Official Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

[Alexandra Bayer]

When Thomas wakes up, his name is all he can remember. He's in a lift that leads to an arena surrounded by a giant maze with vicious creatures hiding in its depths. Luckily, he's not alone. There are many other teenage boys, too, none of who remember much more than Thomas. The boys believe that if they can escape the maze, they'd be free to return to family and a home that they can't remember. But when a girl shows up - the first girl ever, in all two years the boys had been there for before Thomas showed up - she brings a disturbing message which implies that there is no escape. Will Thomas be able to go home and save the other boys too? Or will he be stuck in the Maze forever?

I'd heard a lot of people rave about this series, so I figured I'd try it out. At first, I was disappointed. It's written in third person, which I don't always like, and the beginning was a bit dry. Sure, the content was supposed to be exciting, but be it the writing or just a lack of interest on my part, I didn't find it enjoyable. However, I forced myself to read on, and luckily, it did get better. I found that the farther I read, the more I enjoyed the story.

Since I'm a girl, I usually like to read books written from a girl's perspective. There have only been two times when I enjoyed the boy's perspective better: the Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, and the Pendragon series, by D.J. MacHale. I suppose I can just understand how a female thinks better and judge how good the book is based on partially on realism of the character's thoughts. This book was from the boy's perspective, but I don't know if I would've liked it better from the sight of a girl; there were some things that happened along the storyline that wouldn't have made sense if the main character was a female.

I found the writing in this novel to be very good. James Dashner is obviously talented with words and paints a picture in your mind that is very clear and thorough. However, there were some parts that got just a bit too wordy and I just automatically skimmed over without really understanding, which I then had to go back and read again. I found the ideas behind the book to be extremely creative, imaginative, and slightly scary - whenever I read a book based in the future about something bad happening to the human race or the earth, if it's even slightly plausible, it gets me thinking. This book definitely had me considering the future more, which is a good thing; authors want people reading their books to think, after all!

Overall, I found this book to be good, though not great, as I'd thought it would be. It did have twists and turns, though, and was not at all predictable, which I enjoyed immensely; I really dislike it when I can clearly see what will happen next in the storyline. This book was about the exact opposite of that; I couldn't picture anything that would occur before it did. I would give this story three stars. It's good for anyone looking for some futuristic drama, corrupt government, and love in disguise.

[Sally Balboa]

I never really got into this book series, I just found it all a little too unbelievable. And that's saying something for a YA novel. The only thing I did like was the society that the boys had created, it sounded realistic to a point.

[Norma_Rudolph]

The movie comes out in September. Here's a trailer for it. I'm rather excited.
http://themazerunnermovie.com/

[Ilyvia_Beth]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I read it slowly though but I feel even though the book was in third person, I got to know Thomas pretty well. It wasn't predictable at all and I hope the read the rest of the series.

[ryancody]

The Maze Runner series is not much enjoyable. Overall it is ok story.

[gali]

I have read mixed reviews on this series. I may give it a try sometime.

[A24]

The trailer looks pretty good. Reminds me of Hunger Games meets Divergent. I'll try to read the book before the movie actually comes out.

[annabear3]

I thought this was a great book. I also prefer books in a girls perspective because, well....I'm a girl. I get girls. I am all for apocalyptic, dystopian books and thought this one was absolutely wonderful. I've read all three and I even read the prequel that was released in 2013 I believe. I think James Dashner did fabulously with these books.

[kio]

You might like his Eye of Minds book a little better than Maze Runner. Maze Runner was his first.

[fari30]

I read it, it was alright. The idea has potential though I think the writing can use a bit of work. I loathed the ending of Death Cure, though... Ruined the whole series for me

[Gfarrell]

I didn't really get into the book until closer to the end. I thought after that and when I continued to read the series I couldn't get enough.

[roguexunited]

Thanks, I think I'll the book a try. Is it a series or just one?

[hpsecrets99]

I have mixed feelings on The Maze Runner. I feel like if I had just read the first one, I would have liked it. But I read all three, and hated the last book so much, that it sort of ruined the first one for me. Oh, well. I am interested in seeing the movie, though.

[Ebook6]

I thought that was a fantastic book that was well thought out. It had many twists and turns and I never had a good idea of where the book was going next. I, also am a girl but I don't really have anything against reading a book with a boy as the main character. I enjoyed reading it from a boys perspective. I am very excited for the movie!

[Court-27]

I liked the first book, but I am struggling through the second. I am trying to force myself to keep going in the hopes that it gets better.