what is maze runner book review

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

By: Author Laura

Posted on Published: 18th August 2019  - Last updated: 12th January 2024

Categories Book Reviews , Books

After reading this Maze Runner book review you’ll know exactly why everyone raves about this young adult dystopia book by James Dashner. Keep reading for my full The Maze Runner review!

The Maze Runner is a young adult dystopian story and if you haven’t already heard of it, you’re going to be hearing a lot about it soon. The film adaptation of this story has already hit cinema screens in the US and is scheduled for release in the UK on 10 October 2014.

It’s not hard to see why this story was snapped up by 20th Century Fox as it’s a gripping story full of twists and turns set in a world that will no doubt make an impression on the big screen.

The Maze Runner Summary

This story starts when Thomas arrives at the Glade in the box. Thomas has absolutely no memories about his past or who he is and is very confused by his surroundings, which is to be expected given that the Glade is occupied up of a small group of teenage boys (no adults and no girls) and is enclosed within the confines of massive stone walls.

Thomas soon discovers that these boys are trapped in the Glade, which is surrounded by a huge maze, full of dangerous creatures called Grievers. Everyday, the walls open, revealing the Maze and the Gladers send out ‘runners’ to try and figure out a way out of the Maze. The Gladers have already been trapped for two years but they still haven’t found a way out.

Because every night, once the stone walls close, the walls of the maze change. Escape seems futile. Everyday is the same in the Glade, that is, until Thomas shows up, when everything starts to change. Ordinarily, only one new person arrives at the Glade a month, but the day after Thomas arrives, another person is delivered via the box. A girl.

A girl that recognises Thomas, no less.

Things are changing in the Glade and it seems like the time to finally escape has come – but only if they can figure out the code – and their escape mission will not be easy.

The Maze Runner Book Review

Although  The Maze Runner is written in the third person, it follows Thomas as he tries to figure out what the hell is going on – what happened to him (and the other boys), where they are and what their purpose is. I didn’t connect as much with Thomas as I expected to but he is definitely a strong male lead and a great character to read about.

Not all of the characters in the story like Thomas and I think that that feeling rubbed off slightly on me as there were times when I questioned whether I really trusted him. 

With so many character with little to no memory of who they are and where they’ve come from, it can be a little difficult to figure out which characters to trust and the success of this story is probably down the huge amount of suspense that the reader feels.

It is not until the very end of the story that anything really becomes clear and when it does, you kinda wish you hadn’t found out what’s really going on.

Dashner has created a unique and terrifying world which will probably haunt me in my dreams tonight.

It’s very Hunger Games -esque as you’ve got a group of young kids fighting for survival against what they assume is a system that adults created to test them. Why they are being tested, they have no idea.

The difference is, however, these kids are working as a group to try to survive so themes of friendship and how a society should function are important.

Listen to Maze Runner for free with an Audible trial !

Although all the main characters are children, if their age was never mentioned, I could very well believe that this was a tale for adults. This is classified as a YA novel, however, there is nothing remotely ‘childish’ about this book. This is a serious tale of survival and I have to be honest, Dashner’s imagination frightens me.

There isn’t much romance in  The Maze Runner but you can see that there is something developing between Thomas and Teresa, the only girl in the camp. There are some nice moments between these two but this definitely isn’t one of the main plot points. I look forward to this blossoming in future books!

I am a big fan of romance in YA books, but in this case, I didn’t really care that there wasn’t all that much of it because there was so much going on in terms of friendships and the developing ties between different characters.

All in all, The Maze Runner is definitely up there with top YA dystopia novels such as The Hunger Games and The 5th Wave and if you haven’t read it yet, then you absolutely must pick up a copy before the film comes out next month. The cliffhanger at the end of The Maze Runner makes sure that readers will want to pick up the next book and I cannot wait to see how the plot develops from here.

I absolutely tore through this book and finished it in no time, desperate to find out what was going on. Dashner has now been added to my list of favourite authors and I would give this story 5 stars simply for the terrifying world that Dashner has created.

Buy The Maze Runner

If you liked this post, check out these: Divergent Book Review The Hunger Games Book Review Catching Fire Book Review Mockingjay Book Review Best Dystopian Novels for Teens

[First written in 2014, updated in 2019]

Editor of What’s Hot?

Monday 19th of August 2019

I read the whole series a few years ago and I really hated it... I thought it was messy, most of the characters were not really likable and it was just quite complicated, even though the first book was actually better than the rest. As for the movies, it's quite the same for me. The first one is good, but then it goes way too far, become to complicated and as you said, it's hard to know who you can trust ...

Thursday 22nd of August 2019

Oh no! I really enjoyed the book and film when I first read/watched them Movies never live up to expectations set by the book though, this one included!

Sunday 8th of November 2015

You know what I'm like Laura lol - Ive seen the movie but haven't read the book (yet). Thanks for hosting this :D Charlotte x

Mummy To The Max

Saturday 7th of November 2015

This book looks like a great read. I will look out for it so I can download it to my kindle.

Agata @BarkTime

Friday 6th of November 2015

I loved the movie and would like to read a book too as I was told it's much better.

The Mummy Balancing Act

Wednesday 4th of November 2015

I'm more of a film girl than books these days, but I find book adaptations to be mostly good.

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

Book Review

The maze runner — “the maze runner” series.

• James Dashner
• Dystopian , Futuristic , Science Fiction

Readability Age Range

• Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Random House Inc.
• ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2011, and more

Year Published

The Maze Runner by James Dashner has been reviewed by Focus on the Family’s marriage and parenting magazine . It is the first book in “The Maze Runner” series.

Plot Summary

Feeling drugged, Thomas wakes up in an elevator car with no memory except his name. He finds he is part of a community of about 50 teen boys called Gladers, and all share the same pattern of memory loss. Their leader’s name is Alby. In an artificial environment built as an experiment by unknown, unseen scientists called Creators, they live in the Glade, and their lives revolve around trying to solve the Maze, a gray stone structure with walls hundreds of feet high. Entrances to the maze automatically close at the same time every night, which protect the Glade from Grievers — large part-animal, part-mechanical monsters that bite, sting and sometimes kill.

Occasionally a Griever stings one of the boys. If the victim returns to the Glade in time, he can be injected with a serum that saves his life; but it causes a strange, painful process. The boys call it the Changing — when part of the victim’s memory returns — but those who have lived through the Changing all agree that the real world is one they don’t want to return to. The few boys who have undergone the Changing say they have seen Thomas in it, and they are convinced that he is bad or perhaps a spy.

Chuck, the youngest in the compound, is assigned to Thomas to help him acclimate. He is the only one to offer Thomas friendship. Thomas spends his first couple of days learning the ropes and various work positions, such as Baggers and Sloppers . Runners are the boys who daily run through the Maze, and when they return just before night, they map the section they ran since each night the walls move, reconfiguring the Maze. The group has been working for two years to figure a way out of the Maze. Thomas notices that parts of his new life somehow seem familiar, with fleeting impressions of memories just out of reach. He feels driven to be a Runner.

Every month, a new boy arrives in the elevator. But on Thomas’ second day, the elevator brings a teen girl. Nearly comatose, Teresa has little memory remaining, and it is quickly fading. She remembers that she is being sent as a trigger to begin the end of life in the Glade. Later, when Teresa emerges from her coma, Thomas discovers that Teresa can communicate telepathically with him, and they deduce that they must have known each other before their arrival.

One evening, as time draws near for the walls to close between the Maze and the Glade, two of the runners have not returned. As the walls nearly finish closing, Thomas sees the two runners but realizes they won’t make it. Breaking the No. 1 rule to never leave the Glade at night, he squeezes through the walls at the last second, and he is terrified to find himself in the dark silence of the Maze. Miraculously, Thomas and the two runners survive their night in the Maze by outwitting several Grievers. Because no one has ever survived before, Thomas becomes a hero and then is promoted to Runner.

The end to life in the Glade is triggered when they all awaken one day to the absence of what they thought was a sun, and the fact that they exist in a fabricated place seems more apparent. Supplies stop arriving, and the walls stop closing, compromising their protection from the Grievers. The community is thrown into a panic. They learn that the Grievers plan to kill one child a day until they’re all dead.

