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The Kill Order Review
This will be a pretty short review as the prequel follows a small group of people as they first experience the spread of the Flare (then just unknown disease) with their journey to find out the cause and potential cure which leads to it picking them off one by one as they race against forest fires, cults and Crankheads, not to mention their own detoriating sanity.
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The Death Cure Review
The final book in the trilogy has a very apt name as Thomas, and the Gladers seem to have finally reached the end of their journey with WICKED. Their minds will be removed of the Swipe, the cure is near.
But it is WICKED, and Thomas, Newt and Minho don’t plan to accept their explanations or offers to bring back their memories. No way are they going to give them a chance to mess with their minds again even if they say they have a cure.
But WICKED isn’t planning to let them go so easily so with Brenda and Jorge’s help, they break out to the wastelands of the apocolyptic real world to find a potential safe haven because there may be no chance for a cure, but there is a chance for the surviving immunized to be safe and rebuild.
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The Scorch Trials Review
Thomas and the rest of the Gladers had thought that things were going to be okay now that they got out of the Maze. But after only 24 hours of rest, they are thrust into a new trials because it turns WICKED’s machinations turn out to be less than altrustic. What do you expect with an acronym like that?
Well, their goal is altruistic. The Gladers are the best of the best, and all the pain and suffering they’ve been through has been used for testing to find the cure for the Flare. A pandemic disease brought by sun flares that turns infected to cannibalistic, animalistic zombie-monsters. Now, the Gladers have to go through the Scorch in order to reach the Safe Haven. One final test to complete WICKED’s blueprint for a cure.
Oh, and if they don’t complie, they’re gonna die from the Flare that WICKED injected into them while they slept. You know, for added personal motivation.
AND to top this all off, there’s a Group B. A parallel group of girls and one boy who have undergone the same trials and Ending as they have. They’re going to be on the hunt for them to add to this survival of the fittest narrative they have.
It’s a lot, but even though Thomas and the others want to live in peace, they decide to follow WICKED’s orders and once the trial ends, get their control back. If they survive.
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The Maze Runner Review
I had thought I completed my 2000s dystopian binge when I finished the Matched trilogy but I realized I would be remissed if I hadn’t read The Maze Runner. So in I go to the maze with very little idea of what it is really about.
Only to find Dashner’s world to be a dangerous thrill ride of puzzles and gruesome death that may lead Thomas and the Gladers to potential freedom. . . or death.
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Warriors: Power of Three
The third generation takes the stage and things get even darker than before. Bluestar had prophesized long ago that the kin of Firestar’s kin, a trio to be precise, would be the most powerful cats of the age. They would have the power of the stars.
The thing about prophecies is that they’re oftentimes vague and Firestar’s grandkits-Jaypaw, Hollypaw and Lionpaw end up in more trouble than they could ever believe when they stumble through their destiny.
This series starts at the very beginning of the kits’ lives with each eager to become real warriors and contributing members to the clan. They don’t know of the prophecy even though Firestar suspects that they’ll be the ones to fufill it. They fit the criteria after all. But they’re not just Firestar’s grandkits, they’re also Tigerstar’s grandkits and when they learn about the prophecy, the pursuit of power becomes a major focus.
Jaypaw and Lionpaw are particularly susceptible to the idea of power. Jaypaw, becoming a medicine cat makes him more spiritual connected to Starclan and the powers of the universe. Lionpaw’s skills on the battlefield with his enhanced speed, strength and senses make him physically unbeatable. And when you’re ontop, it’s intoxicating. Hunter nicely segues into the different types of temptation that power can hold over the kits with Jaypaw believing he can use his power for the good of the Clan, Lionpaw wishes to protect the Clan. Their power also allows them closer connect with the Starclan, specifically Tigerstar who offers to help them become stronger to take their true place in true might-makes-right mentality.
Hollypaw, on the other hand, is strictly bound to the Warrior Code. Honestly, she’s a bit anal about it and is the least tempted about power. She’s a real rule follower which is why the actions of a traitor in the Thunderclan or the Shadowclan turning their backs on the warrior code hit her hard. Despite her rule-following personality, she also falls prey to power as she wishes to make everyone obey the code.
