Young Adult Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Age Range: 12 and up
 
Grade Level: 7 and up
 
Paperback: 375 pages
 
Publisher: Delacorte Press; Reprint edition (August 24, 2010)

Series: The Maze Runner #1

Genre: Science Fiction

Source: Library

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

About the Book:

Read the first book in the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent. The Maze Runner motion picture starring Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Will Poulter, and Aml Ameen hits theaters September 19, 2014!

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.

Praise:

“[A] nail-biting must-read.” —Seventeen.com

“Wonderful action writing—fast-paced…but smart and well observed.” —Newsday

“Breathless, cinematic action.” —Publishers Weekly

“Heart-pounding to the very last moment.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Exclamation-worthy.” —Romantic Times

“Gripping reading.” —Booklist

 

About the Author:

James Dashner is the author of the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series as well as the books in the 13th Reality series and The Infinity Ring. He is also the author of The Eye of Minds, the first book in the Mortality Doctrine series. Dashner was born and raised in Georgia but now lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains. To learn more about James and his books, visit JamesDashner.com or follow @jamesdashner on Twitter.

My Thoughts:

It's a good thing I didn't read this series as it came out because I would have gone crazy waiting for the next book.

I read the final chapters while I was cooking dinner. I burned the pork chops. I'm not allowed to read while cooking anymore.

Multitasking incompetence aside, I really liked this book. Typical of this genre, it was violent and disturbing, for which I loved and hated the author all the way through. I couldn't put the book down. It was gripping, exciting, and crazy. I loved that I had no idea what would happen next or where the story was headed.

The Maze Runner reminded me a lot of Lord of the Flies, but obviously it was quite different and unique in its own way.  I keep insisting that I don't like science fiction, but it turns out that I'm a fat liar. This book was fantastic. I loved the characters, the Maze, and the puzzle that the kids have to solve. It was horrible and brilliant at the same time. It's definitely worth the read.

4.5 STARS