The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When Thomas finally wakes up, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He doesn’t know why he’s in this metal box or how he got there. When the box stops moving and is opened, Thomas finds himself the newest addition to fifty odd boys living in what they’ve named the Glade. There are a few simple truths about the Glade: the stone doors to the Maze open every morning and close every night, a new boy arrives every thirty days, supplies come every week, and the Grievers usually roam the Maze at night. But Thomas’s arrival is the precursor to the unraveling of this tiny world because the next day, a girl arrives with a sinister message: Everything is going to change. The Gladers have always thought that solving the Maze was the key to getting home, but now it increasingly seems that they’ll be stuck here forever. Thomas won’t give up, though; he’s sure there has to be an end. The only problem is, the answers to freedom are securely locked within his blank memory.

The Maze Runner is without a doubt one heck of a thrill ride. From the first page of this novel to the very last, the reader is bombarded with scenes of nearly nonstop action, danger, confusion, and pain. Instead of being overwhelming, this fast paced plot is a pleasure to read. Dashner keeps the surprises popping up around every corner, and I was rarely able to even fathom what would happen next. The characters are well drawn as well. I initially thought that the placement of Thomas’s sudden feelings or hints of memories were a bit rudimentary, but they make much more sense given the conclusion of the tale. I had a little difficulty understanding the ending, though, because the reasons for the existence of the Glade and the Maze weren’t well explained or justified. Overall, The Maze Runner is a well written novel sure to excite readers and keep the guessing.

This novel appeals to fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Cherry Heaven by L.J. Adlington, and Gone by Michael Grant. I can’t wait for the next installment in this thrilling trilogy.

Rating: 4.5

Review copies from Amazon Vine and publisher Random House