Which brings me to the Warrior Code. Here, it is questioned and tested to the limits from Lionpaw’s interclan friendship with Heatherpaw of the Windclan, Jaypaw aiding the Tribe and biggest disruption of all-an outsider named Sol whose prophecies and warnings lead some cats to believe Starclan has forsaken them. The prophecies and omens are all hookem more or less, and even though some cats can see that his words are just clever twists to fulfill his own ambition, he is charasmatic, threatening the entire world of the clans.
Yet with all this talk of power, the kits remain relatable as they struggle with what the respnsibility means to them, even wishing such prophecy wasn’t thrust upon them because if how it will make them different from others and make them more likely to fail.
Also the grand twist was just shocking and adds a new darker layer to the cat’s souls that had never been done before. As you can see in my rankings:
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Warriors: The New Prophecy
Ah, the next generation come of age and everything changes for the warrior cats. Yet some things stay the same.
I had only read the first two books when I was little before abruptly stopping so this was all brand new for me, and I had no idea what would happen next. Okay, I actually had some idea, mainly the cats being forced to relocate from their home.
This change is status quo and territory is one I applaud Hunter because tthe authors have asserted from the beginning that they are willing to go there-kill off major characters, lose love interests, and yes, change the local because of forces outside their control. It’s realistic even though there aren’t happy endings sometimes but I believe it just adds to the intensity of the book. This is the wild, anything can happen and you have to be prepared.
These set differs from the first as it is a revolving door of POVs rather than the singular focus of Firestar. Brambleclaw (Tigerstar’s son), Squirrelflight, Leafpool (Firestar and Sandstorm’s daughters) and sometimes Stormfur (Graystripe’s son). Unlike Firestar’s POV where he was an outsider still finding his place in the shifting politics of the clans, these kids are right in the thick of it with parentage being a major point informing their decisions, personalities and actions.
Brambleclaw fears that he will be viewed as traitorous and dangerous as his father, Stormfur is still deriding for not being fully Riverclan and Firestar’s daughters must contend with their father’s legacy and kittypet origins. A great choice and provides a consistant source of conflict and development throughout.
It also reverts back to a idea mentioned throughout the first series-the clans should learn to unite and while the majority revert to the boundary lines in their new territory, Brambleclaw, Crowfeather, Leafpool, Squirrelflight, Stormfur and Feathertail are undeniably changed by their journey together. They’ll always be friends despite clan loyalty.
There was also more focus on the roles and rankings in the clans, particularly Leafpool and her journey to becoming a medicine cat which includes questioning some of its rules and a greater focus on the Starclan and its role for the cats as they journey into the unknown.
The world really expands. Not only with new allies (including a badger!) but different ways of surviving the wild like when the Chosen Ones meet the Tribe.
Now to the rankings:
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Warriors: The Prophecies Begin
So I decided to officially reread the Warriors series which should be interesting as I’ve only gotten through the first eight books so the rest of the expanded world is a whole new adventure for me to read. I’m very excited.
So my first post on this will be pretty quick as I remember the first series the best even though I haven’t read it since middle school. It sets up a common-place “chosen one” trope with the future Firestar aka Rusty as the series follows him from leaving his kittypet life to becoming an apprentice to deputy to becoming the savior of the Thunderclan.
Even so, it immediately sucks me in with its complicated power struggles within and outside the clans with an underlying mystery as Firepaw gets caught up with his suspicions over Tigerclaw. Even though they’re cats, Hunter personifies them with universal themes of potential love lost in Spottedtail, the bonds of friendship with Graystripe, the insecurities of leadership and mentorship as Firepaw navigates his shofting relationships with Cloudpaw, Cinderpaw, Bluestar and others.
There’s also a reoccuring theme of unification versus division and clan vs blood with certain cats possessing the blood of two clans or interclan romance being a major source of conflict throughout.
It also helps that Hunter establishes a unique lore, astrology being a major focus in the Starclan, that gives the cats spiritual guidance for the future and heavily impact their decisions through prophetic dreams, omens etc.
