The Maze Runner

Thomas is awakes to find himself trapped in a maze full of teenage boys.  He can't remember his past and no one will answer his questions.  There isn't any downtime as Thomas' arrival changes everything for the current residents of the maze.  The boys haven't given up hope in the last two years that they can solve the maze and escape.  Two days after Thomas arrives a girl is sent to the maze and with her coming begins a new set of changes in the maze.  Its really a suspenseful book full of descriptive details about the maze.  The author skillfully creates a world that gives the reader as much anxiety as the main character, Thomas.  When Thomas is frustrated with the occupants of the maze, the reader will also be annoyed and frustrated with their unwillingness to answer his questions!  The plot has a quick pace and is filled with action.  I could NOT put this book down!

Brainjack

When technology races toward hands-free and you can interact with the internet using the power of your mind...  What happens when you get hacked?  This is the question Sam Wilson faces after being recruited by the government through an underground hacking event.  This book was a great read and it really brought out the nerd in me when I read it.  It was a slow read due to the computer jargon I had to  navigate (although in reality it didn't take that long to read I felt like I was reading in slow motion).  The intrigue and mystery kept me reading and it will probably keep your teenager reading as well!

Witch and Wizard Review

I recently read Witch and Wizard by James Patterson.  The basic plot is that Whit and Wisty (brother and sister) are arrested from their home in the middle of the night and accused of being a witch and a wizard.  They grew up without any conscious idea that they might have magic and now they have to discover if they have the power to save the world.

I think that there is supposed to be some message for the society at large.  The ruling government in Witch and Wizard is suppressing anything that smacks of creativity or free thought.  They torture young children for being different.  In fact as I write this I think the government is probably the ultimate description of a bully.  Still while reading this the character development seems to be lacking as more emphasis is put on how evil the current government is and how the children will do anything to fight back so that they can be who they are.  I don't feel like I really got to know Whit or Wisty other than they have a strong sense of family.  Characters drive the story and the only character really interesting is the bad guy, The One Who is The One.