Book Review: Pandora Jones: Deception (Pandora Jones #2) by Barry Jonsberg

Goodreads Description:

Pandora and her team are already two members down. The survival of humanity in the post-plague world depends on them. But who can she trust?

It was difficult to know when nightmares ended and the waking world began.

Pan is still struggling to distinguish between her dreams and reality. When she wakes in the Infirmary her mind replays the sight of Nate running along the shoreline and the way his body froze and then flopped after he was shot. But her memories hold more questions than answers and she doesn't know who to trust.

When she forms an unlikely alliance with Jen to try to make sense of everyone's haunting similar memories and the conflicting information about The School, she finds herself with unexpected enemies.

Pan and Jen are determined to seek the truth - no matter what rules they must break or how terrible the danger they face. But can they even trust each other?

Intuition. Secrets. Truth. Courage. Action. Survival.  

Title: Pandora Jones: Deception (Pandora Jones #2)
Author: Barry Jonsberg
Genre: Sci-Fi, survival, paranormal, apocalyptic, YA, 
Format: Paperback

Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Won as a Giveaway Price from the Publisher

'Deception’ starts with a prologue recapping what happen in the previous book of Pandora and her friends returning from a mission. Two team mates down, Pandora makes allies with her team mate and former ‘frienemy’ Jen in order to work out the motive of The School and escape the place.
  

Following Pandora and Jen snooping around as we get to know more about The School and its hidden secrets. Trough out the book we pick up pieces of the puzzle to come out with our own conclusion of The School and the world they are living in now.

There were so many great plot twist that kept this book engaging as you want to know what happen next. The ending of the book was mind blowing as while some parts were predictable most of them I didn't expect at all! My theories have turned upside down thanks to that ending! 

Dang you cliff hanger! I have to wait for 6 months for the next book?!?! Why?!?! Need to know what happens next!

This book was a page turner! I enjoyed the plot development and the themes of the book. I like that this book focuses on the friendship between Pandora and her team mates especially with Jen and Wei Lin. There were some really good adventure moments and better action moments that was epic but nerve wrecking and kept me on the edge of my seat. 

I love the character developments! We got to know a more about Pandora, Wei Lin, Sanjitt and the rest of the group especially Jen! Jen has went from my least favorite character in the series to my favorite! Smart, sassy and bad ass  Jen is everything I love in characters and have some of the best lines! We also get to know more about her including her past. I also love watching Pandora progress trough the book as she developed her strength and talent. While she is slightly wiser and more knowledgeable in this book she still tend to make some really stupid decisions thought not as bad as in Admission. 

I like the pacing of the book and breezed trough the story. I've also gotten used to the writing style which I mention in Admission I was not a fan of at first. I am however still not fan of Pandora's inner thought. There were times where it was okay and there were times where it was really annoying as it was pointing out the obvious.

Other than that, Deception was a great sequel! Like it more than Admission. Very provocation and engaging with great story and character development. Check out the Pandora Jones series for a great Aussie YA and epic apocalyptic adventure series.

Looking forward to 'Pandora Jones: Reckoning' which is coming out in May 2015. 

What was the last cliff hanger that drove you nuts?

Cress by Marrisa Myers! I need Winter!

Book Review: Pandora Jones: Admission (Pandora Jones #1) by Barry Jonsberg

Goodreads Description:

Pandora Jones wakes in an infirmary - her body weak, her memory providing only flashes of horrific scenes of death. She soon discovers that her family has succumbed to a plague pandemic which almost wiped out humanity. Pan is one of the survivors who have been admitted to The School - a quarantined, heavily guarded survival-skills facility - to recover their strength, hone their skills and prepare for whatever comes next. Pandora's skill is intuition, but how useful will it be outside the secure walls of The School? And what if it leads her to question where the truth lies...

Plague. Pandemic. Intuition. Secrets. Truth. Courage. Action. Survival.

 

Title: Pandora Jones: Admission
Author: Barry Jonsberg
Genre: Sci-Fi, survival, paranormal, apocalyptic, YA, 
Format: Paperback
Pages:312 pages
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Purchased from Big W

The moment I opened the book and saw 'It took slightly under eight hours for Melbourne to die.' I knew i had to read this!

