A review by reka111
The Maze Runner by James Dashner

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

Just follow me and run like your life depends on it. Because it does.

Overall, this book could be forgotten perhaps that’s the best words to describe it. Honetly. I'm not saying it's not creative and it's not unique, because it is - it really is, but it just doesn't have as much impact as other dystopian books.

Thomas was a bit annoying and sometimes a lost protagonist, but his heart and perseverance magnified it in my eyes. I know, even though he's the main character, I often felt like I wasn't interested in him — and his struggles — but in the other side characters. Teresa can get my heart, with her input and the spiritual strength she possesses, remarkable to say the least. I'd be terrified to death if I was locked up with 40+ boys for one night and I know most of my female peers would feel the same way. Minho, my dear Minho. So many times he gets on the verge of madness and giving up that it's incredible - and he had so many reasons - but he managed to get over it. His determination and loyalty were wonderful. Newt is a true leader, he should have always been the leader, not Alby. 

The plot, as I said, is unique, but the execution is no longer the best. Probably because we haven't gotten the whole picture yet — but the builiding of the world itself is pretty confusing. The story line often got boring to me and I wasn't particularly impressed, even with the action. Frankly, this book was probably the weakest of the big three (THG, TD & TMR). I really couldn't identify with the wording, I could have scratched my eyes in some places - this could be the translator's fault. The pace was unceasingly slow at the beginning and too fast at the end, as if it had to close all the threads suddenly. The ending, as I said, was very abrupt - which perhaps fits the inner world of the main characters - but it wasn't necessarily necessary. In fact, at all. 

In summary, it was not a great experience, it did not impress me as I expected. Somehow, that's okay; Not every book is for everyone. 
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