It’s really fun to reread these books and remember how much I (not to mention my whole grade) got into them. They’re such a powerful and engaging read and considering its continued popularity, young readers now feel the same.
Now for my rankings:
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Stephanie Cooke Interview
Stephanie Cooke is the editor/writer of original middle grade graphic novels, ParaNorthern and Oh My Gods! As well as popular franchises as MLP’s Camp Bighoof and Archie: Love and Heartbreak Special. She kindly took the time to answer my questions and divulge her early inspiration, writing process and what’s coming next.
1. What were your early inspirations (comic, movies, franchises etc)?
Growing up, I loved the His Dark Materials series, all of Tamora Pierce’s novels, and the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. As well as classics like Anne of Green Gables too, which was a staple of my childhood as someone with ties to Prince Edward Island. I didn’t read a ton of comics as a kid because I simply didn’t have access to them but I did read a lot of Archie Digest comics, so that was how I got started reading comics.
Eventually, the Sabrina the Teenage Witch sitcom would also become a massive influence too. All of those had a really lasting impact on me throughout my life.
2. How would you describe your writing style and its evolution?
I think I write from a place of passion. My stories tend to form around things that I’m excited about or want to put my own spin on. They’re all very much the stories I would’ve loved to read growing up. I don’t know that I have a particular style, per se though, unless you want to count puns as a “style” choice! But I evolve as I read and consume more things that I enjoy, and listen to constructive feedback from my peers, editors, and other professionals who help me grow.
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The School for Good and Evil: One True King Review
The End of Ends have finally come.
To keep things simple, the minor spoilers are under the cut but lets get to characterization and plot first.
Since Tedros was revealed to have the final ring, and the wedding crashing went wrong, King Arthur’s ghost comes in with a deus ex machina to give his son one more chance to regain the Woods’ trust, his throne and expose the Snake for what he truly is.
Three trials, three tests, each one a race against time between the Lion and the Snake and imparting lessons from King Arthur’s past to help Tedros find out what a real leader is while Agatha and Sophie find their happily ever afters.
First, I’ll get to the diva of the hour aka Chainani’s clear favorite, Sophie who undergoes an amazing amount of development to finding true fufillment. Yes, she had started the trilogy thinking she was fulfilled as Dean, and thinking maybe being queen would help but no, it all circles back to love.
Love for Agatha as well as love with the one who’d been under her notice the whole time. I really enjoyed the epiphany Sophie has as she listens and learns from each trial and mishap that the true parts of a happy life are love, food and purpose. She has purpose as a Dean, she learns to enjoy cake and she finds unconditional love does not come from maniacally evil bad boys who want to change her or cannot keep up with her. I can’t believe I’m saying this but Sophie comes out as the most mature of the trio, even setting aside her own jealousy and petty dramatics in pursuit of the greater good. She truly has shades of Good and Evil and she has embrace to love herself and love in return.
Not that she isn’t still sassy and hilarious, Chainani throws in some fanservice treats like the Return of Wooty Woo, the Pirate Queen.
Agatha’s arc feels a bit more muddled as the previous book focused on her moer controlling, feeling the need to save the day, loner as the protagonist of the fairytale. That was good but here it felt more like the narrative was chiding Agatha for not faithfully believing in Tedros no matter what. While she should give Tedros more of a chance to enact his own plans without immediately deriding it as stupid, Tedros concealling it felt out of line. Especially as Tedros’ final plan was truamatizing to watch and so so many things could have gone wrong. Tedros was just lucky it worked, otherwise Agatha would have to save the day again from Tedros’ impulsive actions.
It also worked against Tedros’ own arc about learning to take others input instead of impulsively going with what he wants to do. Even though that didn’t stick, Tedros did eventually learn the bigger picture of being a leader. It is not about hoarding his position to protect his insecurities but serving the people, just as Rhian had said all along. I’ll admit, he did have an amazing final speech. It just felt like his final realization was shoe-horned in.
