Why do I bring this up? A week ago I found James Dashner's The Journal of Curious Letters (Book 1 of the 13th Reality Series) on audio CD. Best of all, it was only five bucks!!! It is a book I've wanted to pick up for a while since I like Dashner, both as a writer and a person. I also figured I'd have something to listen to in the car for a while.
After finishing the first disk I pondered how the beginning really grabbed me. He enthralled me with a great, whimsical voice that I instantly identified with. The characters where eccentric and interesting. There was a great mystery afoot from the beginning, making me desire to continue listening and find out about the letters being mailed from Alaska. And I instantly liked the protagonist right from the start.
Dashner hooked me! I can't wait to continue on to disk 2.
I was trying to remember the last time I was so thrilled by the beginning of a story. Then I remembered The Maze Runner and how it hooked me just as well, if not more. From page one it had this great mystery and I refused to put the book down until I had some answers. I'm sure most of you know where I'm going with this, but it seriously took me a little bit to make the obvious connection. The Maze Runner was written by James Dashner!!
So I tip my hat and monocle in his general direction. Well done, James. I hope some day I can start off a story as well as you.
Well said. I loved 13th Reality and Maze Runner as well. Dashner's the man when it comes to young adventure. I was showing one of my first chapters to Karen Hoover once, and she said, "You're writing reminds me of James Dashner's."
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you what an amazing compliment that was! That comment has kept me going ever since!
Nice post..enjoyed reading..
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I'll have to check Dashner's books out.
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