main character, Anastasia Lockhart, is a 17 year old who has been sent to live with her grandparents in a small town of Cedar Falls where her mother grew up and has never returned to.  Not much has changed over the years accept she meets a mysterious, and of course handsome boy named Frost.  She’s warned away from him by everyone including her family but she can’t deny the attraction and the way she feels around him.  She is trying to start over and not be the disorderly girl who was getting into trouble and spiraling downward.  That alone sounded like good meat for a story, boy and girl told to stay away, but Frost also has a secret and one that is far past all of her wildest imaginations.  She finds herself in the middle of a supernatural legend and one that has been part of the towns’ history for years. 

Amazon

                Let me first say the cover itself drew me in.  A beautiful girl in a pretty flowy dress in a snow covered forest with a beautiful white wolf.  Keep in mind I’m in South Georgia and it’s in the high 90’s to the low 100’s here this time of year before humidity and I haven’t seen snow in about 18 years.  I live vicariously through my characters that get to experience not just the story and feels but cooler climates.  Plus I love wolves, so majestic, graceful, and simply beautiful; so points for that.  It is one that gives you enough hints and ideas about the story to be useful but not give anything away.

                I was pretty quick to get into the story and become invested in the characters.  Anastasia is a girl who is deal with some issues and trying to fit in and start over but is having trouble letting go and it is made harder by her peers. It's easy to see the conundrum she's in and you want to know what's happening to her during it.  Frost, yes his name is a bit different but I dig it and after I learned how he got his name, yes there's a reason other than being memorable, it made it even better.  He is both shy and confident and he has his own secrets he's dealing with but also trying to make the most of what he’s been dealt. 

Not related but I mentioned
my baking/decorating attempts
so these were the results.

                One thing with many books in this genre that seems to put some people off is the romance or connection between characters coming too quickly and seeming unfounded or rushed.  While Anastasia and Frost have a connection it was built up more solidly than many I see.  Who isn't going to be interested in a handsome boy who she's told to stay away from?  They meet quickly and have a connection but builds easily from there at a pace I found enjoyable.  There are more relationships in the series as well with family, friends, and members of the small town.  There is a small town vibe where everyone knows everything about you and your family and pretty much have their mind made up about you before they meet you.  Been there, done that, so it rang true.  Oh and I have to mention Chloe, a childhood friend, who picks up like old times.  People change over time and sometimes we lose our friendships but sometimes, those ones we forge live on forever even through time and distance and Chloe could easily be one of my close friends. 

                Well if it hasn’t been clear I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read the next one.  Yes more waiting, but it leaves you at a point where there is clearly more story to tell and I can’t wait.  So tell me what you think?  Have you read it?  Do you want to read it?  Share your thoughts below please I want to know what you have to say.  Also, a big thank you again to this sweet and funny author, Heather Beck, who brought this book to my attention.

Nine By Night: A kick bottom box set of magic and supernatural

The cover for the set

                This is a collection by various authors that have a bit of something for everyone; and currently on sale for .99 cents.  That's an amazing price for so many books.  There are 9 books in the Nine By Night set and I only just got it as an ARC a week ago and have only had the pleasure of reading 2 books in the set thus far, Witch Hunt by SM Reine and Rook:  Allie's War Episodes 1-4 by JC Andrijeski.   Additionally in the set  and working my way through are Torrent by Lindsay Buroker, Death's Servant by CJ Ellisson, Spark by Anthea Sharp, Death Times Two by Boone Brux & CJ Ellison, Arcadia's Gift by Jesi Lea Ryan, Justice Calling by Annie Bellet, and Wild Night Road by Kara Legend.

                Now as I went through and looked before starting my reading, because I'm OCD like that, Torrent, Spark, Justice Calling, Acadia's Gift, and Death's Servant are all first books in a their respective series and Death Time Two is showing as book 3 in the series with Death's Servant.  I know I like to read things in order and I figure I can't be the only one so I figured I would help you along there.  This set is easily described:  Nine books.  Nine bestselling authors.  Nine heroines that take names and chances while confronting dark foes, whether by force of arms or magic, that threaten their entire world.  Over two thousand pages of epic reading awaits!  Let the adventures begin.

                I previously reviewed Rook:  Allie's War Episodes 1-4 here, and have enjoyed the whole series up to the latest (and only episode I've had to wait for), Episode 32; episode 1 of 5 I believe in the Prophet book.  I'm currently working on it, as I mentioned I had to wait after I caught up with all of them.  And something else that dragged me away but I'll be doing a post about that here in the next week I hope.  Right now I want to talk about this set and how it has added more books to my TBR list.  Not just these books, but the other books in the series.  I already have the next 2 books in the Preternatural Affairs series because I enjoyed Witch Hunt so much. 

All the individual covers (Found Wild Night Road thanks to JC Andrijeski)  
                Anyways I wanted to share the news about the kick butt set as I keep reading through.  I hope you can take a few minutes to check it out and discover some new authors as I have.  Tell me your thoughts on the set, the different series, authors, or whatever in the comments below.  More reviews to follow, I've been doing a ton of reading.