Katie Rose Reviews...

Let's kick off the new school year with a teen review! Katie Rose is a 10th grader at Fremd High School and a member of our Teen Advisory Board. Here are a couple reviews she recently sent us about books she read over the summer. If you would like to submit a short review about books, movies, or music, email us at teens@palatinelibrary.org.

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Tired of your typical scary stories? Then try a different kind of on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller! These two books are bound to keep you turning pages 'til the end.

The Maze Runner

by James Dashner

Ever have one of those moments where you feel completely disoriented? This story begins when Thomas finds himself in a black box with no recollection. Then he feels the box moving (to who knows where) and he's seriously creeped. The scariest part: he doesn't remember who he is. Scattered memories of simple things are all he has left, but he doesn't know if the memories are real or fake.

When the ride in the black box finally ends, he finds himself released into the Glade, where a group of boys have ruled for two years. Things have to be done precisely in order to survive or you will be punished. It's a hard thing to do, especially when no one is over age 18.

All the boys live in fear of one thing: Greavers, horrible half-animal/half-machines with deadly poison. Greavers are the predators in a gigantic structure surrounding the Glade called the Maze. Some of the boys are chosen to be Maze Runners and they must risk their lives every day by trying to find the way to freedom. Except every night, the walls of the maze shift into a new configuration. Thomas decides he wants to be a Maze Runner and find a way out, despite the risk to his life.Will he succeed?

The sequel, The Scorch Trials, is due out this October. Place your hold today!

Thirteen Days To Midnight

By Patrick Carman

If you had a superpower what would it be? Flying, invisibility, and reading minds are common answers, but Jacob Fieldeng has a different answer, and lucky for him he got his wish.

He's invincible.

Nothing can hurt or kill him--he's untouchable. He knows; he's tried everything. He can also give invincibility to anyone, but only one person at a time. He struggles to find people who need invincibility, and who are worthy enough. He starts to see that having a power might not be a blessing but a curse.

As things start to spiral recklessly out of control, he begins to question his choices, his beliefs, and his sanity. Because if he's right...his payment to death might be the one choice he loves the most.

--Katie Rose