The Maze Runner by James Dahsner

Synopsis:
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 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 expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thom as, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, 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 is sent 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 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.

My Rating: 9/10

My Thoughts:
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, in fact I don't think there is anyway you could know what to expect from this book, because it's so completely unique. The entire narrative takes place in this one small, bizarre setting with a small group of people. You as the reader have no idea what the rest of the world is like, because the characters have no idea what it's like. The outside could be like today with states and countries and cars and computers, or it could be a wasteland destroyed by any number of disasters. Or it could take place on Mars, or even another planet altogether. The only thing you know about is the Glade and the Maze and the people and creatures encountered therein, and I find that fascinating because I found myself wondering what was going on as much as the characters themselves.

Reading this book is very hard to stop, because it's nonstop action. What starts off as normal life for the Gladers, quickly changes, and then changes again. Something new and exciting is revealed practically every chapter, and it all either reveals a clue for escaping the maze, or makes the situation more dangerous, thus pushing everyone to fine a solution faster.

This is the first book in a series, and the ending leaves you hanging a bit, and I still don't have the whole picture of what's going on. But I can't wait to see what happens next and I look forward to the release of The Scorch Trials in October!