I'll start us off with our first question. Remember, anyone can ask a question at any time to keep the discussion moving, so please do not feel like you have to wait for me.
Chuck's death seemed a little forced for dramatic effect, but the way he died bothered me more. Jumping in front of a knife? Did you feel the same way?
Re: >>>TTCAL Book Club <<< Discussion post!
BFP #2 on 2/10/12 - Little Nugget's EDD 10/23/12, Natural Miscarriage on 2/29/12
BFP #3 on 6/7/12 - BB's EDD 2/19/13, arrived 2/18/13!
I feel they must have had an extremely close relationship before the maze, but not sister and brother, more like lovers(even though they are so young)
I have two theories on the telepathy: either it was a mechanism put there by the creators or a trait of "special" powers they had before anything ever happened to the world.
BFP #2 on 2/10/12 - Little Nugget's EDD 10/23/12, Natural Miscarriage on 2/29/12
BFP #3 on 6/7/12 - BB's EDD 2/19/13, arrived 2/18/13!
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
I was really sad when Chuck died. He got so close only to die before he could find out why they were taken. I also felt it was overly dramatic until the epilogue when you realize it was all part of the test.
- What about Gally how was he still around and what's was his purpose in the grand scheme of things?
- It really bothered me that this was a contrived test where the lives of the children really didn't matter. What kind of sick world did they throw he selves back into?
- I also felt like the so called "rescue" was a bit much.
I kind have the same thoughts. I felt that through the first half of the book Thomas found Chuck annoying. Then all of a sudden, he had this intense bond with him. I wondered if Chuck had something implanted in his head like Gally to make him jump in front of the knife....maybe the creators making another test for Thomas?
I was sad for Chuck.
I read all 3 books and they talk about what really happened with the Chuck situation. I was actually finishing book 1 and our electricity went out, transformer blew up into bits. I was FREAKED OUT! LOL!
-I was bothered by his constant wanting to break the rules or wanting to be in the know. He got there and started asking questions, it annoyed me a bit. Did it annoy anyone else?
I considered the sibling relationship as well but the strength of their connection would be kinda creepy if they turn out to be siblings. I am not convinced that they are lovers either.
I am leaning towards the connection being so strong because of their ability to communicate telepathically or whatever they did together to help the creators design the maze. I wonder if we will find out that they can communicate with others too...I don't remember them trying at all with the other boys.
I agree that the ability could have been given to them by the creators. Just another variable to add to the test.
I agree that Thomas' reaction did not seem to match with the book's portrayal of the friendship. Even after reading the trilogy I still do not quite understand how Chuck's death came to mean so much to Thomas. I am still curious to learn about Thomas' history with his family and exactly what was his part in planning the trials/maze. It seems like Theresa was "told" more than Thomas but again I'm left wondering, "Why?" and the purpose doesn't seem to be fully revealed.
BFP #2 on 2/10/12 - Little Nugget's EDD 10/23/12, Natural Miscarriage on 2/29/12
BFP #3 on 6/7/12 - BB's EDD 2/19/13, arrived 2/18/13!
I agree with Chuck playing second fiddle to Theresa. I was left wondering about Thomas and Theresa but at this point I don't think I'm interested in the second book. Once I read the epilogue and realized they are still in the test I was kind of turned off.
I would have much rather the second book been about them rebelling against Wicked.
Yes! I kept thinking he landed in their world, he needs to follow their rules. Although, I also didn't understand why the boys wouldn't just answer his questions. You would think it would make more sense to just sit down and explain everything they know to the Newbies in order to help them transition better.
Yeah, I couldnt figure out why they wouldn't just answer his questions. Honestly I think the ones that had gone thru the "change" had seen the reality of the situation and didnt want to leave. Wasnt it Alby that didnt want to go home because he saw what had happened to the world.
All in all I liked the book! I thought it was a quick easy read. My husband laughed at me when I had to go to the Young Adult section to see if they had it (my kindle was out of juice the night the transformer died, so I had to buy a hardcopy of the second book).
