The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner, Book 1

By: James Dashner

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze.

Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there - or what's happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything - even the Grievers, half-machine, half-animal horror that patrol its corridors, to try and find out.

©2009 James Dashner (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Fast-paced Dystopian

When Thomas arrives in the Glade, he remembers nothing but his name. He knows nothing about how he got into this little community or his life preceding his arrival. And yet the little Glade where his fellow Gladers have been living for the past two years seems oddly familiar. Then things start changing and the self-sufficient community is plunged into terror, with Thomas at the centre. Now, more than ever, the Gladers know they must escape the treacherous maze or face death. But can they overcome their suspicions and hold onto hope long enough to find a way out?

It’s been a while since a dystopian novel had me on the edge of my seat the way ‘The Maze Runner’ did. James Dashner has clearly mastered the art of suspense and pace, revealing just enough to keep you wanting more and throwing in wondrous plot-twists and red herrings along the way.

Each character was expertly created with his own flair and quirks. I would have liked to get to know Teresa’s character more, but I sense this will come in later installments int he series. The dynamics between the characters was fascinating, most especially their reactions under extremely stressful conditions. The fantasy world created was detailed and yet mysterious, as befitting the story. The story line was unique, thrilling, scary, exciting and heart-warming.

The premise is probably one of the most gripping I’ve ever considered. It’s one any national geographic or dystopian lover must have thought about at some time and Dashner’s unique take opens many more trains of thought. His perspective on humanity, the lack thereof and reaction under pressure is eye-opening, to say the least. I cannot wait to read the next book!

Fantastic

I thought the movie was good. it left out so much. As usual the book is so much better, so much was left out in the movie.

Riveting!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The narrator made each character unique and interesting. I couldn't stop listening!

A good book which kept me hooked

If you could sum up The Maze Runner in three words, what would they be?

Mystery, Adventure, Action

What did you like best about this story?

The mystery and how it unfolds as you read. You can pick up certain clues as you listen to the story.

Have you listened to any of Mark Deakins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I hadn't. He was a very good narrator, clear and distinct for each character

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Will you escape the maze?

If you thought you’ve seen it all after watching the movie without reading the book? Trust me, you haven’t!

I have always been a fan of the Maze Runner series ever since I begun watching the movie. After all three movies, I wanted to buy the book to see if there’s any differences. Thankfully before I bought the paperback books, I came upon Audible and fell in love with listening instead of reading.

The story is entirely different compared to the movies and that’s a great thing as I learn what was the original story written by James Dashner. It’s trilling and mysterious while listening to the story and ever so eager to continue listening despite the end of my car ride.

One other important element of an audiobook is the narrator and Mark Deakins sells it by giving each and every character a unique voice and accent to differentiate all of them. Mark was clear in every single part of the book and give life to all the characters who has dialogue. Amazingly narrated!

Can’t wait to buy book 2 and so forth to keep it going! It’s going to be an amazing and exciting car ride in the coming weeks!

This adult thoroughly enjoyed this YA book.

Performance is great. Story is incredible. Characters are great. Writing style is enjoyable, not flowery.

OUTSTANDING

What made the experience of listening to The Maze Runner the most enjoyable?

The storyline was catching and the narration made you feel like YOU were Thomas. Might be a spoiler but i found the start and ending the most enjoyable, the middle of the storyline was also amazing even though it felt like an obvious approach was coming, in other word you knew what was going to happen.
The different characters were portrayed brilliantly with accents and voices by the same narrator. I would highly recommend a read. To be honest, i not once got bored of the story and read/listened to the whole 10hr experience within three days.

What other book might you compare The Maze Runner to and why?

No other, it was a book solely by itself and i have never experienced a read like it.

Which character – as performed by Mark Deakins – was your favorite?

I would say Newt, maybe because i'm irish and Newt's accent sounded irish. But his character was brilliant, you never knew what he was like until you knew. Saying that, he was not an open book, No pun intended haha.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, If you haven't read it, read this sentence only, there were many part that made you feel like you were i the story, you could see and feel what the characters were feeling. It was amazing.

For those who HAVE read it i would say around the 4-6 hour mark was when it got moving to me. Spoiler alert,
What thomas felt up in those vines on the maze, and how he was feeling in the Maze made me feel like i was feeling it too. It was amazing.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended, Im a fantasy reader who like the Potter books and twiight books and hunger games books. This book is different from those but i LOVED it.
NOTE: It seemed a little similar to the Hunger games but in the same way TOTALLY different. This book was an experience on its own and I for one CANNOT WAIT to read the second book.