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The Maze Cutter #2
The Godhead Complex
The Second Book in The Maze Cutter Trilogy Sadina and the islanders are up against both man and nature as they navigate their way to Alaska to see the Godhead, but the Godhead itself is fractured. Within the cracks of the sacred trinity, secrets are revealed that blur the lines of good and evil. One person’s God is another person’s Devil. Isaac and Sadina are forced to split up, and while Minho holds the rest of the group together, it’s his beliefs that are slowly falling apart. What once drove Minho to join the Godhead is causing him to question his past and his future. Sadina finds something life changing in The Book of Newt, and her mission to save the world becomes even stronger. But while on his own, Issac meets a new traveler with a mission and learns that the cure isn’t what it once was thought to be, the immunes aren’t as immune, and the world as a whole is evolving in a dangerous direction. In Alaska, the Crank Army awaits to unleash its fury on the Godhead, ending Alexandra’s reign before it begins but nature and evolution become an even greater threat than all the Cranks in the world. Beliefs change, futures are rewritten, and not even the Godhead knows what will happen next.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published November 14, 2023
155 people are currently reading
7612 people want to read
About the author
James Dashner
128books35.6kfollowersJames 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
January 3, 2025
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.
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.
December 7, 2023
it was fine, i just don’t care about the characters. the maze runner trilogy was much easier to get invested in.
December 29, 2023
that ending??? such a cliffhanger omg there better be a third book coming out ASAP or else i’m gonna be extremely disappointed in you, mr. dashner. there is no way i can wait! anyways, this book was much better than the first, in my opinion. even though this is true and i’ve rated it five stars, this series will not ever compare to the original maze runner books. this series is enjoyable though and i wish more tmr stans knew about these bc they would like them!
January 2, 2024
RATING: 2/5⭐️
REVIEW
I will read anything within the world of Maze Runner, but I do not enjoy this series. There is just way too much going on, and I just really don't see the point of it all. We follow so many characters, and I just really don't care about any of them. I'm eager to see everything connect eventually because right now it's all just fragmented.
REVIEW
I will read anything within the world of Maze Runner, but I do not enjoy this series. There is just way too much going on, and I just really don't see the point of it all. We follow so many characters, and I just really don't care about any of them. I'm eager to see everything connect eventually because right now it's all just fragmented.
August 7, 2024
I gave this book 5 stars, but I think I was a little generous. I liked it more than The Maze Cutter and I gave that one 4 stars so that's the reason. I say maybe 4.5, but GR doesn't let me do that. (Blasted GR) I really want to read the next book; The bad thing is, I'm not sure if there will be another book. (James Dashner, you better write the next book!) Well, we'll see. My fav POVs were Alexandra and Mikhail; They were also probably my favorite characters. So, that's it. Bye pookies! Ty for reading!😘
December 4, 2023
I found this to be the most boring book I've read by Dashner. I was really pushing myself to finish this book and kept waiting for something to happen, yet nothing did.
August 15, 2024
I’ve been thinking about this review for a couple days. Its a difficult one to review, plus this is my first review. This is more of a review on the first two books of the Maze Cutter series than just The Godhead Complex. I listened to this on audio book, read by Mark Deakins, who is the same narrator as the original Maze Runner books. Top marks for him, he does a great job.
This era of writing is different for Dashner. Gone are the pseudo-swear words, replaced with traditional swear words. Which is alright, I don’t have a strong preference either way. To his credit he does it tastefully, not overdone or used without appropriate context. But it does indicate that the intended audience is slightly older than the original books.
One of the interesting directions with these books have is the integration of religious themes. Religion is all throughout these books, from the Hell that the orphans have under the Remnant nation, to the Godhead which its own trinity, to the Godheads cult, to the stories/metaphors some of the characters use being explicitly religious, and more. There are more adult themes, including same-sex romantic relationships. None of this is good nor bad, but it sets a very different tone than previous installments in the series.
Dashner also steps away from writing only the perspective of one character. In the entirety of The Maze Runner and it’s prequels, so far it was always written from the perspective of Thomas. This book moves beyond that and into multiple plot lines following multiple characters that converge and diverge. I do like both the convergence and divergence, but in my opinion he went a little too far to this extreme. There are simply too many characters happening. It’s not that they’re hard to keep track of, but that they’re harder to get attached to when the book spreads the screen time so thin. Not impossible, but harder. Often he writes towards a cliff hanger and then jumps to another character that I could not care less about, and then proceeds to have nothing engaging happen with that character. It’s quite jarring and aggravating. Cliff hangers are part of the emotional journey the author is crafting,but in my opinion he overdid it with not enough payoff. Though I do like that one of characters we follow is an antagonist, it adds another level of thought to the reading experience.