Filled with suspense, mystery, action and a hint of paranormal, Pandora Jones: Admission was a great series starter! 

The book starts with Pandora waking up in an infirmary with bits and pieces of her past including the last day of her life. Confuse and curious, Pandora finds herself in 'The School' where surviving youths are sent after humanity including her family succumbed to a plague. There they are cut out from the outside world and are trained 'For the future of humanity' physically with combat and mentally with regular school classes. She is placed in a group where each student have a special ability like combat, sports, technology, etc. For Pandora she has a six-sense institution of locating lost objects and developed her ability trough the book. The longer she stays in 'The School' the more she question about the odd and off things about the place.

Pandora was a likeable character. She reminds me a bit of Tris from Divergent, an averaged girl throned into a boot camp and Thomas from the The Maze Runner who is curious, intelligent and compassionate.

Her 'love interest' and partner in crime Nate, an American teen who's ability is running is my favorite character! Brave, a natural leader and like Pandora is compassionate and curious about the motive of the school. Is it mean to say that I feel like he is a 'rejected' Maze Runner Character?!?! (joke lol). I pictured him as Newt from The Maze Runner as he is the peace keeper of the group and a bit of Minho with his great leadership attitude. 

I was not a fan of Pandora falling head over heals with Nate at first sight. Heck i was not a fan of her initial inner thoughts of Nate and to be honest i thought it was unnecessary. Other than that I love their friendship.

The side Characters include Wie-Lin, Sanjeet, Cara, Sam and Karl were great however i have mix feelings about the character Jen as she can be a freaking B!tch at times and have opposite views with Pandora which stir up some conflict between the two of them. However between her idea and action verse Pandora's ideas and actions I will have to go with Jen as it makes more sense locally. 

Apart from that, I enjoyed the diverse cast of characters where they come from all places like New Zealand to Hong Kong as well as a mix of races.

I had mixed feelings on the third POV writing style and felt it was flat. I also was not a fan of Pandora's inner thought. I felt like it will have been better from first POV so that we will know what is going in Pandora's head and not trough her inner thoughts.

I like the concept of the story. Though first one third of the story was a bit slow and very confusing (which should be a good thing as I was just as lost and confuse as Pandora was) along with alot of world building. After that he plot picks up and we get into the fast pace, nerve wrecking action sequence. There are some eye opening themes like morality vs survival along with trust issues on the authorities of the school and their motive for Pandora and her friends.

The ending of the book... whyyyyyy ?!?! nooooo?!?! whyyyyyy?!?! Dang you plot holes!!! Why!

It was a freaking provoking and ended with a cliff hanger with a good set up for the sequel!

Other than that I this as a great first book in the series! I love the concept of the story and have so many conspiracy theories running trough my head when I was done with the book!

I highly recommend if  you are a fan of  Divergent, The Hunger Games and especially The Maze Runner, as there are some elements from those series but the book has its own unique spin! Also for video game lovers out there check this out if you are a fan of the survival Apocalypse of  The Last of Us and its Prequel (of Ellie sent to the boarding school) and the Paranormal elements from Beyond Two Souls you need to check this out! 

Its great to see Aussie lit diverging from the Contemporary into the dystopian, paranormal genre.

I am currently reading the sequel Pandora Jones: Deception so expect a review on that soon!

 What was your last favorite Aussie Lit?

Incredible Adventure's of Cinnamon Girl by Mellisa Keil! I devoured that book xD

Book Review :The Death Cure (The Maze Runner #3) by James Dashner

Goodread Description:

The Trials are over. WICKED is planning to restore the survivors' memories and complete the final cure for the Flare.

But Thomas has already remembered more than they think. And he knows WICKED can't be trusted...

The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine. Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

 

Title: The Death Cure (The Maze Runner #3)

Author: James Dashner
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Apocalyptic, Post Apocalyptic, Action, Thriller, Suspense 
Format: Paperback
Pages: 329 pages
Source:Purchased from K mart

OMG this series will be the death of me!!! *wave fist at the author for writing a amazing series*

I'm not crying... just got something in my eyes... no not crying... no...

Takes place immediately where we left off in scorch trials and once again the book if fulled with confusion, suspense, mystery along with good kickass actions, adventure and friendship. 

