Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)

by James Dashner

[rakesandrogues]

Review from Muggle-Born.net

I cannot believe it took me this long to read. If you have not read this yet, I would like to start of this review by saying that you should not be waiting any longer to read this one.

I found myself unable to truly relate with the main character Thomas, but it did not bother me so much because THE MAZE RUNNER is truly a plot-driven book. There are a variety of characters, each with distinct personalities such as Chuck, Newt, Alby, Frypan, and Minho. Chuck is like an annoying and irritating little brother. You can’t wait to get rid of him by your side, but you also can’t help but feel overprotective of him. I never realized how I formed a soft spot for Chuck until the very end of the book.

While reading the book, it is so easy to forget how old the characters are. I think it’s because the environment they are in is devoid of the usual problems teenagers are facing. They don’t have to worry about girls, sports, and high school. Survival is the only thing in their minds.

At first, the writing style of Dashner irritated me. One of the reasons why it took me so long to pick up the book was because I just couldn’t get into it. It reminded me of Michael Grant’s GONE series which I am not the biggest fan of. However, when I finally picked up THE MAZE RUNNER once more, trying to overlook the writing style, I found that I got used to it very quickly and I could not get enough.

THE MAZE RUNNER is a fast-paced page-turner. I was in conflict with myself the whole time I read. I hated that I could not put the book down because each chapter keeps you in suspense, ending in a cliffhanger. On the other hand, I hated it when I had to stop reading. What I love most about this book is Dashner’s ability to make you think. I was transported into the Glade with Thomas and I was trying to figure out all the puzzles and clues throughout the whole book. I felt like I was part of the “game” too, and I challenged myself to solve the mystery before the characters in the book.

But THE MAZE RUNNER isn’t predictable. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll be guessing chapter after chapter until the very end. Now I understand what the hype is all about…