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The Maze Runner
(The Maze Runner #1)
by
There are alternate cover editions for this ASIN here and here.
If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.
Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing ma ...more
If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.
Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.
Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing ma ...more
Hardcover, First Edition, 384 pages
Published
October 6th 2009
by Delacorte Press
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Popular Answered Questions
This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Linda Zeng
It never gets better. NEVER! >_>
ScratchstarOnWarriors
YES DO READ THE SCRORCH TRAILS AND DEATH CURE IF YOU DO YOU WILL GET WHY THE MAZE RUNNER ENDS LIKE THAT!
(Sorry for caps I got carried away :) )
(Sorry for caps I got carried away :) )
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
This book was recommended for fans of the Hunger Games series, a series that has become one of my favorites. I began The Maze Runner excitedly, hoping for an equally enjoyable, dystopian adventure. I didn't find it.
The plot was intriguing and kept me reading; in fact, it was probably the only reason why I kept reading. Some writers are able to seamlessly integrate characterization and good writing with a fast-moving plot; James Dashner is not one of them. The pacing is strange, and Dashner's use ...more
The plot was intriguing and kept me reading; in fact, it was probably the only reason why I kept reading. Some writers are able to seamlessly integrate characterization and good writing with a fast-moving plot; James Dashner is not one of them. The pacing is strange, and Dashner's use ...more
Oct 10, 2009
Tatiana
rated it
it was ok
Recommends it for:
those who look for a mediocre sci-fi/dystopia kind of read
Recommended to Tatiana by:
Heather
This book would have been great IF:
1) the characters had some personality
2) the main character - Thomas - weren't such a Gary Stu and showed some character development and growth instead of conveniently "remembering" important information to advance the plot
3) the book weren't filled with atrocious made-up slang - "shuck-face," really, is this supposed to be cool?
4) the villains - Grievers - were actually scary or dangerous
5) the maze had some kind of mystery about it and not limited to moving w ...more
1) the characters had some personality
2) the main character - Thomas - weren't such a Gary Stu and showed some character development and growth instead of conveniently "remembering" important information to advance the plot
3) the book weren't filled with atrocious made-up slang - "shuck-face," really, is this supposed to be cool?
4) the villains - Grievers - were actually scary or dangerous
5) the maze had some kind of mystery about it and not limited to moving w ...more
You know how sometimes you're running really fast from a horrible creature and, in a moment of panic, you turn around to see how close it is only to run straight into a brick wall?
No?
I don't know what that's like either.
But that inattention to detail would probably totally screw you over because a.) now you're knocked unconscious and b.) the creature is going to devour you. Good job.
I guess this is kind of like Lot's wife looking back on Sodom only to be turned into a pillar of salt.
And it is ...more
No?
I don't know what that's like either.
But that inattention to detail would probably totally screw you over because a.) now you're knocked unconscious and b.) the creature is going to devour you. Good job.
I guess this is kind of like Lot's wife looking back on Sodom only to be turned into a pillar of salt.
And it is ...more
Mar 15, 2012
Meredith Holley
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of the ending of LOST
Q: if you could edit this book, what would you take out?
A: the words.
. . .
Have you ever had an eight-year-old kid try to describe to you winning a level of a video game? Have you ever had a middle-aged man try to describe to you completing the games section of the New York Times? Did those experiences involve multiple conversations like this:
“What is the maze?”
“Stop asking so many questions!”
I have to say that this book was more boring than having someone tell you in painful detail about winnin ...more
A: the words.
. . .
Have you ever had an eight-year-old kid try to describe to you winning a level of a video game? Have you ever had a middle-aged man try to describe to you completing the games section of the New York Times? Did those experiences involve multiple conversations like this:
“What is the maze?”
“Stop asking so many questions!”
I have to say that this book was more boring than having someone tell you in painful detail about winnin ...more
Okay so before I start I want to say something.I personally hesitated to read this book because I heard too many bad reviews and things about this book.But let me tell you something.Yeah it has it's problems like the written style but this book has one of the best story plots I have ever read about.And believe,once you get into the book,you will not care about the writing or anything else.I am seriously so angry I haven't read this book early and even more for listening or reading those really
...more
“You are the shuckiest shuck faced shuck in the world!”
