Synopsis: (from Goodreads) 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.
My Review: As intriguing as the summary may be the
pacing was kind of slow in the first half. Not much was really
happening. So, I wouldn't say that this book is unputdownable.
Up until the mystery girl, Teresa, woke up, there wasn't anything exciting going on. Then suddenly things were changing for the Gladers and they had to figure out how to get out of the Glade much sooner.
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.
 |
| image from Goodreads.com |
Up until the mystery girl, Teresa, woke up, there wasn't anything exciting going on. Then suddenly things were changing for the Gladers and they had to figure out how to get out of the Glade much sooner.
The rest of the book, up to the end, is good. It was better paced than the first half and some action ensues.
Unfortunately, I found that the characters were lacking in personality. Everyone was kind of the same. I don't think anyone stood out from the rest. Sadly, for the most part what we see are a bunch of characters having dialogue, interacting with one another, but not one can be described as anything more than what they were; teenagers stuck someplace.
Aside from the desire to see what the big mystery is, I think what made me keep reading is Dashner's style of ending a chapter.
All chapters are pretty short and Dashner has a way of building up something then leave you hanging. So, you're left wondering what just happened. If you do want to know what happens you have to turn to the next page.
I don't think this style is for everyone. But it sure is effective.
As for Dashner's made up words, it was okay. I didn't think it was annoying but it wasn't really inventive either. It did not add or take away anything from the plot.
All in all, I don't think this book is especially exciting. Sadly, there's no heart-pounding action here. The adventure is limited to getting out of the Glade and the Maze wasn't booby-trapped or anything.
Still, the mystery continued to intrigue me (because very few answers are given in this installment, of course) and I want to read the rest of the series.
Lastly, I think the epilogue was successful at setting up the sequel.
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Unfortunately, I found that the characters were lacking in personality. Everyone was kind of the same. I don't think anyone stood out from the rest. Sadly, for the most part what we see are a bunch of characters having dialogue, interacting with one another, but not one can be described as anything more than what they were; teenagers stuck someplace.
Aside from the desire to see what the big mystery is, I think what made me keep reading is Dashner's style of ending a chapter.
All chapters are pretty short and Dashner has a way of building up something then leave you hanging. So, you're left wondering what just happened. If you do want to know what happens you have to turn to the next page.
I don't think this style is for everyone. But it sure is effective.
As for Dashner's made up words, it was okay. I didn't think it was annoying but it wasn't really inventive either. It did not add or take away anything from the plot.
All in all, I don't think this book is especially exciting. Sadly, there's no heart-pounding action here. The adventure is limited to getting out of the Glade and the Maze wasn't booby-trapped or anything.
Still, the mystery continued to intrigue me (because very few answers are given in this installment, of course) and I want to read the rest of the series.
Lastly, I think the epilogue was successful at setting up the sequel.
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Have you read The Maze Runner?
What did you think of it?
What did you think of it?
Will you read The Scorch Trials?
