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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.
Children's Audiobooks Literature & Fiction
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What listeners say about The Maze Runner

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for A. Crawford

Enjoyable

I really enjoyed the whole Maze Runner series. The first book was a little slow to get going but once in, I was hooked.

14 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Mrs A

Great!

The story started a little slow and I was wondering where it was going, but after listening to about 1 hour, I just couldnt stop! GREAt tale! Great story and it kept my interest - without giving anything away - - - the ending is gripping!!
Highly reccomend.

17 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Fliss

Good story. Narration was a bit dodgy.

Listened to this after seeing the movie, it's a good story, but the dodgy irish accent he used for Newt grated on me.

15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Kevin

Quality storytelling

The story is slow burning begin with also with Thomas being kept in the dark about what has happened before his arrival from the other boys it takes time to get in to it but after a while the situation and story gets you hooked to the Gladers in the Maze and all it entails Also as time goes on the problems that arise keeps you guessing how things are going to be resolved

4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Faye

Quite a long book but with no real answers

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was enjoyable but not ultimately satisfying. It asked so many questions but without enough real substance to be though provoking, mostly just hinted at big things to come. Not as clever or exciting as I was hoping for.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

I believe it is a film, the film being due out was one of the main reasons I decided to read it.

Any additional comments?

Its the first of a trilogy and it was certainly written to be one in that its got a lot of filler to bulk it out but doesn't feel complete. Its not readable as a stand alone book but nor is it really interesting enough to merit the time of reading the other two.

19 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Rebeccajyoung

intriguing new story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would because book recommendations are often the best books I have read. This book particularly was told in an interesting way. The series of events were often jumbled but seemed to occur in a full cycle, giving a broader perspective to an apect of the story.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Alter to a first person perspective and describe the inter-personal relationships further. It did not have enough emotional connection or intensity compared to other stories I have listened to. The greevers were not overly described, it seemed like the description was only repeated, other than describing how they sounded. I could not imagine what they looked like very well.

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

No I have not, but as a first time experience I reaqlly injoyed it. The accents added a great dynamic to the storytelling and weren't ridiculously exaggerated or inaccurate.

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

At the point of the story where Minhau and Thomas were in the maze and the greevers chased them into the corridor. The boys stood in the doorway to the edge of the cliff. At the last moment they pushed each other apart and the greevers fell inot the abyss.It was the best moment because I could visualise it clearly. Their reaction to the event was very detailed.

Any additional comments?

I was recommended this story by a friend. They said that as a fan of the hunger games I would like it. It was enjoyable and the plot swiftly progressed. I have mentioned about the description perhaps needing more depth, however as there are so many events in the story it may loose the momentum by adding that in. I wanted the story to continue and will be getting the next book to see what happens next with Thomas and the Gladers.

For people wondering whether or not to read this I would say YES, also making the point that this is more similar to the writing style of the Phillip Pullman (he wrote the Golden Compass series) rather than Suzanne Collins (she wrote the hunger games series).

The story is packed with interesting characters, twists and turns! Kept me intrigued throughout (apart from the first chapter, but I was half asleep on a plane when I began listening to it so that may have influenced that). Enjoy!

14 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for mark tanner

good and bad

I really liked the world described in this book but I didn't feel connected to the characters.

5 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Jo

a really good and exciting story.

a really good and exciting story. i cant wait for part two. the narrator was full of emotions and easy to listen to

4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Monkypeaky

It was alright...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Maybe. It's very slow to pick up. I know other avid readers who've given up on it through boredom. I guess the writer's trying to build tension but actually he's just aggravating. It feels like a fragment of a book spun out to a whole one. I just couldn't understand why the other characters would keep the main character in the dark so often and for so long. It makes no sense at all. So much of it was so blindingly obvious and the absence of an ending is infuriating! If I can be bothered to read the others I'll let you know if it's one book spun into three / four to make more money.

Would you be willing to try another book from James Dashner? Why or why not?

Maybe - given enough time.

What does Mark Deakins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Well read.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Have seen the film which is far too violent and changes the plot / characters for no reason. The book is better than the film - as always.

Any additional comments?

Sold to me as a new / variation on the Hunger Games but actually not a patch on it sadly.

4 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for bill

Great plot......for young adults

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

I enjoyed the idea, but wished it had more depth and content. I felt this series had been written for the younger end of the market; I say this as someone who reads lots of fantasy,(my library proves it).

Who was your favorite character and why?

Newt, because he appeared the most rational, and dare I say, adult.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The actual maze scenes were the most interesting, if predictable.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No emotional reaction other than regretting it was not more adult focused.

Any additional comments?

I thing a young adult, teenager, would enjoy reading this, and the performance.

3 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Annique Smith
  • Annique Smith
  • 16-02-17

Riveting!

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

1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 04-04-19

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!

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Profile Image for Caroline Greyling (Author of Five: Maor book one)
  • Caroline Greyling (Author of Five: Maor book one)
  • 20-02-15

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!

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer
  • Amazon Customer
  • 05-12-14

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?

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Rob
  • Rob
  • 07-09-14

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.