Review: The Maze Runner (book 1)

James Dashner
The Maze Runner

Thomas wakes up in the box.
His name is all he can remember.

Welcome to the Glade, Greenie.

A group of boys has been trapped in a field of 2 years. Once a month a new boy arrives. Weekly the box delivers supplies.  The Glade runs on order. Ever boy has a job, every boy pulls their weight.

 The next day the box comes up again. With a girl inside. She will be the last one sent up, ever.

The Glade is surrounded by a daily-changing maze filled with monsters.

This starts a chain of events. Thomas realizes the boys (and girl) need to get out. He joins up to be a runner of the maze - someone who can track the patterns, and try to figure out the puzzle.  If they figure it out, they can go home.

Not that any of them remember "home". They all had their memories wiped when they were put in the box. Only Thomas and Teresa can remember bits and pieces.
Yet, it's convenient that when Thomas comes to the Glade, all these strange things start happening. The order of the Maze is threatened. Some of the boys do not like this.

The comfort of the Hell that is the Maze compared to the thought of battling the monsters and the unknown that is out there ... I got two words for you: Start running.


I love this series! This is my second time reading it in anticipation of the next book (can you call it "next" if it's a prequel?) and even though I have seen the movie, it has not altered my perspective of the book.

Dashner writes in quick, snappy chapters that draw you in and end on dramatic flares (no pun intended). He has created a world of terror and intrigue that keeps you glued to the pages until the very end. These boys pull on your heart strings. You are left questioning who these Creators, why did they set up the Maze, who is WICKED? and what do they have planned for these boys? and then you are cheering them on as they fight their way to the "exit" ... and whatever comes next. Brilliant, just brilliant. Prepare to be "bloody inspired".