Maze Runner Book Review

By Tom Yorlum

How this works:  Below you’ll find a summary of the review (e.g. should I read it?) with NO spoilers.  Below this you’ll find the meat of the work–a nice in-depth review chock full of spoilers, for those who have read the book and want to hear my humble opinion on the most detailed of points.  Why?  Because non-spoilery reviews are dull, but useful if you have not read the book.  An honest review requires we look at all aspects of the book, and spoilers come with the territory.  You have been warned. Afterward, you’ll find a recommendation on what to read next if you enjoyed it.

 

SUMMARY (should you read it?):

Four-and-a-Half Stars. I highly recommend reading it! I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially getting to know and understand the Glade, as well as the Maze. The story did not contain anything offensive and had its humorous moments. Don’t expect anything cheesy; though I wouldn’t consider the story “dark,” the stakes are higher than most Young Adult books I’ve read, which was refreshing. Overall, it was thrilling, the characters really grow on you, and solving the mysteries is a ton of fun. It will leave you wanting to read the next books right away.

 

IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS (spoilers!!!):

I was nervous when starting this book. I’m an avid Goodreads user, and a lot of reviews complain about Dashner’s writing style. Albeit I was looking at his new book, Eye of Minds, as the premise intrigues me, but I’ll avoid that tangent. Let me tell you, criticisms are unfounded.

My interest was piqued when I saw pieces of the trailer. I try to avoid trailers of movies I want to see to avoid spoilers, so once my interest was there I stopped watching. I then decided I would read the book first and then watch the movie. I downloaded a sample off of iBooks, and off I was.

The first few paragraphs were great as far as the writing and imagery, but I still wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. But after the Box opened up and other people were involved, I couldn’t put it down. So 2 pages in, I was hooked. So many questions, and I had faith that they’d be answered in time even though all those characters were so infuriatingly discrete. I liked that this was not handled as a plot device, as the characters had legitimate reasons for not filling Thomas in right away. This could have been extremely infuriating if handled differently, but I was able to give Dashner’s Glade characters the benefit of the doubt. Also, he does answer almost all of the mysteries you have, which is quite refreshing.

The speed of the book was fast paced. You’d jump from learning more about Teresa to the Maze, to the Changing, to some occurrence in the Glade. It was like a fast-paced action novel but instead of changing characters just when you want to know more, it changes mysteries. Makes it really hard to put it down.

The characters were enjoyable. Thomas grew on you instantly, as did Chuck and Newt. Alby was a good leader, but he had his own flaws and it kept you on the edge of your seat wondering if he would lost it. Newt had a great arc as a reluctant leader, and he won me over when he humored Thomas at a time when no one else would. Chuck… oh, Chuck.

The increasing pace of changes in the Glade progressed the story in a fascinating way. Just when we’re getting used to the Glade and enjoying it, things slowly start to change, and then seriously change, culminating in the permanent opening of the Doors. I was actually starting to get used to the Glade, so in some ways it was sad, but it increased the stakes in a good way.

As far as writing style, contrary to the haters on Goodreads, I enjoyed it. You really get inside Thomas’ head and don’t want to leave. He keeps within the confines of selective first-person—you only know what Thomas knows. Thomas is insightful into other characters, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary, and definitely not omniscient. I found Dashner’s style easy to read and allowed me to speed through it easily. You honestly forget your reading, visualizing everything as it goes.

Solving the maze, or rather not solving it as a maze, was brilliant. I didn’t see that coming. I was genuinely surprised with how they did it. The climax pumps your adrenaline. I totally called that push was an action (but not until Teresa couldn’t answer the button), and the “End MAZE” button was an ironic touch.

The ending itself was a little trippy, and very exciting. I mean, we knew what to expect based on Gally’s and Alby’s dread. Life stuck in the idyllic Glade might be better than what they expect now. Kind of like the loss of innocence (in fact, I think there was quote ignorance from Alby). The death at the end was so disheartening and hard to stomach. I hope there’s more to it than just to “shock” the group, as the chancellor indicated in the Epilogue email. I didn’t fully trust the rebels; I suspected they were either higher ups from WICKED who didn’t need the scientists or people who wanted to kids for their own means. I was on the right track, but it was still nice to be surprised.

And didn’t Teresa say something about the Scorch Trials when she first talked telepathically to Thomas? I wonder if that’s how they’ll find out these rebels are WICKED. It has me pumped for the next book. I’m a little hesitant because I miss the Glade, but I have high hopes that the characters will make the next part of the journey enjoyable, and that Dashner has some epic plan (rather than just making it up as he goes), and based on the hints of things to come spread throughout the book, I sense he has this well-planned out. I’m optimistic.

Bottom Line: Four-and-a-Half Stars. I highly recommend reading it! I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially getting to know and understand the Glade, as well as the Maze. It was thrilling, the characters really grow on you, and solving the mysteries is a ton of fun. It will leave you wanting to read the next books right away.