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veyda's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
rolo13's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
raineonjupiter's review
4.0
The concept of the nameless main character is very intriguing, especially since she lives out a section of her life under a fake name and then the reveal of that happening and her wearing the flesh clothes was wild, I actually quite liked that the brother reacted in a brutal kind of way, I feel it was more realistic. Even the beginning with the ceremony and seeing the kids die was interesting, it does a good job of showing how people deceive others and it's especially good because it is the kids that are the ones effects, sure the adults back in the city are decided too but at the end of the day it is the kids that suffer.
elmie1998's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
charbee's review
4.0
I happened across this book through a charity sale and that blurb? Totally drew me in! It quickly became a must-read for all my book loving friends and so far, the reviews have been only positive. It's a wonderful mishmash of a Greek myth, mystery, thriller and companionship. I would rate it 5 if it included a few more descriptions of scenery and character behavior as tone was sometimes difficult to pick up on.
felinity's review
3.0
Really mixed feelings about this one. The writing itself was good, the concept new, and the characters well-drawn, but there were a few things that just annoyed me.
The main character was so passive she was infuriating. Over and over there were times where she'd be thinking about saying or doing something but never actually got around to it. She just can't do *anything*, and can't even try.
.
Some events happened so quickly I almost missed them and had to flip back, but then we'd spend forever agonising with the narrator.
It feels inspired by [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603s/2767052.jpg|2792775] and [b:Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375596592s/6186357.jpg|6366642], with the darkness of both, though doesn't quite have the depth of either. But it's a decent debut by a young author. The "first person present-tense" narration for YA is starting to get old, but works here. Even though I really wanted to shake the main character at times, I still empathized with her and followed her train of thought, and the innovative influx of Greek mythology kept my interest.
With the exception of the main character, the others were a good mixture. The interactions between the characters, with their various preferences and foibles, kept them from being stereotypes.
Don't read if you don't like gore, or psychological torture, or if you only want the bad guys to die. (Sorry, but if you haven't read The Hunger Games or Maze Runner, that's important for you to know.)
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main character was so passive she was infuriating. Over and over there were times where she'd be thinking about saying or doing something but never actually got around to it. She just can't do *anything*, and can't even try.
Spoiler
And her name was never actually revealed, which was somewhat interesting (but distracted me because I kept thinking there was going to be a reason for it, or maybe because it was an experiment like Lock In)Some events happened so quickly I almost missed them and had to flip back, but then we'd spend forever agonising with the narrator.
Spoiler
Even the ending was somewhat ambiguous - I can't figure out whether it's a standalone or whether there's supposed to be a sequel later. If you ever watched the movie Cube, you'll understand what I mean. (And also the slight icky feeling, which was one reason I never continued with the Maze Runner series.)It feels inspired by [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603s/2767052.jpg|2792775] and [b:Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375596592s/6186357.jpg|6366642], with the darkness of both, though doesn't quite have the depth of either. But it's a decent debut by a young author. The "first person present-tense" narration for YA is starting to get old, but works here. Even though I really wanted to shake the main character at times, I still empathized with her and followed her train of thought, and the innovative influx of Greek mythology kept my interest.
With the exception of the main character, the others were a good mixture
Spoiler
, not falling into the easy "good guys/bad guys" camp, and she avoided the love triangle trope. I was surprised by Collin's cruelty and that *no-one* tried to put a stop to it. I know he was the leader, but there were others who seemed strong enough to say "That's enough". I also felt that surely the Executioner could have communicated with writing, though maybe the lack of words actually helped the unnamed main character to get a gripDon't read if you don't like gore, or psychological torture, or if you only want the bad guys to die. (Sorry, but if you haven't read The Hunger Games or Maze Runner, that's important for you to know.)
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
becadreads's review
3.0
Shoutout to capstone and Netgalley for the early read.
My knee jerk reaction was to compare this to the Maze Runner (which I hated). In someways, its a better version (way, way better). Mazes, Monsters, and a weird ass ending that leaves you more confused than when you started.
I gave this three stars because I felt like this book needed a lot more world building.
I'm excited to see where this book goes! I couldn't put it down and traded sleep to finish it. It got my emotions involved and it kept my brain occupied. Definitely not a fluffy YA read. I'm hoping there is a sequel because there were definitely some loose ends that needed tying up.
edit: I think I ended this review with more questions about the book than when I started.
My knee jerk reaction was to compare this to the Maze Runner (which I hated). In someways, its a better version (way, way better). Mazes, Monsters, and a weird ass ending that leaves you more confused than when you started.
I gave this three stars because I felt like this book needed a lot more world building.
Spoiler
I wanted to know more about Clara and her friend's life before the maze. I wanted to know more about the ritual of who is chosen for the maze and more about their religion in general. All of this was briefly touched upon, but I feel like it would help the reader better understand the excitement Clara feels and the dread the main character suffers. I was also a bit confused when the main character leaves the Fates, who were such a big part of the story, and they are never heard from again. The ending is clearly set up for a sequel where I am hoping the action between the groups will pick up.Spoiler
I loved that we never find out the girl's name. Which is enraging but refreshing (to me at least). The author does a very good job of describing a meek, spineless, shell of a girl (the main character) and a terrible job of describing her after she's gained confidence in herself and her skills in the maze. With a few other characters, like Elle, Collin, and Gina the author does a really good job setting them up and getting you involved with their personalities. (BUT WE NEVER FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ELLE WHY IS SHE SO DAMAGED I NEED ANSWERS)I'm excited to see where this book goes! I couldn't put it down and traded sleep to finish it. It got my emotions involved and it kept my brain occupied. Definitely not a fluffy YA read. I'm hoping there is a sequel because there were definitely some loose ends that needed tying up.
edit: I think I ended this review with more questions about the book than when I started.