The scenario and environment they are in is once again different from the first two books.

We got a lot of good plot twists till the point you don't know who to trust. Many I didn't see coming at all and a lot of throwbacks to both The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials. Some of the things that happen in this book reminded me a bit of the video games The Last Of Us with its similar scenarios.

Even though we got more questions answered on wicked and the trials... there is once again some questions are not answered thought I am guessing that its a for shadow to the prequels like Killzorder and Fever code to answer those questions.

Also we go more in depth with The Flare and how it effect someone who is infected. We also learn what WICKED does with those who are infected, immune and about the quarantined zones.

Okay I seriously want to give Thomas a hug as the poor guy has been trough alot. He's very caring and loyal to his friends. Quick thinking on his actions and for once he didn't do anything too stupid that makes you want to hit him in the head. He goes trough life/death and traumatic experience trough out the series but non as gruesome as this book. I feel as a character, he grew a lot in this book. The decisions he makes in this book were good and wise even though some were difficult and painful.

MINHO IS MVP OF THE SERIES!!! or MVC (MOST VALUABLE CHARACTER). I love this guy to bits!!! Sassy and sarcastic as always, a great leader and loyal friend. I also love all the quick thinking action scenes he has!

WHERE.CAN.I.GET.A.MINHO.IN.MY.LIFE???

Yay we got to know more about Jorge and Brenda! Jorge was an okay character and a father figure to Brenda. Brenda was kickass but also mysterious and at times I had trust issues with her. In the end I still like her character. 

Newt... oh boy I really want to hug the poor guy. Lets just say something happens and though I expected his fate to happen, the way it played out was the saddest and most painful thing I've read in the series... *sniff *sniff 

Theresa... I feel for Thomas on my thoughts on her. In scorch trials she betrays him so I don't blame him for not trusting her. In death cure she was trying to win back his trust. The ending I didn't see coming at all.

A character from the previous book shows up and it kinda gave me a shock. I didn't like him in the previous book but they did a good job explaining actions and has change for the better.. yah I kinda like the character.

Also most side characters from previous books are pushed aside and briefly mention. The Death Cure mainly focuses on Thomas,Minho and Brenda with a bit of Jorge, Theresa and Newt.

WICKED... though they did a lot of screwy things, for once they did something right in this book and I am quiet glad about it. Though that Rat Man guy is efffffffffff up! Like mental crazy efff up! Also there is still alot some questions about Chancellor Paige that needs answer!

Like any dystopian/apocalyptic genre, we have a mess up 'government' but also a mess up 'rebel' and at the end we really don't know who to trust. I have such mix feelings with the right-arm people trough the whole book.

The pacing and build up for the plot was so good! James Dashner has a good way of captivating and keeping me wanting to turn the pages to know what happens next as like the previous book SOMETHING IS ALWAYS HAPPENING! And yes... I stayed up till 3am reading this... again...

Some action scenes were too draggy but there are still some fast pace moments. Also while some scenes were sad and emotional as well as intense, there were a couple of scenes that I found flat.

While in the last book there was a bit of love triangle romance tension and confusion, I'm glad that there is not love triangle in this book and the romance is put to the back seat as this series focus mainly on survival, trust and friendship. If they added the romance I think it will have chocked up the storyline so its refreshing to read a series where its light on romance.

The ending... partly sad as we lost another major character and that it was not focus as a significant but I don't really blame them as they were in a life/death not time to think or turn back situation. I am also kinda surprise with the ending cause its a happy ending.

Then I turned the page to that god damn epilogue... wait...what?! why?! okay but still wth?!?!

Like the previous books it ends with a confusing email/note from WICKED so maybe... just maybe the adventure is not over for Thomas and his friends.

Even so I am satisfied with how it ended though I am freaking sad on all the characters we lost!

I found this book sadder and more emotional than the previous books. The action is less intense compared to scorch trials but it have some really good world and plot build up. I also feel like this book is more character centric.

James Dashner has made it to the list of new favorite author and I love this series he has created!

Though the scorch trials is my favorite book in the series I love all three books! Each for a different reason! I want to pick up the Killorder but not too soon as this series have left me in exhaustion and maybe even a book hangover...

