The Maze Runner by James Dashner | Rating: ★★★★★

“I promised him!” he screamed, realizing even as he did so that his voice was laced with something wrong. Almost insanity. “I promised I’d save him, take him home! I promised him!”

The Maze Runner is a dystopian young adult novel that is the start of a fast paced, unique trilogy. Although it is only similar in various elements, the story will surely grab the attention of fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent with this futuristic and bizarre world full of mystery and well, more mystery.

There are plot points within the story that may confuse you at first, and a whole bunch of slang we would never use, but don’t let that intimidate you. This story is certainly something else. It will intrigue you and make you question many things in their world, including this so called maze and the people who run it. You will wonder who to trust among the characters and will find yourself wondering just what is happening and what is meant to happen.

You will also find yourself emotional by the end of this first book. There are many touching moments as well as a particular plot that is truly devastating. But all the same, you’ll begin wanting more — to know this world, why these boys can’t remember anything and why they’re seemingly trapped. What sort of cruelty lay beyond the makers of this?


Our story opens with a young man named Thomas, who awakens in a lift with hardly any memories at all. He remembers his name, and this is just about the only thing the poor boy can remember. And he soon finds out that he isn’t the only one who lacks memories. He is now in a mysterious place, with a mysterious group of boys — The Gladers. And.. wait, what the heck is a slinthead? No, never mind — he adapts to their unusual slang rather quickly.

It’s kind of endearing.

In the brief time upon arriving he discovers the way these boys live, befriends one character who becomes like a little brother to him and develops an interest in the so called maze that many of The Gladers explore during the day. He comes to get to know the boys and their schedules, soon developing one for himself in hopes that one day he can become a maze runner.

Things take a sudden change the day after Thomas arrives when the arrival of a girl — something unheard of in The Glade — shakes up the routine and sends a sense of fear through the boys. She comes with a vague and frightening warning that makes both she and Thomas a suspect when a chain events begin to change. Nearly everywhere he turns, someone begins to question him and blame him for the strange happenings.

Everything only grows weirder when he defeats a strange creature called the Grievers, manages to save the life of a runner and then proceed to become one. Now guys, I mean it — things only grow weirder from this point onward. But I mean that in the best way possible.

The Maze Runner is one of the most intriguing, unique stories I’ve read in a long time. It’s a blast to read and it certainly keeps you on your toes. I give it as many stars as possible — up there with Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Splintered and The Darkest minds — and would recommend it to anybody. It isn’t a long novel, but I do recommend reading it carefully so you don’t miss anything.

This novel is something you just can’t miss. I, personally, can’t wait to read the remainder of the trilogy and look forward to learning more about the creators, their world and the characters who have managed to survive thus far.