The Maze Runner Preferences

Minho: An Opinion

A/N: Four things:

1. It's my birthday (woo!) and Wattpad sent an email saying 'happy birthday, write about it' or something along those lines, which I'm NOT going to do, but I DO want to update so here we go.

2. I'm back in NZ after a wonderful holiday <3

3. I'm keen to write more of these opinions (even though I totally forgot about them after I said I'd do them) so I want to know if you guys want me to write them here or in a totally new book. Just thought it could be better to keep them separate, but if you like them here, let me know :)

4. Darren Criss is the most talented performer on this planet (song linked above).

Okay. Big one. Important character. Very important character. Difficult to know where to begin.

I guess it makes sense to start at the very start. The very very start. I'm talking The Fever Code, so if you haven't read that yet, or don't want any spoilers, just skip through this paragraph and on to the next one:

It's obvious from the beginning that Minho is determined not to lose his fight. When he realises how wrong WICKED's morals are, he's the one who wants to escape. He's the one who's brave enough to act on that, too. This is the first indication that he's not just someone who talks the talk; everything Minho says he'll do, he does- or at least attempts to do as best he can. It's this spirit, that although is hindered a little by WICKED after his failed attempt, is carried through to the maze. It's this attitude that I believe gives him the drive to go out into the maze each day and try to find a way home. I believe he said he'd help find a way out, and that's what keeps him going- he intends to stay true to his word.

Minho's always shown to be determined- or perhaps just incredibly stubborn. Probably both. He's never one to go down without a fight, or without being heard. It's that kind of fighting spirit that earns him his respect from the other Gladers. He's probably the most hard-working out of them all, and the fact that he's kept at it as Keeper of the Runners for so long is pretty darn impressive. This is why he can tell Alby what to do, and why he can sass so many people without any repercussion whatsoever. People see how hard he works; they see it in his weary expression, his sweaty skin, his exhausted body. They see it every day when he returns from the maze, and when he leaves the map-room after studying the maps each night. In many ways, he's the inspiration for the Glade to work harder at what they do, because if Minho can keep going for so long, then surely they can too. They respect him for what he does, and in return, he can be as sassy to them as he likes because he gets the most important things done. And without fuss.

When Thomas comes along, Minho sees in him someone who's prepared to work as hard - perhaps even harder- than he does. But it's a different kind of work. The reckless, put-your-life-on-the-line kind. Not the kind Minho is used to. And although it intimidates Minho a little- although he's incredibly defensive at first- he quickly learns to respect Thomas the way the other Gladers respect him. He understands Thomas' intentions, and he believes in this Greenie wholeheartedly. Especially, after Thomas proves himself that night in the maze.

In The Scorch Trials, things are a little different for Minho. He panics. He's always up for adventure, but that doesn't necessarily mean he understands what adventure entails, and how he should approach it. His first meeting with Jorge proves this, as although Minho knows practically nothing about the world around him, he's still looking to start trouble with this guy who obviously knows the world rather well. He steps up to a challenge without fully understanding the challenge itself- without thinking through his strategy. This is a complete 180 from how he is in TMR, where Thomas would be the one to act and not think, and Minho would be the one to plan things out properly. Now, it's Thomas who has to compromise with Jorge, while Minho dives straight in expecting a fight. Minho's only really a planner when he knows what to expect- to some extent, at least. The rest of the time, he acts instinctively and defensively, which is sometimes useful, but often detrimental.

The Death Cure portrays another level of Minho altogether. It's like the Flare affects him without infecting him. He gets desperate, more impulsive, more short-tempered-- and it's all to do with insecurity. He's losing those who mean the most to him. Those he's known the longest. So he gets more defensive, he gets more stroppy, and he loses his temper in the panic. I think this book is the one in which Minho changes the most, because although he does lose a lot, he learns from each loss. He learns to treasure those that he hasn't lost. He learns to respect those that he still has, and fight alongside them for those who no longer can. TDC is a huge growing point for Minho, and by the end of it, he's matured a whole lot. I'd go as far as to say that he's not longer a mouthy teenager, but a conscientious and calculating young man. He still has his witty ways about him, but he's more careful in how he uses his wit and who he uses it with.

Minho grows significantly as a character, and it's this growth, along with his perseverance, that makes him so shucking loveable.

A/N: That turned into an English essay now, didn't it?

I'll be updating The Fangirl soon, but was there anything else you wanted me to update? More preferences? Imagines? The New Component? Let me know and include suggestions where relevant <3