the thirteenth reality

The 13th Reality #1-4

by James Dashner

What if every time you made a choice that had a significant consequence, a new, alternate reality was created-the life that would've been? What if those new Realities were in danger? What if it were up to you to save all the realities-and in turn, the entire universe? Tick is a normal 13-year-old boy until a strange letter changes his life. The first of a series of cryptic messages, the letter explains that his world is in danger. To save his reality, Tick must solve a series of riddles. Luckily, he is not alone and soon makes two friends from other parts of the world, who have been receiving the same clues. Together they race against time to protect their world, realising along the way that theirs is not the only reality at stake. As events progress, it becomes apparent that Tick has some very unique powers that he must learn to master in order to keep protecting the 13 main realities from some terrifying dangers. As the characters realise that all realities are threatening to split at the seams, it seems that Tick is the key to restoring order and saving everyone's lives.

Genres: Lds, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published October 29, 2012

About the author

James is the author of THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy and THE 13TH REALITY series. He also published a series (beginning with A DOOR IN THE WOODS) with a small publisher several years ago. He lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains.

Reviews

[Soph Celine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maze Runner is infinitely better. All books are mostly forgettable ...

[NerdyGecko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book a few times in the past, and always rather enjoyed the concept of alternate realities coinciding with our own. The term that James Dashner uses to help explain this is Quantum Physics, or QP. Atticus, the main character, touches on this subject with his science teacher. However, it is not explained in great detail in Atticus's reality. It is disappointing to me that the book lead on to explain "QP" as a more magical force than scientific.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this book because a friend recommended it as the closest thing they'd seen to a take on the Many-Worlds Theory. From the dust jacket's promise of exactly thirteen different known worlds, it seemed pretty far off - but I started it anyway.

About eighty pages in, I abandoned it. Our kid protagonist has faced escalating strange events which are obviously (to me, having read the dust jacket) incursions from other realities. However, he hasn't done anything in response aside from carefully reading the mysterious letter he's been sent. Nor do we see him really trying to achieve anything else. On top of that, I don't know what's going on aside from that one sentence. Why is he such a focal point?

Without having any clues on that or any investigation of that, and without our protagonist making efforts to do anything, I saw no reason to continue with the novel.

[Erik Spenst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tick was at school then he came home and there was a letter he opened it and he joined the clan that it said to join. After that he met this girl that was in the same clan and lived in japan good thing she was rich so she just flew over to america in a plane. After that they went and found moose who helped them also. In the end they fought this crazy maniac and won.


This story's theme is about adventures. like moose joined them and didn't even know who they were Tick joined the clan and went on adventures that could have killed him but still survived. The girl went with tick and didn't even know tick and she still went with him.


I really like this book because it is super adventurous. I also really like this book because it is not realistic and it is really trippy. I also like that it is very long. And that they made three books which i really want to read.

[Kiyasha Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Dashner is able to take such complex physics concepts and twist them into such a creative, ingenious plot that is understandable to readers of all ages is beyond me. Definitely a series I have found myself rereading time and time again and forsee myself continuing to do so well into my adulthood. Thank you for writing this series.

[Ethan Crandall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the series at the start. The First two books were amazing and I loved them, but the last two I felt were way too action-packed. I felt like Dashner added a lot of random things into the books that didn't help the story at all.

[Dick Humphries · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun book to read , but very much for the teenagers. I doubt I'll read the whole series.

[Lara Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! Thank you James Dashner.

[Mrs M Macfarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this series from start to finish!

This was a brilliant story which had me gripped to the end. Tick, his friends and all the realities have been a joy to get to know.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because the book did not drag on. There was always something to keep me going.

[Gavin R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the whole series

[Nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book The Thirteenth Reality a shy boy named Atticus Higginbottom, nicknamed "Tick" is victim of bullying in his school. The, one day he finds a mysterious yellow letter in his mail box a person named M.G. It is Tick's job to figure out the clues by a certain special date. Will Tick be able to do his job? This book is great for anyone who love mystery and fantasy. It has a great writing style and details. The mysteries, puzzles, and suspense will make you sit at the edge of you seat. But, for the people who like fast paced books, this may not be the right book for you. This is just the first book that is in the series so it does not have quick paced events. Over all this book is a great selection for anyone.

[Gaven B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gaven B.

Mr. Herman

Issues in Nonfiction

21 October 2015

In the begining of The 13th Reality I thought it was a little boring, but as I progressed I became engrossed in the adventures of Atticus Higginbottom. I never thought I would enjoy a book about solving mysteries so much, but The 13th Reality is different because it has an equal amount of puzzle solving and action throughout the story. This book is good because as you progress through it you want to figure out who is sending the mysterious letters and what will happen when Atticus figures out the riddles within each one.


The book is filled with context clues that makes you wonder “how could have that been significant?” While you're reading It feels as if all the small things you see are leading up to one significant action that is only revealed towards the end. But don’t fall asleep yet, this book isn’t just about puzzles and riddles that need to be solved.


