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A.J. Bauers's Reviews > The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1)
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I flipped pages like mad to finish this book in a matter of hours over two days. I even started reading its sequel, The Scorch Trials, because I have this need to know what happens next. So obviously, this book has an engaging plot set with excellent pacing. But really… that’s about it.
I never really connected with Thomas due to his moody and pushy behavior, but his tabula rasa state was intriguing enough that I was fine following the story through his point of view. The other characters were okay, but other than Newt and Minho, none of them came across as particularly likeable. In short, they reminded me of a slightly more mature Lord of the Flies cast.
I also had a real problem with the created language of the Glade (the center of the maze where Thomas and the other boys make camp). These kids created insults and swear words like, “shank, shuck, and klunk,” which might be okay in spare doses, but the first few chapters are so saturated with them it just makes the entire prose seem awkward and childish. To be fair, it does get better, but it doesn’t help for making a good first impression.
The movie and the book make such different choices with character and plot devices it doesn’t seem fair to compare the two. But overall, I will say I enjoyed the characters more in the movie and the plot more in the book (although the movie’s conclusion is stronger than the novel’s).
It’s an easy read, which is exactly what I’m looking for these days in between work, research, and writing. The world is intriguing and the discoveries you make along with Thomas are delivered with expert timing. If you’re in a forgiving mood of the book's faults, you’ll immediately check out the sequel as the ending will leave you wanting more.
I never really connected with Thomas due to his moody and pushy behavior, but his tabula rasa state was intriguing enough that I was fine following the story through his point of view. The other characters were okay, but other than Newt and Minho, none of them came across as particularly likeable. In short, they reminded me of a slightly more mature Lord of the Flies cast.
I also had a real problem with the created language of the Glade (the center of the maze where Thomas and the other boys make camp). These kids created insults and swear words like, “shank, shuck, and klunk,” which might be okay in spare doses, but the first few chapters are so saturated with them it just makes the entire prose seem awkward and childish. To be fair, it does get better, but it doesn’t help for making a good first impression.
The movie and the book make such different choices with character and plot devices it doesn’t seem fair to compare the two. But overall, I will say I enjoyed the characters more in the movie and the plot more in the book (although the movie’s conclusion is stronger than the novel’s).
It’s an easy read, which is exactly what I’m looking for these days in between work, research, and writing. The world is intriguing and the discoveries you make along with Thomas are delivered with expert timing. If you’re in a forgiving mood of the book's faults, you’ll immediately check out the sequel as the ending will leave you wanting more.
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