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Emily May's Reviews > The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1)
by
2 1/2 stars.
It's funny how just a few years can change everything - your reading tastes, your expectations, your standards... because when I read The Maze Runner in early 2011, I enjoyed it a lot. It seemed fast-paced, exciting and a little scary. Plus, I thought the slang was a nice touch.
Three years and a million dystopian/sci-fi books later and everything about me has outgrown this book. It's not terrible. I can still see why someone who is new to YA dystopias might get caught up in the loosely-plotted (read: nothing happens) drama and think that "shuck" amounts to a clever invention of a new language. But as I was rereading this before seeing the new movie, I realised just how much it pales in comparison to many others in the genre.
The thing about this book is that it is so simplistic and... immature, I guess. I'm not here to simply piss off the book's fans - I enjoyed it too, remember! - and I can still see why it might provide some light entertainment. But... the characters and plot are so underdeveloped. The language seems silly now. The scary Grievers no longer seem scary, but cartoon comical instead.
Dashner uses that tiresome old writing technique called "withholding information" to propel the non-existent plot along. The whole book is built around a single mystery - that of the maze - and our supposedly intelligent-beyond-belief characters keep the novel going by standing around and scratching their heads. It's so lacking in any depth, layers or complexity.
Comparisons to The Hunger Games are frankly quite hilarious when you consider Collins' intricate world, complex characters and clever plot... then consider what Dashner offers up next to it. Not to mention that Thomas is an extremely boring, self-sacrificing MC.
In its defense, though, I was still affected by what happens near the end. I would recommend the book - with some hesitation - for younger readers or those who are new to YA dystopian fiction.
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by
“You are the shuckiest shuck faced shuck in the world!”
2 1/2 stars.
It's funny how just a few years can change everything - your reading tastes, your expectations, your standards... because when I read The Maze Runner in early 2011, I enjoyed it a lot. It seemed fast-paced, exciting and a little scary. Plus, I thought the slang was a nice touch.
Three years and a million dystopian/sci-fi books later and everything about me has outgrown this book. It's not terrible. I can still see why someone who is new to YA dystopias might get caught up in the loosely-plotted (read: nothing happens) drama and think that "shuck" amounts to a clever invention of a new language. But as I was rereading this before seeing the new movie, I realised just how much it pales in comparison to many others in the genre.
The thing about this book is that it is so simplistic and... immature, I guess. I'm not here to simply piss off the book's fans - I enjoyed it too, remember! - and I can still see why it might provide some light entertainment. But... the characters and plot are so underdeveloped. The language seems silly now. The scary Grievers no longer seem scary, but cartoon comical instead.
Dashner uses that tiresome old writing technique called "withholding information" to propel the non-existent plot along. The whole book is built around a single mystery - that of the maze - and our supposedly intelligent-beyond-belief characters keep the novel going by standing around and scratching their heads. It's so lacking in any depth, layers or complexity.
Comparisons to The Hunger Games are frankly quite hilarious when you consider Collins' intricate world, complex characters and clever plot... then consider what Dashner offers up next to it. Not to mention that Thomas is an extremely boring, self-sacrificing MC.
In its defense, though, I was still affected by what happens near the end. I would recommend the book - with some hesitation - for younger readers or those who are new to YA dystopian fiction.
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 92 (92 new)
message 1:
by
Erin
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 23, 2012 06:23PM
Hey did this have any romace in it??
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OMG this book is complete crap
The second one is much worse, believe me.
I think that the first and third book are perfect examples of your review, but to me the second one fell very flat, for me anyways. But after reading your review, I decided to reread this book and I put the book back onto its shelf with a lot of emotional conflict. The characters are heading down heartbreaking roads, so I'm
Oops I got cut off but whatever. :)
Thanks for commenting, Denis! I actually agree about the second book. I found it really difficult to get through and couldn't believe it was by the same author. I didn't even read the third book because of it :/
I love your description Emily: "This is a gripping tale of hope against the odds but there is also something much deeper going on"I think so.
I haven't read the second book but I'm warned about possible disappointment.
I love this review, Emily! I'm currently reading the book, and think much of the same as you did. I hate that you found the second book hard to get through, but I'm definitely going to try and finish all of them... mostly because I want to know everything that happens.
Thanks Nicole :) I'm glad you're liking this one! I just hope you can enjoy the rest of the series more than I did.
"I was pleasantly surprised by the development of Chuck's character; at first I imagined he would simply be an annoying throwaway sidekick but he morphed into a lovable hero and an important symbol of hope" I WAS DEVASTATED WHEN HE DIED :'( (i knew it would happen but still)
I really loved this book! I'm kind of surprised that you hated the second one...it's been a couple years since I read it, but I remember LOVING it! It was actually my favorite of the trilogy. That's ok though, life would be pretty boring if we all had the same opinions :)
Yeah, very true :) I'm glad you liked it more.
I just started reading this I have never had a book reel me in like this! :)
"To propel the non-existent plot along." SOMEONE HAS SAID IT! YES!
I tried reading this one and gave up. The characters are annoying and one dimensional, the slang is unnecessary and super annoying and everyone refusing to tell the Hero what is going on is perplexing.
Exactly my view and why I gave it 2 stars only.
I thought the movie was alot better. but that might just be Dylan Obrien ;)
I didn't like the movie. A lot of things wasn't there. And you can't be sad about Chuck, because he isn't an important character in the movie.(Please correct me if my english isn't good, I'm spanish and I want to learn)
I read the Maze Runner so long ago, and didn't really enjoy it:( after seeing the movie I'm considering reading the sequel to see if anything changes, as the concept seems interesting. We'll see how it goes.. Good review btw;)
Great honest review, that's so true... I have books in my favorite I'm almost afraid to re read - especially in dystopia^^
This is basically everything I thought about The Maze Runner. great Review!
