PillowByRiver

If only I have a pillow by the river. Love reading in a relaxing environment, though it's often hard to do it. Most of my readings are done at airports...

SPOILER ALERT!

The Death Cure

The Death Cure - James Dashner Well, I was expecting Teresa and Thomas to develop their relationships after a big betrayal act in the book #2. However, all I ever get is some rigid arrangement that Teresa died near the end suddenly and Thomas ended up with Brenda.

I really hoped Teresa can be together with Thomas in the end due to their telepathic communications and obviously close relationship before their memories are erased. But the author chose to arrange Thomas with Brenda. What's even more disappointing, the author didn't even elaborate on why Thomas chose Brenda than Teresa. It feels more like the author feels obliged to select one female character to survive, and TADA~~, here is Brenda!

Besides the relationship, the author virtually answers no big question surrounding the fictional world at all. I admit the adventure process still captures my interest in many part of the book. However, without any real development of the characters (emotionally or regarding truths behind all the WICKED experiment), it feels boring and predictable quickly.

Son

Son - Lois Lowry I only gave it 4 stars because Book II of this book spends too much time describing how hard she climbs the mountain. But few plots were introduced in this process and made this part kind of dull.

But the overall story of mother Claire finding his son Gabe is very touching and heart-warming.

Messenger

Messenger - Lois Lowry This is my favorite book of the Giver quartet. The fact that Matt and Kira's father, from book 2, lives safely in the village, along with Jonus from book 1, made me so happy for them. What I love most about is probably Matty becomes the leading character in this book. As I finished book 2, Matt and his dog Branch becomes my favorite characters in book 2. So seeing Matt being the major part of book 3 is really good. The sacrifice of him is so touching after the hard journey of him and Kira. It almost made me cry. I just feel sad that he dead in this book.

Where She Went

Where She Went - Gayle Forman I picked up the book to expect some casually stated story similar to the first book (yes, I know the first book is about death, etc. But I also think it's a a little predictable. But I love the author's ability to convey the emotions vividly). But I get a book that I cannot put it down until I finished it.

The depression and pain of Adam is so real. I can feel it in my heart all the time. This reminds me of "It's kind of a funny story", which also has a very vivid description of depression. But this book touches the deeper field of the devastating heartbreak, and is more concise yet touching to read.

Most of the book happens really within a day. Yet the Adam kept flashing back all that happened. This style reminds me of "Catcher in the rye". This tactic works really well to dissect Adam and Mia's feeling as they are gradually presented to the reders, and resonate so much in my heart.

In sum, I really love it! It's more intense than the first book. My only minor complain is I have trouble understanding how Mia suddenly felt so much anger that right after Adam missed a call she just rejected all his future call to voice mail directly. Thus just seems a little too abrupt for me.

Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry The first half of the book is kind of slow. But as the plot moves on, Kira and Matt becomes so adorable. The last scene when Matt walked days to find the blue for Kira as a gift is so touching. And the missing of Matt before he turns out to be safe made me so worried about him.

The Giver

The Giver - Lois Lowry The topic of this book at first may sound chessy. But it really touches me as I read further and further. When I read the last chapter, I was so attached to the main characters... It's so touching.