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This topic is open for discussion of The Maze Runner by James Dashner.
Be prepared for spoilers!

Book Description
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. 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, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

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. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Reading schedule

Date Chapters Pages
November 6 1 - 8 1 - 57
November 7 9 - 16 58 - 112
November 8 17 - 27 113 - 175
November 9 28 - 34 176 - 223
November 10 35 - 42 224 - 277
November 11 43 - 54 278 - 328
November 12 54 - Epilogue 329 - 374 

Kim L.
Laura
Cathie
Taly
Nairabell

reserved for questions


Questions for Chapters 1 - 8
Click on 'view spoiler' to see the day's questions (view spoiler)[
1) Wow! What a great place to stop. "She's the last one. Ever."

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?

3) Do you think Thomas has been there before and escaped or could he possibly have watched them before? Maybe it's a reality TV show?

4) The Changing????? What is that all about?

5) Any idea where they are?

6) What do you think they do to everyone before they get there? Obviously they wipe some of their memories, but do you suspect they do anything else? And why did the girl seem to know more? Is she the only girl and if so, why did they send her? Sooooo many questions.

7) So are you liking the story so far? Are you hooked? (hide spoiler)]

Questions for Chapters 9 - 16
Click on 'view spoiler' to see the day's questions (view spoiler)[
8) Now Thomas states, "She did seem familiar", and "what if all of them were sentenced to live here until they died."
Could the two have volunteered or are they and everyone else being punished?

9) We now know what jobs can be had in the Glade...Builders, Sloppers, Baggers, Cooks, Maps makers, Med-Jacks, Trak-Hoes, Blood Housers, & Runners. Which would you pick if you had to?

10) What did you think of the boy being sliced in two? Do you think it's true or just something someone staged so no one else would try to escape? Could it have happened prior to those 2 years the oldest one has been there?

11) What do you think of Ben and his freaky statement, "He's not one of us!" Ben shouted. I saw him--he's...he's bad. We have to kill him! Let me gut him!" Could we have traces of 'Total Recall', the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie? I'm liking Parvathy's theory more and more.

12) So basically they sentenced Ben to death. Do you think they did what they had to do or do you think they were too harsh? Could the changing have affected him?

13) What do you make of the ever changing maze? It reminds me a little of
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

14) Do you think Newt will cause trouble later on? He seemed unfriendly in a strange way to me.

15) Okay, I swear I didn't plan it this way, but again another awesome place to stop making you want to read on. lol "The walls slammed shut behind him, the echo of its boom bouncing off the ivy-covered stone like mad laughter." Would you have gone in? (hide spoiler)]

Questions for Chapters 17-27
Click on 'view spoiler' to see the day's questions (view spoiler)[
16.) So, the Glades sure don't like to tell Greenies anything or the others for that matter. Would you be the same as Thomas always poking and pushing around for answers or like the rest, going about their everyday business letting the Runners and Keepers deal with every thing and let information trickle down?

17.) Thomas seems to be a pretty smart cookie. I think he wil make an excellent Runner. I am willing to bet he has a lot of prior training in survival tactics and creative thinking and he just doesn't remember...yet.

18.) Minho made the suggestion about Thomas becoming the Runners' Keeper and then told Thomas afterwards. "Aim high, hit low." Do you think that was what Minho was really getting at or his he trying to cover up his terror and insecurities about still being the Runners' Keeper. He sounded pretty eager to give up the position.

19.) Ben and Gally both say they know Thomas and it isn't good. What do you think Thomas did in their past life?

20.) Alby speaks of "The Flare", being careful with the girl, Thomas being somebody important, guarding the maps, and then he tries to choke himself (I'm totally convinced it wasnot all his own doing though. You?). What does it all mean! I'm ready for answers!! I'm as confused as if I was in the maze myself...

21.) What do you think of Thomas' punishment and promotion? Did you side with any of the Keepers are did you have a different idea of what should be done?

22.) If you were Thomas what would be your next course of action? (hide spoiler)]

Questions for Chapters 28 - 34
Click on 'view spoiler' to see the day's questions (view spoiler)[
23) As a last resort, Newt suggests that they get Tom stung so his memories can come back. Good idea?

24) Teresa can talk to Thomas via their minds. Could they be twins?

