DNF December Review Blitz — Day #4: I’m sharing my thoughts on some book series that I have marked as incomplete as I have never finished the first novel in the series. Find out why these weren’t for me:
The Maze Cutter Series is a spin-off of the Maze Runner Series
Series: The Maze Cutter | The Maze Runner
This is a spinoff of the Maze Runner Series.
Author: James Dashner
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
There is a prequel novella #0.5 Crank Place
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: No
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: Third Person, Multiple
Publication Date: October 2022 – ongoing
Source & Format: Public Library—Audiobook
WARNING: If you have not finished the original series, this review may have spoilers!
**This post was originally published as a Series Review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to reflect my conclusion to DNF this series. It will not be further updated.**
My Expectations?
I had a bit of a hit and miss relationship with the original Maze Runner Trilogy. I loved the concept but not always the execution. I think it was one of those rare times where I enjoyed the movies more than the novels. But, after the lackluster ending of that trilogy, I was curious to learn how everything wraps and thought I’d give this new series a try.
How Does It Compare To The Original?
–It’s a Slow Start, Again–
One of my chief complaints about The Maze Runner (#1) was that it was such a slow book. James Dashner is an author who is overly descriptive in my opinion. Sure, it helps to set up the world but we take such a long time setting up the world that it can be a long time before anything exciting happens.
–Bigger Picture & Linking It All Together–
I like how the plot line of this story is unravelling and taking on those loose threads from the original trilogy. I felt like the Death Cure (#3) had a lot of unresolved plot points at the end so I’m looking forward to getting some answers.
My Audiobook Experience:
Because this book is so overly descriptive, I definitely zoned out when listening. I read the original books but I think the audiobooks work a little better here to keep me in engaged because the narration tone changes when something exciting happens.
Why I Won’t Be Continuing This Series:
So I had actually intended to read the second book in the series, The Godhead Complex, before I published this review. But before I read it, I decided to read the prequel novel to the original Maze Runner Trilogy, The Kill Order. And I ended up DNF’ing that because it just couldn’t hold my attention.
I came to the realization that this series just isn’t what I want it to be. I don’t find it engaging enough throughout the entire series to keep me coming back to it. So I’ve decided that I will end my Maze Runner Universe journey here….until they make it a movie. Man, I loved those movies!
Series Rating: DNF
The Maze Cutter 3/5 | The Godhead Complex N/A | Book 3 N/A
Fans of the original trilogy will love this. But it you don’t enjoy longer, detail orientated science fiction, than I don’t think this is the series for you.
Read if You Like: longer science fiction novels
Avoid if You: want a faster paced novel, disliked the original series
- Across the Universe by Beth Revis (Across the Universe Trilogy #1)
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games Trilogy #1)
Synopsis for The Maze Cutter (from Goodreads):
Seventy-three years after the events of The Death Cure, when Thomas and other immunes were sent to an island to survive the Flare-triggered apocalypse, their descendants have thrived.
Sadina, Isaac, and Jackie all learned about the unkind history of the Gladers from The Book of Newt and tall tales from Old Man Frypan, but when a rusty old boat shows up one day with a woman bearing dark news of the mainland–everything changes. The group and their islander friends are forced to embark back to civilization where they find Cranks have evolved into a more violent, intelligent version of themselves. The islanders are hunted by the Godhead, the Remnant Nation, and scientists with secret agendas.
When they cross paths with an orphan named Minho from the Remnant Nation, the dangers become real and they don’t know who they can trust. The islanders will have to survive long enough to figure out why they are being targeted, who is friend or foe, and what the Godhead has planned for the future of humanity.
Have you read this? Should I return to this series? Leave a comment!
