Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Series: The Maze Runner #1
Publication: August 4th 2011 by Chicken House
Genre: Young Adult ~ Dystopia
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

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.

I started The Maze Runner because I wanted to see the movie but I always try to read the book first. What I hadn't expected was to be totally caught up in this book. I loved it!

The best part about this book was how it was all one big mystery. The characters basically don't know how they ended up there because they don't remember so of course the reader can't know what the hell is up. The more I read, the more the enigmatic maze was pulling me in. Oh and the book was pretty creepy sometimes. One word: Grievers. Yeah they scared me a bit. 

I really liked the character of Thomas. It also didn't hurt that I could imagine Dylan O'Brien as much. I love him! But anyway, he was a great character. I also really liked Newt and Minho. I do have to admit though, that when I started the book I wasn't too excited about it. I had a little doubts but before I knew it I was getting really absorbed with it and bam! before I knew it the book was finished. 

The last few chapters were so suspenseful and intense. That ending, oh my god! And then came the epilogue which hit me like a brick wall. I hadn't expected that at all. Total cliffhanger, totally shocking. 

Overall, The Maze Runner by James Dashner was one of those books that keeps you glued to the pages and where you want to read the next book right away. Definitely one of the best books I've read!

About the Author:

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James was born and raised in Georgia but now lives in the Rocky Mountains with his family. He has four kids, which some might think is too many but he thinks is just right. Once upon a time, James studied accounting and worked in the field of finance, but has been writing full time for several years. (He doesn’t miss numbers. At all.)

In his free time, James loves to read, watch movies and (good) TV shows, snow ski, and read. (Reading was mentioned twice on purpose.) Most of all, he’s thankful that he gets to make a living writing stories and considers himself pretty much the luckiest guy on the planet.