Book Review: The Maze Runner

Book: The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner book #1) by James Dashner

Cover Art by Philip Straub
Typography by Joel Tippie

Edition: Paperback

Description:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround them is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.




Rating: 4 stars

Review:

In The Maze Runner, a teenage boy named Thomas found himself in a strange place called the Glade, surrounded by a large group of boys he didn't know. And to make the situation even worse, he had absolutely no memory of who he is or why he was there. The only thing he did remember was his name. Despite the other boys having gone through the same experience at one point when they had first arrived at the Glade, it didn't seem like some were sympathetic to Thomas who was extremely confused and disorientated. To some Gladers such as Gally, Thomas' arrival seemed very suspicious.

What I found interesting about the Glade was that it was run rather orderly by some of the older boys such as Newt and Alby. Everyone is kept busy doing various jobs and responsibilities while hoping to one day escape by trying to figure out an imposing and tricky maze. Despite guys, who are called Runners, going through the maze daily and trying their best to map it, they have had no luck in solving it. Trying to map out the unnerving maze which constantly kept changing, wasn't the only issue because within the maze are huge monstrous creatures called Grievers. In spite of hearing about all of the dangers of being in the maze, Thomas had a strong desire to be a Runner.

Thomas wasn't the only newbie to the Glade, the next day a girl showed up. She was in such a weary and exhausted state and before she passed out she said that "everything is going to change". That wasn't the only thing, in her hand was a note stating that she's the last one. Ever.

Even though Thomas' memory was fuzzy, he had a feeling he knew the girl. There was an unusual connection between them that allowed him to find out her name was Teresa. And after she woke up from a coma, that unusual connection between them grew even more. Since, I watched the movie before reading the book, I was surprised there was a supernatural connection between Thomas and Teresa. It was unexpected but it did add an interesting aspect to the story.

Things were starting to change and become not only strange but dangerous in the Glade, there were some who thought Thomas and Teresa were to blame. Suspicions aside, Thomas believes he may have found a way out of the maze but it's going to lead to the group having to make some tough decisions.

This was a good read, it's an interesting psychological thrilling adventure that's centered around the questions of why were they there and who was responsible for it? They may not have received the answer to the first question but they did sort of find out who was behind what was going on. With the way this book ends, I can't wait to read the second book The Scorch Trials to see what's going to happen next.