The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Pages: 374 Pages
Published: October 6th 2009 by Random House

The other day I was sitting in the dentist’s chair discussing books, because yes, my obsession goes with me even to the dentist. I was telling him of a most wonderful book that I thought he would enjoy. Yes, I do realize that it’s a YA novel, but this particular tome, I think, is an excellent thriller for many ages and, in particular, is a great one for the male species (even for a 29-year old dentist).

The Maze Runner by James Dashner is an intense, mysterious, thriller that starts off with a boy traveling up in a pitch black elevator. Said boy has no idea who he is or why he is in said elevator. He has no idea where he is going or why he is going there. The only thing he knows is his name. Thomas.

Okay, all that being said we already know there is a definite mystery to be solved. Dashner never gives too much away too fast, forcing the reader to continue on the merry road of The Maze Runner through all its twists and turns and devious subtleties. Pulling you to work out the puzzle in your head and solve the inscrutability surrounding the Glade where a mass of boys live surrounded by soaring walls and a devious maze with assassin Grievers. That’s right, Grievers. Let’s just say they’re ugly, slimy and homicidal.

Now, I’m hoping you noticed my operative word towards the end of that last paragraph, boys as in there are no girls (duh!). Well, that is until The End, (cue suspense music). What does this female mean? What fate has she dropped on our unsuspecting boys? And before you say it, NO, it’s definitely not love. It’s something so much worse… a prominent possibility of death (although some might argue love is still worse).

Dashner has given us so much with his first young adult novel with his ever-giving elevator, excellent athletic wear, shanks, gladers, telepathy and totally twisted ending that leaves fingernail marks in your right arm (that's right, fingernail marks!) that you can’t help but finish it in one sitting. You can’t help but wait impatiently for his next book in the series The Scorch Trials to finally be published. As I have been waiting for the past eight months. I have one word for my waiting…TORTURE.

4 out of 5 Kisses

Here is your Monday funny...Enjoy - Jen the bibliophile (Futuristic Bookstore)

Webcomic from the people @ XKCD