REVIEW The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
Hardcover/Paperback
Delacorte Press
October 6, 2009
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When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

This is my second read of this book (I read it for the first time not long after it came out, but I wanted it fresh in my mind when I read the sequel) and I still love it.  And my favourite part about this book is the mystery, the fact that there are all these boys living in the middle of a giant maze and none of them know why.  Oh, a few of them have had glimpses and flashbacks, but nothing that makes any sense.  They live day after day and have no idea why they're there. 

The mystery of it is what makes this a page-turner.  And what is infuriating about it is that of all the boys that are there, it's only Thomas, the newest one, who wants more than anything to find out WHY.

The world Dashner has created in this book alone (let alone the series) is astounding.  The maze is a world unto itself, filled with darkness and dangers that are more than meets the eye.  And not all of the danger is found in the maze itself.  Some of it is living in the glade right along side the others.

The relationships forged between the boys are one of my favourite things about this series.  They bond, but the way they relate to each other is completely different, and that is different entirely than the way Thomas bonds with the girl that has appeared after years of there being only boys in the glade.  Thomas, Minho, Chuck and Newt were by far my favourite characters and they showed a strength beyond their years when faced with the impossible situation that was first the maze, and then their reason to escape before it was too late.

This was such a great read.

Stay tuned 'til tomorrow for my review of the next book in the series: The Scorch Trials.

Happy Reading!

-geekgirl