Brian Yahn's Reviews > The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
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The Maze Runner is a masterfully plotted mystery. It's intriguing. It draws you in quick and then reveals details at just the right time to keep you turning the pages for more.

While many criticize the characters for being flat, which they are, Thomas and his fellow Maze Runners are at the very least likable. They play pranks, they crack jokes, they bond in inventive ways, and most importantly they're just fun in general. You can't help but like characters that are trapped in an almost literal Hell and somehow make the most of it to the point you secretly wish you were part of it. There's something magical in that.

A story can only go so far with characters that don't really have any meaningful connection to the plot or the setting, though. Any of these guys could've been replaced for any other personality with barely any notice. I think James Dashner really squeezed the best possible plot he could out of the characters he created.

The real pitfall of The Maze Runner is the writing. As Dashner might write, It's really, really bad. So bad, it leaves you feeling nothing in a lot of scenes you should feel loss or adrenaline or relief or... anything.
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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
August 5, 2013 – Shelved

Comments Showing 1-5 of 5 (5 new)

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message 1: by [deleted user] (new)

I LOVED the first book in the series. The following two inho went downhill. Especially the trite ending of #3


Kike Ramos lmao, your comments on Dashner's writing are on point. But if you read this just for entertainment, focus on the plot and try to overlook his bad writing, then it is a really fun book.


message 3: by E (new)

E I think this is the only good book in the series. I loved the setting in the Maze.


message 4: by Allie (new) - added it

Allie Wainwright I agree with you, the charcters may have been flat at times but when they wanted to be they could be pranksters, or just fun people in general. People really try to hate the characters so much that they miss that.


milana waller god bless


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