Summary (from Good Reads):
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recolection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty.
But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don's know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.
The Gladers were expecting Thomas' arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up- the first girl ever to arrive at the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable.
And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers- if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.
When Thomas arrives in the Glade, he remembers nothing except his own name. Turns out none of the other boys remember anything of their past lives either, not even the leaders Alby and Newt, nor Thomas's sidekick, Chuck. The Glade is the center of the Maze, enclosed by stone walls. Every morning they open. Every night they close. The rule is never to leave the Glade. And if you leave at night, you've committed suicide. The Grievers will get you. Only the runners are allowed to leave, and they are the ones who try to solve the Maze. Because the Glades believe that if they solve it they can go back to the lives they were taken from violently. Only the Changing gives them a hint of it back, at that has deadly consequences. A boy only goes through the Changing if he is stung by a Griever. The day after Thomas arrives a girl is sent up, Theresa. She comes with a message and triggers the ending. Thomas and Theresa are connected and it's up them to help solve the Maze. They have the answers if they can unlock the secrets in their minds. When Thomas goes outside the Grave to help the head runner Minho and Alby, a discovery with the Cliff and the Grievers is made. Solving the Maze may not be the answer, just a clue...And one night, the Glade Walls don't close. Time is running out to get out of the Maze. Time to run it one more time.
This book is SCARY. Yet terrific at the same time. Much more origninal than the Hunger Games, I must say. Feel free to disagree with me. The characters are very well developed and the plot is suspenseful. In the Glade, you never know what will happen. I really liked Theresa obviously, since she's the only girl, and boy is she strong and tough. Chuck is also a great character and I loved how loyal he was to Thomas. The leaders are so bloody mature and smart and logical. There are questions in this book, and I am going to read the Schorch Trials to find out what the answers are.
Have a happy Weekend yall!
