The Maze Runner by James Dashner

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.


I had no idea this book was a trilogy when I picked it up. Had I known I would have waited to read it! Especially now that I'm finished and the book left me with as many questions unanswered as answered ones.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner was a page turner. It kept my interest from the very start. Sci-fi, mystery and action adventure all rolled into one. It's been described as a cross between Lord of the Flies & The Hunger Games. Often when I read a book I can guess where the book is going but this one was full of twists and turns and it wasn't until I literally read "the writing on the wall" with Thomas about half way through that I figured out where the books was headed. The plot was suspenseful and fast paced. A very entertaining read. However I'm still a little ticked he killed off one of my favorite characters at the end!

The second book in the trilogy The Scorch Trials will not be released until October 12, 2010. I will definitely read the next book.

Content: I would consider this book appropriate for ages 13+. My 10 year old daughter started listening to it with me but I think it's a little beyond her. There is a lot of death in this books and she doesn't like it when characters get killed off. My 12 year old son would enjoy this book. Although there is a lot of violence and death, none of it is described in gorey detail. However there are characters we come to know and like that die. No sexual content. There was no real language in this book but I was bothered with the slang that was used. The "gladers" had their own vocabulary, often using the terms shuck, klunk and shank in their conversations. Unfortunately every time they said "shuck it" it brought the F bomb to my mind.

Rating: A 4.5 star book. Kept my attention throughout the whole book. A quick moving book with a very interesting plot. A great book for teenage boys.

I'm interested in reading some of James Dashner's other books. My 10 year old has read and enjoyed James Dashner's 13th Reality series. I think I'll check them out.