The Maze Runner could be summarized in only 3 words: memory, fear, and survival.

What would you do if you woke up in an elevator that led to a huge glade? How would you react if you opened your eyes and found more than 40 boys staring at you? How would you feel if you didn’t remember anything but your name? What would you do if you couldn’t remember how old you are or who is in your family? What would you do if you went from having a perfect life to trying to survive in a maze that would take a very long time to get out of? All of these questions are based on situations that Thomas and the other Gladers face in this novel.

The Maze Runner is the first book in a young-adult science fiction trilogy written by James Dashner. The novel was published in 2009 and was made into a movie that was released in September of this year.

The novel begins to unfold as Thomas wakes up in an elevator not knowing where or who he is. As soon as the elevator doors slide open, there’s nothing but eyes on him. When Thomas gets out of the elevator, a group of boys – called Gladers – are still staring at him. However, they are not shocked to see someone new in the Glade. The Glade is a walled encampment at the center of a bizarre and terrible stone maze.

As Thomas looks at everything around him, he begins to question where he is, how he got there, and what his purpose for even being there. The boys call him names of a strange vocabulary. One of the leaders of the Glade, Alby, introduces himself and tells Thomas a basic summary of the Glade. The Glade leads to a maze that only has one way of getting out. This is one of the most difficult mazes anyone has encountered. You may be thinking, “What could possibly be so hard about finding your way out of a maze?” This maze is not only difficult, there are vicious creatures called Grievers that intend to kill, which makes it worse.

As Thomas and the other Gladers face many challenges trying to solve the maze, they encounter a new situation. A girl is sent into the maze. This had never happened before. Before collapsing into a coma, the girl utters “Everything is going to change.” Life in the Glade changes immediately after that day. The boys have to figure out how to escape with their lives intact.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s into apocalyptic or young-adult fiction. This book is also enjoyable for anyone who likes the unexpected. If you’re into thrilling books like the Hunger Games, this book is definitely for you!