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The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, #1)
by James Dashner (Goodreads Author)
by James Dashner (Goodreads Author)
Wendy Darling's review
bookshelves: skimmed-or-unfinished, dystopian-post-apocalyptic-utopian, young-adult, read-2011, male-ya-author, male-pov, dnf
Jan 09, 13
bookshelves: skimmed-or-unfinished, dystopian-post-apocalyptic-utopian, young-adult, read-2011, male-ya-author, male-pov, dnf
Read in May, 2011
A premise full of promise, but after 150 pages, how can there still be no answers? Deliberately withholding information becomes frustrating not only for the protagonist, but for the reader as well. The fact that Thomas does not demand more answers from his fellow captives makes it difficult to sympathize with or care what happens to him. The spoilers for the book make it sound intriguing, but I can't wade through another 200 pages before it gets to the point.
Aside from a few physical differences and "bad" or "good" actions, the boys tend to blend together as well. They're not fully fleshed out or unique in any way, and for a book that's centered around characters in a bleak environment in a desperate situation, this is a most unfortunate weakness.
Aside from a few physical differences and "bad" or "good" actions, the boys tend to blend together as well. They're not fully fleshed out or unique in any way, and for a book that's centered around characters in a bleak environment in a desperate situation, this is a most unfortunate weakness.
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Kyle
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rated it 1 star
Dec 05, 2011 04:11pm
Series definitely wouldn't have been worth finishing. I've read all three, even by the end of the third book, little was honestly answered, and everything was wrapped up with lame answers that still had gaping questions.
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Well, I'm glad I stopped then. Thanks for letting me know, Kyle! Sorry you put so much time into what sounds like a pretty unrewarding experience.
I was really frustrated too - I came so close to putting it down but I kept wondering if that withholding of information served some purpose other than to annoy the bejeesus out of me - it didn't. I must admit that after that nonsense ended I started to enjoy it and I'm now finishing the third book.
Oh good, I'm glad it got better for you, Loopy! But I fear you are a more patient reader than I, hah.
I read the WHOLE THING, anxiously awaiting the answers I assumed would finally be there for me. There were NO answers. NONE. At least none that I cared about. And I actually had NEW questions at the end. I felt a like I'd been tricked. Like maybe the author said it would be four books, then get me sucked in, only to say, "Guess what? Great news! There's a FIFTH book coming!" So at first I was a little irritated and checked his website to see. But, no. He says he has never intended to continue that story. Now I feel betrayed! Like I wasted so much time and energy. There is a prequel coming out, but use would that be? Sorry for the rant! But when I saw this I was like, "Yes! Why didn't I have her foresight?!" ;)
Well now I'm sad to see i'll be left wanting more. I really didn't get into this book until about 200 pages in and THEN I really wanted to know what was going on. Before that I was only moderately curious. I'll read the next book but I hope it answers at least some questions.
I listened to the first and third on audio (fabulous on audio) but yeah, this series started much stronger then it ended (there's part where, well decisions are made to remain ignorant and it pissed me off.) Anyway it's not exactly the same but I often tell people this book is a bit like Lord of the Flies meets William Sleator's House of Stairs so you could try that one which has many more answers.
I have had this on my to read list for a while. But I truly do hate spending time reading a story that becomes frustrating through lack of resolutions/answers... I think I will still pick it up, but maybe a little later on than planned. Thanks for the review Wendy.
I'm so bummed to hear this. I had such high hopes for this trilogy!! :(Though Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking trilogy started out that way, & in the end is one of my favourites. :) For that reason, I think I'm still going to give this book a go, but at least I know what to expect. Thanks!
