This re-read was so satisfying. The first few times I read this, years ago, I didn't have a blog. It was likely even before I began utilizing Goodreads. Thus, I've never written a review for it before! I'll try to be non-spoilery, but that may prove difficult.
Here goes...
The Maze Runner is one of the few YA book purchases I've made in my life that was not a cover buy. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the original cover. In fact, though that was the original format in which I read the series, last year (or maybe the year before) I actually bought the UK versions on Amazon.
The main reason I bought the first MR book was due to the blurb on the back and the first chapter. I remember when I first came across it at Walmart. I stood in the aisle and looked it over, read the first chapter, and thought "I've gotta get this.." Keep in mind, this was before there was even talk about a movie. This series was flying way under the radar.
Right from the start, the thing I loved most was that I was learning everything about the maze at the same rate as Thomas. There was no narration of "This is what has happened to the world..." blah blah blah. Everything unfolded through experience or through dialogue.
I loved the variety of personalities in the characters, and I got connected to them pretty quickly. Especially to Chuck and Newt. What I really love (this is a semi-spoiler, not too bad of one..), is that the romance is very minimal. Even once the girl arrives. For the most part, it's about friendships and survival, and it's pretty rare that a YA book/series doesn't get caught up in "I know the world is ending, but let's make out.." thing.
Every chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep reading, and even now, when I'm on my 3rd or 4th (at least) reread, I still felt the same way and ended up finishing it in about a day. Again. I really, really love the setting and the overall tone of the first book. It sets it up for such a mysterious series. Not to mention that WICKED email memo from Ava Paige at the end... (If you missed it, be sure to go back and read that!)
Overall, I just really can't say enough about this series. I enjoy dystopian literature for the most part and YA literature as well, but this series stands apart from the rest. Even this first book, I would take any day over the Hunger Games, Divergent, etc.
Even as a reread, this gets a 5 star rating from me and probably always will.
One thing I do want to mention, however, is that James Dashner's other YA series, The Mortality Doctrine trilogy, gets almost no love and attention at all on Goodreads, blogs, or bookstagram, and I highly recommend it! Click the cover below if you're interested in reading the full synopsis and adding it to your TBR.
As for me, I'm off to reread book 2, The Scorch Trials!
Here goes...
The Maze Runner is one of the few YA book purchases I've made in my life that was not a cover buy. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the original cover. In fact, though that was the original format in which I read the series, last year (or maybe the year before) I actually bought the UK versions on Amazon.
The main reason I bought the first MR book was due to the blurb on the back and the first chapter. I remember when I first came across it at Walmart. I stood in the aisle and looked it over, read the first chapter, and thought "I've gotta get this.." Keep in mind, this was before there was even talk about a movie. This series was flying way under the radar.
Right from the start, the thing I loved most was that I was learning everything about the maze at the same rate as Thomas. There was no narration of "This is what has happened to the world..." blah blah blah. Everything unfolded through experience or through dialogue.
I loved the variety of personalities in the characters, and I got connected to them pretty quickly. Especially to Chuck and Newt. What I really love (this is a semi-spoiler, not too bad of one..), is that the romance is very minimal. Even once the girl arrives. For the most part, it's about friendships and survival, and it's pretty rare that a YA book/series doesn't get caught up in "I know the world is ending, but let's make out.." thing.
Every chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep reading, and even now, when I'm on my 3rd or 4th (at least) reread, I still felt the same way and ended up finishing it in about a day. Again. I really, really love the setting and the overall tone of the first book. It sets it up for such a mysterious series. Not to mention that WICKED email memo from Ava Paige at the end... (If you missed it, be sure to go back and read that!)
Overall, I just really can't say enough about this series. I enjoy dystopian literature for the most part and YA literature as well, but this series stands apart from the rest. Even this first book, I would take any day over the Hunger Games, Divergent, etc.
Even as a reread, this gets a 5 star rating from me and probably always will.
One thing I do want to mention, however, is that James Dashner's other YA series, The Mortality Doctrine trilogy, gets almost no love and attention at all on Goodreads, blogs, or bookstagram, and I highly recommend it! Click the cover below if you're interested in reading the full synopsis and adding it to your TBR.
As for me, I'm off to reread book 2, The Scorch Trials!
Comments
Post a Comment