The Maze Runner is the first book in the post-apocalyptic science fiction trilogy by James Dasher. Young Adult literature seems to be dominated by dystopian fiction, and if you need your fix of futuristic teenage drama, then The Maze Runner is definitely your cup of tea. The bestselling book has already been adapted into a box-office topping motion picture, and the sequel is already scheduled to be released on September of 2015.

The book begins with Thomas, our heroic protagonist, arriving in a place known as “the Glade”, left with no memories except his name. He meets other teenage boys called Gladers who have created a community. Each boy is assigned a specific task to perform in the Glade, and through much drama from his counterparts, Thomas assumes his role as a maze runner and begins mapping out the treacherous maze that surrounds the community.

And thus begins the struggle that the Gladers go through to answer questions about their existence.  Who were they before they were dumped into the Glade? What happened to the world they came from? Who took them into the Glade, and what do they want with them? The suspense starts out slowly and then culminates into a fast-paced thriller, wrought with action and tragedy.

The thrill that the maze runners go through undoubtedly gets readers’ hearts pumping and leaves them urging for answers. The characters’ struggle becomes the reader’s struggle. The band of boys, led by Thomas, creates comic relief in a story wretched with deceit and loss.  Their nonstop adventure through the maze is what makes this book well worth reading.

I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.