2 1/2 stars.
It's funny how just a few years can change everything - your reading tastes, your expectations, your standards... because when I read The Maze Runner in early 2011, I enjoyed it a lot. It seemed fast-paced, exciting and a little scary. Plus, I thought the slang was a nice touch.
Three years and a million dystopian/sci-fi books later and everything about me has outgrown this book. It's not terrible. I can still see why someon ...more
To Summarize: Wellllll...that was convenient...
Thomas wakes up in the middle of a glen in the center a enormous maze. He (along with all of the other guys in there) have no memory of life outside of the maze.
Absolutely blank slates the lot of them...wellll....mostly.
Their entire lives were conveniently erased just enough so they'd have language, motor skills and just enough memory to understand irrigation/farming but nothing of their personal lives.
Every month, a newcomer arrives to the Glade. ...more
Thomas wakes up in the middle of a glen in the center a enormous maze. He (along with all of the other guys in there) have no memory of life outside of the maze.
Absolutely blank slates the lot of them...wellll....mostly.
Their entire lives were conveniently erased just enough so they'd have language, motor skills and just enough memory to understand irrigation/farming but nothing of their personal lives.
Every month, a newcomer arrives to the Glade. ...more
”Sweat drenched his hair, his hands, his clothes, everything. A fear he had never known filled him to the point of insanity.”
Truth be told, I’ve been waiting to read this book for ages! I don’t even know when the first movie came out, but I think it must have been around 2014 or something like that. Anyway, because I didn’t know better back then I just went to the movies and watched the film only to find out that it’s based on a trilogy that was written by James Dashner. Of course I was very int ...more
Truth be told, I’ve been waiting to read this book for ages! I don’t even know when the first movie came out, but I think it must have been around 2014 or something like that. Anyway, because I didn’t know better back then I just went to the movies and watched the film only to find out that it’s based on a trilogy that was written by James Dashner. Of course I was very int ...more
The last page is turned and all I have to say is this: What for the love of all that's good and pure was this foolishness?
...Aaaaand ..... rant!
-----
When I'm sick - the snotty phlegmy febrile kind of sick - and my brain feels sizzlingly fried, I sometimes turn to easy reading "fluff" to give my neurons a break. Sometimes this strategy backfires and the 'fluffy' book actually tries to break my long-suffering brain cells with its sheer stupidity.
It's not even mediocre; mediocrity would be elevat ...more
...Aaaaand ..... rant!
-----
When I'm sick - the snotty phlegmy febrile kind of sick - and my brain feels sizzlingly fried, I sometimes turn to easy reading "fluff" to give my neurons a break. Sometimes this strategy backfires and the 'fluffy' book actually tries to break my long-suffering brain cells with its sheer stupidity.
It's not even mediocre; mediocrity would be elevat ...more
Oct 17, 2010
Cara
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who don't mind their brain getting twisted
Reading this book + No sleep= brain shock . Oh more like my brain was blown into freaking little bits. I kept thinking about it after I was done. I finished it into the late hours of the night and I kept circling in my head what was going to happen next. The point is moot but I am definitely going to read the sequel The Scorch Trials.
From the start as the reader we have NO idea what is happening. All Thomas can remember is his name. Not where he came from or any specific details of his life. Ne ...more
From the start as the reader we have NO idea what is happening. All Thomas can remember is his name. Not where he came from or any specific details of his life. Ne ...more
EDIT 09/05/2013
Holy crap, that looks perfect.
--
I am way better at writing reviews for books I hated, but I’m gonna give it a go anyway.
--
Okay. Breathe, Inge, breathe.
Oh, this is gooooood.
The Maze Runner was like a breath of fresh air to me. I needed a nice, clean cut from the typical YA books filled with whiny protagonists, insta-love and love triangles, and I got exactly what I asked for. This book is like a giant puzzle that you solve along with the characters. It is filled with unexpected t ...more
Holy crap, that looks perfect.
