Reading Response on Reached

Finally, I have started the last book in the Matched trilogy by Ally Condle: Reached. (Although I thoroughly enjoy reading these books, I think I am going to take a break from Sci-Fi for a while.) In this series, I’ve noticed a bit of a theme about what lies underneath, and not judging things too quickly.

One example of this is that, in book one, Cassia and most of the city, believe every law and rule that is given to them without question. The Officials have set up this environment of false security, when really it is a network of lies. When the slightest thing goes wrong, the citizens are made to take a red pill that will erase all memories from the previous 12 hours so the people can go on with their daily lives without suspecting a thing. This is, for the Society, just a simple cover up to continue on with the illusion of their perfectly safe world.

Another example happens in the second book. Cassia’s interest in Ky Markhams is sparked when she suspects that he isn’t normal like everybody else. He has a backstory, and playing along to the manicured lifestyle Cassia knows was never a part of him. Of course, as the story progresses, she develops a deep love for Ky, but you can’t help wondering, if he were the same like all the rest of him, would their relationship still exist. Then, in Crossed, a secret is revealed about Xander, Cassia’s childhood friend and loyal and ordinary match; he was part of the uprising too. Ky never told Cassia this because he feared she would love him instead. I actually can see where Ky is coming from. If Cassia knew that her “normal” match Xander had a streak of danger in him, would she be in love with him and not Ky? I think that even though she loves Ky, it is kind of shallow to be interested in someone just because of his or her background. If she had actually taken the time to accept Xander as her match and not cast him away for a better, more interesting option, maybe she would know his secret now instead of being sheltered from it.

Nothing new has been revealed about the plot so far, but I suspect that as the uprising grows, more and more people of the city will be revealed to be involved in it. Like I said before, this series is all about what lies beneath the surface, and who/what you can actually count on to know about. It is a good theme. Despite the fact that we don’t live in a futuristic world where this is happening, there are lots of lies in our daily lives. I even think reading this book could make you think about looking a little closer at what goes on around you, especially because this book is targeted at the government and head power that is in control. 

Response on The Maze Runner

             I am only 17 pages into The Maze Runner, By James Dashner, but I am already very intrigued. From what I can tell, the main character, Thomas, who we don’t know much about seeing that he has forgotten everything about his life story apart from his name, has arrived in this strange land called The Glade. He arrives after a long ride up a dark elevator shaft and is greeted by strange and slightly wild boys. Some are friendly and others take an aggressive stance. Since Thomas has lost his memory, it’s like we are seeing through his eyes and processing everything for the first time. The author does a very good job of keeping the story mysterious and therefore leaving you curious and wanting more.

As I was reading, I realized that the book reminded me of Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. For example, when the boys (who are also disheveled and wild after living by themselves for so long) are telling Thomas about the rules of this land, they talk about the beasts that live on the outskirts of the town and how they will attack at night if you come to close. This is very much like the “monster” that the boys claim to see and are in constant fear of on the island featured in Lord of the Flies.

Another similarity with the Lord of the Flies is that the boys living in The Glade seem to have two conflicting leaders. At first when Thomas came out of the old industrial elevator, he noticed that all the boys seemed to look up to one teenager named Alby. But later, another boy approaches him; the same one who had been giving him dirty looks earlier. Upon being asked his name, the bully replies, “Gally. And don’t let anyone fool you. I’m the real leader here, not the two geezer shanks upstairs…” he says referring to Alby and one other. Just like in Lord of the Flies, there are two boys with different natures, both competing for the same position. I wonder if this book is going to follow the pattern of Lord of the Flies and two groups of the kids and teenagers will branch off and separate from each other,

If you think about it, many stories are following the ideas of others. For example the movie Warm Bodies is really a zombie-chick flick Romeo and Juliet. Is our society really running out of ideas for books and movies that we have to copy others? A lot of sci-fi books follow the same patterns and at a certain point, I find myself un-interested in them. However, books like His Dark Materials have unique and deep plots. I’m still looking forward to finishing this book, it’s just a thought to consider.