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When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he’s not alone. He’s surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade – a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they came to be there – or what’s happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything – even the Grievers, half-machine, half-animal horror that patrol its corridors, to try and find out …

These books have been on my radar for over 10 years. I think the box set I am reading from has been in my family home for around 10 years too, and I never picked them up for some reason. I read The Hunger Games around the time of popularity, but I only picked up Divergent last year and I’m only picking up The Maze Runner now. My brother read the first book years ago (which is why I own the set) and I have actually seen the films of the first two. I always struggle when I watch the films before reading the book (which very, very rarely happens!) as I never know quite how to make my thoughts distinct on them both.

I have to say, this book was a real pleasant surprise. I thought I would find this a bit young for me and therefore not find it too enjoyable, which is how I felt about Divergent when I read it last year. But I must say I really liked this book. I read it in just over 24 hours and found it such an easy and fast paced read.

Just follow me and run like your life depends on it. 

I liked the cast of characters and I really like how this focuses on male friendship rather than a relationship (not yet at least!). It felt unique for YA to not jump on a relationship and I liked having something a bit different. Even though I have watched the film adaptation for this first book, I found myself on the edge of my seat and wondering where the book was going to go (it’s worth knowing it has been years since I saw the film last!).

I definitely feel like this premise is super unique and although falls into dystopian themes and tropes now, feels unique of it’s time. I’m intrigued to see how the plot will develop over the books as I haven’t seen the film adaptation for The Death Cure and therefore will have no idea where the book goes.

Because it does.

Despite this one being a little difficult to judge, I can confidently say I really enjoyed reading this one more than expected and I’ll be starting The Scorch Trials very soon!

★★★★
4 out of 5 stars

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

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