Review of The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Review of The Maze Runner by James DashnerThe Maze Runner by James Dashner
Series: Maze Runner #1
Also in this series: The Scorch Trials
Also by this author: The Scorch Trials
Published by Random House LLC on 2010-08
Genres: Dystopian, Friendship, Science Fiction, Social Issues, Visionary & Metaphysical, Young Adult
Pages: 375
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

The first book in the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series—The Maze Runner is a modern classic, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent.

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 thirty 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 by James Dashner was a thrilling read, sure to delight fans of the film Labyrinth, as there is a maze to be figured out. However, there is no David Bowie, dancing, or singing, or Goblin king. But as I said, there’s a maze and a great cast of characters, which I grew to love.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner starts off with Thomas, the Main Character, riding this elevator into a new world called the Glade. He has no memory of anything. Since The Maze Runner is told in first person, I’d say the beginning is incredibly disorienting. At first it is bizarre, but if anything, it left me wanting more, I know I was on edge to find answers to the questions I had, such as why exactly was Thomas in the Glade. Why would they erase his memory?

The journey I was taken on through The Maze Runner by James Dashner was well worth my time. Every time the grievers were mentioned, I could feel my heart pound. Grievers are B.A. and incredibly scary. The pacing was excellent, The Maze Runner by James Dashner was a book I could not put down. I was curious as to what would happen to Thomas and his friends, and while the text was very teasing. You’d get a reveal of information, yet you would still want to know what’s next, so it was kind of impossible to set this book down. I like that, when a chapter leaves me wanting MORE.

The characters in The Maze Runner by James Dashner are awesome. Essentially, there’s a relatively large group of boys living on the Glade. They all play specific roles in the community and have distinct personalities. Honestly, I should confess that I want to jump Minho’s bones. Athletic, a leader, intelligent…what’s not to like? (Don’t tell my boyfriend though!) Then there was Chuck. I wanted to pet/smother/hug Chuck. He’s like that kid brother everyone seems to have, except me. He also sort of reminded me of Neville Longbottom. And obviously, Thomas was a strong character, as he grew and changed somewhat.

I am on tenterhooks for The Scorch Trials and definitely recommend this book if you enjoy dystopian fiction, and books with action!

Other Reviews of The Maze Runner by James Dashner:

This Purple Crayon
Chick Loves Lit
The Sweet Bookshelf
Presenting Lenore
Brooke Reviews

Series Order:

The Maze Runner (Book One)
The Scorch Trials (Book Two)
The Death Cure (Book Three)

four-stars
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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. This sounds like a really interesting book, I can't believe this is the first review of it I've read! I like how you include similar books and characters as a comparison to the book you are reviewing, it helps a lot. I think I will have to check this one out!

  2. Awesome! I'm going to read this one soon.

  3. Lost in a Book says

    Great review…and on a side note I LOVE Labyrinth…more specifically David Bowie in Labyrinth. Thanks for the link 🙂

  4. For some reason, even though I love dystopias, t his one just doesn't interest me.

  5. Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com says

    Great review. I really want to read this one.

  6. cynthial11 says

    I felt the same way while reading it! I love this book and can't wait for The Scorch Trials!

  7. You know, for some reason I never had much of an interest in this book until I read your review. I think it was the Labyrinth reference that did it 😛

  8. alitareads says

    I really really really need to read this one. I keep hearing nothing but great things about it. And I definitely need to read it before the sequel comes out.

  9. Jill of The O.W.L. says

    When I first started blogging this was one of the big books bursting onto the scene. I bought it right away and guess what, I haven't read it yet! Just another example of blogging getting in the way of my reading!

  10. I have this one sitting in my TBR pile, but I keep putting it off because I don't want to wait for the sequels.

    And I love that your library is ballin'. That made me smile so much today.

  11. The Bookish Type says

    This review definitely caught my interest! This book is going on my booklist immediately! I love the comparisons to Labyrinth – David Bowie as a goblin king? EVERYone should see that film. Fantastic review!!

    I have an award for you! Check it out: http://thebookishtype.blogspot.com/p/awards.html

  12. Came over from Cym Lowell's McLinky links for Book Review Party Wednesday.

    Labyrinth… sounds like the story is not very original (?)… Mmm… April, what is a BA?

  13. Planning to read this eventually. The UK book trailer freaked me out a bit tho. LOL

  14. Debbie's World of Books says

    I bought this book awhile back because it sounded so good. I had to pack it away recently since we are getting our house ready to sell and I had way too many books and bookshelves cluttering up the house. Now I may have to go grab it from the library because you got me excited over it again 🙂

  15. winstonsdad says

    thanks for this review ,remember this being mention on books on the nightstand and had forgotten about it ,sounds good

  16. I have heard a lot of great things about this book and would certainly love to read it. I really liked your review – especially hearing about how you connected with the characters. I love when you can do that with a book.

    Jennifer @ http://www.justicejennifer.com

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