Thomas finally decides that the best way to solve the Maze is for him to get stung and endure the Changing in order to retrieve some of his lost memory. His plan succeeds when the Grievers invade the Glade. Thomas goes through the Changing and learns from it that the boys in the Glade have above-average intelligence and are part of an experiment to test for survival of the fittest. The Creators took them from their homes when they were young, following a catastrophic event called the Flare. Some of them have had their brains altered. The ones who survive are to be used for an unidentified but important purpose. He also learns that he and Teresa were part of the group that planned the Maze.

Thomas comes up with a dangerous plan to escape. The plan works, but half of the group dies in the process. Their escape from the Maze ends in a confrontation with two of the Creators, who mind-control another boy who had disappeared earlier from the Glade. The boy throws a dagger aimed at Thomas, but Chuck moves in front of it and is killed. Suddenly an apparent rescue group arrives on the scene with weapons, shooting and killing one of the two Creators. Then they flee, along with the kids. They board a bus and drive for two hours to a new location. During the ride, a woman tells Thomas and Teresa about the outside world’s catastrophe: A massive solar flare scorched the earth, leaving millions of people dead and diseased. Much of the earth has become a wasteland. She tells them that this group they are with now is against the Creators and their testing of children. Book one ends with a memo from the World in Catastrophe: Kill End Department (WICKED), known to the kids as the Creators (scientists). It says that what the adolescents just lived through was only the first stage of their trial.

Christian Beliefs

Wooden crosses serve as grave markers. Alby refers to God in a discussion with Thomas.

Other Belief Systems

Authority roles.

The Creators believe the end justifies the means, even to the point of allowing children to die. The woman scientist at the end tells Thomas and the group that “everything happens for a reason” after Chuck dies.

Ever since the Glade’s last leader died, Alby has led them. Though he and all the boys have experienced being the newbie or Greenie, Alby doesn’t have any empathy for Thomas, and he is short on politeness. He recognizes his shortcomings as a leader after he’s gone through the Changing. In the final battle with the Grievers, Alby is the first to sacrifice himself. He hopes to draw away the Grievers from the rest of the boys and prefers death to a return to life in the real world. Newt is second in command. He tempers Alby’s gruffness and is often the voice of reason.

Minho is the Keeper of the Runners and stands up for Thomas after Thomas saves his life. However, when he and Thomas spend the night in the Maze, Minho runs away, reasoning that their chances for survival are better if they split up.

Profanity & Violence

Invented slang and mild profanity are used, such as clunk, shuck-face, shuck it, runtcheeks, slinthead, wettin’ yourself, crap, holy crap, shut your hole, fart, butt, bloody, klunk (another word for poo ) and shank appear throughout.

One of the boys is banished to the Maze and certain death when he is placed in a leather collar at the end of a long pole, then shoved into the Maze just before the walls close. In the graveyard, Thomas sees the remains of a boy who had been sliced in half by an unseen force during an attempt to escape back through the elevator. Ben, who is undergoing the Changing, attacks Thomas. Alby appears and shoots Ben with an arrow that enters Ben’s cheek with a “wet thunk.” His blood is black like oil, and his finger twitches. Thomas then retches violently.

The Changing process is gruesome and is described in detail a couple of times with severe seizure-like symptoms and bulging, discolored eyes and skin. Alby tries to choke himself during his Changing. Alby gets a gash on his head, which bleeds into his eyes. Plenty of screaming, stabbing, bleeding, slimy yellow goo, etc. happens in the final battle with the Grievers.

Chuck throws himself in front of Thomas to save Thomas from a thrown dagger. His death is described in detail as the dagger buries itself in his chest. Thomas holds Chuck as he convulses then dies, and Thomas’ hands are wet with blood. Thomas then flies into a rage and attacks the boy who threw the dagger, beating him with his fists until he lies still and senseless. Then a group of people shows up with guns. One of them takes aim and kills one of the Creators, leaving her bleeding profusely. They continue shooting at the other Creators before fleeing, taking the Gladers with them. They board a bus that runs over a hysterical woman, the wheels thumping over her twice.

Sexual Content

When Teresa arrives in the lift, one of the boys shouts that he’s “got dibs” on her. When one of the Med-jacks bends over Teresa to check for a heartbeat, another boy shouts he gets the next “shot” at her. Alby warns everyone not to touch her. Thomas feels a chill sweep through his body when Teresa shakes hands with him, holding his hand for a long time. While Teresa is mentally communicating with Thomas, she suggests that perhaps they had been lovers at one time. He senses a pleasant chill that causes him to trip and fall while he’s running the Maze. In spite of there being plenty of room on the bench, Teresa presses her body next to Thomas when she goes to sit with him. Thomas squeezes Teresa’s hand to reassure her as the battle with the Grievers begins. With separate rooms assigned to them for the night, Thomas telepathically tells Teresa that he wishes she were in his room.

Discussion Topics

Get free discussion questions for this book and others, at FocusOnTheFamily.com/discuss-books .

Additional Comments

Suicide mention: One of the boys says they all ought to slit their wrists rather than try to fight all the Grievers in an escape.

Movie tie-in: Producers often use a book as a springboard for a movie idea or to earn a specific rating. Because of this, a movie may differ from the novel. To better understand how this book and the movie differ, compare the book review with Plugged In’s movie review for The Maze Runner .

You can request a review of a title you can’t find at [email protected] .

Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

Latest Book Reviews

The Minor Miracle: The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor

The Eyes and the Impossible

Castle Reef 2: Bloodlines

Compass and Blade

Nothing Else But Miracles

Waverider (Amulet #9)

Weekly reviews straight to your inbox.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

The Maze Runner by James Dashner - review

‘The Maze Runner is a book which gives you constant heart palpitations and adrenaline rush’

The Maze Runner is a book which possesses a unique type of narration and holds the attention of anyone who reads it till the very end. The author, James Dashner, gives each and every character in the novel a different sort of attractive trait. The ominous point of view substantially covers every aspect of what’s going on in the novel.

The book isn’t just young—adult—post—apocalyptic science fiction; to me this book is a roller coaster of emotions and a constant pressure of the ongoing climax. This dystopian novel starts off with a young boy called Thomas who wakes up on an elevator box and has no idea of what’s going on. He wakes up to see Glade, a large area of land that’s closed by high concrete walls. What is he doing here? Why is he here? The diverse work of Thomas’s thoughts on every character and the main abstract idea as a whole left me awestruck.

The title of the book becomes quite self-explanatory as the characters literally run in a maze. This sometimes becomes important to attract people by giving a snippet of the entire book from the title itself. The book could be very confusing at the start, but as it goes on and on you will be compelled to keep reading it. Dashner accomplishes his duty of making a good story line yet keeping the reader’s eye peeled at all times. Obviously, this is a “teen” novel and there is a subplot love story that goes on between Thomas and Teresa.

Unlike some novels which forget their main objective of keeping a story line together, this novel doesn’t just concentrate on the love story as it’s not the main plot.

This book is a part of pentalogy which I recommend to everyone. The first two books of the series already have a movie which was a grand success. The Maze Runner is a book which gives you constant heart palpitations and adrenaline rush, so if you’re into this kind of novel go ahead and give it a read. Overall I feel this book is a solid 4 out of 5.

• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop

Want to tell the world about a book you’ve read? Join the site and send us your review!

• Children's books
• Children and teenagers
• Dystopian fiction (children and teens)
• children's user reviews

Most viewed

• ADMIN AREA MY BOOKSHELF MY DASHBOARD MY PROFILE SIGN OUT SIGN IN

THE MAZE RUNNER

From the maze runner series , vol. 1.

by James Dashner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 13, 2009

Boys come to the Glade via an empty freight elevator with no memory of how they got there or of their prior lives. This disorientation is made more frightening when they realize that to survive they must lock themselves in every night to avoid the horrors of the Grievers, beings that are part machine, part animal—and altogether deadly. The boys in the Glade send out Runners each day to find a way out through the Maze that surrounds their one patch of safety, with no success. Life goes on until one day the elevator delivers a girl. She brings a message: She is the last child to be sent, and there will be no more deliveries of food or supplies. Now the Glade is cut off, and as the Grievers gather for an all-out attack it’s clear that it’s now or never—the Maze must be solved. Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what comes next. (Science fiction. 12 & up)

Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-385-73794-4

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2009

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT DYSTOPIAN FICTION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SOCIAL THEMES

Share your opinion of this book

More In The Series

BOOK REVIEW

by James Dashner

More by James Dashner

From the Powerless Trilogy series , Vol. 1

by Lauren Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023

A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.

The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.

Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.

Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023

ISBN: 9798987380406

Page Count: 538

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE

Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

New York Times Bestseller

DIVINE RIVALS

by Rebecca Ross ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2023

Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy.

A war between gods plays havoc with mortals and their everyday lives.

In a time of typewriters and steam engines, Iris Winnow awaits word from her older brother, who has enlisted on the side of Enva the Skyward goddess. Alcohol abuse led to her mother’s losing her job, and Iris has dropped out of school and found work utilizing her writing skills at the Oath Gazette . Hiding the stress of her home issues behind a brave face, Iris competes for valuable assignments that may one day earn her the coveted columnist position. Her rival for the job is handsome and wealthy Roman Kitt, whose prose entrances her so much she avoids reading his articles. At home, she writes cathartic letters to her brother, never posting them but instead placing them in her wardrobe, where they vanish overnight. One day Iris receives a reply, which, along with other events, pushes her to make dramatic life decisions. Magic plays a quiet role in this story, and readers may for a time forget there is anything supernatural going on. This is more of a wartime tale of broken families, inspired youths, and higher powers using people as pawns. It flirts with clichéd tropes but also takes some startling turns. Main characters are assumed White; same-sex marriages and gender equality at the warfront appear to be the norm in this world.

Pub Date: April 4, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-250-85743-9

Page Count: 368

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023

TEENS & YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT FAMILY

More by Rebecca Ross

by Rebecca Ross

More About This Book

• Discover Books Fiction Thriller & Suspense Mystery & Detective Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy Nonfiction Biography & Memoir Teens & Young Adult Children's
• News & Features Bestsellers Book Lists Profiles Perspectives Awards Seen & Heard Book to Screen Kirkus TV videos In the News
• Kirkus Prize Winners & Finalists About the Kirkus Prize Kirkus Prize Judges
• Magazine Current Issue All Issues Manage My Subscription Subscribe
• Writers’ Center Hire a Professional Book Editor Get Your Book Reviewed Advertise Your Book Launch a Pro Connect Author Page Learn About The Book Industry
• More Kirkus Diversity Collections Kirkus Pro Connect My Account/Login
• About Kirkus History Our Team Contest FAQ Press Center Info For Publishers
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Reprints, Permission & Excerpting Policy

© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Popular in this Genre

Hey there, book lover.

We’re glad you found a book that interests you!

Please select an existing bookshelf

Create a new bookshelf.

We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!

Please sign up to continue.

It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!

Already have an account? Log in.

Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.

Almost there!

• Industry Professional

Welcome Back!

Sign in using your Kirkus account

Contact us: 1-800-316-9361 or email [email protected].

Don’t fret. We’ll find you.

Magazine Subscribers ( How to Find Your Reader Number )

If You’ve Purchased Author Services

Don’t have an account yet? Sign Up.

Forgotten password

Please enter the email address that you use to login to TeenInk.com, and we'll email you instructions to reset your password.

• Poetry All Poetry Free Verse Song Lyrics Sonnet Haiku Limerick Ballad
• Fiction All Fiction Action-Adventure Fan Fiction Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Sci-fi/Fantasy Scripts & Plays Thriller/Mystery All Novels Action-Adventure Fan Fiction Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Sci-fi/Fantasy Thriller/Mystery Other
• Nonfiction All Nonfiction Bullying Books Academic Author Interviews Celebrity interviews College Articles College Essays Educator of the Year Heroes Interviews Memoir Personal Experience Sports Travel & Culture All Opinions Bullying Current Events / Politics Discrimination Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking Entertainment / Celebrities Environment Love / Relationships Movies / Music / TV Pop Culture / Trends School / College Social Issues / Civics Spirituality / Religion Sports / Hobbies All Hot Topics Bullying Community Service Environment Health Letters to the Editor Pride & Prejudice What Matters
• Reviews All Reviews Hot New Books Book Reviews Music Reviews Movie Reviews TV Show Reviews Video Game Reviews Summer Program Reviews College Reviews
• Art/Photo Art Photo Videos
• Summer Guide Program Links Program Reviews
• College Guide College Links College Reviews College Essays College Articles

Summer Guide

College guide.

• Song Lyrics

All Fiction

• Action-Adventure
• Fan Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Realistic Fiction
• Sci-fi/Fantasy
• Scripts & Plays
• Thriller/Mystery

All Nonfiction

• Author Interviews
• Celebrity interviews
• College Articles
• College Essays
• Educator of the Year
• Personal Experience
• Travel & Culture

All Opinions

• Current Events / Politics
• Discrimination
• Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
• Entertainment / Celebrities
• Environment
• Love / Relationships
• Movies / Music / TV
• Pop Culture / Trends
• School / College
• Social Issues / Civics
• Spirituality / Religion
• Sports / Hobbies

All Hot Topics

• Community Service
• Letters to the Editor
• Pride & Prejudice
• What Matters

All Reviews

• Hot New Books
• Book Reviews
• Music Reviews
• Movie Reviews
• TV Show Reviews
• Video Game Reviews

Summer Program Reviews

• College Reviews
• Writers Workshop
• Regular Forums
• Program Links
• Program Reviews
• College Links

The Maze Runner Review

Favorite Quote: No, I'm busy.

James Dashner’s The Maze Runner is a majestic piece of work. His flow of important events and keeping the pace together along with extensive character descriptions make this book a delight. From the beginning Dashner leaves the reader no questions besides, “can there be more?”. Dashner answers all other questions before you can even ask them, however still manages to hook his readers in with cliffhangers, from Thomas being unaware of his surroundings and worried, to the foreshadowing that Thomas might die in the maze. This book was an amazing piece of work from James Dashner.

In The Maze Runner, teenage boy Thomas is awoken by a group of teenage boys in a

place known as the Glade. For the other new arrivals they are given a random helping job, but for Thomas he knew that deep down he was meant to be a Runner. As time progressed Thomas makes the executive decision and breaks the number one rule to save his fellow Gladers and jump into the Maze. With willpower and might they become the first survivors thanks to Thomas. From there on Thomas is second in command with the Runners and help them on their endeavor to escape.

Dashner leaves no breaks for complaints in his writing of The Maze Runner. He keeps up with the suspense with Thomas fighting off the deadly Grievers in the Maze, and when Ben tried killing Thomas. Dashner is the first author I have seen who manages to constantly keep suspense, while also answering any question readers may have about what’s happening. His writing style is impeccable and wonderful. An example of his use of suspense is when Thomas is faced by a Griever in the Maze on page 125, “And then something rounded the corner… Something unspeakable. A Griever.”. Dashner leaves you with that immediate question, “what is it”, but then answers it instantly, hooking you in. I would recommend this book to anyone who can read without a doubt, it is a treat to read.

To some the idea of not being able to have unanswered questions is boring, but trust me as an avid readers of this genre of books, this is one of the greatest. Dashner manages to hook you in every time you open his books, especially The Maze Runner. Like I said, to anyone who can actually read, read this book, it is worth your time.

Similar Articles

Join the discussion.

This article has 0 comments.

• Subscribe to Teen Ink magazine
• Submit to Teen Ink
• Find A College
• Find a Summer Program

Share this on

Send to a friend.

Thank you for sharing this page with a friend!

Tell my friends

Choose what to email.

Which of your works would you like to tell your friends about? (These links will automatically appear in your email.)

Send your email

Delete my account, we hate to see you go please note as per our terms and conditions, you agreed that all materials submitted become the property of teen ink. going forward, your work will remain on teenink.com submitted “by anonymous.”, delete this, change anonymous status, send us site feedback.

If you have a suggestion about this website or are experiencing a problem with it, or if you need to report abuse on the site, please let us know. We try to make TeenInk.com the best site it can be, and we take your feedback very seriously. Please note that while we value your input, we cannot respond to every message. Also, if you have a comment about a particular piece of work on this website, please go to the page where that work is displayed and post a comment on it. Thank you!

Pardon Our Dust

Teen Ink is currently undergoing repairs to our image server. In addition to being unable to display images, we cannot currently accept image submissions. All other parts of the website are functioning normally. Please check back to submit your art and photography and to enjoy work from teen artists around the world!

Books of Brilliance

The latest book reviews and book news, the maze runner: book review.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

One of the dystopian novels that blew up in the 2010’s was The Maze Runner by James Dashner. It was unlike anything else out and many people gravitated towards it including me. Find out what made it stand out and why people were hooked. 

