The Maze Runner

When I saw the trailer for the movie The Maze Runner (book by James Dashner, 2009), I immediately texted myself. I text myself reminders. Usually book titles I want to read, but mostly grocery lists. I wanted to remember to read the book before the movie was released. I'm funny like that. 

My copy arrived on a Wednesday afternoon right before lunch time, I had finished it by Thursday night. To say it's a page turner is a vast understatement. I lived in that book for two days. They rest of my real life was a shadowy ghost in the background, pestering me with silly things like work, eating, and sleeping. Minor annoyances that briefly interrupted my reading.

Our hero, Thomas, tumbled into The Glade. He had no idea what was happening. There were several other boys his own age living in the Glade. They had a system in place. A way of functioning that worked for them. He disrupted their lives. When he arrived, things started happening that had never happened before.

The other boys didn't like this of course, and most had a strong dislike (one, hatred) for him and his mere presence in the Glade.

He acclimated quickly to his surroundings. He learned about the various jobs: gardener, butcher, cook. But what he really wanted to do was be a runner. 

A maze surrounded the Glade, with giant gates closing every night at dusk, keeping the "Gladers" inside at night. In the daylight, the runners run into the maze, trying to find a way out. The group had been there for two years, and still found no way out. 

There were strange creatures out in the maze. The Gladers knew them as Grievers. They had slimy, greasy bodies, with metal components like scissors and needles sticking out. Few survived an encounter with a Griever. 

A few days after Thomas arrives, a girl is deposited in the glade. Teresa. A note attached to her unconscious body says, "She's the last one, EVER." 

Of course this was ominous. One night, shortly after, the gates didn't close at sundown. The Grievers storm into the glade, attacking the boys and Teresa. Some were dragged into the maze and killed. 

In the days that followed, Thomas the group into the maze, and they attempt to find a way out. I'm not telling you anymore of the story. 

Other than life's necessary interruptions, I did not stop reading this book until I reached the very end. Dashner weaves a very compelling story. Cold surprises will reach around the corners of the maze and grab your neck. Watch out!

My copy.

This post is part of the 31 Days of Bibliophilia series.