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#3 - Masterminds (Book One)

Title: Masterminds (Book One)

Published: 2015

Written by: Gordon Korman

Wider Universe: Masterminds (Book Series)

Format: Paperback Book

Date Entered: 3/20/2025

Number Read: First-Time

Entry Number: 3

Characters: Eli, Malik, Amber, Tori, Hector, Randy

Opinion: Amazing

Plot: A group of children discover that something more insidious is afoot in their small town of Serenity, New Mexico when one of their classmates is sent away to live with his grandparents—except he says he’s being sent away to boarding school, because, for some reason, some of the children in the town are “special,” and some aren’t, leaving his best friend Eli and his classmates grasping for answers.

My thoughts: Wow?? I really was on the edge of my seat this whole time. Other than the brief sample I read on my Kindle app before deciding to purchase the book, I read this in one day, mostly between two sittings. Gordon Korman amazes with this exciting mystery—and I just can’t wait for the next two in the series to come in the mail!

Overall, I found this to be a very intriguing work. While I did go into this book knowing what to expect from TikTok, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and Korman’s ability to subvert my expectations.

I quite enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story. They’re all fleshed-out well and unique in their own ways. Korman’s ability to create a voice for each character is remarkable. I can clearly distinguish each of them in their internal monologues throughout the story.

SPOILERS AHEAD

I 100% expected for the group to have already escaped by about halfway into the novel—which I realize now wasn’t very accurate, but Korman’s dedication to a realistic break-out was amazing. While one could argue that some suspension of disbelief was required there, I think rather the opposite—it seemed quite realistic to me, given the facts in the novel.

I’ll start off by talking about the most surprising thing for me—Hector’s death. While I still hold to the theory that Hector managed to hide and will meet up with the group sometime in the future (since it would make no sense for him to be the focal point of the factory break-in chapter, if not), just the idea that his character was left unresolved at the end of the novel devastates me. I really felt for the kid, and I hope I get to see more of him in the future.

Malik’s guilt and remorse is incredibly sad—while I wanted him to realize the error in his ways, of course, I didn’t want him to do so by losing his best friend. If Hector survived, then I can understand the tactic, but I truly don’t know how well Malik will hold up in the real world if Hector is truly gone. They really were close—closer than Malik will still admit.

Amber’s character development was truly interesting. I wasn’t expecting the complete change in character after the truth was revealed to her, but I can see how she reacted that way after it happened. She’s a very regimented person, and as evidenced by her fight with Tori, she dislikes having her routines disrupted. Finding out that her whole life was a lie would take a big toll on her.

Eli and Tori were also very interesting characters, as well as pretty typical for this genre. That’s not to say that I don’t like them—it’s just that they haven’t stood out too much to me yet. They’re both strong and brave kids, and I hope it works out for all of them in the end.

The whole premise of the world created here is truly the kind of thing that I love reading/watching. Teenage dystopian sci-fi is just my favorite blend of horrors all together. The creeping realization that set in on the characters was very entrapping, like watching a train wreck happen before your own eyes. As outsiders, we clearly know that what was happening in Serenity wasn’t natural—but they didn’t, because they were born there. Korman did an amazing job dragging us into their so-different world.

I ordered the next two books today, so hopefully I’ll be able to read them next week. I’m very much looking forward to it.

[mymediaarchive]

#2 - The Maze Runner (Movie)

Title: The Maze Runner

Released: 2014

Story by: James Dashner

Directed by: Wes Ball

Wider Universe: The Maze Runner (Movies)

Format: DVD

Date Entered: 11/27/2024 (orig.); 3/19/2025 (re-uploaded)

Watch Number: Rewatch

Entry Number: 2

Characters: Thomas, Minho, Newt, Teresa, Alby, Chuck, Gally

Original Analysis On: Letterboxd

Opinion: Amazing

Plot: A teenage boy wakes up in a box that takes him to the center of a maze. There, he meets a group of kids just like him—and they’ve been stuck for three years.