That being said, there are really three main characters I would say the book follows, with maybe six or so alternate perspectives thrown in from time to time. You have the likable protagonist, the protagonist that makes me want to die of cringe and annoyance every time i have to slog through their perspective, and one of the antagonists. That second one is the worst part of the book. It’s one of those characters who I feel like the author is trying to make me like, but they just have no redeemable qualities.
As for the quality of the writing, i’m mixed. The plot is certainly well thought out, yet leaves some large plot holes in my opinion. The writing from scene to scene can vary from well written to kind of bland. Some of the emotional, thought-provoking moments hit, and others that are definitely supposed to hit are just mediocrely written. So you have to take the good with the bad.
So on the whole, I think three stars is fair. The book isn’t a dumpster fire, the shining star is that it has an excellent plot despite the plot holes (though some suspension of disbelief can carry you through). The ending tees it up well for the next book. It’s just that some of the writing itself scene to scene can swing wildly from excellent, to mediocre, to straight up cringy, you never know what you’re going to get on the next page.
This era of writing is different for Dashner. Gone are the pseudo-swear words, replaced with traditional swear words. Which is alright, I don’t have a strong preference either way. To his credit he does it tastefully, not overdone or used without appropriate context. But it does indicate that the intended audience is slightly older than the original books.
One of the interesting directions with these books have is the integration of religious themes. Religion is all throughout these books, from the Hell that the orphans have under the Remnant nation, to the Godhead which its own trinity, to the Godheads cult, to the stories/metaphors some of the characters use being explicitly religious, and more. There are more adult themes, including same-sex romantic relationships. None of this is good nor bad, but it sets a very different tone than previous installments in the series.
Dashner also steps away from writing only the perspective of one character. In the entirety of The Maze Runner and it’s prequels, so far it was always written from the perspective of Thomas. This book moves beyond that and into multiple plot lines following multiple characters that converge and diverge. I do like both the convergence and divergence, but in my opinion he went a little too far to this extreme. There are simply too many characters happening. It’s not that they’re hard to keep track of, but that they’re harder to get attached to when the book spreads the screen time so thin. Not impossible, but harder. Often he writes towards a cliff hanger and then jumps to another character that I could not care less about, and then proceeds to have nothing engaging happen with that character. It’s quite jarring and aggravating. Cliff hangers are part of the emotional journey the author is crafting,but in my opinion he overdid it with not enough payoff. Though I do like that one of characters we follow is an antagonist, it adds another level of thought to the reading experience.
That being said, there are really three main characters I would say the book follows, with maybe six or so alternate perspectives thrown in from time to time. You have the likable protagonist, the protagonist that makes me want to die of cringe and annoyance every time i have to slog through their perspective, and one of the antagonists. That second one is the worst part of the book. It’s one of those characters who I feel like the author is trying to make me like, but they just have no redeemable qualities.
As for the quality of the writing, i’m mixed. The plot is certainly well thought out, yet leaves some large plot holes in my opinion. The writing from scene to scene can vary from well written to kind of bland. Some of the emotional, thought-provoking moments hit, and others that are definitely supposed to hit are just mediocrely written. So you have to take the good with the bad.
So on the whole, I think three stars is fair. The book isn’t a dumpster fire, the shining star is that it has an excellent plot despite the plot holes (though some suspension of disbelief can carry you through). The ending tees it up well for the next book. It’s just that some of the writing itself scene to scene can swing wildly from excellent, to mediocre, to straight up cringy, you never know what you’re going to get on the next page.
March 15, 2024
This was a great continuation of The Maze Cutter series! I loved seeing how the story continued in this one and how readers got to know the characters better. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Godhead Complex and I cannot wait to see how this trilogy ends. I definitely recommend this series for anyone who loved the Maze Runner series or anyone who loves ya dystopian science fiction.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this copy.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this copy.
October 25, 2023
The more of this series I read, the more I loathe Alexandra. Though I can see why she is the way she is. The character development in the second book of this series is fantastic. I can't wait to see where the next book goes.