By that I mean, Chainani had organically left seeds along the whole trilogy but Tedros, the whole time, continued to act as he usually did with glimmers of self reflection. If Chainani had spent this book letting Tedros make mature decisions, showcasing his growth instead of leaving it in the climax, I may believe his arc more.
Other characters get a fair chance to shine here too like the Coven especially as Dot learns more about her family, and Reene turns out to be a surprisingly badass side character in the final inning. Adult characters like Guenivere, Maid Marian, Robin Hood, Queen Jacinda, Princess Uma, Merlin and more serve as refreshingly important contributers to the story even while the teenagers take up most of the spotlight. That said, they’re also a lot of death fodder which Agatha morosely comments that adults don’t fare well in their fairytale. Chainani really raises the stakes and doesn’t shy away from the grimm undertones of fairytales while also expanding more kingdoms with their distinct cultures and geographies.
I’m only disappointed that Nicola seems to fade away after she breaks up with Hort for his Sophie obsession. It felt a bit of a regression for Hort as I liked him realizing that he can move on and find someone who will like him for himself. Besides, Nicole was such a cool character and as a Galvadon Reader, she would have continued to make a nice contrast to Agatha, reminding her of who she had been like. And I enjoyed her burgeoning, bickering friendship with Sophie. Her ability to recognize story patterns and tricks in tales had been useful and I wished Chainani had continued to utilize her.
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Rose Campbell and Jane Eyre
I was reading Rose in Bloom in full (well the abridged version since the classic version sometimes gets too preachy for me) and this quote——
“My heart is my own, to dispose of as I please. Don’t shut yourself out of it by presuming too much, for you have no claim on me but that of cousinship, and you never will have unless you earn it. Remember that, and neither threaten nor defy me any more,” (Alcott 158)
Immediately reminded me of another much more famous speech in Jane Eyre–
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will. I would always rather be happy than dignified.”
Of course, their circumstances are a little different with Rose being a pretty heiress who wants to help the poor and working women, and Jane being a plain governess dependent on others.
But both must contend with an overbearing, egotistical lover. Jane with Mr. Rothchester who needs no introduction and Rose with Charlie, her cousin and the bonny prince whose aimless life has led him to no substance and all pleasure/alcoholism. Rose is flattered by Charlie’s attention on her and is swept up into the jaunty atmosphere he brings, but he also makes her “a nag” and a nursemaid as she tries to help him break his vice.
This is a relationship that Louisa May Alcott clearly demonstrates is not healthy nor can be a truly loving one. Charlie only tries to break his alcoholism because Rose won’t fully love him nor respect him. He sees her favor as a prize and even as she pushes back that she cannot bind herself to him, he continues to push her and pressure her to admit she loves him. That her love will save him and her rejection will ruin him. He’s placing all the work he should do and strive for her, on Rose’s feet. She’s the heroine if he breaks his habit and she’s the devil if she rejects him and makes him drown his sorrows.
Now, Charlie isn’t a terrible guy. Just spoiled and he could have been better which makes it a tragic tale as Rose struggles to reconcile her conflicting feelings with the happy Charlie of her childhood and the princly Charlie he has the potential for, with the reality-Charlie cannot be depended upon, she cannot trust him nor can she respect him, and she can’t save him no matter how much love there is between them.
Alcott’s depiction of this relationship is pretty revolutionary considering the context-late 1800s, Victorian era where women were expected to be angels of the house and care for all the men’s needs as little nurses whose love can save all. Here, Alcott squarely places the work on Charlie to change in order to be worthy of Rose’s love and that she has the autonomy and right to reject him until he shapes up.
Jane has been pretty much hailed as a feminist icon for holding onto her autonomy despite her attraction to Rochester because she wants to put herself first (paraphrasing) and not be consumed by him. Of course, the ending for Jane and Rochester is very different as it almost falls into the conventional women must nurse man to health and man is maimed a bit so he can be equal.
Rose in Bloom was published in 1875 and Jane Eyre was published in 1847 so several decades have passed, and Alcott is well-known to have loved Jane Eyre citing it as an inspiration for her own work and I believe one can see that it has set its mark.
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 