Mundie Moms

Friday, November 25, 2011

Flashback Friday #6- The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Flashback Friday was inspired while trying to figure out a way to help spread the word about books that aren't new releases. This is a weekly post we'll doing that will include a review of a book that's been out for awhile or one that's been sitting on our shelves begging us to read it. I have no idea why I waited so long to read this week's spotlight, The Maze Runner.

By: James Dashner
Published by: Delacorte Press/Random House
Released on: October 6th, 2009
Source: bought
4 Stars: I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.
-quoted from Goodreads

If you took a story like Lord of the Flies and placed it into a complex dystopian world full of danger, mystery and suspense you'd get The Maze Runner. This book has a fast moving plot that holds a lot of questions and reveals little answers. Normally I don't like being kept in the dark when I'm reading a book, but James Dashner's writing style was thrilling and the "not knowing" is what I found to be most intriguing with this story.

There's a cast of fascinating characters in The Maze Runner. The story follows Thomas, the main character who seems connected to the maze some how, doesn't seem to remember anything about it, or how he got there. What I admired most about Thomas is his courage and bravery, which quickly allows him to be an example to the other guys he's there with. There's also plenty of suspicions about who he is and why he's here. No one has ever entered their world, and been able to accomplish what Thomas does so quickly, which deepens the mystery surrounding him and his purpose there.

The Maze Runner's world is complex, deadly, and totally fascinating. I'm in awe over the cast of characters who have learned to survive in this world. Made up of mostly boys, these guys have learned how to survive amid all the odds stacked against them. They're smart, resourceful, fearless, and when faced with a life or death situation they manage to keep their cool (for the most part). Things are shaken up a bit with the arrival of Teresa, the only girl to ever enter this world. I definitely wasn't excepting her shocking role in this story. Throw in some deadly and completely freaky Grievers who I swear are some of the freakiest things I've read about, and you'll have your gory scenes. Sounds enticing doesn't it? It was to me, because I couldn't put this book down once I started it. I needed answers!

Wow, the plot twists that are revealed towards the end of the book are shocking to say the least. I didn't see those coming at all, and I'm ready for more! My only compliant is how abruptly the story ends, which leads me to believe the series will pick up exactly where this book ends. I think this is a book that even the more reluctant male reader will enjoy. There's plenty of thrilling action, suspense, mystery and of course a little bit of gore. This is a book I'd recommend picking up for reading 12 yrs & older.

Infernal Devices Clockwork Prince 31 Day Celebration: Day 20, One Line Teaser


Happy Day after Thanksgiving. I hope those who were out fighting the crowds last night didn't have too much trouble getting the gifts they were looking for. It's day 20 of our 31 Days of Clockwork Prince Celebrations! We're getting down to the final few days... only 11 more days!

Here's today's teaser:

"Well, Will won't need to create a new religion just to be rid of me,"

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