The Maze Runner Summary

Thomas wakes up and he is finds out that he is in a metal elevator that is going up. He cannot remember who he is or where he is now and how he got here. As the elevator finally reaches the top, Thomas finds out that he is in a fenced area with only boys occupying it.

The Glade, as the place the boys inhabit is known, is run by two boys. Alby is the leader and Newt is the second in charge. The maintain and enforce the rules and makes sure everything runs smoothly. And lastly, the elevator that brought Thomas to the Glade comes up once a month to bring food, supplies, medicine and weapons sometimes. And every month, a new boy comes up the elevator with no prior memories but his first name.

To escape the Glade, the boys have to solve the labyrinth, also known as the Maze. It is located outside the walls that surround the Glade. The Maze has high concrete walls that are covered in ivy that changes every night. And the Maze is home to creatures known as the Grievers that kill anyone they come across.

I will be talking about the whole series and not just the first novel. But I will not spoil anything for those that want to read it. The first book in the series was epic and really set up a terrifying dystopian world. You as a reader were invested and really wanted to know what the hell is going on in the Glade.

And eventually you get those answers. And they keep you hooked and reading the rest of the series. But the novels take a turn. After the Glade, you get a whole new story and that feels more like a standalone book then a trilogy. That is what irked me the most about the series. The books don’t connect well and leave you unsatisfied with its progression.

Lastly, I will say the violence and deaths in the novel don’t feel justified. The best example I can think of is Game of Thrones where everyone dies left and right. Its not the same to that extent but that is the first thing to come to mind. This was perhaps the worst conclusion to a series and has left me angry with even after reading it almost a decade ago.

If you haven’t read the series, then you aren’t really missing out. The first novel is great and I do recommend that one but stop while the sun is shining and just call it quits. So to summarize, I recommend the first novel in the series but not the whole series. And I have done this before but I stopped reading the other series after book one because I was not liking the direction of the novel. You can read that review here if you are interested. The movies did ok and you can check the movie and cast out.

Follow us on  Instagram  and  Facebook ! 

Share this:, 14 thoughts on “ the maze runner: book review ”.

Add Comment

I agree. I don’t like how the books don’t connect well. It was a bit like that for Hunger Games but more so with Maze Runner. The movies were really good as well though.

Yea they should have been stand alone novels

I agree. Also isn’t your main focus for this blog on Y/A fiction? I read a huge amount of it and if you wanted I could give you some books that, as a teenager, I really like.

There isn’t a main focus on this blog. I just write about books I have read and YA is one of those genres.

Ok. I love your reviews though. They are so genius and thought through.

I enjoyed watching the movies and how they concluded it. Haven’t read the books though. Would recommend Lord of the flies by William Golding. It’s a masterpiece!

• Pingback: Daily Prompt: What is Your Favorite Food - Books of Brilliance
• Pingback: How I Read 102 Books in a Year and How You Can Too - Books of Brilliance
• Pingback: Amazon Books' Final Chapter: Closing All Book Stores - Books of Brilliance

Good review, Ahaqir. I haven’t read this, but it still sounds pretty good to me despite the flaws.

I have watched the first movie. Never really got the time to watch the others but then I bought the book too. You bet I also haven’t read it but this might just be the boost I need to get into it.

I’m not a big fan of dystopia stories, so the end of the first movie which hinted another “adventure” just got me thinking meh..pass.

• Pingback: Divergent: Book Review - Books of Brilliance
• Pingback: 11 Book Adaptations That Were Downright Horrible  - Books of Brilliance

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from books of brilliance.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

The Book Review Directory

For readers and writers, the maze runner – book review.

Dystopian novel fans hold your breath! The one of the most amazing and full-of-awesomeness-series is here!!

I completed The Maze Runner yesterday. And I have no words to describe it. Okay I have a few words, so start reading!

Book cover blurb When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas can remember is his first name. But he’s not alone. He’s surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade, an encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible 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 thay every morning when the walls side back, they will risk everything to find out.

*No spoilers included*

My review- I watched the movie first and then I decided to read the book. My experience told me the movie will be almost same as the book. Same ending, same scenes. But it is not so in The Maze Runner . The first half I knew what was going around and I knew what will really happen to Thomas. After reaching half of the book I thought ‘everything’s the same, why read more to know what happened. I know it already!’

But I was wrong. The while second half of the book doesn’t even resemble half the movie. The story twists so much I have to read every chapter now to know what’s gonna happen next.

And James Dashner, that man knows how to keep the readers at the edge of their seats. Every chapter ends with such an unexpected event and I am forced to read the next chapter to find out how the hell did that happen?

Now let’s get to other things.

Plot The main theme of the book is new and so different. However, it is somewhat based loosely on the concept of Hunger Games. Like children trapped somewhere unknown and they need to escape. The fans of Hunger Games will surely love the Maze Runner series. The story takes us to the Glade which is situated in the middle of the Maze which is yet to be solved.

Thomas remembers only his name and rest memory is just wiped out. He helps the other boys and find different ways to escape. I am not going to include any spoilers so you have to figure out yourself if they get out of the Maze or not!

Characters The characters are so relatable. They are the kids next door, all confused and worried how did they got here and why their memories are wiped. Thomas too is confused. Teresa, the only girl among almost 50 boys, is also confused. No one really knows anything. There’s so much confusion! Mainly the characters are scared of what lies in the Maze, how can they escape and do they even have a family outside this?

Writing style At first after reading maybe 5-6 pages I didn’t think I’d like this book that much. But once I went inside the story everything changed. The writing flow is so good, sometimes I don’t feel like keeping the book down.

The chapter endings are so good, they leave you with an event or something you never would’ve guessed happen and so you are forced to read the next chapter!

Now please grab the first opportunity you get to read the series.

You can find The Maze Runner here .

Guest review provided by Vrushali . Vrushali reads books like people eat food. As an aspiring writer, she enjoys examining the form of writing when she reviews books.

A valuable art collection disappears turning a treasure-hunting duo into crime-stopping sleuths committed to vindicating family members in Kaylin McFarren’s action-packed suspense novel, Banished Threads.

While vacationing at the stately Cumberforge Manor in Bellwood, England, Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen attend an elegant dinner party hosted by her uncle, Paul Lyons, and his aristocratic wife, Sara. Before the evening ends, a priceless collection of Morris Graves’s paintings are stolen from her uncle’s popular gallery, throwing all suspicion onto his wife’s missing granddaughter.

Determined to clear Sloan Rafferty’s name and, in the process, win Paul’s favor, Chase scours the countryside looking for answers. In his absence, the police accuse Rachel’s uncle of an unsolved murder and secrets surrounding her grandmother’s death and the deaths of Sara’s former husbands turn his wife into the most likely suspect. With the true villains hell-bent on destroying Paul Lyons and his family, solving both crimes while ensuring her uncle’s freedom not only endangers Rachel’s life but that of her unborn child. Will Chase save them before the kidnappers enact their revenge or will the ultimate price be paid, as predicted by a vagabond fortuneteller?

Share this:

7 thoughts on “ the maze runner – book review ”.

Loved the books, not so much the film

Like Liked by 1 person

I’ve watched the film and thought there’s no point to reading the book – but you have changed my mind now :)

I happened to have read the book before watching the movie and I ended up not liking the movie! This book is as you said different and new with it’s concept!

A good read this one!

I loved this series! Hope you do to.

[…] via The Maze Runner – Book Review — The Book Review Directory […]

Reblogged this on A Writer's Path .

I really enjoyed the Maze Runner. Like I read it on a five hour plane ride and just could not stop reading. This said though, I didn’t like the sequels. I thought things got too whacky and odd.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Book Reviews

The Maze Runner by James Dashner: Book Review

Thomas suddenly awakes in a box as a group of other teenage boys looks down at him, calling him unfathomable names like “shank” and “greenie.” He has no idea how he got there or where he came from. All he remembers from his past is his name.

He eventually learns that this group of 50-60 boys live in the heart of a maze. They’ve been looking for a way out for years and haven’t found it yet. They must return to the Glade every night, or else they’ll be locked out and left for the Grievers. Thomas starts to have a feeling that he knows more about the maze than he first thought. Turns out he’s right.

Ya know, dystopian novels are just not my thing, yet I keep trying. At what point do I give up? Is it good that I keep trying or is it a waste of my time? I just don’t know.

