The Maze Runner - James Dashner

[goodreads]

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 375
Date read: January, 2012

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

After reading a number of negative reviews about "The Maze Runner", I approached it with some trepidation. Would I end up giving up half way through?

Thankfully that wasn't the case at all. Quite the contrary, I had severe difficulties putting it down. In style and atmosphere it reminded me a lot of "The House of Stairs" by William Sleator. A group of kids are kept captive in an enclosed environment without knowing neither why nor how to get out. It's in many ways a chilling read, but also very captivating... no pun intended.

It's very obviously the first book in a series, but the cliff-hanger isn't too bad and thus didn't annoy me. I do want to read the next book though, in the hopes that it can live up to this one.

Comments

[jaydestarlight.livejournal.com]

i've heard nothing but rave reviews about this book so i'm excited to read this. thanks for a great review!

[bogormen.livejournal.com]

Hope you'll like it :)