Saturday, September 19, 2009

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner - AND A GIVEAWAY!!


genre: young adult

Nobody knows why the maze is there.

Nobody remembers how they got to the maze.

All they know is that they somehow have to survive and find their way out.

For Thomas, arriving at the maze is an exercise in trying to find the answers to a million questions - and it takes a long time to find people willing to give him any. I loved how this book kept me asking so many questions - it's perfectly set-up to make you as curious as Thomas and the more we learn about the maze and those who live there, the more terrifying and hostile a place it seems to be.

Soon after Thomas's arrival, things begin changing. Rules are broken, strange memories begin to emerge and "gladers" (those who live in the maze) have to step up and start trying to figure out how they are going to solve the maze before their chances are gone for good.

The maze runner was a serious page-turner for me. It wasn't completely predictable (yay!) and it gripped me the same way the Hunger Games did - all teenage characters having to live adult lives. The stakes are high and Dashner had me practically biting my fingernails with the tension. The characters are strong and yet human - I believed their conflicts and their emotion. It's not a pretty story and it has its fair share of gore and violence, but I tell you what, by the end, I wanted to get out of that maze as much as Thomas did. I get the sense that there is a lot more Dashner can do with this series and I can't wait to see where it goes next. Loved it.

This book was so great, I want to pass it on. If you leave a comment on this post, let me know that you want a chance at my ARC copy. I'll be putting a bookcrossing ID number in it, so pass it along when you're finished. International is fine. I'll pick a name out of a hat for it on Friday, Sept 25, sometime at the end of the day. Feel free to spread the word :)

**PLEASE LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN**

23 comments:

Lia said...

Sure, throw my name in. I'd like to see if Dashner is tightening up his craft. =)

shamers said...

Would love to try it! Our book group just read Hunger Games, so I'll forward your post to them and decrease my odds of winning. :)

M+J said...

I'm a friend of Shane's and if I win, I promise to share with her. :)

Julie R.

Tiffany said...

I would love to join in. Always looking for a great read!

Jason said...

I am excited to read this--I am in the same book group as Shane.

bermudaonion said...

The book sounds great, but don't enter me. I don't know when I'd get it read.

Jeffy said...

Me too.

Lahni said...

I would love to win a copy! This is on my TBR list!

Anonymous said...

I think this book sounds interesting. I would love to read it.

Paul said...

I'm also a friend of Shanes, so please add me to the list. If I win, I might share it with Shane, but, I might not.
MIssy

Shanda McKeehan said...

This looks great! I would love the chance to win it. I could even pass it along to Tricia for you. :)

stitchdiva@live.com

DesLily said...

I would love a chance to read this book! I have read a few others by mr Dashner and would like to give a try at this one!

DesLily@aol.com

James Dashner said...

Thank you so much for this awesome review! Made my day!

shamers said...

(if one of my book friends wins and you don't have their email, just let me know and i'll pass their info along. you're suddenly about to get a million more followers in arizona! :))

Mel said...

I am in Shane's book group too. This sounds like a great book. I look forward to reading it.
mellovesmath@hotmail.com

Sarahp said...

cool! I love a good recommendation! saraherc@hotmail.com

Jason said...

Okay, Just realized the post is in my husbands name, Jason, and I forgot to leave an email, kalliek_2000@yahoo.com

Veens said...

Grand new look! My blog is black... and now I need to make it white too! :) I love your header!

Great review... and please do put my name in your hat ) ")

Jena said...

Yay Bookcrossing! I would love to read this, and it's been ages since I received a BC book!

Susan said...

I don't know Shane, but I wish I did - she sounds cool :) Can I still be entered? This book sounds excellent. Thanks for the giveaway!

Okie said...

I've been keeping an eye on this book and plan on reading it before too long. Would love to win it in your contest. Thanks for being willing to pass your arc along. And thanks for a great review.

Betsey said...

I know a whole family who might enjoy this! :D

Julia said...

I would love to give this book a read. Plus I never win anything. You can email me at everydaymomideas@hotmail.com

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...