I am surprised at myself that I didn't like this book more. First the good: the pacing of the try fail cycles and the problems building of up more and more worked really well for me. I finished the book quickly but not as quick as other YA books. At the start I also enjoyed the premise of the boys caught in the glade.

What I did not enjoy so much is that much of the characterization fell flat for me and the inner life of the protagonist was more often simply told instead of shown. Also there were no major reveals that surprised me. Information trickles out slowly mostly through the device of people recovering some memories, which just screams "plot device" at me.

And why is it only boys? Aren't girls up to the task?

The end may be ok for people who are going on to read the second book, but I am not sure I will do that and all that I know now is that the Creators are pretty smart and manipulative people.