Throwback Thursday/Joint Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

by:  James Dashner
published by:  Delacourte Press
publish date:  October 6, 2009

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.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Kari and I were behind on the times on The Maze Runner.  Neither of us had read the book or seen the movie.  We decided to both listen to the audiobook.  Kari sent me a text saying she wasn't really enjoying the beginning.  That surprised me since it was so popular, but that seems to be a trend with us.  If every one loves it, we don't like it.

So I got started with The Maze Runner and my first thought was that I hated the slang.  Why do authors have to get all crazy with the slang?  I think their secret hope is that it'll make it into mainstream usage.   I think a good rule of thumb should be if it's not a sentence that you could say with a straight face in public, don't put it in your book....slangwise anyway.  

While, the beginning frustrated me with endless unanswered questions and the weird evasions of the Gladers, the rest of the book did get better.  By the middle of the book I was really interested in the story and how it was going to end.  The end was surprising. and I have the second book on hold.  

I have to agree with Autumn about pretty much everything.  I hated the beginning of the book.  The slang was annoying.  I have also never been a fan of stories where the characters don't tell the new guy anything. Yet, they get mad at him for doing something he shouldn't.  How is he supposed to know if you don't tell him anything?  Why YA authors do this is beyond me.  

I did end up liking the book.  I didn't love it, but I think that the younger YA crowd will find this one exciting.  The book left things very opened with questions to be answered, so I will probably keep up with the series with Autumn.  Say tuned for book number 2, The Scorch Trials.