Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre: YA/Dystopian
ISBN: 0385737947
Pages: 384
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Rating: 4/5*
I’m not sure where I first heard about The Maze Runner, but to whomever it was that first mentioned it, thank you. After finishing Hunger Games and Catching Fire, I was craving another YA Dystopian novel. While I may not have loved The Maze Runner as much as the Hunger Games (sorry, Mr. Dashner), it was a perfect book to satisfy that craving.
Publisher’s Description:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. 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, open expanse surrounded 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 the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up–the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.
The Maze Runner took me a little time to get into, but once it got going, I had a hard time putting it down. I actually finished the book on the ride from Cape Cod to Waltham despite the rapidly fading light and short time I had to spend with my dad. The novel is full of action (action-packed?) and mystery. Maybe a little too much mystery – sometimes I felt just as frustrated as Thomas at not knowing the answers, but then again, maybe I was supposed to feel like Thomas and maybe that was the point… Anyway, we spend much of the Maze Runner just trying to figure it all out. And just like the Hunger Games/Catching Fire, the Maze Runner is not afraid of killing off kids. That impresses me (I secretly wanted Ron or Hermione to die). I don’t like my YA books to be sugar-coated.
I really enjoyed The Maze Runner and recommend it. I’m very excited to see what happens in Book 2. There was a nice little twist** at the end as expected (is it a twist if it’s expected). I don’t want to say much else about the book because it’s best discovered while reading.
One last random question: did the mechanical sounds of the Grievers remind anyone else of the smoke monster in Lost?
* I’m trying a new summary/rating format. Let me know what you think.
**Ben and I just recently watched a lot of 30 Rock and now we periodically exclaim “Twist!” when applicable.
my books. my life. 
Nice review! The book looks interesting! You wanted Ron or Hermione to die? Why?? Can’t believe it! Your new review format is interesting!
LikeLike
Haha. I didn’t really want Hermione or Ron to die I just thought that maybe one of them should for the story. But then there were so many pointless deaths that I got mad, so I don’t really know what I wanted.
LikeLike
Interesting 🙂 I agree with you that there were so many pointless deaths in the story. I felt very sad and cried after reading ‘The Half Blood Prince’ – the sad scenes were all so unnecessary. I would have cried if Ron or Hermione had died too 🙂
LikeLike
I like the new format. I really want to read this book. I’ve heard great things about it. Maybe after Christmas i’ll buy it…
LikeLike
I think you’d like it. I didn’t have to wait to long for the library copy if you don’t want to buy it. I think it’s still flying a little under the radar.
LikeLike
I’m still on the fence about this book, mainly because I don’t really like dystopian fiction. But I’ve been convinced to try Hunger Games, and will get that in my TBR soon, and who knows? It might just convert me!
LikeLike