James Dashner, THE MAZE RUNNER, 13th REALITY young adult author: Mr. Media Radio Interview

Summary: James Dashner’s The Maze Runner’s mysterious premise provokes thought in its exploration of power and identity. From the first paragraph, the story races forward at breakneck speed and will leave readers in disbelief as they reach the dramatic and startling conclusion. The Maze Runner opens with a jolt, when sixteen-year-old Thomas is dropped unwittingly into a dystopian society called the Glade. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, 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. But the day after Thomas arrives, a girl shows up for the first time, and everything changes. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to 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. For an interactive experience with the book, check out TheMazeRunner.com, where fans will find the Maze Runner Mission Game, a video book trailer, message boards, exclusive content, and more. James Dashner is also the author of the 13th Reality series. After several years working in finance, he is now a full-time writer.