My problem with this book was that absolutely no one would tell Thomas what was going on. Granted, they don’t know a whole lot about what’s going on either, but someone could at least say, as soon as they get him out of the box, “Look, dude. You’re in the middle of a gigantic maze. None of us knows how we got here. None of us remembers anything before waking up in that box. We get supplies weekly. Don’t get caught outside the Glade after dark because these horrible monsters that we call Grievers will kill you. Yes, we’ve been looking for a way out but we haven’t found it yet. Any questions?” Instead it’s just a whole lot of, “Shut up with the questions! We’ll explain tomorrow.” And then, when tomorrow comes, it’s “Shut up with the questions! I’ll get to that in a minute.” And then they don’t get to it for days. It felt like a cheap way to build suspense. I don’t think realistically that the whole scenario would play out like that. I know, I’m talking about “realistically” in a novel that has very little to do with reality (we hope), but human nature is human nature. We generally like to tell what we know.

I really–really–hated the ending.

The narrator, Mark Deakins, did do a good job. He has a fairly impressive cast of voices to keep track of, and they all did sound different, whether in pitch or in accent.

Dystopian fans will definitely like this better than I did. I won’t be continuing the series.

Read an excerpt .

Find author James Dashner on his website , his blog , Twitter , and Facebook .

Buy The Maze Runner at

I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s , my local independent bookstore, and Better World Books . I will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.

Related Posts (Automatically Generated):

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs: Book Review

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers: Book Review

Ruined by Paula Morris: Book Review

When I first saw your two star rating I was really disappointed because I have a copy of this I've been looking forward to! But, since you don't like dystopians anyway…I think it makes sense.

I wish you would find one that you enjoy – I love them!

Well, I like dystopian so I hope I like it better than you did. Your review made me smile, though. 😉

I'm way bummed to hear you didn't really like this one! It's one I'm looking forward to! But then again, if you don't really care for dystopian, that would make sense.

I love to hear from you! Please contact me (menu bar, above) if you're having trouble commenting. Cancel reply

Advertisement

Supported by

A Life-Size Labyrinth Is the Bane of These Boys

• Share full article

By Ben Kenigsberg

• Sept. 18, 2014

THE MAZE RUNNER

Opens on Friday

Directed by Wes Ball

1 hour 53 minutes

In “The Maze Runner,” the ratio of vocabulary to explanations is alarmingly high. The main setting is the Glade, where a “Greenie,” or newcomer, arrives each month with supplies for a platoon of lost boys. The Glade is surrounded by a giant maze monitored by “Grievers,” monsters that have features of spiders, scorpions and robots. During the day, “Runners” map the maze, but moviegoers may feel as if they were the ones being tested.

“The Maze Runner,” adapted from James Dashner ’s novel, is a perfectly serviceable entry in the young-adult dystopian sweepstakes. It combines elements of “Lord of the Flies” with the Minotaur and Orpheus myths, but it plays as something closer to “The Hunger Games” experienced through a dissociative fog. Much suspense comes from wondering which favored Hollywood twist the movie will employ. Is this actually the present day? Has someone blown up the planet?

Fall Arts Preview - Times 100

How to wade through the crush of culture coming your way this season? Here’s a guide to 100 events that have us especially excited, in order of appearance.

Yet by keeping its cards so close, “The Maze Runner” remains compelling. Sent to the Glade for mysterious reasons, a messianic figure, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), discovers that the changing maze can be used against the Grievers.

Whatever cataclysm has ailed society has inspired the cinematographer to bathe everything in bluish gray. The Grievers’ limbs tumble over one another in an indistinct mash of menace. The dime store explanations are unsatisfying, but the movie does its main job: raising curiosity for a sequel. Problem solved.

“The Maze Runner” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). Fearmongering, giant spiders.

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

Even before his new film “Civil War” was released, the writer-director Alex Garland faced controversy over his vision of a divided America  with Texas and California as allies.

Theda Hammel’s directorial debut, “Stress Positions,” a comedy about millennials weathering the early days of the pandemic , will ask audiences to return to a time that many people would rather forget.

“Fallout,” TV’s latest big-ticket video game adaptation, takes a satirical, self-aware approach to the End Times .

“Sasquatch Sunset” follows the creatures as they go about their lives. We had so many questions. The film’s cast and crew had answers .

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

Good Books for Catholic Kids

Guiding Catholic families towards the True, the Good, and the Beautiful

Review of “The Maze Runner”

As a busy Catholic parent, you may be wondering if you should let your teens read this series and watch the movie, but not have the time to read it for yourself to determine its appropriateness. Never fear. If you are looking for a one word answer, this Catholic mom is saying No to her young teens reading this series. Read on for a synopsis and highlights of some of the moral issues the series raises.

In brief, The Maze Runner is the story of a teenage boy, Thomas, and his band of friends who accomplish rather unbelievable feats to escape a devilishly designed maze. Oh yes, and all of them have no memories. That about sums it up. In the second book, The Scorch Trials , Thomas and his friends are again put through a series of perilous experiments in a ravaged world. This time the boys realize that they are undergoing the trials for the greater good of the human race, in the hope of finding a cure for a disturbing, fatal illness known as “the Flare.” The third book, The Death Cure , is Thomas and his surviving friends’ fight to take down Wicked, the organization which has forced the experiments upon them.

This series is wildly popular because it is a fast-paced story of a group of loyal teens facing nearly insurmountable challenges, with a generous dose of mystery to suck in the reader. But from a Catholic perspective, there are a plethora of moral problems with these books. One thing parents need to know is just how violent this series is. All three books, but especially the third, present scenarios where teenagers must engage in and witness disturbing violence and gruesome deaths, all depicted graphically. For a book that is singularly lacking in description overall, the author devotes an inordinate number of paragraphs to detailing graphic violence. My view is teenagers should not be reading about this sort of violence, especially when it is in the context of other teenagers committing the violence.

Moving into more vicarious themes, another thing you as the parent need to know is how this book deals with euthanasia . Dashner offers some oddly contradictory views. On one level, The Maze Runner world does not choose to euthanize the segment of the population who are going mad. However, Dashner provocatively offers an ongoing speculation of whether it would just “be kinder” to do so. Then, in the third book, Dashner creates a specific scenario in which one of the major characters, Newt, realizes he has caught the fatal disease and is rapidly going mad. Newt asks Thomas to kill him in the name of their friendship. After various feelings of turmoil and guilt, Thomas ends up deciding to do so. Perhaps the most disturbing part of this twisted scenario Dashner devises is that Thomas never frames the problem in terms of right and wrong. His decision and motivations are all based on a chaos of feelings: loyalty, revulsion, guilt, love, friendship. There is no overarching moral framework or absolute right and wrong even mentioned.

Another moral question raised in The Maze Runner series is an ongoing exploration of how far the end justifies the means . Perhaps the biggest question Thomas grapples with throughout the series is does trying to save the human race justify intentionally killing some? In my view, the book does not give a definitive answer. Thomas thinks first yes in the prequel, then no, then maybe. In the end, his conclusion seems to be that perhaps yes, you can kill some people if you are absolutely positive it will save the majority. Like the euthanasia question, here is another serious moral issue that a teenager is trying to grapple with all by himself. The idea that they alone must create their own morality in a vacuum is not what we want to be instilling in our Catholic teenagers.

A final danger signal I see in these books is Dashner’s choice to use the word “Creators” to refer to the ruthless adults at Wicked who designed the killzone experiments. To me, this raises a question of whether the book is meant to be an analogy for humankind, stuck in a fallen world by an uncaring Creator. Reading too much into this word choice? Maybe. But maybe not. In any case, for all these reasons, I would pass on The Maze Runner as a reading choice for your teenagers.

3 thoughts on “ Review of “The Maze Runner” ”

Pingback: Review of “The Selection” – Good Books for Catholic Kids

Pingback: Review of “The Wingfeather Saga” – Good Books for Catholic Kids

Thanks so much for your complete review of this book. You are a blessing!!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from good books for catholic kids.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Explaining the News to Our Kids

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

The maze runner, common sense media reviewers.

Dystopian tale offers high-stakes action, mystery for teens.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

The movie encourages challenging authority and que

Thomas is an exemplary role model because he's

Violence is on par with the source books and simil

Occasional language includes "s--t," &qu

The guys in the Glade drink an unspecified drink t

Parents need to know that The Maze Runner is based on the first novel in James Dashner's best-selling young adult trilogy. The movie, like the book, is a cross between Lord of the Flies , Ender's Game, and The Hunger Games and should appeal to fans of the books and of star…

Positive Messages

The movie encourages challenging authority and questioning complacency -- to take risks when necessary and to defend the powerless. Themes include courage, friendship, and teamwork.