Amazing series that have a lot of epic actions, adventure and trills that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I also love the snarky and sarcastic dialogs and the cast of characters .

Definitely check out this series! Not a disappointment! 

Also check out my review on The Maze Runner Book and Movie and The Scorch Trials

 What was the last great series you've read?

Me? The Lunar Chronicles even though the series is not yet over... NEED.WINTER.YESTERDAY.

Book Review: The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2) by James Dashner

Goodreads Description :

The Scorch Trials picks up where The Maze Runner left off. The Gladers have escaped the Maze, but now they face an even more treacherous challenge on the open roads of a devastated planet.

And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Can Thomas survive in such a violent world?

Title: The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner #2)
Author: James Dashner
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Apocalyptic, Post Apocalyptic, Action, Thriller, Suspense 
Format: Paperback

Pages: 359 pages
Publisher: Chicken house
Source: Purchased from Kmart

 The Maze is over but the Scorch Trials have just begun...

Holy Smokes!!! This was INTENSE! SUSPENSE! PANIC! THRILL! CONFUSION! 

Just a crazy page turner book!!! 

Its crazier, scarier and darker than the maze runner!

While some question are answered about the Maze, the world and what WICKED, there are still alot more questions that needs answers! 

  

The book takes place immediately after the Maze Runner where the remaining Gladers have yet another trial called the Scorch Trial (the first book focuses on the Maze Trial) where they have to journey across the Scorch to get to the safe heaven in order to be given the cure for the Flares by WICKED.

Sounds easy? Wrong! 

The Scorch Trials involve the Gladers crossing the Scorch in order to make it to the 'Safe Heaven', dodging obstacles, vicious creatures that are just as vicious as the Grivers and Cranks!

We learn alot about the outside world on how there is no ozone layer and that earth is now a big dessert! Worst is that because of this climate change, a virus called the Flares is spreading, turning people who got the flares to this thing called Cranks that are just as bad as Zombies.

 Apart from surviving the trials and figuring out the purpose of WICKED, lessons are learned as friendship, betrayal, trust and loyalty are put to the test. There is a bit of a love triangle happening which was okay... not crazy love triangle but confusing love triangle for Thomas.. poor guy haha. 

I actually like Thomas more in this book than the previous book! He is sweet and caring for his friends yet he is still strong and tough to fight trough the trials. I also kinda like how his brain works. That moment when you think he is making one of the stupidest decisions, he manages to counter it with a really quick smart move. Also we learn that he is very clueless about his emotions when it comes to romance and girls (not a surprise... poor guy :P). Thomas have some really good sarcastic dialogs in this book (must have picked up from Minho!).

My favorite character in this book is definitely Minho and Newt!  Sadly Newt's role is not as significant as I wanted it to be but Minho... gosh I love this guy! 

I admire how Newt can be calm and collected during some scenario in the book. Like Thomas he gotten more snarky and sarcastic in the book.

Minho has a much larger role in the book and has taken over the role as leader. It's great to see him developed as a character! He is definitely one of the strongest and toughest character in the book. He is also really caring and loyal to his friends. The thing I love most about him in this book is his hilarious snarky dialog! Every time things starts to get super intense, he says something and I found myself laughing for a good few minutes.

The bromance between Newt, Thomas and Minho is definitely one of my all time favorite friendship in a book!

Some new characters that we meet include Jorge and Brenda (think of them as a less likeable Joel  and if Ellie from the Last of Us), Aris and the girls of Group B.

Brenda is my favorite new character! Snarky, outspoken, tough and alert but with a mysterious side. I love her personality! She is like a girl version of Minho! Looking forward to knowing more about her in the Death Cure!

Theresa in this book... I have very mix feelings about her. I don't hate her nor do I like her.

One thing that stood out of the book is the pacing of the story. James Dashner has a good way of timing the pacing in the book which makes you NOT want to put it down! This kept me up till 3am as everytime I think they are safe, SOMETHING HAPPENS! 

The action was fast pace, nail biting intense and freaking scary! The plot twist was unpredictable! I think I shouted 'WTH' and 'NO' more than Newt said the word 'Bloody' trough the book because of this! This book takes a new twist on the adventure, survival and horror genres.

