books_and_beers's review
3.0
While this book was good and action packed it was, overall, just ok. I think the main problem was that while I was expecting it to be about Thomas and Teresa or really any of the characters you know from the rest of the series, it wasn't. So that being said how am I really supposed to care about these characters when I know that they have no place in the rest of the series, and knowing how the rest of the series goes, sorry spoiler here but you could probably figure it out pretty quickly, they are going to die before the book is done. Since I knew that pretty much 40 pages into the book I couldn't let myself get attached to the characters or really care about them. Also it didn't really answer any questions, it just led up to the part that I wanted to read. So maybe there will be another one to finally get all my questions answered? Maybe, maybe not.
Spoiler
Well it kinda is but doesn't really focus on that said characterrubygaudett's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I found this to be a very useless, filler type book. A lot of the focus is on dreams which are irrelevant. New characters are introduced than in the maze runner trilogy. The book either could have been condensed or altered. Slow and hard to stay interested in. Most of the interesting plot occurs within the last 50ish pages. Do yourself a favour, skip this book.
brentmayberry's review
3.0
The "prequel" to the [b:The Maze Runner|6186357|The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)|James Dashner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320500235s/6186357.jpg|6366642] was overall kind of meh. Besides the two main male characters, Mark and Alec, I had a hard time caring about what happened to the rest of the group. I wanted Dashner to describe more of the post-apocalyptic world Mark inhabited. Hopefully there will be another book that can better link this work to the Maze Runner. The lack of connection was frustrating. We never get a good idea about how Thomas and Teresa fit into all of this.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
What I liked:
Writing from the perspective of someone coming down with the Flare.
Descriptions about the post-flare world, Manhattan especially.
What I didn't like:
Not enough back story about the rise of the Post-Flare Coalition and how it ended up in Alaska. I can forgive this, though, because that would be a lot to explain.
The first act was really, really slow, and the plot seemed to drag on and on until the group started heading for the berg station.
The violence was borderline over-the-top. I did not enjoy this aspect of the book, and I'm one who can tolerate a lot of violence.
Some of the ways the protagonists escape the cranks, particularly in the basement in Asheville. I had a hard time believing all the cranks simply listened to Trina for no apparent reason.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
What I liked:
Writing from the perspective of someone coming down with the Flare.
Descriptions about the post-flare world, Manhattan especially.
What I didn't like:
Not enough back story about the rise of the Post-Flare Coalition and how it ended up in Alaska. I can forgive this, though, because that would be a lot to explain.
The first act was really, really slow, and the plot seemed to drag on and on until the group started heading for the berg station.
The violence was borderline over-the-top. I did not enjoy this aspect of the book, and I'm one who can tolerate a lot of violence.
Some of the ways the protagonists escape the cranks, particularly in the basement in Asheville. I had a hard time believing all the cranks simply listened to Trina for no apparent reason.
kyndalb's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
dekovash's review
4.0
I wish I would have read this book first... ready for a new series of books that actually has a happy ending. I can see why my son liked the series though.
melaniemia's review
2.0
As far as prequels go, this one kinda sucked. But I really liked The Maze Runner, but all the books following have disappointed. However, I do have to say that the authors writing style improved DRASTICALLY since he wrote The Maze Runner. He's still fairly repetitive, but it's much better writing than the other 3 books.
This was a very depressing series and I am glad it's over. But I can't wait to see the movie of The Maze Runner! I can't even imagine how awesome the set will be.
This was a very depressing series and I am glad it's over. But I can't wait to see the movie of The Maze Runner! I can't even imagine how awesome the set will be.
allisonbrooke's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Violence, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, and Torture