Teen Review by Fathima. . .The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The first in a trilogy, The Maze Runner is a one-of-a-kind must read. Thomas, the main character, wakes up in a dark box. To his surprise, he is hauled out by a bunch of teen boys, and he doesn't remember anything before the Box, except for his name. Fortunately, none of the others remember anything before the Box either. Naturally curious, Thomas asks as many questions as he can about where he is, and how he got there, but the other boys never answer, they say he has to find out for himself - in time.

He does learn that he now lives in the Glade, which is run by teenage boys, and is surrounded by an everchanging Maze. The Gladers' goal is to find a way out of The Maze and get revenge on The Creators, who wiped out the Gladers' memories and sent them there. He also finds out that a new boy is sent up through The Box every month. But a day after Thomas arrives something strange happens: another teen is sent up - a girl.

For some reason, the Glade feels vaguely familiar to Thomas, and he feels that he was sent to find a way out of the that place. The problem is, The Maze can only be searched during the day, because gruesome creatures roam The Maze at night. Worse these creatures - called Grievers - don't only come out at night anymore...

The first third or so of the book was pretty slow for me, but once I got close to the middle, I just couldn't put it down! I would definitely recommend The Maze Runner to anyone. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a few months before the second book comes out. Mark my words, you'll learn some weird language, 'Greenie'!

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Thanks, Fathima! The Maze Runner is on the 2010 Lone Star Reading List. If you've already read this book and need something else, check out these titles:

Gone by Michael Grant

The Roar by Emma Clayton

Salt by Maurice Gee