Hello everyone, I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we're discussing (He/Him) James Dashner's book, The Godhead Complex, which is the second book in The Maze Cutter series, that continues the thrilling story that unfolds after the events of The Maze Runner series. In terms of familiarity with the author's work, I am no stranger to his literary creations. Prior to delving into this particular book, I had already immersed myself in the entire collection of maze books that have been released thus far. Furthermore, I have also indulged in the entirety of The Mortality Doctrine Series, with the exception of Gunner Skale. (0.5book )
I'd like to extend a huge thank you to booksirens for providing a copy of 'The Godhead Complex' as an ARC in exchange for an optional honest review.
The book is set to be Published November 14th, 2023. The narrative, told using third person perspective following multiple points of view. (Prologue: Nicholas, isaac, Sadina, Alexandra, minho, Mikhail, Xime) it has four parts which spans 25 chapters and 286 pages.
Summary: Sadina and the resilient islanders find themselves facing formidable challenges from both mankind and nature as they embark on a treacherous voyage to Alaska in search of the enigmatic Godhead. However, upon reaching their destination, they discover that the Godhead itself is fractured, shattering their expectations and beliefs. Within the intricate crevices of this sacred trinity, long-held secrets are unveiled, blurring the boundaries between good and evil. As they grapple with these revelations, they come to realize that what one person perceives as their God, another may perceive as their Devil.
Review:
-The author's skill in crafting the narrative is evident through their meticulous attention to detail, particularly when it comes to setting descriptions. This book kept me on the edge of my seat with its thought-provoking plot and intriguing twists! I particularly enjoyed the sections that delved into the science behind the cure and DNA, as well as the mysterious A4 reference. The author did an excellent job of weaving these elements together to create a captivating narrative that left me guessing.
I found immense joy in the fact that we were granted access to fragments of Newt's journal entries, allowing us to reconnect with the beloved characters from the first instalment of the captivating maze runner book series. The inclusion of these journal entries not only added depth and nostalgia to the story but also provided a sense of continuity and familiarity for us readers, who had grown attached to these characters.
In this second instalment of the maze cutter book series, I was delighted to reunite with the characters from the first book again. The story brings us back into their world, allowing us to once again encounter these now more familiar individuals. In this second instalment of the book series, I particularly appreciated the seamless continuation of the story without any significant time gaps, much like the main books in the first series. This aspect added to my overall enjoyment of the narrative, as it allowed for a smooth transition and maintained the momentum established in the initial book series.
In my opinion, one aspect that I particularly enjoyed about this book was the inclusion of several humorous moments. These instances served to lighten the overall mood of the story, even if only by a small margin. The incorporation of these funny parts added a touch of levity and provided a refreshing break from the intense aspects of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the assortment of symbols and items woven throughout the story. Their inclusion adds a unique touch to the narrative and could certainly inspire engaging fan art interpretations. In fact, I would love to see merchandise featuring these symbols, as they would undoubtedly appeal to fans of the series.
While I did find some of the sound effects to be somewhat bothersome, I appreciated that the writer rarely provided explicit descriptions of the sounds beforehand, allowing me to use my own imagination to picture the scenes. This approach helped to create a more immersive experience for me as a reader.
I must say that my only real issue with this series is the story style. In the first series, I particularly appreciated the manner in which the story unfolded through the perspective of a single character, without employing multiple points of view. Additionally, the inclusion of prologues featuring other characters and epilogues consisting of log reports added an intriguing layer to the overall storytelling. Ultimately, the main plot revolved around one individual's journey. When reading multiple points of view, I often find myself wishing that certain sections were shorter, so I could quickly return to the perspective that captivated my interest. The constant shifts in narrative disrupt the pacing and make it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. I long for a more streamlined approach that would allow the different plot threads to seamlessly intertwine.
In my opinion, I believe that my enjoyment of the series would have been significantly enhanced if the story had focused on one or perhaps two central characters, allowing for a more cohesive storytelling experience. Additionally, incorporating Newt's journal entries, as seen in the book. I feel like it would have been intriguing for the main characters to stumble upon updated information through various means such as discarded diary entries or letters. As it was, the story felt overwhelming and difficult to follow for me at times. One aspect of the book that I found particularly helpful was the use of titled sections for each character's point of view. This made it easier to keep track of whose perspective we were following at any given time, and prevented confusion that could have arisen from an abrupt shift in viewpoint.
-The opportunity to meet Frypan again and gain insight into his current state proved to be an immensely gratifying experience. Although our interaction was limited, subtle indications provided glimpses into his world. However, it would have been even more enriching if the book had delved deeper into this aspect, allowing Frypan to share more of his thoughts and experiences more extensively. The mention of Ava Paige, Thomas, his companions, and the enigmatic maze never failed to evoke a sense of excitement and intrigue within the story. Nevertheless, it is regrettable that these elements were not as prominently featured as I would have liked.
In this sequel, I thoroughly enjoyed the deeper exploration of the characters' personalities that we were treated to. It was a delight to witness the growth and development of their individual traits, which added an extra layer of depth to the story. One particular highlight for me was the captivating interactions between Sadina and Trish. These scenes were a true pleasure to read, as they provided a fascinating insight into their relationship. I find myself eagerly anticipating more of these small moments in the next instalment, hoping to delve even further into their bond.
-I am eagerly anticipating the conclusion of this trilogy! I pre-ordered a hardback copy a while back, and I can't wait to read it again, possibly with the audio version playing in the background as I follow along.
*update: I am eagerly anticipating my birthday month now, especially since the release of the third book is scheduled for April next year.
end of update
For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 8.2 Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.