--
I am way better at writing reviews for books I hated, but I’m gonna give it a go anyway.
--
Okay. Breathe, Inge, breathe.
Oh, this is gooooood.
The Maze Runner was like a breath of fresh air to me. I needed a nice, clean cut from the typical YA books filled with whiny protagonists, insta-love and love triangles, and I got exactly what I asked for. This book is like a giant puzzle that you solve along with the characters. It is filled with unexpected t ...more
I've just finished and all I can say is holy shuck! This book is awesome!
I was a little bit scared when I started this book that I wasn't going to like it as it is my first real dystopia/sci-fi book I've read. After about 110 pages it got to the point where I couldn't put it down for anything even while eating dinner I had it one hand and when bedtime came I wanted to stay up all night and read it.
The plot was fast paced, suspenseful and full of suprises. The twists and turns this book took sho ...more
I was a little bit scared when I started this book that I wasn't going to like it as it is my first real dystopia/sci-fi book I've read. After about 110 pages it got to the point where I couldn't put it down for anything even while eating dinner I had it one hand and when bedtime came I wanted to stay up all night and read it.
The plot was fast paced, suspenseful and full of suprises. The twists and turns this book took sho ...more
At first I was a bit put out with this book. I don’t know what it is about male authors, but they can be down right infuriating. Men truly do think on a different wave length and speak another language than women. I was becoming rather frustrated with the lack of information being given, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to endure that sort of aggravation for 300 plus pages. Luckily around page 60 or so, Dashner hit his stride and I became enthralled with this story.
It’s so difficult to write a ...more
It’s so difficult to write a ...more
Apr 06, 2011
Wendy Darling
marked it as dnf
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 difference ...more
Aside from a few physical difference ...more
Thomas comes to the maze in a box, he has no memories of anything other than his name. He learns that he is the "GreenBean" or the newest boy to arrive. They get arrivals once a month.
There's a ton of questions about how he got there and why there is a maze that has walls that move every night.
Then there are the Grievers. Which for the life of me I could not find scary. A machine-like slug? Pour some salt on that fucker.
The next day a girl arrives.
It throws the boys into an uproar. A GIRL! an ...more
“How could anyone be evil enough to do this to us?”
Just as awesome the second time round!
Thomas wakes up in the Glade with no memory of who he is or his past. He is surrounded by boys all just like him, no idea why they are there, some have been there as long as 2 years.
They all keep the Glade running, they grow food, raise livestock and perhaps the most important job - the runners. The runners go out everyday exploring the giant maze surrounding the Glade, attempting to find an escape. Every ...more
Just as awesome the second time round!
Thomas wakes up in the Glade with no memory of who he is or his past. He is surrounded by boys all just like him, no idea why they are there, some have been there as long as 2 years.
They all keep the Glade running, they grow food, raise livestock and perhaps the most important job - the runners. The runners go out everyday exploring the giant maze surrounding the Glade, attempting to find an escape. Every ...more
The Maze Runner is a masterfully plotted mystery. It's intriguing. It draws you in quick and then reveals details at just the right time to keep you turning the pages for more.
While many criticize the characters for being flat, which they are, Thomas and his fellow Maze Runners are at the very least likable. They play pranks, they crack jokes, they bond in inventive ways, and most importantly they're just fun in general. You can't help but like characters that are trapped in an almost literal He ...more
While many criticize the characters for being flat, which they are, Thomas and his fellow Maze Runners are at the very least likable. They play pranks, they crack jokes, they bond in inventive ways, and most importantly they're just fun in general. You can't help but like characters that are trapped in an almost literal He ...more
You know how when people are sad they listen to sad music? I on the other hand read a whole ass sad book. The 'sadness', funnily enough, was the result of watching The Death Cure a thousand times and not getting over you-know-what.
You guys were right though. It was wayy different than the movie (not that I'm complaining or anything I love the movie) Gally's character, the whole maze and everything was much more explicit.
