Books I Read: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopian
Published: 2009
My Content Rating: PG-13 for violence
Cliffhanger Ending: YES

Thomas wakes up in a dark elevator with no memories of who he is or what he's doing there. He emerges in the middle of a giant maze, surrounded by boys who have likewise been stripped of his memories. They've spent the last two years trying to escape, while struggling against the creatures that live in the maze. But Thomas is different. Things feel familiar to him, though he doesn't know why. He has to figure it out fast, though, because his arrival -- and the surprise arrival of the first girl the next day -- is about to change everything.

I completely fell in love with the world-building of this book. I mean, shoot, a giant maze with moving walls? What's not to love! And then when you start catching pieces of the mystery behind it all: HOOKED.

The characters made me happy too. They were smart (mostly; see below), brave, and stubborn (in a good way). I wouldn't mind being stuck in a maze with most of these guys.

The one thing that bothered me through most of the book was how slow they were to pick up on things. I didn't like that they seemed to be withholding information from each other, and I didn't like that it sometimes took Thomas a few tries before he remembered/believed something somebody did tell him.

The fact that I'm telling you about the book, however, should tell you just how much more I love the secrets and the world-building. I should be mad, but I'm not (though I do hope they're quicker to pick things up in the sequel), and I'm pretty sure I have to finish this series.

6 comments:

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

This one's been on my list forever.

Matthew MacNish said...

I'll have to email you.

Cap'n Heine said...

Sounds like a YA version of the movie Cube.

Sarah Ahiers said...

I very much loved the Maze Runner! I could've read multiple books with them living in their little prison, exploring the max. Unfortunately for me, the seques did not hold up as well. I probably won't be buying/reading the prequel when it comes out. But Maze Runner i'd happily recommend!

Melodie said...

I loved this book - in fact, my son and I read it together last summer. Wasn't as into the second book and didn't finish the third. So my impression was similar to Sarah's...:(

Jay Noel said...

I heard about this book, and I've wanted to read it for a long time. It's now in my TBR pile.