“You won’t figure out anything if you give in to fear.”
Talking about ‘The Maze Runner’ by James Dashner, the opening itself got me captivated so badly in the novel that I couldn’t help but read further on, turning the pages one after another, unable to put down the book. The book directly dives into the suspense of the novel as it opens with the protagonist of the novel- Thomas- waking up in an elevator with the only thing he can remember being his name. He is surrounded by more teenage boys who too woke up in the elevator just like him with no recollection of where they came from and of their past. He is shaken and terrified.
“If you ain’t scared… you ain’t human.”
As he begins to process his surroundings and the new reality, he quickly learns that he is trapped along with the rest of the boys in a place known as the Glade, surrounded by the enormous Maze, which the rest of them have been trying to solve ever since the first one showed up there.
“He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air.”
Throughout the book, the author masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, action, and mystery, while also delving into thought-provoking themes of survival and human nature. Together with the other boys, Thomas must navigate a colossal maze that surrounds their living space. Dashner’s ability to create a vivid and detailed maze setting astounded me, allowing me to visualize the maze and its deadly creatures, the complexities of its walls, its hidden passages, creating a palpable sense of danger and urgency, and all of this coupled with mindboggling twists, kept me fully engrossed in the novel. Every time the maze runners embarked on an exploration of the maze, I found myself holding my breath, eager to find out what awaited them at every turn.
Moreover, the dialogue between the characters feels authentic and realistic, with each individual possessing their own unique voice and personality traits, adding depth and complexity to their interactions. The author slowly unveils the truth behind the maze’s existence, keeping readers guessing and fostering a strong desire to uncover all its secrets.
While “The Maze Runner” offers a riveting storyline, some readers may find certain aspects of the novel under-developed or predictable. All in all, it’s recommended to anyone seeking an adrenaline-fuelled reading experience. Give it a read if you find it interesting, if you want to find the solution to the maze alongside the characters, if you want to know why all the boys’ memories were swiped clean and why were they sent there and by whom. You can find this book in our school library as well.
“Aim high, hit low. Thank me later.”
The writer will soon be reviewing other books in ‘The Maze Runner’ series too.