25) Teresa said, "it was you and me, Tom. We did this them. To us.... The plot thickens. What did they do? If Tom truly is 16 he would have been 14 when everything started.

26) So we noticed wicked written on the Beetle blades. Now we know that it stands for:
World
In
Catastrophe
Kill
Experiment
Department
What do you make of that? What could they possibly be testing?

27) What could have happened to Gally? He just sort of disappeared? He was last seen entering the maze. Do you he was killed or is in hiding?

28) Chuck and Tom have a heart to heart about parents. Could parents have been killed off? Perhaps only children survived some awful catastrophe? Tom keeps saying why would adults do this to kids. What if they didn't? Just throwing out possibilities. Do you have any wild or crazy thoughts?

29) Alby states, "Greenie, you ain't evil. You might be a shuck-faced slinthead, but you ain't evil." Could whatever Tom did be that bad if Alby says he doesn't think he's evil?

30) What do you make of the Griever they thought was dead? Did it recharge?

31) Before Tom goes to sleep, Teresa states,"I just triggered the Ending." WHAT?????? What do you make of the sun not shining the next morning? Any ideas as to what is happening? (hide spoiler)]

Questions for Chapters 35-42
Click on 'view spoiler' to see the day's questions (view spoiler)[
32.) So we made it through the first night in the Homestead. Were you expecting the first night to be better or worse?

33.) I thought it was awkward the way Alby suddenly decided to go to the Map Room after being in such a stupor. (This got me thinking about this next question...

34.) Who burned the Map Room? Gally? Alby? Was there a scuffle between the two of them? Do you think it could be someone else altogether?

35.) " Wicked is good." Complete oxymoron if I've ever seen one!

36.) Why did Thomas keep running from Theresa when she said she needed to tell him something? I know someone in your head is scary and all but you could have been way ahead of the game by now.

37.) They hid the maps! Clever!

38.) We have a letter, "F". What are your theories about the hidden message? What do you think it will say? (hide spoiler)]

Questions for chapters 43 - 54
Click on 'view spoiler' to see the day's questions (view spoiler)[
Finally some answers!

39) Were you surprised when Tom decided to get pricked by the Grievers to get his memory back?

40) So the walls aren't moving, we've got several codes, and a potential way out. Do you think they should trust Thomas?

41) Why can Tom talk without getting choked? Could his telepathy be blocking whatever it is they do or is it just time for things to be revealed?

42) What do you make of the whole experiment? Kids being kidnapped and raised to be part of an experiment? Why do they have to kill them or are they?

43) Could it all be an elaborate video game? A simulator?

44) I think we all probably figured they had to go through the Griever hole. What do you think they'll find?

45) How do you think they forced Tom and Teresa to help create the maze?

46) Who do you think Teresa was named after?

47) Is Alby going to cause trouble? He's been acting weird.

48) Is anyone besides me surprised people would want to stay put?

49)We're still not sure what Wicked truly is. Any ideas?
World In Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department
Could there be some upcoming catastrophe that only a limited number can survive and they're looking to see who could survive confined for a long period of time so they know who to send? If that is the case, however, I guess there should have been more females unless they didn't want to have any families starting??? I'm at a loss. (hide spoiler)]

Questions for Chapters 55 - end
Click on 'view spoiler' to see the day's questions (view spoiler)[
50) Gah! It's not over. Was there another group or are they group B?

51) What do you think happened to those left behind? Will they be included in the next set of testing?

52) So can what they were told by their supposed rescuers be trusted?

51) What the heck happened to Gally?

52) Why did Chuck have to die? It sounded like it was a test.

53) Why do they need leaders?

54) Will you read the sequel? Anyone interested in a buddy read? I'm not reading Saving Francesca because I read it a while ago, so....


55) Overall opinion on the book? What did you like and what didn't you?

56) Do you think WICKED is good? (hide spoiler)]

Thank you for setting this up!!

You're welcome.

Ditto what Kim said. Awesome :-)

I love how you've hidden the questions behind spoiler tags (assuming they are under there lol)! I'll have to track down my copy asap :)

Very neat! Me likes

Loved this book. Interested in seeing what more people have to say about it.

I'm going to do my best to join in on this one and try not to get behind while unpacking a house's worth of boxes. :-)

Thanks for setting this up - it looks great!

I don't think I am going to reread this one after all. I have already read it so I will just follow along with the discussion and I think that will be enough to be ready for The Scorch Trials.