I love Newt so much man. He deserves all the happiness in the world. He's li ...more
You guys were right though. It was wayy different than the movie (not that I'm complaining or anything I love the movie) Gally's character, the whole maze and everything was much more explicit.
I love Newt so much man. He deserves all the happiness in the world. He's li ...more
2.5 stars. The Maze Runner isn't all bad, for dystopian YA fiction. That's kind of damning it with faint praise, but I just can't summon up a whole lot of enthusiasm for it. It was reasonably well-written and had a promising setting, but I found it a frustrating read on SO many levels:
1. Other kids keep telling the main character not to ask questions, so, so often. It was incredibly annoying and -here's the capper - it turns out there's no real reason for that. Other than hiding the Big Mystery ...more
1. Other kids keep telling the main character not to ask questions, so, so often. It was incredibly annoying and -here's the capper - it turns out there's no real reason for that. Other than hiding the Big Mystery ...more
It's 1am, just finished this and it was aMAZEing, see what I did there ;)
Review to come!!
Review (more like gush):
Where do I even start this review...
Okay, so, The Maze Runner is absolutely incredible! I loved it so much!
This book instantly sucked me in, when I really just got it off my shelf to look at it! Haha, I had always been a bit hesitant to read this book, because I didn't think I'd like it much... Boy, was I wrong. I even broke a book-lover rule and saw the movie first, because I was nev ...more
Review to come!!
Review (more like gush):
Where do I even start this review...
Okay, so, The Maze Runner is absolutely incredible! I loved it so much!
This book instantly sucked me in, when I really just got it off my shelf to look at it! Haha, I had always been a bit hesitant to read this book, because I didn't think I'd like it much... Boy, was I wrong. I even broke a book-lover rule and saw the movie first, because I was nev ...more
3.5
Well. There was....well, first of all, I have to get a cup of water because I have a major headache.
*Goes to get cup of water*
*Returns*
Aah. Much better.
Okay,first second of all, my friend recommended this book. So I requested it, and (foolish me) left it lying on the table where I do my homework, in plain sight of my parents. Oops. So THEN my dad says, at dinner:
"Oh, Ellie, by the way--I borrowed that book of yours, Runner? Or something?"
*gulps nervously* "The Maze Runner?"
"Yeah, that's it. ...more
Well. There was....well, first of all, I have to get a cup of water because I have a major headache.
*Goes to get cup of water*
*Returns*
Aah. Much better.
Okay,
"Oh, Ellie, by the way--I borrowed that book of yours, Runner? Or something?"
*gulps nervously* "The Maze Runner?"
"Yeah, that's it. ...more
See the chapter x chapter breakdown on my blog
As if the simplistic and "tell-y" writing in this book weren't bad enough, we also have to content with some truly atrocious pacing, inconsistent characterization, logic gaps out the wazoo, a Gary Stu of a main character, and an ending that kicks this book up into whole new levels of WTFery.
The majority of this book is people jealously withholding information that gets revealed a few chapters later, which makes it painfully obvious that all the not-t ...more
As if the simplistic and "tell-y" writing in this book weren't bad enough, we also have to content with some truly atrocious pacing, inconsistent characterization, logic gaps out the wazoo, a Gary Stu of a main character, and an ending that kicks this book up into whole new levels of WTFery.
The majority of this book is people jealously withholding information that gets revealed a few chapters later, which makes it painfully obvious that all the not-t ...more
I enjoyed the Maze Runner, but not as much as I wanted to. It was a great concept, and the story was compelling, the characters and plot twists interesting, and there was no limit to Dashner’s creativity. My big problem was that the characters were manipulated by the story, and not the other way around.
There were so many times when the characters would have figured things out. They’re supposed to be brilliant kids, and yet they are continually clueless about things that are pretty obvious to th ...more
There were so many times when the characters would have figured things out. They’re supposed to be brilliant kids, and yet they are continually clueless about things that are pretty obvious to th ...more
| oblique spoilers ahead |
A is for Apocalypse! A modern craze; a timeless fantasy. What shall bring us to this place? Can there be life after such an event? And if so… what kind of life would that be?