I know the exact same thing will happen to me when/if I re-read it.
I'm reading this now and I'm having many of the same thoughts as you about it. The slang is driving me crazy.
You didn't miss much by not reading the third book, just a bad ending.
This was one of the first few dystopians for me. This and Naughts & Crosses. Though I kind of prefer this, since the latter is such a heavy read. I re-read this again a short while ago, and I still managed to enjoy it. Granted its not going to win any literary awards, but it did the job. Shame you weren't like me in this scenario. :(
The Maze Runner was my first dystopian book, I remember. I did enjoy it, and still do, although I have the same issues you have towards it.As for the second one...meh. And the third one was boring. If you thought the second was boring, then...you can picture how the last one is...
But I agree with you. Now that I've read more books and I've grown up, I know for sure that I would not love it if I read it again. My brother does love it, but it's the only book he has read so...
Anyway, great review. I couldn't have said it better.
P.S.: I will still watch the movie, since people say it is very good, lol :P
This is how I felt when I read it. Unlike you, I didn't read it before and enjoyed it. So I have no warm feelings towards this book at all.
Great review Emily, sorry this fell flat for ya this time *hugs*I agree, it's funny how your tastes can change.., I've had that happen to me a few times as well
I'm still struggling just to finish it! I haven't been able to get into the story at all...
Agreed, felt this book was flat. Not much really happens. I didn't like any of the characters and was actually shocked they made this into a movie. It's going to be nothing but blathering and running around a maze for 2 hours trying to figure a way out. Then come into contact with some slug creatures. Ohhhhh yay....how boring. Sorry was not a fan of this book. Really like your review! :)
The movie was exciting, but I didn't think reading the book would do much for me, and your review backs up my decision! Was "shuck" the only slang word used, or was it innudated with the stuff?
Awww now I'm wondering whether to read this or not :(
really........................???
I read this book last year but it didn't live up to the hype for me. The ending was kinda cool, but not enough for me to continue with the series. :/
I completely agree - this book was just okay, and the only reason I kept reading the series was because I just wanted to find out why they were in that dang maze! Believe me, the answers you get aren't very satisfying, and you have to endure some pretty unfortunate writing to get to them. You aren't missing out on anything by skipping the last book :)
I read the entire series a few months ago, I did not enjoy it at all.The only thing that kept me through the one-dimensional characters, the no-event plot ,awful world-building, and my complete dislike for Thomas, was that I was hoping for some answers. About the creators, Thomas's role ANYTHING!
I got none of that.
Total waste of time.
I agree with you though, that young readers can start with it to ease their way into more complex books.
I can understand why people don't enjoy this book, especially when you compare it to complex world-building such as The Hunger Games. I was first introduced to the series back in 2011 (just before The Death Cure came out) by an employee at Chapters because I told her that I wanted a YA without romance. I was also entering my first year of university so I had to put the book down in order to focus on studying. I came back to TMR in May, 2013 when I heard that one of my favourite actors (Dylan O'Brien) was going to be starring in it. I found my copy and read it and was hooked. I know that this isn't God's gift to readers or anything, but maybe I just needed a simple dystopian adventure and TMR fit the bill. I do consider it to be one of my favourite books of all time but I understand that the "withholding information" schtick is incredibly annoying and lazy (you know guys, Thomas will ask less questions IF YOU ANSWER HIS QUESTIONS!) and the characters are simple and one-dimensional. I enjoy the movie a lot more (Dylan and Ki Hong giving each other subtle bedroom looks has helped fuel my Thominho-shipping love :P) and allows the actors to create their own interpretations of their characters. Okay, I'm rambling now, but I promise you that I'm one of those TMR fans that understands why this isn't people's cup of tea and I enjoy it in my own way.
I never cared for The Maze Runner when I first read it (though I have heard that the other books in the series are much better), but the movie was awesome!
The Grievers never seemed scary to me too. I actually enjoyed the language/slang, thought it was fun and immersive. The withholding information is an interesting device...the "unknown" elements are fun, but it's *so* safe in this book. The answers that we are given are so very safe and borderline...boring. I feel like I couldn't have been happy, nor could I have been upset. They were just...answers.I definitely had my share of issues with the series, though.
Since you have read this twice in different years, does this count towards your 2014 reading challenge?
Natasha wrote: "Since you have read this twice in different years, does this count towards your 2014 reading challenge?"It wasn't counted... but it might if I'd marked it as "currently reading" and then moved it to "read". I'm not sure.
Thanks for the review, Miss May! I am dropping this Maze Runner series. Tired of YA and dystopian fiction after reading several.
ugh, I agree with you so much, the withholding information drove me up a wall. I could't even finish the second book because it seemed like that same thing was about to happen again. I'll never understand the hype this book gets, I was the only one of my friends to dislike it
I have started this book two years ago, and never could finish it. I didn't understand all the fuss around it because while everyone around was saying how good it was, I just found it plain boring. Will watch the movie though, if it's any good, but I'm trully finding no motivation here to continue reading it, let alone the whole series.
in the maze, yay ... the rest, nay. I found it difficult to rate it as well. I'm not triggered to read the rest of the serie
Finally someone agrees
I could not stand this series!!! Waste of time!!
I hated that it was written with an accent. I didn't finish the book.