February 6, 2024
"But the anxiety in her chest said that Hope was a Devil, luring her to a false reality until both the lie and the truth killed her." -James Dashner, The Godhead Complex
Review:
I didn't enjoy The Godhead Complex as much as I did The Maze Cutter, but I did enjoy my reading experience. The title explains what this installment is about. I feel like if you enjoyed The Maze Cutter, you would enjoy The Godhead Complex. Like The Maze Cutter, The Godhead Complex is told through multiple perspectives, and when the perspectives change, it is labeled with the character's name. A lot of the more villainous characters were very twisted. I feel like this installment built upon the previous quite well and left the story open for the next installment in this series.
What I didn't like:
There were some aspects that just didn't work for me, like violence and gore. It's not that this had a particularly great amount of graphic violence and gore. It was an aspect. That aspect of the story was more talked about than necessarily shown in detail. There were a lot of dead animals and sacrifices of beings, and that was just a major ick factor for me. The sacrifices were also more talked about than shown, although there was a scene [ or two ] that shows the aftermath. These aspects just didn't sit well with me. I do feel sensitive readers could still enjoy this.
What I did like:
I felt the anxiety and romantic relationship communication were handled well and that readers could potentially benefit from these scenes. I expand on this with the next two paragraphs.
With this being an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic novel, there is growing and developing anxiety for some of the characters that are not used to fighting for survival. There is a scene of a character who is older and more of a mentor, teaching a younger character, who has developed a great amount of anxiety, tips on how to work though the anxiety, worry and fear. The mentor teaches the teen a breathing technique to ground themselves.
There is a femme romantic relationship, and these character in the novel communicate and openly discuss their relationship to better their relationship in terms of closeness and how to show affection for each other. This is shown in a very healthy way and I really appreciate how the communication was shown, with the characters calmly discussing how they feel, actually listening, and being receptive to the wants of their love interest.
Conclusion:
Overall, I did enjoy my reading experience and will continue the series.
Review:
I didn't enjoy The Godhead Complex as much as I did The Maze Cutter, but I did enjoy my reading experience. The title explains what this installment is about. I feel like if you enjoyed The Maze Cutter, you would enjoy The Godhead Complex. Like The Maze Cutter, The Godhead Complex is told through multiple perspectives, and when the perspectives change, it is labeled with the character's name. A lot of the more villainous characters were very twisted. I feel like this installment built upon the previous quite well and left the story open for the next installment in this series.
What I didn't like:
There were some aspects that just didn't work for me, like violence and gore. It's not that this had a particularly great amount of graphic violence and gore. It was an aspect. That aspect of the story was more talked about than necessarily shown in detail. There were a lot of dead animals and sacrifices of beings, and that was just a major ick factor for me. The sacrifices were also more talked about than shown, although there was a scene [ or two ] that shows the aftermath. These aspects just didn't sit well with me. I do feel sensitive readers could still enjoy this.
What I did like:
I felt the anxiety and romantic relationship communication were handled well and that readers could potentially benefit from these scenes. I expand on this with the next two paragraphs.
With this being an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic novel, there is growing and developing anxiety for some of the characters that are not used to fighting for survival. There is a scene of a character who is older and more of a mentor, teaching a younger character, who has developed a great amount of anxiety, tips on how to work though the anxiety, worry and fear. The mentor teaches the teen a breathing technique to ground themselves.
There is a femme romantic relationship, and these character in the novel communicate and openly discuss their relationship to better their relationship in terms of closeness and how to show affection for each other. This is shown in a very healthy way and I really appreciate how the communication was shown, with the characters calmly discussing how they feel, actually listening, and being receptive to the wants of their love interest.
Conclusion:
Overall, I did enjoy my reading experience and will continue the series.
September 3, 2024
“You once thought of me as a god. You now think of me as a devil.�
The cliffhangers at the end?? I am in eager anticipation of the third book to come out. So many perspectives to read from, the plot is intriguing & full of details, and just like the original series I have so many questions waiting to be answered in the following books! I look forward to the release of the next one for sure.
The cliffhangers at the end?? I am in eager anticipation of the third book to come out. So many perspectives to read from, the plot is intriguing & full of details, and just like the original series I have so many questions waiting to be answered in the following books! I look forward to the release of the next one for sure.
January 30, 2025
Wasn't as good as book one, but overall, it's still a good book. The sci-fi is the good thing about this book and the first one so I was disappointed when religion came into a lot of this book. All about believing in God and that they have special powers. It just isn't necessary for the story.
October 26, 2023
The Godhead Complex is the second book in The Maze Cutter series, the sequel series to The Maze Runner series. Here we find Sadina and her islanders navigating through the harsh wilderness of Alaska in a desperate attempt to see the Godhead. However, the Godhead is fractured, causing secrets to be revealed, alliances to shift, and the future itself to be called into question.
