Maze Runner

 

Never a fan of reading the first in a “series” of books, but I have to say, James Dashner’s Maze Runner was pretty compelling.  This young adult book captures a post-apocalyptic era which begins with the arrival of a young man, Thomas, to a distant location with other young boys. 

Thomas has no memory of his past, nor do any of the other 40+ young boys who arrived as Thomas did, in a box on a clearing.  Shortly after his arrival, comes the first young girl to the area which the boys live.  There is a pecking order among the boys, with a group of twelve serving as the core leader group, whom make decisions for the group, including enforcing rules and creating order.  Each of the boys are assigned tasks, one that Thomas is drawn to do is working as a “runner,” a role which allows him to enter the maze, which sits outside the “glade,” the flatland outside the maze.  The maze is believed to have an opening which would allow the boys to escape and go “home”?  or a place they think that is better than here.  The only problem is that the maze locks up at night and during that time the “Grievers” – a machine like creature that eats will eat the boys alive is always lurking around.  As Thomas attempts to gain better insights from his memory, he learns that he and Teresa, who finally comes out of her coma, has the ability to communicate telepathically, which proves to challenge the other boy’s faith in them in trying to uncover the secret of the maze.  There is a series of riveting action throughout.

I love the names of the characters, which they all later learn are pseudonyms for famous scientists and inventors who created societal improvements during their lives.  Of course, there is even more to learn after the boys fight their final fight against the Grievers!  The escape is at hand… with a few leading characters finding their demise.  I really enjoyed this solid sci-fi young adult story, reminiscent of Ender’s Game and Hunger Games that keep you hoping that the “good guys” survive while knowing that it may not be possible.  Fun read, or in this case, listen!