Positive Role Models

Thomas is an exemplary role model because he's willing to risk his position in the group, his safety, and even his life to help lead the others out of the Maze. He makes friends and alliances easily and is able to stand up against authority, voice his doubts, and question why the boys have complacently remained in the Glade when they should have been searching for a way out of their imprisonment. Alby is a kind and generous leader who wants to do what's best for the members of the Glade, and Min-ho and Newt are both courageous and curious members of the group.

Violence & Scariness

Violence is on par with the source books and similar YA-based dystopian thrillers. Teens rally together to kill huge, mechanized, spider-like monsters called Grievers. Characters die from being stung or otherwise killed by the Grievers; others die after being shot or speared, and a whole roomful of adults is found dead. The scenes of the Grievers killing the boys are particularly frightening and horrific.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Occasional language includes "s--t," "a--hole," "son of a bitch," "bastards," "damn," and "oh my God!"

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The guys in the Glade drink an unspecified drink that's strong and makes Thomas scrunch up his face, but it's unclear whether it's alcohol or not.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Maze Runner is based on the first novel in James Dashner 's best-selling young adult trilogy. The movie, like the book, is a cross between Lord of the Flies , Ender's Game , and The Hunger Games and should appeal to fans of the books and of star Dylan O'Brien ( Teen Wolf ). There's more strong language ("s--t," "a--hole," "bitch") in the movie than in the book, which featured mostly made up curse words like "shuck" and "klunk." Unlike many other popular teen movies, The Maze Runner doesn't highlight a central romance (at least in this installment), but it definitely includes the same amount of intense violence -- some of it teen on teen, some of it creature on teen, and much of it weapons based. Characters die, and the scenes in which the mechanized Grievers kill the boys are particularly disturbing. Main character Thomas is a strong role model, helping his friends and standing up to authority when necessary. And there are clear themes of teamwork, courage, and friendship. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (39)
• Kids say (253)

Based on 39 parent reviews

Very violent and involving gang killing of a boy

What's the story.

THE MAZE RUNNER is a dystopian thriller based on James Dashner 's best-selling YA book trilogy. The action starts immediately, with an elevator taking a scared teenage guy, Thomas ( Dylan O'Brien ), up into the unknown. When the doors open, he's introduced to the Glade, a mysterious all-boy commune surrounded by an even more mysterious Maze that changes every day and is home to killer mechanized bugs called "Grievers." Every month, the elevator delivers supplies and a new amnesiac resident. None of the imprisoned boys can remember anything but their names, with the newest guy being Thomas. He learns that the Glade residents are divided into groups with specific jobs -- builders, farmers, healers, and the bravest of the group, the runners who go out into the Maze hoping to map it. Thomas' arrival coincides with a series of strange occurrences, the strangest of which is the too-soon arrival of another "greenie," a girl ( Kaya Scodelario ) who has a note attached to her. ("She's the last one ever.") Realizing that their prospects of surviving without any more supplies are slim, Thomas convinces a small group to face the dangers of the Maze and look for a way out of their bizarre captivity.

Is It Any Good?

As adaptations go, this one is quite faithful to the book, which should please its loyal readers. But those who haven't read the book may be dissatisfied with the lack of fully developed characters and overly compressed pacing. The story's types and tropes will seem familiar to anyone who's seen other YA-based dystopian movies: the super-precocious protagonist who can do exceptional things (in this case, accomplish in three or four days what the rest of the guys couldn't in two or three years); the sense that the adolescents are pawns of cruel, unfeeling adults; the violence that leaves teens dead; and the idea that no one really knows what's going on. Unlike Divergent and Hunger Games , which explain what happened to the post-apocalyptic society from the start, The Maze Runner is more of a pin-hole mystery -- you find out little by little what's actually happening until the very end, and even then, it's just a primer for a second installment.

O'Brien has always been a standout actor (he routinely steals the show on Teen Wolf ) . Here he's good at the connections with the other guys, all of whom are played well by the cast of young actors -- particularly head runner Minho (Ki Hong Lee), leader Alby (Aml Ameen), second-in-command Newt ( Thomas Brodie-Sangster ), and the youngest of the Gladers, chubby and charming Chuck (Blake Cooper). The problem is that there's not much depth to the many supporting characters because the movie focuses solely on Thomas, whom the audience doesn't know (he doesn't know himself) but still has to root for, since he's the only one willing to break rules to get out of the Glade. Then there's Scodelario, a nuanced young actress ( Wuthering Heights ) who's wasted on the tiny role of Teresa, the only girl ever to be sent to the Glade (this isn't Peeta and Katniss or Tris and Four). The action sequences are genuinely heart-pumping (and violent), but the overall story falls a bit flat once it's clear that the Lord of the Flies aspect is secondary to the mystery of who or why these boys are in this horrible prison. Those hoping for a satisfying solution will have to keep their fingers crossed that a second movie will be made ... or just resign themselves to the fact that some of these first books work as standalone stories, and some have to be experienced in their entirety to make sense.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the popularity of movies based on dystopian YA novels. Why do you think adaptations like The Maze Runner are so appealing?

For those who've read the Maze Runner book, how does the movie compare? Was it faithful, or did the movie go in a different, unexpected direction? What was left out that you missed, and what was added that you enjoyed?

There's more language in the movie than in the book. Do you think language is as important concern compared to violence and sex? Why or why not?

How did the movie's violence impact you? How does it compare to what you've seen in other, similar movies?

Which characters are role models ? What character strengths do they demonstrate?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 19, 2014
• On DVD or streaming : December 16, 2014
• Cast : Dylan O'Brien , Thomas Brodie-Sangster , Kaya Scodelario
• Director : Wes Ball
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Latino actors
• Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Adventures , Book Characters
• Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
• Run time : 113 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : thematic elements and intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, including some disturbing images
• Last updated : January 6, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

The Hunger Games

City of Ember

Sci-fi movies, best action movies for kids, related topics.

• Book Characters

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Why So Many People Missed the Point of the Maze Runner Trilogy

It's been 10 years since The Maze Runner was released, and audiences still seem to question the main lesson of the YA trilogy.

• The Maze Runner trilogy, led by Dylan O'Brien as Thomas, offers a unique take on survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
• Despite intense competition, the series provides a deeper message about individual choice and ethical decisions.
• Audiences can learn from Thomas and Teresa's journey to use their voices against corruption and stand up for what they believe.

Based on James Dashner's book series, the Maze Runner trilogy follows a teenager on a journey through a post-apocalyptic world where he is forced to make life-and-death decisions not only for himself but for everyone who chooses to follow his lead. Dylan O'Brien plays the ambitious and determined protagonist, Thomas, who, in the first film, finds himself in an artificial environment surrounded by other teenage boys who have not yet fully managed to make sense of their new world. Rather than accept his new reality, Thomas pushes boundaries and asks tough questions, eventually leading to a massive escape by some of the group. Unfortunately, they all realize their manufactured world was only the start of a horrible reality.

When The Maze Runner first came out in theaters back in 2014, fans could not get to their seats fast enough. At the time, the YA dystopian genre was exploding, and teens could not wait to see their favorite characters come to life on the big screen. Upon release, the film earned nearly $350 million at the worldwide box office against a slim $34 million budget. However, with the Maze Runner trilogy competing with other films that had similar structures, such as those in the Hunger Games and Divergent franchises, an important lesson was lost among audiences.

The Primary Storyline of the Maze Runner Trilogy

The maze runner.

In the first film, The Maze Runner , Thomas arrives via an underground lift into a place called the Glade. Like all the other boys, he has no memory (except for his name) of his life before entering the artificial world. Thomas is put to work, but he is intrigued by the fact that there are "Runners" who are tasked with running through a maze that surrounds the Glade every day. He learns that they have been looking for a way out, but they have always come up short until Thomas becomes one of them. After the first and only girl arrives in the Glade with a note saying she is the last one, Thomas makes it his mission to find a way out. Unfortunately, the journey is deadly, and by the time a handful of Gladers are able to escape, lives, as well as their hopes of peace and rest, have been lost.