I enjoyed diving back into this stark dystopian landscape and reconnecting with the characters. This was a fitting sequel to The Maze Cutter, while beautifully and devastatingly setting up the final book in the trilogy. The characters really blossomed in this entry and I can't wait to see their arcs concluded. The pacing kept me engaged. I didn't read this in one sitting purely because I didn't want it to be over!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
I enjoyed diving back into this stark dystopian landscape and reconnecting with the characters. This was a fitting sequel to The Maze Cutter, while beautifully and devastatingly setting up the final book in the trilogy. The characters really blossomed in this entry and I can't wait to see their arcs concluded. The pacing kept me engaged. I didn't read this in one sitting purely because I didn't want it to be over!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
October 28, 2024
**during reading**
I already like this book a lot better than the first because it seems more organized. I'm greatly enjoying the story-line of the Godhead, and I'm actually interested Alexandra and Mikhail's backstory. Lovers?? I never would have guessed, honestly. But Mikhail being the head of the Remnant Nation in order to be able to fight the Godhead (Alexandra specifically) and Minho 2.0 *leaving* the Remnant Nation to *join* the Godhead is so ironic. I love it.
A4's blood is making me tear up. Little Chuck (or Dear Chuck, as Nicholas called him) still being brought into the story despite dying in the first book is tugging at my heartstrings. I miss him. But the story-line of Newt's blood as the Cure is progressing and I'm definitely here for it. But Ms. Cowan??? Ma'am???? Sonya, your daughter-in-law having your ONLY grandchild and her friends participate in another form of the Trials. Come get her. But I swear, if you leave Sadina an orphan like Isaac we will be having some words.
Also, I feel the end of Old Man Frypan approaching. I will riot if he doesn't go out his own way.
Oh, and the little newt, Newt.
Why.
**after reading (10/28/24)**
Well.
I, uh.
Um.
What the hell was that.
Is the fact that the little Newt creature being the reason Jackie almost freaking died and the Cure being harmful in some ways supposed to point at something?? Also what the heck is going on with the Villa. I actually felt bad for Carlos until he HELPED WITH THE DISPENSING OF THE FREAKING GRIEVERS, HELLO??????????????????????????? THEY STUNG COWAN AND ALMOST FRYPAN AND THEY'RE LIKE "Oh we chill" NO WE NOT?!?!?!??! "Terror stimulates white blood cells" MA'AM THIS IS TORTURE, YOU DO REALIZE WHO HER FREAKING ANCESTORS LIKELY WERE, RIGHT??????
I spent my lunch period screaming at a dead tree. Actually emotionally invested and exhausted from this series.
I am relieved that the group is FINALLY connecting with Alexandra because it took them long enough. Also, I feel like I missed something because I'm not sure if Mikhail is dead or not. I know he was starting to fall back into his Crank ways because of the trauma of injury or whatever but...? Idk man.
Roxy-Minho mother-son bond is superior, and I take no criticism. None. It's like Newt with Keisha in TCP. That's his Mama. You won't take that from me.
I'm really intrigued by Sonya's story now. Does the whole Cure-affecting-reproduction thing tie back to Sonya only having one kid? Also a Cure to the Cure?? And basically the Trials 2.0??? What in the "WICKED is good"?
Idk man. I really don't. I need James Dashner to release the third book. Please. I need answers. Please.
I already like this book a lot better than the first because it seems more organized. I'm greatly enjoying the story-line of the Godhead, and I'm actually interested Alexandra and Mikhail's backstory. Lovers?? I never would have guessed, honestly. But Mikhail being the head of the Remnant Nation in order to be able to fight the Godhead (Alexandra specifically) and Minho 2.0 *leaving* the Remnant Nation to *join* the Godhead is so ironic. I love it.
A4's blood is making me tear up. Little Chuck (or Dear Chuck, as Nicholas called him) still being brought into the story despite dying in the first book is tugging at my heartstrings. I miss him. But the story-line of Newt's blood as the Cure is progressing and I'm definitely here for it. But Ms. Cowan??? Ma'am???? Sonya, your daughter-in-law having your ONLY grandchild and her friends participate in another form of the Trials. Come get her. But I swear, if you leave Sadina an orphan like Isaac we will be having some words.
Also, I feel the end of Old Man Frypan approaching. I will riot if he doesn't go out his own way.