The second book was the bridge book though, so keep that in mind. It reminded me of the middle books in the Hunger Games series or Twilight. I could have done without it.
I agree! It would have made since just to explain everything!
***badge warning***
Hi ladies, I hope you don't mind if I participate in this discussion. I wanted to be part of the book club before I found out.
I think that the epilogue tells you that the rescue was staged in order to move into part two of their test, at least that was the understanding I had.
I think my biggest problem with the book was that I didn't feel a lot of depth with the characters or their relationships. Everything felt glossed over and rushed. I think the most connection I had to Thomas was when he was trapped in the maze trying to survive. I also didn't understand the part with Gally at the end. He started saying how he couldn't control himself and then threw a knife at Thomas, it was just weird. I couldn't tell if it was because he wanted to kill Thomas or if he was being forced to throw it.
I'm curious to see how the story progresses from here.
I agree. It was a total ploy to get us to buy the 2nd book. I understand it's a trilogy, but really? The 2nd book isn't available through the library like the Maze Runner was.... so I don't think I really want to buy it to just give it a chance. I'm hoping my SIL bought it.
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
Lim already reading the second book, but now I'm even more intrigued! Thanks!
I have to question Gally as well! I can see now that he didn't get eaten, but why take him away? Just to implant something in his brain to make him try to kill Thomas? How is that a test? Maybe i'm just not looking at the big picture, but I don't get it.
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
OT a bit, but I liked the 2nd book in the Hunger Games.... it was the 3rd book I wish they could have done without.
But as for Twilight series... yeah, the 2nd book was just a bridge.
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
Thomas reminded me of a Goat.
Dude, don't you know the rules? Lurk around first, then get active!
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
Not at all! I am actually going to open up the book club to PGAL and PAL. We're going to change it to "After A Loss Book Club"!
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
It also bothered me that for two years they never tried to do anything outside of the box until Thomas came around. These were supposed to be highly intelligent kids.
I also didn't understand why he hated Thomas so much. He said he recognized him from his Changing, but I still didn't get it.
I am wondering if when you are stung by the Grievers, something is implanted in you so the creators can control you. Although, I think the ones that get stung would be considered the "weaker" ones since they were caught/couldn't defeat the Grievers....wouldn't you want to control the stronger kids? I'm probably way off base.
I agree with this completely.
I was just thinking that! But isn't it true, you have to lurk around. He came in slinging questions left and right, went out into the maze at night on what, his second day? It annoyed me. I tried to like Thomas and I got that he didnt understand what was going on, but come on!
Great, thank you!
I didn't think of it this way....makes a lot of sense!
I completely agree! If they're considered to be the genius kids you would think they would have done more over the two years. I guess they allude to some of it when Thomas questions their methods but it still seemed strange to me that they wouldn't think to see the maze differently.
BFP #2 on 2/10/12 - Little Nugget's EDD 10/23/12, Natural Miscarriage on 2/29/12
BFP #3 on 6/7/12 - BB's EDD 2/19/13, arrived 2/18/13!
LMAO!
I agree somewhat. I think that part of their reluctance to try something new was because no one wanted to risk their lives. They didn't need to find a way out because they had everything they needed in the glade. However, when the sun was turned off, supplies stopped showing up, and the Grievers were able to attack every night they had to act. They were finally pinned against a wall.
I know they tried.... but after awhile it just felt like they were trying the same things over and over again with the hopes that someday it'll just open up for them magically! It kind of felt like they gave up.
I do have to say that I really loved Minho!!!! Who was he named after though?
Aurora Rose born sleeping at 35w on 4-21-10
BFP#2 {Almond} - 2.1.11 EDD 10.12.11 C/P 2.11.11
Someone correct me if I am wrong but didn't Alby burn the maps because he didn't want to go back? The other boys just didn't tell him they moved them because he was being crazy?
From what I read on the internet, Minho is a futurist name. Minho was bad assed. By far my fav character.