Books in Series: The Maze Runner (book 1)
The Scorch Trials (book 2)
The Death Cure (book 3)
The Kill Order (prequel)
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Dystopia, Sci Fi
Page Count: Book 1- 374
Book 2- 360
Book 3- 325
Prequel- 327
Publication Date: Book 1- October 6, 2009
Book 2 - October 10, 2010
Book 3- October 11, 2011
Prequel- August 14, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Awards: Georgia Peach Book Award (2012), Charlotte Award (2012), Kentucky Bluegrass Award for grades 9-12 (2011), Abraham Lincoln Award (2012)
Source
*NO SPOILERS*
The Maze Runner series by James Dashner is about a teenage boy named Thomas. In the first book, Thomas finds himself in a maze with numerous other boys. These boys have adapted to their surroundings and have become used to the daily grind in the Glade. But one day, a girl comes to the Glade causing a series of crazy events to occur in the maze. Everyone has to fight for their lives in order to survive in the horrifying maze. Throughout the other books, a bunch of wicked things happen to the Gladers causing the reader to stay on their toes to find out what happens next. Overall, this series had a captivating plot line and snarky characters that left you wanting more.
First of all, the plot line was very engrossing. Everything that this group had to go through blew my mind. I tried to picture myself in the situation that they were in and simply couldn't because it was far too terrifying. Throughout the whole series, I wanted desperately to know what was going to happen next and why all of these awful things were happening. This series definitely makes you think and try to figure the source and the reasoning for what is going on. I loved that part of these books! The series is also full of nonstop action until the end of the last page of the last book. You will not want to put these books down!
Secondly, the characters were entertaining and realistic. In other books, I sometimes feel like the characters act very unrealistically to their circumstances and completely not how they would react if it were real. This was not the case for this series. I think the characters, especially Thomas, acted accordingly to their situation. They also managed to have an amusing dialogue which kept me entertained in the few dull parts of the story. All of the characters had very unique personalities which I also really enjoyed.
Additionally, I found the world and the head corporation to be interesting. This is hard to explain without giving away any spoilers, but let me say that I thought it to be very thought-provoking as to whether or not something like that could happen to our world. I think that this aspect of the series was my favorite because I just found it very fascinating.
The prequel, The Kill Order, gave a riveting view of the world before the maze and the actions of the Gladers. I feel this a good story to give a feel of how the world in the story became how it is. I recommend reading this book before reading the other books so you can have a better idea of everything that is happening.
In conclusion, the Maze Runner series is action-packed and keeps you on the edge of your seat to figure out what happens next. I recommend this book to action lovers and to those looking forward to seeing the movies.