Oh, and the little newt, Newt.
Why.
**after reading (10/28/24)**
Well.
I, uh.
Um.
What the hell was that.
Is the fact that the little Newt creature being the reason Jackie almost freaking died and the Cure being harmful in some ways supposed to point at something?? Also what the heck is going on with the Villa. I actually felt bad for Carlos until he HELPED WITH THE DISPENSING OF THE FREAKING GRIEVERS, HELLO??????????????????????????? THEY STUNG COWAN AND ALMOST FRYPAN AND THEY'RE LIKE "Oh we chill" NO WE NOT?!?!?!??! "Terror stimulates white blood cells" MA'AM THIS IS TORTURE, YOU DO REALIZE WHO HER FREAKING ANCESTORS LIKELY WERE, RIGHT??????
I spent my lunch period screaming at a dead tree. Actually emotionally invested and exhausted from this series.
I am relieved that the group is FINALLY connecting with Alexandra because it took them long enough. Also, I feel like I missed something because I'm not sure if Mikhail is dead or not. I know he was starting to fall back into his Crank ways because of the trauma of injury or whatever but...? Idk man.
Roxy-Minho mother-son bond is superior, and I take no criticism. None. It's like Newt with Keisha in TCP. That's his Mama. You won't take that from me.
I'm really intrigued by Sonya's story now. Does the whole Cure-affecting-reproduction thing tie back to Sonya only having one kid? Also a Cure to the Cure?? And basically the Trials 2.0??? What in the "WICKED is good"?
Idk man. I really don't. I need James Dashner to release the third book. Please. I need answers. Please.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
don't know why I insist on reading everything this man writes
November 18, 2023
What a thrilling sequel that surpassed my expectations. From unforeseen plot twists to a riveting narrative, Dashner skillfully keeps readers on edge, questioning the evolving dynamics of the story. The unpredictability of the plot, especially in the jaw-dropping ending.
What sets this installment apart is the richly developed world and characters. The author weaves a narrative that blurs the lines between good and wicked, adding layers of complexity to the evolving storyline. Everything is being rewritten all over again, and at this point, I don't know who is good or wicked. So good! I’m eagerly awaiting the next captivating chapter in this ever-evolving world.
A very special thanks to @dashnerjames @newshelvesbooks @rrbooktours for the #gifted copy!
What sets this installment apart is the richly developed world and characters. The author weaves a narrative that blurs the lines between good and wicked, adding layers of complexity to the evolving storyline. Everything is being rewritten all over again, and at this point, I don't know who is good or wicked. So good! I’m eagerly awaiting the next captivating chapter in this ever-evolving world.
A very special thanks to @dashnerjames @newshelvesbooks @rrbooktours for the #gifted copy!
February 29, 2024
This book suffers from all the same things as book 1. The entire book was leading up to something that didn’t fully happen. Tons of questions are introduced and very few are answered. I didn’t really care about any of the character POVs. So little happened and was answered that I feels like this book was written to lead up to a sequel, but it looks like there won’t be one.
February 4, 2025
Same issues as the first book but much more severe, the first 15 ish chapters are an absolute drag and near to nothing happens, no meaningful plot movements, character moments nothing it's SO boring. I almost never complain about pacing but both in this series are unbearable
Characters talk, near to none of it matters, one of the most interesting chunks of the story, being the Godhead, continues to be the most interesting in it's sequel but is slowed down to a near halt. There are several more Godhead related scenes this time around which I was partly thankful for, but until about halfway through the book, the all felt empty and meaningless. They simply reiterate that Alexandra killed Nicolas over and over and Mikhail is sad about it. That's it.
This same issue is applied to the main chunk of the story with the Islanders (idk what they're called) in which it takes them around half the book to move from their camp back to where they came from, The Maze Cutter. (Which is an incredibly stupid, baity and greedy title that saps any meaning out of it when you realize it's just a damn boat)
Moving from Point A to Point B is a plot that occurs in nearly every story, and yet Dashner fails to make it in the least, FEEL important at all. No world building is done, and only 1ish character bond is formed that satisfies the reader on the time spent while basically doing nothing plotwise. There is a plot point about one character brought up that creates tension and drives the plot into its destination but otherwise, I can not name a single notable conversation from the first half of this slug of a book. I will point out that Minho throughout the course of the book, does actually grow and you get to see who he is more than almost anyone else In the book. Can't deny that the work done with him, and at least 2 other characters is done quite well. But thats 3 out of like 15 characters in this story and thus leaves you feeling empty towards nearly every character. Lessening conflict, and therefore lessening your attachment to the events that take place.
