The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Book review #28
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Rating: Five stars (refer to the rating system on the right)

Summary: (taken from Goodreads)
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 black. 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 they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, 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’s arrival. But the next day, a girl springs up—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising 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 be able to 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.

After reading millions of reviews comparing The Maze Runner to The Hunger Games series, I knew I just had to read it. Now that I have read it I"m not really sure how I'm feeling. Out of breath, heart racing, and definitely very emotional is just the beginning. To say this book is amazing is an understatement. Without a dull moment in the book, there were so many things thrown at you, twists here, turns there, you won't really know what to do.

At first, you are just as clueless as Thomas. You can't expect to receive all the answers to your questions.Although you do know the basic information: no one knows anything about who they really are and their past, they all live an "area" called The Glade, a new member arrives every month,  and absolutely nobody knows why they are there. Don't worry though eventually some of those burning questions racing through your mind are answered.

The descriptions of the book were pretty awesome. I don't think I've even read a book so detailed before. The Maze Runner was easily a movie playing inside my head. I felt like I was participant in the maze. By the end of the book, I easily knew my way around The Glade. I will have to warn you though, you will make lots of noises/gasps, as well has facial expressions. I had to watch my older sister Sophia read the book before me and based on her reactions, I knew I would fall in love with it.

Although you don't get to know lots of background information on each of the characters, I still loved them all. Thomas met a couple of boys, who became his family. In fact everyone who lived in The Glade made up one huge-dysfunctional at times- family. Everyone had their own role- the leaders, trainers, cook, and so on. Adding Tessa, a girl, to the mix was just icing on the cake. Not only was she a girl in the sea of boys, she was a very important part to the story.

While some people might not like the new words used in this book- I sure liked them. It was almost like another language was created. Words were used like shanks, baggers, shuck-face, keepers etc. I almost became fluent myself.

Thrilling, action-packed, and just plain brilliant is what The Maze Runner is made up of. It is impossible to put down, and will leave you at the edge of your seat at all times. The ending will definitely leave you thinking for awhile. As for the comparison to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner was primarily made up of the action parts of The Hunger Games-aka the actual Hunger Games/time in the arena.  I do guarantee that The Hunger Games fans will love it. I'm more than pleased with this book and very anxious for the sequel to come out. What are you waiting for?