My thoughts: A staple of the teenage dystopian subgenre, I can see why this still stands up as one of my tweenage favorites. I remember watching it for the first time maybe five or six years ago with a group of girls at a sleepover, giggling over the actors and being scared out of my mind at all of the action scenes. (Of course, nowadays I’m not so easily startled, but the action scenes do still serve to get my heart racing out of concern for characters I already know what happens to.) 


Today I rewatched it for the first time in years with my little sister, who is now about the age I first watched it at. She was hesitant to partake, but ended up loving it and even asked me to buy the DVDs for the next movie in the saga. 
5/5 stars for being a timeless classic in my heart! Reminds me of the good old days, and the rewatch hasn’t dulled my love of it at all—if anything, it reminded me of how good it’s always been.

[mymediaarchive]

#1 - BTAS: The Underdwellers

Title: Batman: The Animated Series, Tales of the Dark Knight; Season 1, Episode 27: The Underdwellers

Released: October 2, 1992

Story by: Tom Ruegger

Directed by: Frank Paur

Wider Universe: DC; DCAU

Format: DVD - “Batman and Friends” (2003)

Date Entered: 3/19/2025

Number Watch: First Time Watch

Entry Number: 1

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, “Frog”

Opinion: Great

Plot: A large group of children are “taken in” by Gotham rogue “Sewer King,” who forces the children to pickpocket for him and refuses to let them see sunlight or talk.

My thoughts: Wow! This is my first BTAS episode, and I definitely could not tell that this was made in the 90s when I was watching it. I thought that the story was very well-written, the tone not too serious, and the characterization very touching.

First of all—Alfred. What a character! He starts off the episode listening to Brahm and honestly being kind of sassy. I found this very interesting because a lot of people characterize Alfred as being very stoic, but here Alfred is just like any other guy. His bonding with Frog was so cute, and I’m really glad that the kid had someone to be there for him and take care of him for a little while. Alfred struggling to rein him in was hilarious. My favorite quote from him today: “But I don’t know anything about children!”

Frog was a darling character in the time that we got to know him. As far as I know, he’s not a recurring character, but he was very brave and quite cheeky during his time on screen. I was very happy to hear him finally talk at the end.

Bruce was very lighthearted but still determined through the episode. I’m very much enjoying his portrayal so far—he doesn’t brood too much but also is very serious about his mission. In all, I found that his care for other people is really what motivates him here. He was so caring with the children!! His talk with them before the fighting began was precious, and it was heartwarming to see him wait for all of the children to be taken out of the sewers in the morning. My favorite quote from him today: “Was I that bad as a kid?”

As for the moral of the story—this definitely felt like an allegory for child abuse in general. The main villain tries to excuse his actions by saying that he “provides for the children,” which prompts the viewer to think to themselves: obviously what this villain is saying is wrong, but I’ve heard this same excuse in regards to real-life abuse cases. Therefore, the excuse must not be as all-encompassing as it might at first seem.

Overall, I felt like that was a good story to aim to a child audience while still being enjoyable to others who watch. Bravo!

[mymediaarchive]

FAQ & Masterpost

FAQ:

What is this blog? This blog is an attempt to be more organized with the physical media I own and to record the comics, movies, TV shows, etc. that I consume. It is entirely for organizational and recording purposes.

How does it work? After I watch or read a new piece of media (or re-read/watch, in the case of past pieces that have not yet been recorded), I record all pertinent pieces of information of it, as well as my personal opinions on the piece, and upload it to my blog. This will include individual comic issues, movies, individual episodes of TV shows, books, and more.

When was this blog created? On March 19, 2025! Please be patient as I work through past pieces of media.

Who runs the blog? This blog is owned and operated by @bubblesxo. Much love to you all!

Masterpost:

#1 - BTAS - The Underdwellers

#2 - The Maze Runner (Movie)

#3 - Masterminds (Book One)