The Maze Runner
By: Joseph Gentry
The Storyline or Plot
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.
My Recommendation and what I like about the characters/book
his book was recommended for fans of the Hunger Games series, I began The Maze Runner hoping for an awesome adventure. I didn't find it.
The plot was intriguing and kept me reading; in fact, it was probably the only reason why I kept reading. Some writers are able to seamlessly integrate characterization and good writing with a fast-moving plot; James Dashner is not one of them.
The main character, Thomas, was annoying. Rather than allowing his readers to feel what Thomas feels, Dashner chooses to tell. We are told many times how "frustrated" and "confused" Thomas is, but we can't identify with him. Some of the supporting characters, such as Minho and Newt, could be interesting, but they remain secondary to Thomas. In addition, I was frustrated with the character Teresa. Teresa is the only female main character; instead of making her an intriguing, powerful female, she is christened with flimsy adjectives such as "very pretty" and "smart", becoming yet another 1-dimensional character.
Criticism aside, I found the book enjoyable, and the plot kept me hooked. I felt that the epilogue was well-written and I might seek out the rest of the series when it is published.
The plot was intriguing and kept me reading; in fact, it was probably the only reason why I kept reading. Some writers are able to seamlessly integrate characterization and good writing with a fast-moving plot; James Dashner is not one of them.
The main character, Thomas, was annoying. Rather than allowing his readers to feel what Thomas feels, Dashner chooses to tell. We are told many times how "frustrated" and "confused" Thomas is, but we can't identify with him. Some of the supporting characters, such as Minho and Newt, could be interesting, but they remain secondary to Thomas. In addition, I was frustrated with the character Teresa. Teresa is the only female main character; instead of making her an intriguing, powerful female, she is christened with flimsy adjectives such as "very pretty" and "smart", becoming yet another 1-dimensional character.
Criticism aside, I found the book enjoyable, and the plot kept me hooked. I felt that the epilogue was well-written and I might seek out the rest of the series when it is published.
What Figurative language does it use
“Ben’s head snapped violently to the left, twisting his bosy until he landed on his stomach, his feet pointed toward Thomas. He made no sound” Ch. 11
"There was the sound of snapping wire. The whoosh of an object slicing through the air. The sickening, wet thunk of it finding home” Ch. 11
“They stood in a vast courtyard several times the size of a football field, surrounded by the four enormous walls made of gray stone and coveredin spots of thick ivy. The walls had to be hundreds of feet high and formed a perfect square around them, each sides split in the exact middle by an opening as tall as the walls themselves…..” Ch.2
"There was the sound of snapping wire. The whoosh of an object slicing through the air. The sickening, wet thunk of it finding home” Ch. 11
“They stood in a vast courtyard several times the size of a football field, surrounded by the four enormous walls made of gray stone and coveredin spots of thick ivy. The walls had to be hundreds of feet high and formed a perfect square around them, each sides split in the exact middle by an opening as tall as the walls themselves…..” Ch.2