- James Dashner, The Maze Runner
Yet again, I read a book thinking it was a stand alone, and it was the beginning of a series. There is only one thing wrong with that: I get to the end...and it's NOT the end! I have no closure whatsoever, and I'm shocked beyond all belief. Upon finishing the book, I literally threw my hands into the air and screamed, "NNNOOOOOOOO!!!" I desperately was longing for more information, but that will come in the following books.
I honestly had never heard of this book until I saw the trailer for it in theaters. At the end of the trailer the words "Based on the novel by James Dashner" appeared. I knew the movie was being released very soon, so I thought "challenge accepted." I finished the book in the parking lot minutes before the film started, so I'd say that's a success.
Thomas was scared. He woke up in a box surrounded by other boys about his age staring at him. He was in a place that seemed vaguely familiar, but he wasn't quite sure about it. In fact, he wasn't sure about anything. He had no memory of anything before that moment. The boys around him told him he was in The Glade, whatever that meant. They had been living there for 2 years, but none of them remembered anything before arriving at The Glade either. How did they all get here? Even more important, how do they get out?
The number one rule in The Glade was to not go beyond the walls. So how do you find a way to escape if you don't try to leave? Turns out, there is a maze beyond the walls of The Glade. Only certain boys, called Runners, were allowed into the maze. They ran through the maze, studied it, mapped it, memorized it, trying to find one thing to get them out. Something inside of Thomas was telling him that he wanted to be a Runner. More than anything.
Soon after Thomas started to understand the ways of The Glade, things began to change. Everything was always consistent in The Glade, so why are things changing? Why now? Why does Thomas start to feel like things are familiar to him? Why does everyone think things are Thomas's fault? Is it? All Thomas knows is that he wants to find a way out and find a way back home, wherever that was.
Read The Maze Runner to find out if Thomas and the rest of the boys escape The Glade.
If you read my reviews regularly, you know that I'm a sucker for good vocabulary. James Dashner had an incredible way with words, and that is one of the things that drew me to his story so quickly. The plot of the story was very interesting, and his attention to detail was fascinating. He would never leave out a single detail.
The Maze Runner was a gripping, action-packed novel that I would suggest for any age. The content was not tainted in any way, and language was very minimal, if there was language at all.
As I mentioned earlier, I watched the movie immediately after finishing the book. Although I felt that key points of the book were omitted from the production, it was still an entertaining and well-made film.
The film has more language than the book, but I still think it is appropriate for most ages. There is violence and tons of action, just like the book, but it is something the entire family can enjoy.
***
To stay updated with the latest book trends, make sure to LIKE Drunk On Books on Facebook. I post quotes, photos, reviews, contests, book sales, and more!
I'm always open to opinions, comments, suggestions and critiques. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment box below.