As stated this book is similar to the Maze Cutter in issues but more severe. The boring parts last longer, but the good parts (the last quarter of the book), are actually quite interesting (for this trilogies standard). But once again falls short. A war breaks out, our friends are captured and escape some lab, they meet one of the Godhead and boom book ends. So unfortunate. This book takes so long to get things going and once it does, cuts it short and even then doesn't come close to the depth and intrigue that every other story he's written has. Even The Kill Order, a not that great book, savors it's moments and really drives home how you as the reader should feel about the events. Yet in here an entire war breaks out and literally none of it makes you feel a smidge of anything. How? Why is the conflict we've been building towards cut so short leaving the only conflict that feels the book earned is Ms Cowen being left at the lab. I'm just rambling at this point.
This trilogy is uneeded and has gone on too far. These books should have and could have been condensed into one, or at least, split the trilogy into 2 books rather than 3. This would solve a multitude of it's issues.
Another thing is how awful the drip feeding of information is in this compared to the rest of the Maze Runner books. TMR was actually interesting and built up great characters that you could feel for, could imagine a world where they're you're friend, imagine being trapped in that Maze, imagine you're trying to escape it, all of it just works out so well. It's all interesting, longer afaik than this book, and yet feels like each moment matters. There is a plot aside from simply getting answers. Figuring out the Maze, the characters themselves, the world building of the Maze, Teresa coming into the Glade, all matters and as much as you want to know WHY they're in it, you wanna know WHAT HAPPENS to the characters and plot more so.
The Godhead complex? Everyone is nearly cardboard and the only reason I keep going is I want to know what happens next and want to see how creative Dashner got with this world. The Godhead is incredibly cool and is really the only reason I continue to endure this painful series. I could not care less about what happens to the characters in this story aside from Minho, Frypan, and Sadina, as they're the only characters that are written to be, actual characters. And plotwise, all I wanna see is more about the Godhead and the cure and all of that but it takes TWO books to even answer anything at all relating to what's going on.
The issue is Maze runner filled it's time with a plot that drives towards the answers in which the plot is interesting enough that regardless of the answer, you wanna keep reading. Maze Cutter however Dashner lost his spark. This was made for a cash grab and is like a dog chasing its own tail, you take the entire book for a few answers, and then onto the next book where the same happens. Nothing in between is remotely interesting or something for the reader to care about. And that's really what books are all about which is why The Godhead Complex completely fails at being a good book.
Characters talk, near to none of it matters, one of the most interesting chunks of the story, being the Godhead, continues to be the most interesting in it's sequel but is slowed down to a near halt. There are several more Godhead related scenes this time around which I was partly thankful for, but until about halfway through the book, the all felt empty and meaningless. They simply reiterate that Alexandra killed Nicolas over and over and Mikhail is sad about it. That's it.
This same issue is applied to the main chunk of the story with the Islanders (idk what they're called) in which it takes them around half the book to move from their camp back to where they came from, The Maze Cutter. (Which is an incredibly stupid, baity and greedy title that saps any meaning out of it when you realize it's just a damn boat)
Moving from Point A to Point B is a plot that occurs in nearly every story, and yet Dashner fails to make it in the least, FEEL important at all. No world building is done, and only 1ish character bond is formed that satisfies the reader on the time spent while basically doing nothing plotwise. There is a plot point about one character brought up that creates tension and drives the plot into its destination but otherwise, I can not name a single notable conversation from the first half of this slug of a book. I will point out that Minho throughout the course of the book, does actually grow and you get to see who he is more than almost anyone else In the book. Can't deny that the work done with him, and at least 2 other characters is done quite well. But thats 3 out of like 15 characters in this story and thus leaves you feeling empty towards nearly every character. Lessening conflict, and therefore lessening your attachment to the events that take place.
As stated this book is similar to the Maze Cutter in issues but more severe. The boring parts last longer, but the good parts (the last quarter of the book), are actually quite interesting (for this trilogies standard). But once again falls short. A war breaks out, our friends are captured and escape some lab, they meet one of the Godhead and boom book ends. So unfortunate. This book takes so long to get things going and once it does, cuts it short and even then doesn't come close to the depth and intrigue that every other story he's written has. Even The Kill Order, a not that great book, savors it's moments and really drives home how you as the reader should feel about the events. Yet in here an entire war breaks out and literally none of it makes you feel a smidge of anything. How? Why is the conflict we've been building towards cut so short leaving the only conflict that feels the book earned is Ms Cowen being left at the lab. I'm just rambling at this point.
