The Maze Runner by James Dashner Book and Movie Review

So I decided I would change it up from just doing book reviews and do a book and movie review, to share my thoughts about both! Hope you enjoy:)

Published: October 6th, 2009 by Delacorte Press

Source: Purchased

Summary (from Goodreads): 

                       If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

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.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run.

Review: So first let me tell you how I felt about this book to start with. The first time I picked it up, I felt like I wouldn't like it and it would be difficult for me to get into. The boys in the book have developed a few of their own words and it was a bit hard for me to catch onto, but as soon as I did I really enjoyed the book. 

I really enjoyed the movie as well. It isn't very often when you read a book and then watch the movie, and you feel satisfied with how it turned out. I felt like the cast was spot on. I loved how the cast they chose was very diverse and that wasn't really something that they needed to do, but they did. The glade and the maze were obviously a huge part in the story, and I love how the filming of it was in the movie. They panned over everything and in a way made it it's own character and I really enjoyed that. Also, Alby in the book honestly kind of annoyed me. In the book he was sort of a new leader because there were boys before him that had passed away, but in the movie Alby was the very first grader to arrive and he stayed there for thirty days by himself and I really enjoyed that they changed it, and I felt like it made his character more understandable. One thing that disappointed me a little bit about the movie was that the telepathy between Thomas and Teresa was not included, but I understood that they probably cut it out at the risk of being too cheesy. In the very end, they did sort of change the way that the maze worked and how all the gladers found a way to escape, but did it in a great way in my opinion. I feel that they did that because otherwise they wouldn't have been able to fit in all the details.

Overall, I highly enjoyed both the book and the movie and would recommend it to anyone! The end has a little bit of a twist so you should check out The Maze Runner to find out!

Rating: I give both the book and movie a 4/5 stars.