Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion
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The Maze Runner
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JUNE: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
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I have the ARC copy so I will get to it before the month is over! My TBR pile is just insane!!!
I am looking forward to reading it. Waiting for it to come from the library.
I thought the book was slow in the beginning, but it quickly caught my attention and kept it until the end. While I know it was meant to be the beginning of a series, I feel like it didn't answer any of the big questions developed during the story, which was frustrating and disappointing at the end. Overall not bad, but certainly not my favorite book.
Maria wrote: "I thought the book was slow in the beginning, but it quickly caught my attention and kept it until the end. While I know it was meant to be the beginning of a series, I feel like it didn't answer..."I feel the same way. I had a really hard time getting into the book, which is odd for a dystopian YA novel, but once things started coming together, it got more interesting. I do hate the cliffhanger at the end and wish that maybe it had been sped up and more had been explained at the end.
Also, I've found that my boy students like this book more than Hunger Games because it is "creepier."
I ordered this as an audio book from the library. I can't wait!
For some reason the cliffhanger didn't bother me. Normally books that ends without out a lot of explanation really bother me, but this one didn't.************SPOILER ALERT IF YOU READ ON**************
I guess I felt good about the ending because their biggest hurdle was escaping the maze and that was accomplished. I'm looking forward to the why and what of the maze being explained in the next book.
Maria wrote: "I thought the book was slow in the beginning, but it quickly caught my attention and kept it until the end. While I know it was meant to be the beginning of a series, I feel like it didn't answer..."I have to somewhat agree with Maria and Kellee - as I too, thought the first few chapters were slow to start.
I also thought some of the "new" language that he'd created, was a little awkward at first...but then I got used to it, and liked seeing how the MC started to fit in, by using it. I did feel that the author did a decent job of explaining the story, while still leaving openings for the readers imagination.
I rather enjoyed this book, along with the cliff hanger - which at 2:30am this morning when I finished it, made me think, "Really? Are you kidding me?". Which is exactly what the author should make you think, to make you want to read more. I will for sure, read the sequel.
While it wasn't my favorite, I still felt it was thoroughly entertaining.
I'm somewhere around chapter 9 or 10, and I'm just getting past my frustrations with the writing style. The style hasn't changed and it's just as annoying, but I'm getting wrapped up by the story behind it. I'd really like to see this writer grow. He sure can come up with a great plot.
Rita - What about the writing style is bothering you? I know the created language took some getting use to but I can't remember anything specific about writing style. I just really liked the concept of the story and how it was developed. I liked how the end also set up the story for book 2.
I agree Alyson. I felt the ending wrapped up the questions I had from the first book but left me with more questions that will hopefully be answered in the next book The Scorch Trials.
I just finished the book last night, and enjoyed it. But I think the ending raised more questions than it answered. Is WICKED good? Why the "rescue"? Where are they being taken? What is the next phase? Is it another test? I enjoyed this one enough that I'll probably buy the second book to get some more answers.
The lingo took some getting used to for me as well, but it didn't bother me too much by the end. I really enjoyed the story although some parts were a bit predictable for me, such as:***SPOILER***
the girl showing up and the twist at the end that the rescue wasn't real. But, it was still a great book and I'll definitely be reading the next installment.
Alyson wrote: "Rita - What about the writing style is bothering you?"The created language (shuck, clunk, sloppers, etc.) didn't bother me. I thought it was used very naturally, and I quickly caught on.
What bothers me is the "telling." I noticed paragraph after paragraph where the action could be written as a bulleted list.
"He looked across the glade. He saw the concrete box. He wondered how it got there. He felt afraid."
And yet, he's got such a great story. As time has passed, I know he still lists the action like that, but I don't notice it as much because I want to know what happens next.
Thanks for clarifying Rita. I think I was so curious about the Glade and the premise behind the book that I ignored some of the "telling". Also I think the whole created language took me longer to get use to that I didn't notice some of the other stuff. I really do want to see where this goes though...
Hi!I read this book months ago before I joined this group,so it's been fun reading everyone's comments. It's always interesting to find out which parts of a book stick with a reader. For me, this book's general sense of fear and frustration has hung on in my mind. The very strange setting/situation reminded me of books by William Streator (not sure that's the right name but I'll check later), which I like, but I think this book's characters were more appealing. I found the ending a little annoying, and it didn't leave me with a burning desire to read the sequel, but I probably will. Some books, such a POD by Stephen Wallenfels, end in a satisfying manner, but I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Alyson wrote: "...that I ignored some of the "telling"."Now that I am almost done, I barely notice the telling at all. I am too caught up in the mystery of the maze world. The author has done an awesome job building the world and the characters.
I do read SF, and this would be a decent intro to the genre for those leery of it. But the writing style I agree was awkward. And I *really* don't like series. But I've a question esp. for those who enjoyed it. Do you think that Thomas' coping skills and courage were realistic? How about the boys in general - do you think teen boys could create such an effective community in just two years? Do you think it's realistic that the boys would resign themselves to the routine like they did? I keep thinking about the book Lord of the Flies....
I think most of us have survival skills. We will do what we have to in order to survive. And I do think in many ways a system will rise up with leaders and followers. We don't get to see what chaos might have ensued at the beginning before a system came in to place so there might have been things that failed and forced them to learn. Also it seems that the "outside" was directing them some. As for Thomas, everyone writes a hero. Do you fault an author for writing too perfect of a character? You could. I think it is a hard position to be in. WRiting a character with just enough flaws, who is relateable and keeps the reader interested.
I have seen various things with first books of a series...either they are phenomenal and book 2 can't live up or they spend too much time on world building and book two flows better.
