Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner
by James Dashner


Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian Fiction

Synopsis:  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 to 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 surprisingly yet is the message she delivers.  The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home...wherever that may be.  But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different.  Something is telling him that he just might have some answers-if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.
From the back of the book

Review:  Seeing as how I have read quite a few young adult dystopian fiction books recently, it's hard not to compare books and series.  This book was different in the fact that the main character was male.  I almost had to give up on this book after 20 pages because I was utterly lost and confused and perhaps the author did that on purpose so that you know how Thomas feels being taken to the Glade with no memories-even memories of some language.  I am not a fan of books where I don't know what on earth is going on-Dashner has created his own slang and curse words that are used over and over again in the first 20 pages and part of the time I had no clue what people were talking about.  Luckily, I stuck with the book because it became so much more intriguing.  The concept of a society of young men who have figured out how to survive and how to meet their needs was very intriguing.  The maze and the purpose of the maze was definitely captivating.  The book was full of action but it was also a little horrifying and suspenseful.  Be prepared to be a little disturbed.  The book is fast paced and you will definitely not want to put it down.  You do need to be ready to get into the series though as the end lets us know a little bit more but whets our appetite for the next book.

Rating: 4 stars

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