The Maze Runner is a YA sci-fi novel by James Dashner.Thomas wakes up confused and disoriented in a big metal box that is slowly, agonizingly lifting up to somewhere. He has no memory of anything – though he can remember movies, cities, etc., nothing is concrete, nothing is personal, there are no faces in his memory. It feels like an unnatural wipe has been done to his mind. He only knows one thing: his name is Thomas.
When the box opens, he finds himself in the midst of a colossal maze with unbelievably high walls where a large society of other boys, who arrived the same way, have created a semblance of community and stability among the craziness. They’ve been trying to escape the maze for two years – but they have yet to find an exit. They’re trapped, and they have no idea why.
Nobody knows much more than Thomas, though they do know the massive stone walls to the maze close every night – and nobody wants to be left out there. They know that every thirty days another boy arrives, exactly like Thomas, and every week a lift full of supplies and food comes like clockwork.
But then the day after Thomas arrives, the alarm announcing another new arrival begins sounding. Way too early. And when they open it – the arrival is a girl. Also unheard of.
And when Thomas sees her, it’s as if something has been set off in his brain. He’s afraid there might be answers in his mind – memories that are necessary to their survival as things begin to quickly fall apart in the maze. If only he could remember…
The Maze Runner came out about three years ago, so I’m betting a good few of you have already read it. I’m late to the game, having only recently gotten all three books in the trilogy. I’ll be reviewing The Scorch Trials (book two) tomorrow and The Death Cure (book three of the trilogy) on Monday.
I found it to be intriguing and mysterious to start – very effectually so. We’re thrown into the perplexity and discombobulation of Thomas’ new life with as little knowledge as him. The creepy predicament of being a huge maze with amnesia – with no one who has answers – to me, was a fantastically unique premise that caught my attention and hung on to it.
Plus, there are more than a few unforeseen revelations from the get-go that continue non-stop. The Maze Runner is plotted at a tight, break-neck speed that keeps the reader on their toes. I found it to be nerve-wracking, exciting, and a legitimate psychological thriller!
When James Dashner tries to freak you out, you freak out. The heart-pounding action as Thomas struggles to survive in the maze, displaying courage and nobility, makes him a likable hero. Though the cool thing is that neither he nor we know who he might be once he recalls his life. Very interesting…
Questions mount, answers are scarce, and my curiosity was tantalized constantly. The Maze Runner felt like one big mystery, or a puzzle that you wanted to figure out. I really liked that ambiance. And I felt like the author would have satisfactory answers with time, my instincts were trusting – so I allowed myself to be taken on this wild ride.
And then – wowza! The crazy cliffhanger ending had me scrambling for The Scorch Trials!!!
If you haven’t read The Maze Runner yet – I suggest you do so… right now!
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