SEE-REESE: The Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner (spoiler-free bc spoilers are bummers)

by - 5:15 AM

Temporarily renamed "Like/Love, Okay, Nope" feature to SEE-REESE! I know it's not cool, but it still sounds cool to me so there's that (and I love Reese chocolate anyway!) If you have a title in your head for suggestion about this kind of feature please tell me!! This is a series review for The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Note that I didn't include Kill Order (TMR #0.5)

This series has been on my TBR, but I never thought of reading it this year. Shame be damned, but the reason I actually read this was because of Dylan O'brien The Maze Runner movie. When I saw the news I got overly excited! I love book adaptations, yknow! So when I watched the trailer I was "OOOOOHHH SOUNDS THE KIND OF BOOK I'LL LIKE" and so the adventure began.


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What is the whole series all about?
  • There's this plague called Flare and it killed almost half the population of the WORLD. The surviving governments decided to build an organization to find a cure for the Flare. But that organization needs to experiment and set up Trials to some young adults to come up with a brain pattern that is the key to the cure. 
Who are the main characters?
  • Thomas, Minho, Teresa, Newt (All names came from famous scientists and also religion figure).
Rate and write a mini-review for each book in the series.
The Maze Runner (TMR #1): [3 point something stars]
This book really piqued my interest. For what is worth it, I devoured it in one day. I will be very honest, the book has a very solid world which I thought wasn't executed well. There were a number of things that bothered me, but the book got the intense, thrilling feeling of suspense. You just want to read it quickly to unravel more secrets and to know how will they escape the maze. I love tricky and twisting plots, it makes me think and mull over subtle details on the things happening and this book really had it 'til the last page. 
The Scorch Trials (TMR #2): [4 stars]
Ooooh, the series got better! If the first book is the appetizer, this is the main course. This book had me clutching on my e-reader because of the poignancy and vehemency of the events. The characters were bent to its finest, and I really felt bad for them. But they remained indomitable and solid 'til the end. The character development was very noticeable and it was not hard to love the characters for they still are funny and witty although some jokes were out of place. 
The Death Cure (TMR #3): [IDK-HOW-TO-RATE-THIS-BOOK-STARS] 
WHAT THE FREAK JUST HAPPENED? This is not a spoiler but to take caution, I sort of made the rest of this review invincible lol just highlight if you want: The answers! Where were the answers? It was like dumping a lot of problems and queries in two books to be just neglected in the ending! SAY WHAT? I loved Thomas, I do, but he was a freaking idiot most of the time and dragged others to hell and back. And the plot twist at the end? MY HEART BROKE T_T I was misty-eyed but still a little fierce over what happened all in all. I was disappointed, but the first hundred pages served as the saving glory. It was really the conclusion to this book that got my mind buzzing and reeling from lots of emotions mainly - hurt, baffle, annoyed and unsatisfied.
Striking aspects:
The solid and strong camaraderie & bond among the characters to work together was wonderful. All the characters were darn brilliant and remarkably strong-willed. I love Minho the most, he was funny and a born leader. Thomas on the other hand is a lovely character. The whole series was in third POV but more focused on Thomas' perspective. I had a few share of my quibbles and frustration over Thomas, and also Teresa, but I both like them 'til the end. The story progressed without much involvement of the romance. Very potent plot with so much twists and contortion. For someone who is engrossed with post-apocalytic and dystopian settings, I was really hooked and infatuated with the story and characters!

Quibbles:
The alien language really got me on the edge. I was a little baffled during my Maze Runner read because the words SHUCK, SLINTHEAD, GREENBAG, KLUNK was used over and over again. It was like a name calling among the characters. And 'til the last book, those words were still used, by then I found myself used to it to the point I even use it to converse with my sister who also read the series. There were ample of glitches in the story. The repetitive dialogues and same excuses made my head swam in an unknown emotion close to irritated and wary. Not to mention the conclusion UGH.

Favorite moments:
I really can't think of anything specific because I like the adventure of the characters, so in general I think my favorite would be the scenes where they were put into a very tricky and risky situation and the characters could still make things lighter by making some snarky comments. (Oh, here's something specific: When they were solving or trying to figure out to solve the maze which apparently is the whole book 1!)

Final Gif Reaction:


Movie: Sept 19, 2014 (In USA)
In the Philippines: Sept 17, 2014 (MOVIE DATE ANYONE?)
Something to look forward in the movie:
No seriously the cast looks brilliant. Thomas Brodie-Sangster (the actor behind Phineas and Ferb's voices), Dylan O'brien (Stiles from Teen Wolf *screams*), Kaya Scodelario, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter (EUSTACE from Voyage of the Dawn Treader) and many others! And well, the trailer looks amazing IMO:

Have you read any of the books in the series? What are your thoughts? Are you excited for the movie? Do you like Dylan O'brien? Do share!

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24 comments

  1. OMG that gif of the girl in the car seat? *DIES* Her face is amazing. And now of course I want to know everything about book three so I can see why that face fits your reaction to it. I could highlight the spoilers, but I think I want to start this series at the beginning and see what happens:) Can't wait for the movie!!!!!