Throughout the book there are thrills that jump out at you when you least expect it and dangers that make you sit on the edge of your seat. many a time had I been bored when all of the sudden something unexpected happens that puts Atticus's life in danger. so you not only get to see Atticus solve riddles but also fight of unknown enemies that want to see him dead.


Meanwhile you get little side perspective of people you don’t know yet until later in the story. I believe Dashner added this concept so you understand people beyond what Atticus thinks. Sometimes you get to see future allies so you can become more acquainted with them while other times you get the perspective of an enemy so the reader can feel empathy towards them or better understand what they are doing.


So you’ve got action, adventure, mysteries, and a little comedy here and there. So it is an overall great book that I recommend you read if you are a fan of the above topics or if you just need an engaging book to read. I give it an eight out of ten only, only because it would have been better if the beginning was more engaging.

[Jordan Capener · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thirteen reality the cursed letters written by James Dashner the thing about the author was that he never slow down to this or this like taking a break some where in the book and he always put the excitement in the book and there was some horror things in it but there were a little romance in it but to much the one thing is that I don't not like romantic stuff in books but anyway I like that he put some mysteries in the book actually he put a lot but it was a lot of fun that's the most thing I like about this book is that it has some much mysteries stuff in it you know like you is this I think it could be this or like I think this could be the person I am looking for he did put a lot of clues and the one thing I forgot to tell you is that in the book or story there a character name tick he a young boy not to young but he is about to turn 13 and he goes to school and he like this girl and all that stuff so the one thing I love about this character is that he's an adventure guy who he thinks can safe the world and sometimes he can be funny in the book or story and that why I like about this book.

[Ferdenand Cortez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can be described as four things, childish, mystical, good, and fantasy like. Some of the ideas in this book are childish, and confusing as to why they would add somethigs. This book though was very captivating to me, it never let me stop. There seemed to be something always happening, the story never slowed down. This book though was based on a lot of fantasy, like wizards, magic, crazy creatures, and wild things. I'm not saying that fantasy is bad, I love a good fantasy book. It is just the fantasy that this book creates, is outragous at times; things just don't seem to connect. The story line of the book makes up for it's fantasy though, the story is captivating, never ending, and very discriptive. This makes this book land in the section of so so, not good not bad, right in the middle.

[Dryden Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. The Thirteenth Reality follows the adventures of Atticus "Tick" Higginbottom, a teenage boy who's every major choice creates an alternate version of himself in another reality, based off of what he could've chosen instead. However, he receives a series of letters that will rock his entire world. A set of events have been set in motion that could destroy the world as Tick knows it. And every other world. 12 riddles have been sent that, if solved, can save the world and make Tick a hero. They lead him to an extraordinary happening, and a dangerous enemy. Can you help him solve the riddles?

[Gunnar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Thirteenth Reality is a very exciting, fast-paced mystery book with a bunch of exciting twisty turns. James Dashner did an amazing job writing this story because he kept it going and did not slow the excitement down. It was exciting because Master George always found a way to make the mysterious letters make sense and Mistress Jane always found a way to ruin a great plan. I loved the hilarious characters Dashner came up with such as the tree lady! I highly recommend this book to middle schoolers.

[Conlan Mah · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the journal of the curious letters Atticus Higginbottums A.K.A tick receives letters telling him to do something life threatening or else the universe will be in danger. But he can be safe and take the risk hoping somebody else will do the job. I like how in this book James Dashner introduces quantum physics but doesn't go to deep into it allowing him self to be creative in the writing . Also the made up things such as chi karda and fangan add a lot of fantasy to the book. If you are looking for a book about how reality is not exactly what it seems then this book is for you.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book so long ago. I realized I needed to read it again, I have on my "to read list" the 2nd book and I guess I need to get busy and read them all. So I am starting over.
I still was very impressed with this book, a very good read for all. I might have to share with my husband.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series. I didn't have to worry about cussing and such. His kids go to school with my kids.

[Book lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay

[Zachariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story for young people. But it was hard for me to keep reading once they got to the thirteenth reality, which was like a cross between Endor, Snake Mountain, and Candyland.

[Jferyance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read the first book, but it seemed a little too funny

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, and while I am looking forward to reading the other ones. It didn't hold me like the Maze Runner series. Have the rest of the series at home and will start up the second tonight.

[yumi]

Really Nice.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh... STUPID ENDING! I got this set for my birthday and was obsessed with it before THE STUPID ENDING HAPPENED! If you'd like a series that lets you down, read this one. >:(

[Jeffrey Nattania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this series and I recommend for any boy or make into the fantasy world of good versus evil.

[Jacob Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this series is very good and I liked all the characters and unique vocabulary

[Aran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this series because it had a lot of action, but it also made you really think.

[ITALY]

it was the best books I have read