Maze Runner series review!

These reviews have been written by my friend Izi! You can find her on twitter here!





The Maze Runner

When the lift cranks open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he’s not alone – an army of boys welcomes him to the Glade, an encampment at the centre of a terrible maze. The Gladers have no idea why they’re there, or what’s happened to the world outside. And following the arrival of a girl with a message, they must find a way out – or die.

I give it 5/5

Review: First when I heard of The Maze Runner I thought ‘Oh another YA dystopian novel’, but how wrong was I. This is not just the next Hunger Games, believe me. And because so many people recommended it to me I finally decide to pick it up and read it and OMG the book didn't disappoint. James Dashner has a unique way of using words to illustrate the environment he created that is surrounding the characters and the feelings they go through. He also has very fresh ideas which he managed to develop in the book very successfully.

The book has a very unique storyline; in fact I would go even further as to say that I haven't read anything even remotely similar to The Maze Runner. However when it comes to comparing it to other YA novels it has been compared to The Hunger Games, in my opinion there are some very little similarities but the concept for Dashner’s novel is very different than Suzan’s idea.

The Maze Runner is story that will keep you constantly in suspense, constantly asking questions, and the best part is that the reader finds the answer to all questions at the same time as the Gladers does. The story is very mysterious and unexpected, with unique creatures and concepts through it. And every time you think you know what is about to happen, you probably will be always wrong. The story is very complex and requires the reader’s attention at all times, because there is different language that the Gladers use and also the new never seen before creatures.

All that’s been said above are reasons why I like the book, but the main reason I am so in love with the book are the relationships and connections between the characters. It is very refreshing to read a YA novel with a male lead character, but it is also great that there is no love interest in the book. Thomas and Teresa, the two main characters, have special connection in the story but there is no romance between them not even for a second, it is the same with the other characters as well. The author concentrates more on the friendships between different characters and the challenges that appear between friends when they are in difficult situations and need to make sacrifices.

And finally if you have liked the book enough to get to the end you would be very surprised if not shocked. It is very emotional and unexpected and I thought I finally understood the whole concept of the maze and all that is happened, but I might have been wrong…

The Scorch Trials

Solving the maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escaping meant he would get his life back. But no one knew what sort of life they were going back to…
Burned and baked, the earth is a wasteland, its people driven mad by an infection known as the Flare.
Instead of freedom, Thomas must face another trial. He must cross the Scorch to once again save himself and his friends…

I give it 5/5

Review: The second book from The Maze Runner series starts off exactly where the first one finished. The characters finally done with their challenges are ready to learn the truth but a new set of trial and even tougher challenges are waiting ahead of them.

The second book same as the first is very mysterious. The author keeps the readers into the unknown, but every now and then reveals crucial information about the story line, just enough to keep you interested and encourage you to read further into the story.

The environment for the second set of challenges is completely different, but yet again it’s very easy to relate to the previous book. The environment itself plays a vital role into reveling to the readers what is happening in the real world.

I like the fact that unlike other YA novels in this one the world is not fabricated or purely controlled by advanced technology, but is the final product of a natural disaster.

Once again the relationships between characters are kept simple, no romance, but unlike in the The Maze Runner, here we can sense more the struggles Thomas go through when it comes to his friends – The Gladers. James Dashner also introduces two new characters – Brenda and Jorge, which at the end of the book seemed to be having bigger part in the story that initially appeared.

I found that the best part about The Scorch Trials is the modern take on the classic zombies. The author introduces the Cranks which are zombie like human creatures, affected by virus. It is refreshing and interesting to see a different aspect of a zombie creature, a more original one, because we all have read zombie books or seen zombie movies and most of the time it’s always the same.

The ending of the second book once again leaves the reader hanging and wanting more. It’s inevitable not to pick the last book of the series as soon as you have read The Scorch Trials.

The Death Cure

The trials are over. WICKED is planning to restore the survivors’ memories and complete the final cure for the Flare.
But Thomas has already remembered more than they think. And he knows WICKED can’t be trusted.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine. Will anyone survive the Death Cure.

I give it 5/5

Review: The Death Cure as the last book from the series absolutely exceeded any expectation I had. It’s very fast paced and intense. It’s full of background information on the story line, which was missing in the previous two books. It clears a lot of confusions about the Flare and answers all of the questions a reader can have about the story.

The environment where the story takes place in the third book is versatile. Unlike the first two books, the action in The Death Cure takes place in different locations, showing different part of the story, as well as different parts of the world.

The characters go through a lot of personal battles and challenges. Also once again the romance is missing, which I still love, as it shows different kind of relationships between characters than what I am usually used to read about. The true nature of many characters is finally reveal and I as a reader finally understood many of their action in the previous two books.

There are many shocking events in the book and on many occasions I was at the edge of my seat being nervous at what’s about to happen. This makes the book impossible to be put down.

There are a few deaths in the book, which were very well placed in terms of the story line, but I am not going to give any details about them, just a word of caution don't get too emotionally attached to a character.

I found that the best part of The Death Cure is the ending. It’s very well written, it’s unpredicted and unexpected, but once you've read it, it makes perfect sense. Also James Dashner has written the ending in such way that the reader doesn't find out what happens at the end until he reads the last words on the final page of the book.

Finally I sincerely recommend the series, because the story is very unique and original and I can truly say that The Maze Runner trilogy stands out from the recent successful YA trilogies we've heard of.