Title: The Maze Runner Book 1
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Publisher: Delacorte Press; Reprint edition (August 24, 2010)
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-0385737951
From Amazon.com:
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.
For the longest time I put off reading this book due to some unsavory reviews I read. Do I ever regret that decision! This was a fantastic book! I didn't really know what to expect as far as the direction the story might take. There were many surprises and heart-pumping moments that I never saw coming.
The story centers around Thomas, who is thrust into a completely unknown place, The Glade, with no recollection of his life previously. The Glade is home to a hundred or so young boys who have created a working society from the ground up. Surrounding the Glade is an enormous maze that seems impossible to solve. Thomas has a burning desire, a desire that could have fatal consequences, to be a maze runner in hopes of solving the maze. As if being stranded in what seems to be a never-ending nightmare isn't enough, Thomas is not well-liked by some of his new companions to the point of being accused of things Thomas has no memories of. Dashner writes in true form from a male perspective but does it uniquely to gain readers of both genders. The timing and pace of events throughout The Maze Runner coincided perfectly, creating a well-written thrill ride.
4 Lattes: When a story has the ability to keep the reader turning the pages feverishly, it is these types of books that will hold a place on the book shelf. This is one of those books! I cannot wait to read the next two in the series!
