Review: The Maze Runner by @JamesDashner

Valentine’s Day 2014, The Maze Runner is coming out as a movie. Which should give you plenty of time to read this action-packed book first. And then the rest of the trilogy. Check it out on IMBD.
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.

Confession. By the end of this book, I had a major character crush on Thomas. I hope that’s okay because he’s supposed to be 16, and I’m, well, not 16 and married.

Several people commented on Dashner’s writing quality, insisting he “tells” more than “shows” with character emotions and development. To be honest, I was so engrossed in the story I didn’t notice any of this.

I really loved the way the mystery in this book unfolded. Will Thomas and the other Gladers solve the maze? What’s going on with the girl in the coma? Why can’t they remember anything? There’s a reason most fly through this book, making it a bestseller.

I would make a great Runner. (The Gladers divide their society into different roles.) First sight of a Griever (these deadly blubber-machine monsters), I’d be high-tailing it faster than anyone else out of that maze.

Some say the book had poor character development. I disagree. I think the development is reflected in the recovery of Thomas’ memory. Especially once you compare his actions in the first two chapters to his actions in the last couple. The Thomas in the beginning acts very different from the Thomas in the end.

This book would be perfect for any male wanting a sci-fi/dystopian, or those yearning for a great plot-driven story, or if you loved Lord of the Flies. You might not like this book if you want a cut-and-dry romance (I’m predicting there’s more to the Teresa/coma girl thread coming later) or a character-driven story.

But you should most certainly read it before next V-Day, and then have a night out with your significant other to watch the film adaption.

Check out Dashner’s website here.Follow @JamesDashner on Twitter here.
Add Dashner as a friend on FB here.

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• Book Review: The Maze Runner (youngatink.wordpress.com)