B is for Banzai! “Banzai” is a traditional Japanese exclamation meaning “ten thousand years”. A Banzai charge is a last, desperate charge.
C is for Cube! “Cube” is a 1997 film by Vincenzo Natali. The characters in this film are trapped in a kind of maze, and must pass from one cube-shaped room to ...more
A is for Apocalypse! A modern craze; a timeless fantasy. What shall bring us to this place? Can there be life after such an event? And if so… what kind of life would that be?
B is for Banzai! “Banzai” is a traditional Japanese exclamation meaning “ten thousand years”. A Banzai charge is a last, desperate charge.
C is for Cube! “Cube” is a 1997 film by Vincenzo Natali. The characters in this film are trapped in a kind of maze, and must pass from one cube-shaped room to ...more
Preamble: I apologize up front about the spoilers in this review. They are hidden, but if you don't want to know some of the spoilers, don't click on them! Fair warning!
Review: I read this at the encouragement of one of my kids, who dearly loves this book. So let me state right up front, buddy, I'm glad you loved this book. Now I'm going to express my opinion. Please remember that we're all allowed to have our opinions, even if mine is wrong.
Now, I didn't hate The Maze Runner by any means. But ...more
Review: I read this at the encouragement of one of my kids, who dearly loves this book. So let me state right up front, buddy, I'm glad you loved this book. Now I'm going to express my opinion. Please remember that we're all allowed to have our opinions, even if mine is wrong.
Now, I didn't hate The Maze Runner by any means. But ...more
WHAT DID JUST--- OMG.
My experience with this book turned out to be a unique one: for most of the book I was thinking that it had some redeeming ideas but that it just wasn't good enough, but the last third really turned everything around. Let's discuss.
I bought this book over a year ago because of the Dystopia craze.. having read so much dystopia though, I wasn't able to pick it up. It's been a while though, and I picked it up at a time where I was excited for it which turned out for the best.
I was first stricken wi ...more
I bought this book over a year ago because of the Dystopia craze.. having read so much dystopia though, I wasn't able to pick it up. It's been a while though, and I picked it up at a time where I was excited for it which turned out for the best.
I was first stricken wi ...more
Okay so I saw the movie when it came to dvd and I loved it, but here is the faces I got when I said I hadn't read the book yet ↓
I know right? I loved the book. I will say I watched the second movie and didn't like it but I'm going to keep on with the books and see.
Welcome To The Maze!
Imagine, if you will, you wake up in some elevator thing and you have no idea what is going on or your past. You just end up in some place with a bunch of dudes that are calling you greenie until the next person c ...more
I know right? I loved the book. I will say I watched the second movie and didn't like it but I'm going to keep on with the books and see.
Welcome To The Maze!
Imagine, if you will, you wake up in some elevator thing and you have no idea what is going on or your past. You just end up in some place with a bunch of dudes that are calling you greenie until the next person c ...more
I DNF this like 5 pages in.
No joke fams
No joke fams
4.5 stars
BECAUSE IT ALL STARTED DUE TO THIS ONE . I was never much of a reader as a child . The thought of wasting my precious free time , by reading a book , which I may or may not like , was simply appalling for my childish mind. And while I was in middle grade I was pretty busy with cricket and football. So I never even gave a thought to reading till a friend suggested me 'The Maze Runner' in 9th grade. I am really glad he did.
Yeah . This will always be my first read. And I loved it . A gu ...more
BECAUSE IT ALL STARTED DUE TO THIS ONE . I was never much of a reader as a child . The thought of wasting my precious free time , by reading a book , which I may or may not like , was simply appalling for my childish mind. And while I was in middle grade I was pretty busy with cricket and football. So I never even gave a thought to reading till a friend suggested me 'The Maze Runner' in 9th grade. I am really glad he did.
Yeah . This will always be my first read. And I loved it . A gu ...more
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—
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