The Maze Runner

Maze Runner, Book 1

By: James Dashner

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Book one in the blockbuster Maze Runner series that spawned a movie franchise and ushered in a worldwide phenomenon! And don’t miss The Fever Code, the highly-anticipated series conclusion that finally reveals the story of how the maze was built! When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers - boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround them is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out - and no one’s ever made it through alive. Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying: Remember. Survive. Run.

The Maze Runner and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, and Maze Runner: The Death Cure all are now major motion pictures featuring the star of MTV's Teen Wolf, Dylan O’Brien; Kaya Scodelario; Aml Ameen; Will Poulter; and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.

Also look for James Dashner’s edge-of-your-seat Mortality Doctrine series!

Praise for the Maze Runner series:

A number one New York Times best-selling series

A USA Today best seller

A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of the Year

An ALA-YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adults Book An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick

“[A] mysterious survival saga that passionate fans describe as a fusion of Lord of the Flies, The Hunger Games, and Lost.” (EW)

“Wonderful action writing - fast-paced…but smart and well observed.” (Newsday)

“[A] nail-biting must-read.” (Seventeen)

“Breathless, cinematic action.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Heart pounding to the very last moment.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Exclamation-worthy.” (Romantic Times)

“James Dashner’s illuminating prequel [The Kill Order] will thrill fans of this Maze Runner [series] and prove just as exciting for readers new to the series.” (Shelf Awareness, starred)

“Take a deep breath before you start any James Dashner book.” (Deseret News)

©2009 James Dashner (P)2009 Listening Library

Maze Runner

I thought this book was good. The book was very well read by the narrator. The book did keep my interest, and I listened to it rather quickly. I would recommend this book for any age.

Solid adventure, with great twists, visuals, and heartbreaking plot character development.

Some of the reviews are less than kind to this book but I definitely enjoyed it. I’m 30, an avid audiobook listener, and have my pick of favorites from the narrators I’ve listened to, one of which being Scott Brick. That being said I came off of a book Brick narrated and was a little put off by Mark Deakins performance. It left a little to be desired, and the writing style of Dashner was a bit elementary at times, but over all I really enjoyed the mystery and thrills this book offered.

Not too much of an investment at just over 10 hours, and it leads nicely into the next book. It was also pleasantly devoid of harsh language, though Dashner did write in his own form of Sudo-profanity.

I was also surprised, being a fan of the film series based on these books, how tightly the film held to the narrative of the first installment.

Great book for imaginative readers between the ages of 12-35. Anyone older may find the character interaction a bit juvenile. Anyone younger may be scared by the violent themes, and graphic creature descriptions. Over all, I give this book a solid 4/5 stars and I’m definitely looking forward to jumping into part two.

Lost in the Maze, still!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Maze Runner to be better than the print version?

Never read the print version of this book. I'm not sure it would make a difference in my opinion of the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Most of the characters were forgettable. None really stuck with me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to all my books over weeks at a time. Drive time to work and home, so no more than a couple hours a day. I don't think this book would cause me to want to listen straight through.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the few books series I don't plan to finish.

I really enjoyed the book. Didn't want it to end.

This book held my interest until the very end. I can't wait to read the rest of the books

This was amazing.

I loved this book. It was amazing. I know you will love it too. Hope you like it too.

very entertaining!

I was hooked and couldn't stop listening. it was very addicting and each chapter leaves you on a cliff hanger

thoughts about Maze Runners

I loved reading this book. It's a combination of a puzzel from which you only know a part and a action story.
from begining until end you have to puzzel what everything means, just like the karakters in the book.

Good story

I listened to this audio book after I saw the movie on pay-per-view. I think that was good because it gave me a picture of the complexity of the maze and where the gladers lived. Mark Deakens is an excellent narrator. Now I am ready for book two!

Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This book felt like it was really dumbed down for the audience. I think it could have been much more intelligently written. The silly fake swears were ridiculous and could have been toned down a lot. I would have removed at least half of them. The teenager characters acted really strangely in the situations they were in considering they were supposed to be incredibly smart. Also the characters weren't that great. I haven't read the sequels and probably won't based on this book. The premise was interesting but just not very well executed.

Would you recommend The Maze Runner to your friends? Why or why not?

I would not. I really enjoyed Hunger Games but I can't get past the issues I have with the writing (story and characters) of this book.

What three words best describe Mark Deakins’s performance?

The performance was good. I think the problem was mainly the story not the narration.

Do you think The Maze Runner needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It has sequels and it certainly needs them to fill the holes the first book leaves. It was clearly written to be part of a series.

Great book!

Excellent story, memorable characters, heart wrenching in places, much different from the movie and much more sad in all the sad places. Didn't care for the voices the narrator gives to each character and that he obviously gets stuck in an accent between characters when there's more frantic dialogue. Love this book to death.