The Runner

Over the summer I read a series called the Maze Runner and it is by far one of the best novels that I have ever read. My favorite book in this interesting series would probably have to be book number one. This novel, written by James Dasher, is an action/adventure. This novel was first published in October 2009.

This book is about a crisis that is happening world wide because of a disease called the Flare which is supposed to rot your brain away. The only way they can find a cure for this disease is by monitoring the brain patterns of  certain people to see how they react in certain situations. Since this is a world-wide crisis, the remaining governments which have survived an onslaught of solar flares and the disease "Flare" have joined together to form an organization called WICKED.  WICKED's sole purpose is to find a cure for this horrific disease. This organization is also the antagonist in the story.   Wicked has wiped the memories of several Teenagers and subjected them to  a series of tests they call the "Trials". The Trials include a big maze used to study the test subject's by monitoring their brain patterns as they react to certain situations and attempt to escape the maze. WICKED is testing the teens to find a way to stop the Flare.

The Protagonist of this story is a boy named Thomas who lives with a group of teens called the "Gladers". The Gladers  live in the maze because they were placed there by WICKED. WICKED is subjecting the teens to the maze for what they believe is the greater good of humanity since by doing so they hope to be able to find a cure for the disease which is destroying mankind.

Will WICKED be able to find a cure for the flare and will Thomas and the Gladers ever find a way out of the maze? You will have to read the series to find out for yourself.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story filled with a mixture of action, mystery, and adventure because it provides so many thrilling events in the plot to keep the reader interested throughout the entire story. I would give this novel 5 out of five stars since I think this is the best book I have ever read.