Monday, July 22, 2013

Review: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)Book: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Series:  Maze Runner, #1
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: Paperback
Pages: 374
Source: Library


When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.

But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas' arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up- the first girl ever to arrive at the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers- if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.


My Rating:
When I started this book I really wasn't sure what I expected. I thought it would be a basic dystopia/end of the world story but it turned out to be so much more.  As the boys in the glade struggled to find out what they were doing shoved in the middle of a maze, I found myself asking the same questions.
 
There were elements that I really enjoyed, like the memory wipes and the monsters that are in the maze as well as how they are stuck in the middle of a maze in the first place. Unfortunately, I also think the monsters, also known as Grievers, could have had more description because I was under the impression that these were scary beyond belief. Sure they were creepy and the descriptions made them sound quite scary but if they have the ability to climb the walls of the maze what was stopping them from climbing over the walls of the glade and attacking the boys while they slept?
 
This book had me flipping pages well into the night just trying to find out what happens next. The story is slow in the beginning but once things get rolling the story just seems to fly by. By the end some of my questions were answered but I had a bunch of new ones that came to mind when I closed the book.
 
I really enjoyed Thomas' character. He was intelligent and went after what he knew he wanted. He wasn't afraid to stand up for himself or his friends and when things seemed to be impossible he continually managed to look at the bright side. I absolutely loved Chuck and Newt. I managed to connect with all three but Chuck was just so sensitive and fragile where Thomas and Newt could take on anybody.
 
This is definitely a series I will be continuing with. After that ending how could I not? The mystery and suspense surrounding this story has me wanting to get to the next book as soon as possible. I can't wait to see what comes next for Thomas and the gladers and where their stories will lead them. And I hope to see more information on WICKED and what role they will continue to play throughout the entire series.


3 comments:

  1. You will get some more answers in the next book, but sadly not all of them. I'm glad you liked The Maze Runner, I enjoyed it too just because it was a little different then all those other dystopian novels out there. Great review!

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  2. Lovely review! I'm glad you enjoyed The Maze Runner, it's definitely up high on my top dystopian reads. I can't wait to read The Scorch Trials which I hear is super good. Have you heard that The Maze Runner is being made into a movie?.. I'm so excited!

    (Love the blog.. new follower!)

    - Sadie @ Lyrics.

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    1. Thanks!

      Yes, I've heard that it's becoming a movie. I cannot wait for it, I hope it does the book justice :)

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