Once again the book ended very confusing and full of suspense along with another a bloody cliff hanger. Thank goodness I finally acquired the lovely box set so I am gonna start on the Death Cure immediately after I post this review.

Overall this book was so different from The Maze Runner in so many good ways that I enjoy it more than the first book! It exceeded my expectations and have made it to my favorite book-shelve! This is one of my favorite sequels.

Definitely pick this book up and read it! 


Also check out my video review for the book!

If you have yet to read The Maze Runner, pick it up (review here)! If you love The Maze Runner but have yet to watch the movie GO WATCH IT (review here)!

Now all we got to do is wait for 2015 for the Scorch Trials movie... 

Till then I guess I'll make a start on the Death Cure.

If you have read the book are you looking forward to the Scorch Trials movie?

I definitely am! Get me a Time Machine to 2015!

Book Review: The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1) by James Dashner

Goodreads Description:

If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.Remember. Survive. Run.

Title: The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)
Author: James Dashner
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Apocalyptic, Post Apocalyptic, Action, Thriller, Suspense 
Format: Paperback

Pages: 369 pages
Publisher: Chicken house
Source: Borrowed from friend

 I was introduced to the series as an alternative to the Hunger games when watch Elle from AllThatGlitters21 book reviews years ago. At that time I was not a fan of Dystopian so I put it off till a week ago when friend suggest we watch the movie and lend me the book.

Now all i can say is that I am hitting myself in the head for not reading the book sooner... sorry I am just not one who give into hypes easily :P

The book started out a bit slow and confusing but full of suspense and mystery for me at first as I had to understand all the slang and words the boys use like Med jack, slammer, etc as well as the introduction to the Glade's world. Eventually I managed to catch on and by the end of the book I was used to the slang. 

I felt like I was watching a group of guys talking gibberish but obviously i managed to catch on and gotten used to the dialog. But after the 2 or 3 chapter the book takes off.

The pacing of the book was good but the ending was intense and a bit confusing. I re read the last few chapters as it kinda left a big cliff hanging gap which was obviously is a set up for the next book but I felt like it was a bit too rush. Even though so the ending is pretty damn emotional... 

*wave fist at the freaking feels!!!*

There were a good balance of 'bormance' and friendship moments. The boys in the Glade form a good tight-knit society and manages to keep everything in order to survive the maze.

I like the cast of characters. Thomas, our main character wakes up in a lift where he finds himself in the Glade with about 50 other boys with not a clue on how or why he is there with the only memory of his name. He is different from the other boys in the glade. Curious, intelligent, brave and willing to help others he barely knows. Though he is all that I kinda love and hate his character as at times he can be a bit of an idiot with his not so wise choices but he always manages to counter his decisions and get himself out of the situation. Also reading his character reminded me a bit of Harry Potter.

The other boys in the Glade, it took a while for me to warm up to. A lot of them started out as snarky, annoying or mean but I'm guessing that that's their nature of how they talk to each other in the Glade. Even though there were lack of character development, you do get to know some of them like Alby, Newt, Minho, Gally and Chuck.

Chuck is definitely my favorite side character! He is like the annoying loveable little brother and I love his brotherly relationship with Thomas.

Minho was really snarky and sarcastic but can be loyal and friendly. Same goes for Alby. I found him really mean when I first read about him but I eventually like his personality being the leader of the group. The friendliest I've read is definitely Newt. 

Also Theresa, even though we don't get much character development on her I like reading about her! Trough the book you'll want to know why is she there? What's her link with Thomas?

The grievers in the book, I had a hard time picturing them so in my head I just think of the spiders from Harry Potter but its Hybrid with robotic legs.

I love the concept of this book! Its very different from cliche YA dystopian. I had so many theories going trough my mind like why are they in the maze, who is Thomas and Theresa and why do they have that link, what's with the memory wipe and so much more and the plot twist that answer some of  my theory really got me off guard! 

Overall definitely check this out if you like a dark unique twist to the dystopian genre. The suspense and mystery behind the maze makes the book a page turner along with the fast pace actions.

I'll probably be picking out the sequel 'The Scorch Trials' but not too soon.