This trilogy is uneeded and has gone on too far. These books should have and could have been condensed into one, or at least, split the trilogy into 2 books rather than 3. This would solve a multitude of it's issues.
Another thing is how awful the drip feeding of information is in this compared to the rest of the Maze Runner books. TMR was actually interesting and built up great characters that you could feel for, could imagine a world where they're you're friend, imagine being trapped in that Maze, imagine you're trying to escape it, all of it just works out so well. It's all interesting, longer afaik than this book, and yet feels like each moment matters. There is a plot aside from simply getting answers. Figuring out the Maze, the characters themselves, the world building of the Maze, Teresa coming into the Glade, all matters and as much as you want to know WHY they're in it, you wanna know WHAT HAPPENS to the characters and plot more so.
The Godhead complex? Everyone is nearly cardboard and the only reason I keep going is I want to know what happens next and want to see how creative Dashner got with this world. The Godhead is incredibly cool and is really the only reason I continue to endure this painful series. I could not care less about what happens to the characters in this story aside from Minho, Frypan, and Sadina, as they're the only characters that are written to be, actual characters. And plotwise, all I wanna see is more about the Godhead and the cure and all of that but it takes TWO books to even answer anything at all relating to what's going on.
The issue is Maze runner filled it's time with a plot that drives towards the answers in which the plot is interesting enough that regardless of the answer, you wanna keep reading. Maze Cutter however Dashner lost his spark. This was made for a cash grab and is like a dog chasing its own tail, you take the entire book for a few answers, and then onto the next book where the same happens. Nothing in between is remotely interesting or something for the reader to care about. And that's really what books are all about which is why The Godhead Complex completely fails at being a good book.
April 9, 2024
Dieser komplette Plot macht mich fertig. Aber IMMERHIN hat man am Ende dieses Buches noch mehr über Die Evolution erfahren und ist nicht komplett im Dunkeln geblieben�.Es war so unglaublich gut, ich hab‘s mal wieder verschlungen�
June 10, 2024
I love the Maze Runner books. This book was a little hard for me to get into. I’d say it took about halfway for it to actually start to pick up and was hard for me to put down. Overall it was really good and I really enjoyed reading it! Just hard to get thru the first half ish
December 29, 2024
iwbfkqjd aaaa EL FINAL que miedo todo lo q se va a revelar en el último libro
me fascinan como están escritos los libros d esta saga, quiero mucho a los personajes
ya quiero q salga el último Se me hizo muy divertido d leer
me fascinan como están escritos los libros d esta saga, quiero mucho a los personajes
ya quiero q salga el último Se me hizo muy divertido d leer
November 20, 2023
Very good! Much better than the first one. The characters were much more in depth.
April 9, 2024
James Dashner, you and your dramatic and frustratingly vague endings!! AARRGH!
P.S.: You better finish writing part 3 real quick! 🤌
P.S.: You better finish writing part 3 real quick! 🤌
July 2, 2024
I really liked to see what happens with the characters. The book was a bit slow in my opinion. Not much happened. I still liked it tho.
December 4, 2023
I absolutely loved "The Book od Newt" fragments they're so relatable.It's not as good as the main serie but I also recommend it.Enjoy reading!!!!!
January 15, 2025
I enjoyed this and it kept me on my toes. I’ll definitely read the next one coming out in September
January 24, 2025
I hate the chokehold that this dystopian series has on me and I’m still anti-author, however, I will continue listening to anything that man writes (even if I don’t know what’s going on half the time).
April 16, 2025
Really just loved hearing tips from Old man fry pan and more from Newt’s journal. 💕😆
July 28, 2024
HELP IDK WHY I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA 😭😭.
Took me way too long to finish, made my book slump even worse, and ruined my mood.
I forgot everything from book one (proof that it was bad). Cus I was reading and apparently 3 people died last book 💀?? Also, the characters are very forgettable and bland :/ I only remember Minho and frypan, but he doesn't even count cus he's OG.
More people died. Some crazy lady thinks she's a god. And more random mentions of Newt, cus the author probably knows people only read this terrible book for our dead blondie 💀.
Ermmmm yeah. Everyone is insufferable, I hope they all get hit by a second wave of sun flares and die ❤️.
Took me way too long to finish, made my book slump even worse, and ruined my mood.