The second movie, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials , picks up right where the first left off, but it opens with a bit of backstory about how Thomas actually came to know the organization WCKD before the world was plagued with a deadly virus . The plot primarily follows Thomas and a few others who learn that they are far from safe when they discover that the people who previously rescued them are actually working with the same people who put them in the mazes. Thomas and a handful of others manage to escape and find a resistance group that also wants to take down WCKD. Over this period, Thomas begins to piece together bits of his life before the maze, but he finds that he was not always such a good guy when he, too, believed in WCKD's morally corrupt mission.

The third film, The Maze Runner: The Death Cure , sheds light on why Thomas and many other children were put in mazes during a post-apocalyptic world . In short, the chosen children were believed to be immune to the deadly virus, and with their genetic makeup, WCKD wanted to put them in extreme conditions to see if they would be able to survive. From the ones who did manage to break free, WCKD would then test their blood to find a cure for those infected with the virus.

The Maze Runner Cast: Where They Are Today

In this film, more of Thomas' friends die as he desperately tries to save them. Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), who has always been loyal to WCKD's cause, discovers that Thomas' blood can cure others, but this realization comes with her also understanding that the people behind the organization have not always had the best intentions.

Why People Missed the Main Point of the Maze Runner Trilogy

The 2010s were the peak years for the young adult dystopian future genre . Students were pulling books like The Maze Runner , The Hunger Games , and Divergent off shelves and devouring them at a rapid pace, so it only made sense that the big hits made their way to the silver screen. Unfortunately, when these intricate characters, with their harrowing struggles against the powers that be, were adapted into films, something just didn't sit quite right with audiences.

First, everything seemed to come out all at once. Divergent , The Giver , The Maze Runner , and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1 were all released in 2014, one year after Ender's Game premiered. It was like an overload of teenagers fighting against a corrupt system became the only thing to watch.

The Maze Runner Trilogy: Every Main Character, Ranked

Then, the storylines of the YA dystopian adaptations began to blur. Love stories became a primary focus, and action scenes seemed more important than actual character development. With the Maze Runner series, audiences were paying more attention to the "bring down the government" aspect found in the Hunger Games and Divergent franchises, rather than focusing on the bigger situation at hand.

The Deeper Meaning of the Maze Runner Films

Governments were already in place in the dystopian worlds of the Hunger Games and the Divergent series, and the teenage protagonists were the ones to break the status quo. Now, on the surface, the Maze Runner trilogy can seem similar, but it is, in fact, very different. Rather than trying to change an already established government, Thomas and his friends are trying to simply survive and not be used as lab rats by a malicious organization.

Thomas' history with WCKD becomes a vital part of the main point in the trilogy because he represents what it is like for teenagers to take a step back and realize the power he has with his response to things. Originally, Thomas did not agree with how WCKD treated children in hopes of finding a cure, but Teresa, who was also a part of WCKD before their days in the Glade, believed that the sacrifices they made were for the greater good. Even when Thomas rediscovers his past, he still makes the conscious choice to walk away from (or, more like, escape from) the experimental department. Teresa, on the other hand, truly believes that the innocent lives that were lost will be worth it in the end.

As stated before, the trilogy concludes with Teresa realizing that Thomas can actually cure infected individuals. Upon this discovery, a WCKD official had only planned to use the cure for those he deemed worthy. This finally made Teresa realize that the mission and experiments she had supported for so long were corrupt. Instead of pleading for Thomas to sacrifice himself for mankind, she escapes with him, but she dies just before she is able to leap to safety.

The lesson to be learned is that everyone has a choice in what they do and how they do it. Thomas and (eventually) Teresa both turned against the organization that practically raised them because they realized their actions were not right. Audiences, especially the younger generations, should understand the trilogy is not necessarily about some teens going against the grain of society, but rather, they have a voice that should be utilized when they think something is wrong or harming others. The Maze Runner and Maze Runner: The Death Cure are available to rent on Prime Video, iTunes, and Google Play, while Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is streaming on Max.

The Correct Order To Watch The Maze Runner Movies

T hrowing a bunch of teenagers into some sort of Gladiator-style arena is the pinnacle of young adult dystopian fiction, executed to perfection in franchises like "The Hunger Games." While "The Maze Runner" films also follow the same principle, the worldbuilding here is markedly different, woven deftly with interesting characters and plot developments that make it such an intriguing premise. With three movies that map the trajectory of such a grim world and its inhabitants, "The Maze Runner" emerges as a staple for those who wish to immerse themselves in its labyrinthine action and fantastical setting.

As "The Maze Runner" films are rather overlooked, at least in comparison to blockbuster offerings within the same genre, it can be a bit confusing for casual fans to denote its viewing order. Moreover, things get more complicated once we venture into its sprawling source material — James Dashner's "Maze Runner" novels extend beyond its theatrical counterparts, comprising two prequels, a companion book, and a sequel of sorts that takes place 73 years after the events of the final film.

So, should you reach the books to get a better understanding of the worldbuilding in the films? Yes and no. Let us dive deeper into the world of "The Maze Runner" to answer this question.

Read more: Here's Why Movie Dialogue Has Gotten More Difficult To Understand (And Three Ways To Fix It)

The Only Way To Watch The Maze Runner Films

Well, the only correct way to watch these films is in the order of theatrical release. Yes, that sounds super obvious and not at all complicated, but please bear with me. Start with 2014's "The Maze Runner" which introduces us to the Glade, where teens dubbed Gladers are responsible for navigating an ever-changing labyrinth that houses dangerous biochemical beasts known as Grievers. Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) is thrown into the midst of chaos, and as a "greenie" (new Gladers who are thrown into the Glade every week), he must navigate this treacherous world and solve the mystery that lies at its heart.

Next, is 2015's "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials," which sees Thomas teaming up with the other Gladers to get to the bottom of the shadow organization that oversees the Glade, known as WCKD. There's a palpable shift in tone in the sequel — while the Glade used to be a place where the teenagers only cooperated for survival, Thomas' presence inspires everyone to actively band together in an attempt to uncover the root cause behind their fates. The world also widens, as we are introduced to a wasteland called the Scorch, where resistance fighters team up with our core group to survive yet another devastating trial.

Finally, 2018's "Maze Runner: The Death Cure" marks the explosive finale to this mystery, where Thomas and co. must once again push back to rescue their friends and seek more answers about their world. An infection known as The Flare makes matters worse, and unsavory truths about the Gladers are revealed by the end of this enigmatic entry. While this journey is pretty chronological, let us look into the prequel books and the companion texts written by Dashner to help flesh this world out. 

More Than Meets The Eye

After you're done with the "Maze Runner" trilogy, it is time to engage on a deeper level, should you wish to do so. The two prequels in question — "The Kill Order" and "The Fever Code" — chronicle how the Glade was formed in the first place, spanning back to 13 years before Thomas enters the arena. Mankind had to contend with a disease after solar flares hit the earth, causing most of the populace to descend into madness. 

"The Fever Code" provides more context about the first Gladers, the kind of training that they had to undergo, and what happened before their memories were wiped before their trials. While these events are rather tricky to translate onto the big screen, there is a chance that a prequel film might help set the stage for nuanced worldbuilding while granting answers to unanswered questions put forth in the trilogy.

If you wish to venture beyond, there are "The Maze Cutter" books, which act as a spin-off trilogy that is still being written as of now (the second book, "The Godhead Complex" was published on November 2023). There's also a companion text known as "The Maze Runner Files," which is an information catalog about WICKED, the Flare, and reveals more information about the intricacies of the world. A new character named Newt was also introduced in the novella, "Crank Palace," which takes place during the events of the third film.

Needless to say, watching "The Maze Runner" films out of order will only be confusing, as the release order is the only way to understand the linear progression of Thomas' journey. As for the more complex, sprawling narrative that extends beyond these films, it still awaits curious exploration, if you dare to indulge in it. 

Read the original article on /Film .

Screen Rant

Kingdom of the planet of the apes director's ya sci-fi franchise dominates netflix's global chart.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball is finding success on Netflix with his two past movies in a popular sci-fi franchise.

• The Maze Runner and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials rank third and ninth, respectively, on Netflix's top 10 movies list for April 1 – 7.
• The movie are directed by Wes Ball, whose next project is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes .
• Despite the third Maze Runner movies being something of a disappointment critically and commercially, a fourth entry in the franchise is not off the table.

Two installments in the Maze Runner franchise, directed by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball, have made the top 10 chart on Netflix. Based on the popular book series by author James Dashner, the first Maze Runner movie was released in 2014, following a group of teens trapped inside a mysterious labyrinthian structure. The film, which stars Dylan O'Brien in the lead role, was a success, and it was followed by Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials in 2015 and Maze Runner: The Death Cure in 2018.