Regardless, I loved it enough (but I like this genre)that I will read the next book.
I agree with the world being directed from the "outside". I got the feeling that those boys were choosen specifically for that world and therefore were able to fall into line.
Cheryl wrote: "I do read SF, and this would be a decent intro to the genre for those leery of it. But the writing style I agree was awkward. And I *really* don't like series. But I've a question esp. for tho..."
You ask some really great questions. I think it's believable that the boys set a society for themselves and organized their jobs for survival. Remember that only one person showed up at a time, once a month. The earliest arrivals happened to have leadership skills, likely handpicked by the creators for those skills.
The one believable thing about Thomas was that he questioned their traditionally held beliefs. By the time Thomas showed up, everyone else (especially the leaders) had given up. Thomas challenged their preconceived notions.
But I didn't think it was reasonable that Thomas is the only one to figure out the codes and the maze's secrets. It seemed more convenience on the author's part to make him solve the puzzles than real character qualities.
Tx for sharing your ideas about my questions! Anybody who does read the next book, plz try to come back and tell us how it was. I could change my mind!
I read the book a while ago and wasn't much impressed by it. I liked the premise, but disliked almost everything about the book's execution: the characterization was weak, the slang annoying, and the pacing unsatisfying. Was anyone else annoyed by how everyone in the story was withholding information from Thomas until the very end? And that the only reason Thomas was able to exit the Maze was because he remembered some vital information, without actually working on it?
I didn't mind the cliff-hanger, mainly because I didn't actually care how the book ended and what happened to the characters.
Tatiana wrote: "Was anyone else annoyed by how everyone in the story was withholding information from Thomas until the very end? And that the only reason Thomas was able to exit the Maze was because he remembered some vital information, without actually working on it?"Yes, I confess to a lot of eye rolling while reading this book.
Well, I wouldn't be quite that harsh, but yes in principle I agree it was clumsy. However, if I were the kind of person who doesn't mind series, I would keep reading. Even if I knew it was going to be closed to 3 or 4 books, I'd probably keep going. But I don't want to get sucked into something mediocre like I was with Midnight for Charlie Bone - that gets better with each book but still it's frustrating to be waiting for another installment.
Just curious for those who don't like The Maze Runner - are you fans of dystopian novels in general and just don't like Dasher's writing style or you don't like dystopian stories and this isn't working for you. I tend to like Dystopian novels and Paranormal/Urban Fantasy and generally I am easier on them with my critiques. However, I don't really like Chick Lit or YA realistic fiction and unless it is really outstanding I can be much more critical. It just helps me understand the comments better.
I am a big fan of dystopias and The Maze Runner just didn't cut it. For those who want to read a well written YA dystopia, I would recommend Neal Shusterman's Unwind, along with previously mentioned here The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
Tatiana - I agree that Unwind and The Hunger Games are by far the superior books in this category. However, I'm not ready to give up on the Maze Runner yet. I want to see where book 2 goes.
Alyson, you definitely shouldn't give up on the series if you rated this first book so highly.
Oh, I wasn't planning on giving up on it. I liked the concept of the Maze and the idea that someone was behind it and that you still aren't sure where things are going. I want to know more about the girl and how she will figure into things in future books.
I love dystopian books, and I think Dashner had a good story concept and cast of characters. For me, it was just the writing.And about the eye rolling, I didn't mean to be harsh. I think this writer has a lot of potential, and I'm looking forward to seeing him grow as a writer.
I've appreciated some dystopia and some urban fantasy - so that's not why I didn't rate this higher. I wouldn't go so far as to say I didn't like it, exactly - just that I'd had higher hopes for it I guess as the concept was so cool. I hope the rest of the series is at least as good, or better, for those of you who could get past any weaknesses.
Tatiana - I'm so with you on this one. I generally love dystopian lit, but I couldn't stand The Maze Runner. The writing style was extremely clunky. The characters were one-dimensional. The phrase "For some reason," was WAY overused. "For some reason, Thomas just knew he wanted to be a runner." Everything Thomas did was "for some reason." Such lazy writing wasted on what could have been a great plot. And the new slang was not smooth at all. Get real, teenage boys are going to use regular swear words, not bother to make up their own.
Heather wrote: "I normally love dystopian novels and I had a hard time with this book. The writing style was not smooth. The "telling" that was mentioned further up the thread was really annoying to me, and all th..."I didn't get the impression that Dashner was being lazy or sexist. Teresa will have a significant role to play in books 2 & 3 - at least according to the author.
I just finished the book for a reading challenge and I greatly enjoyed it! I'm a fan of dystopian lit and I loved solving mazes and all sorts of other logic problems when I was younger, so this book was screaming at me to read it. I agree with those who have posted earlier that The Hunger Games is definitely the better of the two novels. I haven't read Unwind yet but it is on my list. However, I still thought that The Maze Runner was extremely creative and suspenseful. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next and finished the book within two days. I didn't mind the slang that annoyed others, though I can see how it would grate on some nerves. I was just a little let down with the ending. I felt it happened too quickly and left too many things unanswered. I will definitely be reading The Scorch Trials so I can hopefully get some of these questions resolved.
Trista wrote: "I just finished the book for a reading challenge and I greatly enjoyed it! I'm a fan of dystopian lit and I loved solving mazes and all sorts of other logic problems when I was younger, so this boo..."The Scorch Trials is intense and, IMHO, better than the first book. It does answer some questions, but it give you more as well.
Wild Things: YA Grown-Up
Books mentioned in this topic
The Scorch Trials (other topics)The Maze Runner (other topics)
The Hunger Games (other topics)
Unwind (other topics)
Catching Fire (other topics)
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I'm very much looking forward to the sequel.