The Death Cure, by James Dashner

The Death Cure, by James Dashner, takes place right after the events of "The Scorch Trials", where Thomas is locked in solitary confinement for three weeks. After Thomas is released, Assistant Director Janson of WICKED, an organization dedicated to curing the Flare, admits to the Gladers that there is no cure for the Flare. However, some people are naturally immune to it. He then offers the Gladers to restore their memories. Everyone but Thomas, Minho, and Newt agree. However, they are forced into being restored also. Luckily, Brenda helps them escape in a Berg, a massive airship, before this can be done. They then fly to Denver to try to find the others and remove the implants in their brains. During this process, they meet with the Right Arm, an organization dedicated to destroying WICKED, and agree to help them.

While "The Death Cure" was very similar to the other two books, it was a disappointing finale. This book still had an interesting plot with lackluster characters like the previous books. However, the lack of answers makes this installment worse in comparison. The final book of a series should always try to explain the mysteries that are brought up as the story progresses. After reading "The Death Cure", the final book of "The Maze Runner" series, I was left more confused than before. Many questions that should have been answered in this book were still left unresolved. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the "The Maze Runner" franchise as a whole and I would recommend "The Death Cure" to those that are curious to what will happen to Thomas and Teresa in the end. However, do not expect to understand the back-story after reading this book.

Reviewed by William J., Grade 9

Montrose Library

House of Hades, by Rick Riordan

Percy and Annabeth falls into tartarus and the other demigods are trying their best to reach the other side of the door so they can rescue Percy and Annabeth. Percy and Annabeth faces a lot of challenges, but they work it out together, no matter how much pain they are having. They even made friends in tartarus and have supporters. They struggle and try their best to reach their destination in time to save all the people and they get help from Reyna, the roman leader.

I liked House of Hades, by Rick Riordan, but honestly, it was below my expectations. Because I was so fascinated about the other series of the books, I was overly excited and I was disappointed that the novel ended so quickly, but I enjoyed the book through out. I will recommend this to my friends because this is really fun and includes a lot of actions. Also, they learn how friendships matter to each other. Most importantly, the book is enjoyable for most of the people. I'm looking forward to read the next sequel of this book.

Reviewed by Eura, Grade 9

Montrose Library

The Raven Boys, Maggie Stiefvater

In The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater the main character, Blue, comes from a large family of clairvoyant women. She's been told since she was a child that she would kill her true love by kissing him. Blue doesn't want to believe this, but she knows that what the women see is real. On St. Mark's Eve Blue and her aunt Neeve go to the cemetery to get the name of all the people who will die in the next 12 months, whose spirits will pass through there that night, although Blue won't be able see them because she isn't clairvoyant. But then she does see one. The only reason a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve, either you're their true love or you killed them. His name is Gansey. Maggie Stiefvater is amazing and one of my favorite authors. I definitely have to say that the Raven Boys is my favorite book by her. I really enjoyed the unique perspectives given to the story by all of her wonderful but very different characters. Blue is so amazing and strong and eccentric, I think that she's an great character. I also loved Adam, who is so honest and works so hard at everything. My favorite character, by far, is Gansey. Gansey is in a way the perfect, cliche rich boy, but when you really understand him and his heart you realize that he's also the opposite. Gansey is an absolutely extraordinary character, as are all the other characters. I really loved The Raven Boy by Maggie Stiefvater. Reviewed by Lucy H., Grade 9 Montrose Library