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The Maze Runner: Maze Runner Trilogy, Book 1
- By James Dashner
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Teens are the pawns of evil adults in violent dystopia.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the scenes of violence are stronger in this book and more graphic than those of, say, The Hunger Games, partly because at times it is adults murdering children, and not from a distance or out of sight. The teens stranded in the Maze have their memories wiped, but they are still aware on some level that they are being held captive and endangered by adults, not monsters or other children. Some of the teens in the Maze go insane from the fear, the attacks, or in one case, the memory of the world he had left behind. Main characters are conscientious and risk their lives to save others.
What's the story?
Sixteen-year-old Thomas wakes up in a place called the Glade, where towering walls close at night to keep a colony of boys safe from the monsters outside them. They have all had their memories erased, but Thomas remembers just a little too much. The world is in catastrophe and they are living in the Killzone, mere animals in a bizarre experiment. Soon Teresa, the first girl, arrives and tells them the game is on. Some boys think they are better off in this cold, cruel place than going back to where they came from -- they have formed a society after all, with rules and jobs like farming and even butchering their own meat. But Thomas turns out to be the leader they've needed to form their own army, revolt against the monsters, and take on the people who have set them up in this very cruel and isolated world. Of course the outside world may have its own scary challenges.
Is it any good?
This is a fast-paced adventure in a very dark and pretty violent post-apocalyptic world. It is reminiscient of The Lord of the Flies, without the inventiveness of The Hunger Games. Readers who enjoy dystopian novels will enjoy it, and Thomas is a strong role model who does not fall easily into peer pressure or give up his own sense of what's right. Readers will root for him, and for Teresa, and the complicated relationships between the other boys will keep readers guessing.
Part of the attraction of THE MAZE RUNNER will be the world the boys and Teresa inhabit for most of the book, a world with no adults where kids make their own rules. The story makes up for the sometimes bumpy prose, and the invented slang is a little jarring since there are no clues about how far in the future the story is supposed to take place, or why the boys have made up their own words. A cliffhanger ending will gear up teens for the second in the trilogy.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what happens when a group of boys are left to survive without the normal rules and laws of society. Who becomes the leader? What happens to those who won't follow the new rules?
The boys arrive one at a time but become acclimatized to their new society very quickly. Why do they form loyalties so quickly?
Why do you think the Creators use children in their Maze instead of adults?
The boys and Teresa have all had their memories erased. Is there really a memory-wiping device or drug available?
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Teen, 13 years old
November 21, 2009
AGE
Good dystopian book.
This is a really good book especially if you're a fan of dystopian books. It's about a bunch teens getting their memory wiped and sent to the glade. Then Thomas arrives and things begin to change... The book is pretty violent. The language not much the worse is how the British say a--. However but when the characters say shuck. It sounds like their version of f--k. Anyways can't wait for the next book!
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Kid, 11 years old
November 25, 2010
AGE
AWESOME!
Hey at least they tried to please you commonsense. The could have use the "words" instead! Your site is studid! and unpleasable!
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Teen, 14 years old
December 21, 2010
AGE
Great book, but slightly disturbing, couldn't read it at night!
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Teen, 15 years old
November 20, 2009
AGE
amazing book
i Really like this book alot of people compare it to The Hunger Games and it kind of is. it is written very well and it draws you in unknowingly until your done. i reccomend it
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Teen, 13 years old
January 30, 2011
AGE
book review by:chanel55
the maze runner is a really good but i have to say the second book is the best! i would highly recommend the maze runner just so you under stand the story and you can read the second book, scorch trials:)
ps.if you havent read the hunger games read them!
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Teen, 14 years old
October 3, 2011
AGE
A Little Scary
An okay book but the first time i read it i got grossed out put the book down, as i was reading late at night i found it was a little hard to sleep...
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Adult
June 2, 2011
AGE
unknownperson
The Maze Runner was spectacular. Although it may be a little violent for young readers, it is perfect for young readers. If a film was made from the book, I wouldn't be surprised.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 10, 2011
AGE
Amazing!
Ok, so it took about 50 pages for me to actually start enjoying the book, but DONT PUT IT DOWN no matter how boring the beginning is, because the middle and ending is just plain FANTASTIC! I thought about putting the book away but my friend told me that it gets better. She was totally right! This book is a book that fits into the category "100 Must reads before you die". It is that good. Can't give anything away though. I actually thought that the Hunger Games were more violent than this book though...I would say it's for ages 12+. Amazing book, but has alot of violence in it. I can't wait to see the movie!!!
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Teen, 13 years old
August 18, 2010
AGE
This book is a high class thriller that kept me at the edge of my seat. Filled with post apocalyptic humor it has a unique story to it. Only remarks are violence.
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Teen, 14 years old
March 5, 2011
AGE
Loved it!
Loved it, I read this book in 3 days! Parents should know It's a little disturbing at times, and the characters have made up their own "language". Also, not to be read before going to bed. Still, I can't wait to read the next book.
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| Author: | James Dashner |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | October 1, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 375 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 13 - 13 |
| Read alone: | 13 - 13 |
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