SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Lief and his friends are headed for the maze of the beast, but they have more than a few things stopping them. Like returning a member of the resistance, Dain, to a refuge. Then there are the pirates that lurk around and destroy whole towns, as well as the monstrous worms in in the river. Not to mention a new type of monster, under orders from the Shadow Lord to hunt them down.
RETURNING CHARACTERS
Lief struggles from many of his previous doubts. He shows moments of vulnerability, once in the maze, he thinks its futile. And that they would always end up here to die. Another time, an inner voice mocks him saying there is no hope. He continues to be a realistic character with doubts and fears.
Barda plays his same role, calming and guiding Jasmine and Lief. Although he acts strange later on. He comes to their rescue when they least expect it and offers wisdom and hope they desperately need.
Jasmine shows her ability to do what needs to be done by going off on her own, as well as her resourcefulness later. She is the first to be suspicious of Dain. She surprised me by showing weakness by sobbing from a fear of drowning.
NEW CHARACTERS
Dain is a member of the resistance, and was in Rithmere with Doom. Doom is like a father to him. He travels along with our heroes while he is injured. He is quiet and dignified but Lief does not trust him completely, thinking there is something dark underneath.
Ols are a new type of monster that we see quite a bit in this book. Dain teaches us about them and the different grades. Some are easy to identify, but others harder.
PACING
The pacing is excellent and I found although we didn't reach the monster near the last few chapters of the book, there is one problem after the next. This keeps the reader going, as well as many good chapter endings.
There isn't just one thing keeping our heroes from their goal, like previously. There is the resistance. There are the pirates. There is the monster known as the Glus. There's the ocean itself that becomes a threat, in multiple forms. Again, this break in the story pattern mold is welcome and helps the pacing.
SECRETS & LIES
There are some suspicions about Dain and why he wants to go to Tora. The city is mostly a secret, although we learn some about it. There is also the mysterious Doom and his motivations. Some of his history is revealed by Dain but it sounds unbelievable. Later on we even doubt if he is on their side at all, or has betrayed them. This is a new, unique aspect of the story.
RELATIONSHIPS
Jasmine agrees to split up from them and Lief notes more than once that he misses her and it is dull without her. Also, when he see's Dain's admiration for Jasmine, he feels jealous. I thought this was sweet and the first real sign of feelings that he may have for her.
There is a sweet scene where Lief embraces Barda, fearing he was dead.
RIDDLES
There is a riddle where Lief has to figure out the password to get inside the resistance's haven. There is a hint earlier one and a piece of paper that helps him. I had fun trying to figure it out.
CLIMAX
When it comes to the Glus, there is no knock down, drag out fight. But seeing a fight over and over again would not be very creative. Rodda usually likes to show her characters have to use their brains and think of a way out. Often times, she plants hints on how they can obtain a gem and get around the guardian. If the way was, use your sword, it would be rather repetitive.
EXPLICIT CONTENT
A pirate is killed by the Glus, but we don't witness it, only hear it.
CONCLUSION
Rodda paints another book, that is full of twists and turns. She plants enough seeds for the reader to look for, while giving us doubts about everything. This adds a whole new level to the story. Her characters are consistent and realistic and continue to face their fears, coming out stronger. I give “The Maze of the Beast” four stars.
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