Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner, we have all heard of it by now and especially since it has been made into a movie. Maybe you’ve heard of it through a friend, a coworker, your kid, online or even on TV. The Maze Runner has most definitely gone viral! (Pun intended for those of you who have read all four books in the series.)

This book takes place after The Kill Order and focuses on Thomas, a young man around the age of sixteen. Thomas wakes up in a dark elevator having no idea where he is or who he is or why he is in the pitch black elevator. When the elevator stops doors open from the top and sunlight pours in. At the opening of the box more boys stand looking down on him and one jumps inside the box and helps Thomas out. Thomas is scared and confused as to what is going on. When Thomas gets out of the box he takes a look around to see that he is in a large grassy area that is surrounded by enormous cement walls. He can’t remember anything at all about his past and what led to him being there. All he knows is his name. The boys who are already there tell Thomas that they call the place the Glade and that they call themselves Gladers. They also tell Thomas that for two years one boy each month has been sent up in the box just like he was. No memories, just a name. Always a boy and always one each month.

Unlike the past newcomers, Thomas is curious and asks questions about why they are all there and what the place is. Thomas finds out that they are all trapped inside of the center of a gigantic maze. He wants to know why they are there and who put them there but he has strange feelings about it all. Everyone in the Glade has a job, butchers, gardeners, builders and so on, but there is one job that Thomas is dying to have. He wants to be a runner. Everyday a group of guys called runners go out into the Maze to look for a way out. In two years they have found no such thing but Thomas wants to find the way out. The day after Thomas arrives at the Maze something unexpected and very odd happens...a girl is sent up in the box! After the girl arrives things begin to take a turn for the worse and Thomas takes it upon himself to do what no Glader has ever done before… Find the way out.

Recommended age:

11+

On to the ratings!

Stars..

0 = None 10 = Tons

THE FEELS:

There is one really emotional part at the end of the book and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read the book or seen the movie yet!

4.5/10

Violence:

There is violence, Thomas gets attacked by another Glader, boys are killed and some other bits here and there.

6/10

Sexual content:

None.

0/10

Crude language:

There isn't any bad or crude language to mention.

0/10

Other elements:

There are some made-up words that to some may be “slang” words but I rather enjoy the Glader lingo!

Overall:

Over all this book is really fun and very interesting James Dashner has become one of my favorite authors. This book would be great for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Murder Complex!

10/10

Xoxo

- Sarah