The Maze Runner by James Dashner

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.


But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him into the Glade, a large expanse enclosed 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, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.


The Gladers were expecting Thomas' arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up -- the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.


Great story. Tough beginning. I found it tough at first to get into the characters and the story when there wasn't much known. The reader follows Thomas through his journey of finding out about the Glade and how it runs. The problem is, so much is held from him for a good chunk of the beginning that it took effort to keep reading. Because of this information held, the only two characters that developed were Chuck and Thomas.


Once Thomas began to learn, Dashner hardly let the reader take a breath! After the eleventh chapter, I couldn't put the book down. It was fast-paced, gut-wrenching, and sometimes scary! There was so much happening, that I felt I was there, feeling the fear at night and waiting for dawn.


With most thrillers, I can guess what is going to happen about halfway through the book. I had no idea what to foresee with The Maze Runner. Dashner kept the suspense up until the very last twist. I cannot wait to read The Scorch Trials!


Goodreads: James Dashner
Official: James Dashner