I forgot everything from book one (proof that it was bad). Cus I was reading and apparently 3 people died last book 💀?? Also, the characters are very forgettable and bland :/ I only remember Minho and frypan, but he doesn't even count cus he's OG.
More people died. Some crazy lady thinks she's a god. And more random mentions of Newt, cus the author probably knows people only read this terrible book for our dead blondie 💀.
Ermmmm yeah. Everyone is insufferable, I hope they all get hit by a second wave of sun flares and die ❤️.
March 11, 2024
“�, by , is the second novel in the “� trilogy, a series that takes place seventy-three years after the Maze Runner trials. Although nothing compares to the mind-blowing “� (still one of my favourites by far), Dashner creates a unique new cast of characters in the same universe as Thomas and his friends, and it is still one heck of an entertaining read.
Sadina, Trish, Isaac, Minho, Mrs. Cowan and Dom, along with the rest of the islanders, are at odds as they decide their next move. Some of them want to head to the Villa, to continue their search for the Cure, while others want to travel to Alaska, the home of the Maze. The group splits up, but both factions face challenges from nature and man on their journey. Alexandra Romanoff, the self-proclaimed Godhead, will stop at nothing to keep her power, even if that means taking out her competition, her brothers, and any and all countrymen who wish to stand in her way. Ximena’s life in the Villa is about to take a dangerous turn as her quest for her missing mother reveals that everyone she thought she knew since she was a child has had ill intentions and she must leave everyone and everything she knew behind in order to continue her Abuela’s legacy of bringing truth to the nation.
“Godhead� is a small, quick read and I easily finished it in one day. Dashner’s creative universe from “Maze� continues to pull me in with his thought-provoking storylines and likable characters.
I doubt there is anyone who hasn’t at least heard of The Maze Runner, whether through the book universe or the movie adaptations, but “The Maze Cutter� series is less well-known, following future generations of those who survived the Flare. I highly recommend everything Dashner writes, but “Godhead� is not something that should be read as a stand-alone and, if nothing else, “The Maze Cutter� should be read first in order to fully understand the character arcs and plotlines.
The novel is narrated by all of the main characters from the previous story, so there isn’t one specific protagonist. Although it had been a hot minute since I read “The Maze Cutter�, I was quickly able to catch up and was soon following along with little difficulty. The plot flows seamlessly and the action is non-stop.
“Godhead� is the second novel in a trilogy, so of course a cliff hanger was inevitable, but I would be looking forward to the next story regardless. Although nothing can compare to Dashner’s original “Maze Runner� series, I thoroughly enjoy where he has taken this new band of characters, and highly recommend this trilogy for Dashner fans of all ages.
Sadina, Trish, Isaac, Minho, Mrs. Cowan and Dom, along with the rest of the islanders, are at odds as they decide their next move. Some of them want to head to the Villa, to continue their search for the Cure, while others want to travel to Alaska, the home of the Maze. The group splits up, but both factions face challenges from nature and man on their journey. Alexandra Romanoff, the self-proclaimed Godhead, will stop at nothing to keep her power, even if that means taking out her competition, her brothers, and any and all countrymen who wish to stand in her way. Ximena’s life in the Villa is about to take a dangerous turn as her quest for her missing mother reveals that everyone she thought she knew since she was a child has had ill intentions and she must leave everyone and everything she knew behind in order to continue her Abuela’s legacy of bringing truth to the nation.
“Godhead� is a small, quick read and I easily finished it in one day. Dashner’s creative universe from “Maze� continues to pull me in with his thought-provoking storylines and likable characters.
I doubt there is anyone who hasn’t at least heard of The Maze Runner, whether through the book universe or the movie adaptations, but “The Maze Cutter� series is less well-known, following future generations of those who survived the Flare. I highly recommend everything Dashner writes, but “Godhead� is not something that should be read as a stand-alone and, if nothing else, “The Maze Cutter� should be read first in order to fully understand the character arcs and plotlines.
The novel is narrated by all of the main characters from the previous story, so there isn’t one specific protagonist. Although it had been a hot minute since I read “The Maze Cutter�, I was quickly able to catch up and was soon following along with little difficulty. The plot flows seamlessly and the action is non-stop.
“Godhead� is the second novel in a trilogy, so of course a cliff hanger was inevitable, but I would be looking forward to the next story regardless. Although nothing can compare to Dashner’s original “Maze Runner� series, I thoroughly enjoy where he has taken this new band of characters, and highly recommend this trilogy for Dashner fans of all ages.
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