The Maze Runner is a dystopian science fiction novel that follows Thomas, a teenager who wakes up in a mysterious, ever-changing maze with no memory of his past or how he got there. He arrives in the Glade, a large open area surrounded by towering stone walls, where a group of boys—known as the « Gladers »—have been living for as long as they can remember. These boys have all lost their memories and do not know the purpose of the maze or the world outside of it. The Gladers are divided into different groups, each with a specific role, such as farming, building, or scouting.
The maze is a terrifying and dangerous place, filled with Grievers, mechanical creatures that roam the maze at night, attacking anyone they encounter. The Gladers have only one goal: to find a way out of the maze. Every day, a group of runners ventures out into the maze to try and map its ever-changing paths, searching for a way to escape. However, no one has yet found an exit.
When Thomas arrives in the Glade, he feels an immediate sense of urgency and confusion. Soon after his arrival, a girl named Teresa is sent into the Glade, the first girl to ever arrive, and she brings a mysterious note that reads, “She’s the last one. Ever.” Teresa’s arrival marks a significant shift in the dynamic of the Glade, and soon, strange events begin to unfold.
Thomas quickly realizes that he might have a unique connection to the maze, and he feels an overwhelming need to become a Runner, even though the other Gladers are hesitant to trust him. Despite his lack of memory, Thomas feels compelled to help them find a way out of the maze. As he starts to explore the maze with the other runners, he uncovers clues that suggest there is more to the maze and their situation than they originally thought.
In the course of their exploration, Thomas and the others discover a pattern in the maze and realize that it may be controlled by an organization known as WICKED (World In Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department). They also learn that they are part of an experiment designed to study how people would react to extreme situations. The experiment is connected to a catastrophic global event called the Flare, which has devastated much of the world outside the maze.
As the Gladers face escalating dangers, including the increasing aggression of the Grievers and the closing of the maze’s doors, Thomas and Teresa begin to piece together memories of their past and their roles in the experiment. Thomas learns that he may be the key to solving the maze and escaping the experiment, but this knowledge comes with great risks.
In a daring and suspenseful climax, Thomas and the other Gladers confront the Grievers and attempt to escape the maze, leading to a discovery that opens up even more questions about the larger world beyond the maze. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, setting the stage for the next book in the series.
The Maze Runner is a fast-paced, action-packed novel that explores themes of memory, identity, survival, and the consequences of scientific experimentation. It examines the struggle for freedom and the desire to break free from oppressive systems. The book raises questions about the ethics of human experimentation and the resilience of individuals who are forced into extreme circumstances. It has been praised for its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and its suspenseful atmosphere. The Maze Runner is the first book in a series of the same name, followed by The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, and The Kill Order, which further explore the world and the characters introduced in the first book.