Now, 10 years after the release of the first Maze Runner , two installments of the franchise are charting on Netflix 's top 10 global movies list for the week of April 1 – 7. The Maze Runner occupies the number three spot with 6.7 million total views, while Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials occupies ninth place with 4.4 million views. Check out the full top 10 list below:

How Successful Were The Maze Runner Movies?

Will there be another one.

Made on a budget of about $34 million, the first Maze Runner made $348.3 million worldwide , making it a big success. The action-packed film also announced members of the Maze Runner cast as stars, with O'Brien having now gone on to star in other films since the trilogy's conclusion. The second film in the franchise made $312.3, while the third and final outing would ultimately become the lowest-grossing entry in the franchise at $288.2 million.

10 Best Action Scenes In The Maze Runner Movies, Ranked

Critically, the franchise follows a similar path. Reviews for the first Maze Runner were generally positive , and the film currently has a 65% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The second film, however, saw a noticeable dip in this regard, featuring only a 48% score. Maze Runner: The Death Cure is the lowest-scoring film of the bunch, holding only a 43% score with generally unfavorable reviews.

Even though the third film fell off critically and commercially, Disney confirmed that Maze Runner 4 is in development in 2019 , not long after the company's purchase of 20th Century Fox. There has been no word on the continuation of the franchise since then, but the latest Netflix chart suggest that the IP remains popular. It remains to be seen what the future of the Maze Runner franchise is, but Netflix subscribers are evidently enjoying reliving Thomas' sci-fi journey.

Source: Netflix

The Maze Runner

Conceived as a book series by author James Dashner, The Maze Runner is a sci-fi multimedia franchise that gained mainstream popularity after the release of its first of three films. The series focuses on a group of young men trapped in a maze with no knowledge of life outside their strange prison. The survivors, led by protagonist Thomas, attempt to piece together their shattered memories and find a way out of the towering maze.

• Movies & TV
• Big on the Internet
• About Us & Contact

Will There Ever Be a Fourth ‘Maze Runner’ Movie?

James Dashner’s Maze Runner books were a staple of the 2010s’ Young Adult dystopia boom, and the movies only added to the hype. Dylan O’Brien starred as Thomas in all three Maze Runner movies , starting with The Maze Runner , which was released in 2014, and ending with The Death Cure , which was released in 2018.

Since then, fans have questioned whether another Maze Runner movie would ever be made. Though the movies significantly changed certain plot points from the books, they were relatively successful adaptations of this beloved story, especially the casting, the choices they made for the characters, and the way they emotionally ripped our hearts out. Another movie set in WICKED’s manipulative dystopia would probably be welcomed with open arms, but will it ever happen?

Will there be another Maze Runner movie?

At the moment, there is no confirmation that another Maze Runner movie is in active development. However, rumors have been floating around the internet for a while, and it’s no surprise why. Fan trailers for another installment have populated YouTube, and the books and the movies are still beloved today. Additionally, in 2019, entertainment journalist Erik Davis was in attendance at CinemaCon, and one of his Twitter threads stated that Fox, now owned by Disney, was planning on producing more Maze Runner movies in the future.

Fox side now teasing more Apes, Kingsman, Avatar, Alien and Maze Runner movies #CinemaCon — Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) April 3, 2019

Despite the delays suffered by The Maze Runner: The Death Cure —O’Brien endured a painful injury while performing a stunt on set, which brought production to a standstill—all three movies were still successful at the box office, as each installment was made on a relatively modest budget.

According to Box Office Mojo, The Maze Runner was produced for $34 million and made $348 million at the worldwide box office. Its sequel, The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials , had a budget of $61 million and earned $312 million at the worldwide box office, and the final installment, The Death Cure , had a budget of $62 million and made $288 million globally. These may not be Marvel Cinematic Universe numbers, but the Maze Runner movies proved to be low-risk productions that produced relatively high rewards.

The Maze Runner , The Scorch Trials , and The Death Cure are not the only books set in the Maze Runner universe, either. James Dashner, the Maze Runner series’ author, also wrote two Maze Runner prequel novels: The Kill Order and The Fever Code . The Kill Order takes place after the first solar flares hit the Earth, which jumpstarted the apocalypse, brought forth the deadly virus, and eventually created the dystopian society featured in The Maze Runner trilogy. The Fever Code , on the other hand, focused specifically on the lives of the Gladers before their memories were wiped and they were sent into the maze by WICKED.

Dashner has also since begun writing a Maze Runner sequel series, known as The Maze Cutter series, which so far includes two novels: The Maze Cutter and The Godhead Complex . This series is set more than 70 years after the events of The Death Cure and follows the terrifying adventures of the Gladers’ descendants.

As such, there’s plenty of source material available to potentially produce a fourth Maze Runner -related movie, but again, at the time of writing, and despite the initial announcement in 2019, there have been no further developments. No writers or directors are currently attached, and Disney never announced an official release date for another Maze Runner movie. This doesn’t mean it can’t still technically happen, but the more time passes, the less likely it becomes.

(featured image: 20th Century Fox)

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Why Nike's new Olympic track uniform for women is stirring controversy

Juliana Kim

Elite athletes from around the world joined Nike to unveil the latest Nike Air footwear and team kits at the "Nike On Air" event at the Palais Brongniart in Paris earlier this month. Nike hide caption

Elite athletes from around the world joined Nike to unveil the latest Nike Air footwear and team kits at the "Nike On Air" event at the Palais Brongniart in Paris earlier this month.

Nike revealed a range of new styles and silhouettes for elite athletes last week ahead of the 2024 Olympics, but one article of clothing has raised controversy.

The Sexualization Of Women In Sports Extends Even To What They Wear

A bodysuit that appears to be cut high on the hips is one of the options for Team USA's track and field. Athletes and fans have criticized the design, saying that the outfit looks uncomfortable and revealing.

Complaints further mounted after Citius Mag , an online magazine that covers track and field, released a side-by-side comparison of the men's and women's uniform — with critics finding the vast differences deeply problematic.

BREAKING: Here's your first look at the new @Nike kits that will be worn by the U.S. track and field team at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. pic.twitter.com/XPWOnBrwsv — CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) April 11, 2024

In response to the criticism, Nike said female runners are not limited to the leotard and that the new line offers nearly 50 styles to choose from, including shorts.

"We showcased some of the new Olympic uniforms at the Nike On Air experience in Paris — but, as we are a few months from the Games and working with limited samples in a limited format presentation, not all looks and styles were featured," a Nike spokesperson said in an email.

The company added that it took female athletes' comfort especially seriously, which is why it raised the neckline for tops.

USA Track and Field said its athletes were consulted throughout the design process. "Athlete options and choices were the driving force for USATF in the planning process with Nike," the USATF said in a statement.

Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said she supports athletes having options. "I think that's important. We want to make sure athletes have choices that they're comfortable in," she told reporters.

Why MLB's new uniforms are getting mixed reviews

The backlash comes less than two months after Nike was scrutinized over its new uniforms for Major League Baseball players, which some said looked see-through and of poor quality.

This time, Nike's designs were caught in the long-running discourse over sexism in women's sports attire.

U.S. national champion distance runner Lauren Fleshman said the track and field kit specifically displayed on the mannequin lacked the professionalism that top women athletes deserve.

"Women's kits should be in service to performance, mentally and physically. If this outfit was truly beneficial to physical performance, men would wear it," she wrote on Instagram .

Shots - Health News

The sports world is still built for men. this elite runner wants to change that.

On social media, some fans asked if the mannequin outfit was for swimming events. Others expressed concern that the fit will sexualize sportswomen, given the uniforms' lack of coverage.

Pole vaulting Olympic gold medalist Katie Moon said while the uniform was troubling, she is in favor of female athletes having more options rather than less when it comes to attire.

"Even if its with best of intentions, you're ultimately attacking our decision as women to wear it," Moon wrote on Instagram . "The point is we DO have the choice of what to wear, and whether we feel the best in a potato sack or a bathing suit during competitions, we should support the autonomy.

Before the backlash, Nike said the uniforms were the "most athlete-informed, data-driven and visually unified the company has ever produced." The clothes were tailored to support a range of body types and sports disciplines while maximizing breathability, Nike Chief Innovation Officer John Hoke said in a press release Thursday.

Nike also plans to provide custom tailoring at the games.

• 2024 olympics
• track and field