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    1. Cloe's wtf and the hell do I care face are phenomenal, I swear! HAHAHA You need to start this series!! It's good....but there's some quibbles of course! Your enthusiast over the movie makes me giddy hence the !!!!! YAY

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  2. NO I HAVE NOT READ THIS YET. but YES because of the upcoming movie, I do really want to pick this up! The only reason I haven't yet, is because it's not something I would usually read, but that's what I say about all my other reads, and I'm also COMPLETELY WRONG about them. So yes, I will read this series, one day.

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    1. One day, Val, one day. I am counting you onto that bc I really like this series! And it's awesome to read something unusual! Heehee.

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  3. I own the series, but still haven't started it as yet. Now I'm itching to. It's amazing that you enjoyed the second book more than the original, but I have to know... The final book... Does it wrap up properly, or is it something that'll anger fans? There's been so many disappointing finales over the last year, it almost makes me not want to start any more series. Awesome review Abz.

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    1. I understand your reservations over series. Aye, a lot of series enders really flopped last year (even this year). YOU SHOULD REAAAD IT!! And you call me Abz again ILY!!!

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  4. I completely agree with your thoughts! Especially the ones on the last book. I was just expecting so much more. :'(

    Even so, I'm super excited for the movies! And yes, Dylan O' Brien too. ;)

    I need to hop onto the Teen Wolf bandwagon!

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    1. DYLAAAAAAN O'BRIEN!! YES HE IS YES. *fangirls*
      I know right :( The last book...... hmmm.. um... ;) ;)
      Teen Wolf is actually good and highly entertaining. I actually came for the boys HAHA

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  5. Hey! I just found your blog and wanted to say a little hello. First, your blog design is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. I'm so jealous haha. I had to follow your blog instantly because of the design and the excess of GIFs in each post. I was like, helll yeah. Also, I love how you do a series review! Yay for reviewing all the books at once!

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    1. OH MY GOD THIS JUST MADE MY DAY. THANK YOU SO MUCHHHH!!!! *throws you all the hearts in the world* You are so adorable :'"""") I love series review the most. I am able to compare all the books especially if I marathon-ed it. :D

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  6. Do I like Do you like Dylan O'brien?....bit of silly question. I only read The Maze Runner when I did because I'm completely obsessed with him haha. :P. Haven't read the other 2. but the first was ok :)

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    1. I know your obsession over Dylan ;) I can totally relate to you! Yeah, me too. The first book was okay but really entertaining!

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    2. LOL it's not an obsession, it's LOVE! :P. Does the series get better then? because I'm not sure about finishing it.

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  7. Oh. You're also from the Philippines! Why did I not know this. Or maybe I forgot. Sorry. Haha. I'm not sure what to make of the last book. Is it good or is it bad? I didn't read the highlighted part. :P And like you, I knew nothing about this until the news about the movie came out. I only got curious too because of the movie. Haha! And I might read it just for that. I'm glad you were able to review the whole thing without any spoilers. I am quite curious about it now. And I love playful banter.

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    1. I always look forward to the banters even if the world is shit scary or gruesome HAHA Fil blogger here and it's totally all right! :D Thank you for dropping by, Francine!

      I am just thankful that I was able to review this without spoilers because I tend to do the opposite sometimes XD

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  8. Hey! I just wanted to say two things. First: your blog is adorable. Second: I am LOVING this review :) best one of this series yet :) and YOU'RE SO LUCKY IT COMES OUT EARLIER WHERE YOU ARE!!! I'm stuck in the country where it comes out TWO WHOLE DAYS later.

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    1. *giggles* thank you! you are adoooorbs TAT
      Every time there's a book adaptation, our country is always ahead compare to the US and I really wonder why. *pats you* I hope you enjoy the movie and share me your feeeeeels!!

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  9. I've only read the first book but I remember it left me sooo confused. THAT CLIFFHANGER. Anyways I really want to read the rest of the series and I'm glad the rest of the books are good (except that last one. LOL at the gif). AND I'm jealous because you get to see the movie before everyone else. That's awesome! I got to see TFIOS two days before everyone else becaause the movie premiered that day. :D

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  10. I only read the first book in this series as well, but never got around to reading the next two. It's a shame that things were never really answered in the last book (that would probably irk me as well!), but I'm glad the first two were entertaining. Thanks for sharing and BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

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    1. Thank you, Zoe!! IKR. It also irked me to no end, but atleast things were excited at the beginning. :< :)

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  11. The highlighting. OMG. I've never seen that. That is BRILLIANT!! If you don't mind, I have to borrow that idea! Also, I love your blog!

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    1. OMG >n< thank you so much! Of course you can <33

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  12. THE CAST. THE CAST. OMG. *flails and dies basically* I unashamedly decided to read the book because I'm so freaking excited for the movie (and the cast) and I thought I'd better do this the right way round. I LOVED THE FIRST BOOK! Now I want to read the 2nd, but, you know...massive tbrs are dictators. *ahem* I do plan too. I'm glad you liked book #2 a lot because I heard a few people say they hated it and I won't lie: that made me sad. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIEEEEEEE.

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  13. I loooooove this review and I agree with every single thing you said. I adored The Maze Runner; The Scorch Trials was MIND BLOWING but The Death Cure was a complete let down. I mean, WHAT WAS THAT ENDING? Seriously?!
    Dylan O'Brien is amazing. Who doesn't like Dylan O'Brien?! I can't wait for the movie :D

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Thank you for your comment! ♡ Happy reading to everyone!