The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner #1)
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Originally Published: October 6th 2009
Format: eBook (386 pages)
Synopsis:
If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.
Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.
Everything is going to change.
Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.
Remember. Survive. Run.
My Rating: ★★★
I’ve had an ebook of The Maze Runner for well over two years now and for some reason I just never felt the need to read it. I had seen the film before reading this but couldn’t remember a single thing about it, needless to say that I will watch it again now that I’ve read the book.
This is your classic young adult dystopian and I think I arrived to this series a little too late to really be captured by it. Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this book. I thought it was a well crafted story and a unique idea. It just doesn’t seem to have the exciting and addictive thrill to it that I had when I first read series such as The Hunger Games or Divergent. Granted, I read those a few years back and I definitely think that my feelings towards The Maze Runner are strongly linked to missing my peak time for reading this.
I really liked the world that Dashner has created here. There is no doubt that this is a well thought out novel with plenty to keep the reader guessing and moving swiftly through the story. The short chapters were really useful in creating more of a rhythm whilst reading this and I often found myself thinking ‘just one more’. I really, really liked the fact that Dashner created his own dialect for the Gladers. It struck me as odd and disjointed when I first started reading the book, however, similar to Thomas, it did not take long for me to catch on and soon I was reading the dialect as if I used it myself. I thought this was a clever way of engaging us as readers to Thomas’ new surroundings. We’re just as new to this as he is.
I thought there was an interesting array of characters. I did like Thomas, although he seemed a little too perfect at times. I was really interested in Teresa’s character (a female, finally!) and I’m looking forward to learning more about her and Thomas’ connection as there is definitely a lot more to them. I liked how it turned out that the boys’ names linked with different scientists, another clever element. Chuck was probably my favourite character. I just thought he was completely adorable and I loved his loyalty to Thomas.
Memorable Quotes
“You are the shuckiest shuck faced shuck in the world!”
“You get lazy, you get sad. Start givin’ up. Plain and simple.”
Final Thoughts
There is certainly plenty to like about this series, I just wanted something more exciting. It has definitely given me enough of a flavour to continue with this series at some point and I’ll definitely be watching the film again to see if I actually understand it this time!
Have you read The Maze Runner trilogy? Should I continue?
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kellysrambles.com 
I enjoyed the first two books in the series, but the third came up a little short for me. Actually, I read them a year ago and for the life of me I can’t really remember much… Maybe that should tell you everything you need to know lol
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A LOT of people have said exactly the same about this series. It makes me unsure about continuing but I’m sure I will one day. In the meantime I have plenty of fab books to read! 🙂
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Eh I wouldn’t let it discourage you. I still think they were worthwhile reads, but not necessarily top priority.
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Great review!! I loved the first two books in this series, but the last book made me wish I never read it hahaha.
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This is exactly what a lot of people are telling me, that book 3 lets down the whole series, which makes me nervous!! I have heard great things about book two though so maybe I’ll have to read it at some point!
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I enjoyed the Maze Runner and was surprised (but not surprised) on how the plot unfolded in the next 2 books. I enjoyed them and even read the 2 prequel books, too. My wife was less forgiving than me and gave up after book 2. While I don’t think this a groundbreaking story, the entire 5-book series was entertaining for me.
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Ah I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the whole series! A lot of people have told me that the last book is a bit of a let down but I will probably read the others at some point. Maybe on a rainy day!
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TBH, I was let down by the 3rd book. But when I saw that he wrote a prequel, I got that and felt better about the series. Same for the 2nd prequel. But I imagine many people gave up after book 3.
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I’m the same as you in that if I read a series and enjoy I’ll read everything about it including prequels, shorts etc. I’m really glad they made up for a slightly less enjoyable book 3!
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Power to you for enjoying this one.
I wasn’t stoked on the first one. I didn’t see much depth to the characters, wasn’t a fan of the slang, and it drove me nuts that the characters pulled the answers out o thin air.
The second one started out promising, but quickly turned into the same old thing. I finally decided to Wikipedia the ending and I was extremely grateful I didn’t continue the books. Definitely not a series for me. Sorry to be such a downer about it and hope you enjoy more than I did 🙂
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I’m undecided as to whether I will continue the series as it didn’t really capture me. I’ve also heard that the series ending is disappointing so maybe they’ll become books for a very, very rainy day. In the mean time I have loads of wonderful books on my shelves! 🙂
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I had a similar experience in that I’d read a lot of similar YA dystopian before The Maze Runner so probably didn’t find it as original as I could have.
That said, I think book 2 – The Scorch Trials – is the strongest of the trilogy. Unfortunately, book 3 is a bit of a let down, particularly the ending. I came close to throwing the book at the wall (but didn’t for fear of damaging the paintwork, not the book!)!
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Oh dear!! Haha. I’m 50/50 on finishing the trilogy because I’ve heard it doesn’t end particularly strongly but maybe one day! I didn’t hate it but I definitely think that having read so much YA dystopia reduced my enjoyment!
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My thoughts on Maze Runner are probably pretty similar to yours. It’s a good story and I should love it but there’s just something missing. I found it hard going and just didn’t care. Needless to say I haven’t read any further. Maybe someday.
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I feel exactly the same, maybe someday but for now I have a load of exciting books to read!
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I enjoyed the entire series – it wasn’t my favourite, but I probably liked all three books about the same. I don’t regret continuing with the books after the first one 🙂
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I’ve not decided yet if I’ll continue but probably someday! Glad to hear you enjoyed the series as I’m hearing mixed things.
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