Almost forgot about this! I'll track down my copy and get started as soon as I finish my current read :)

Argh. I meant to borrow my sister's copy of this over the weekend, but with how busy I've been unpacking, I completely forgot. I won't be able to read this one after all. I should be able to borrow it in a few weeks when I see her again and catch up before the second book's buddy-read.

I read up to Chapter 9 and so far really like the story. It's an easy read with an interesting plot so far.

Questions are in Post 3 if you want to answer them. I might go re-find my answers from the first read to add to the discussion when I'm on a computer with a better mouse. I liked this book a lot and want to see what others think about it.

1) Wow! What a great place to stop. "She's the last one. Ever."

Very ominous. I feel like the "Jaws" theme should be played here, lol. Imagine the dread they all must have felt.

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?

I've never read the Hunger Games so I don't have that vibe.

3) Do you think Thomas has been there before and escaped or could he possibly have watched them before? Maybe it's a reality TV show?

I'm not sure, but his mind does seem to be telling him something is familar. And then there's that kid who keeps telling him that he saw him before...

4) The Changing????? What is that all about?

Sounds like they transform into a different body existence.

5) Any idea where they are?

No. When Thomas thought the layout reminded him of something he could no longer remember I was trying to figure out what Dashner could be explaining and thought I wonder if I'll get to the end of the book and it will be something that should have been recognizeable from everyday life, only more on a bigger blown up scale.

6) What do you think they do to everyone before they get there? Obviously they wipe some of their memories, but do you suspect they do anything else? And why did the girl seem to know more? Is she the only girl and if so, why did they send her? Sooooo many questions.

It would be interesting to know how they pick the teens to be in the elevator. I have no idea why she would know more, and what with her being like almost dead-like? Why? Yep, soooo many questions? A book is good when there are questions to be answered and I Want to know the answers. Maze runner falls into this category.

7) So are you liking the story so far? Are you hooked?

Read the above answer. Yes :-)!

8) Now Thomas states, "She did seem familiar", and "what if all of them were sentenced to live here until they died."
Could the two have volunteered or are they and everyone else being punished?

I don't know but I don't think they volunteered.

9) We now know what jobs can be had in the Glade...Builders, Sloppers, Baggers, Cooks, Maps makers, Med-Jacks, Trak-Hoes, Blood Housers, & Runners. Which would you pick if you had to?

I would probably pick Map makers.

10) What did you think of the boy being sliced in two? Do you think it's true or just something someone staged so no one else would try to escape? Could it have happened prior to those 2 years the oldest one has been there?

11) What do you think of Ben and his freaky statement, "He's not one of us!" Ben shouted. I saw him--he's...he's bad. We have to kill him! Let me gut him!" Could we have traces of 'Total Recall', the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie? I'm liking Parvathy's theory more and more.

More than one person thinks they've seen Thomas before; there has to be something to this.

12) So basically they sentenced Ben to death. Do you think they did what they had to do or do you think they were too harsh? Could the changing have affected him?

I can see where order is definitely a requirement to keep things working but their world is very harsh and cruel. No areas that are grey; everything's black and white, right or wrong. This is a common trait of adolescents and society's that thrive on dictatorship.
What a gruesome scene that was! I got finished reading it and thought Wow! and horrified at the same time. What a shock it must be to wake up and find yourself in a place you don't know and with such harsh rules.

13) What do you make of the ever changing maze? It reminds me a little of
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

It's intriguing. I don't know a lot of the references made in the questions posed as YA and/or science fiction are not the genres I normally choose to read. Neither is horror/zombies/vampires, etc. Having said it, though, I have definitely read a whole lot more of them since joining this group and other Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ groups. They seem to be the most popular on the internet. Maybe by next year I'll know more in regards to all the references :-)

14) Do you think Newt will cause trouble later on? He seemed unfriendly in a strange way to me.

Really? I like Newt better than most. I didn't get this feeling.

15) Okay, I swear I didn't plan it this way, but again another awesome place to stop making you want to read on. lol "The walls slammed shut behind him, the echo of its boom bouncing off the ivy-covered stone like mad laughter." Would you have gone in?

Nope!! I do love the language of this book. It's a much better novel than I thought it would be. I really like it!

Oops, missed this question:"

10) What did you think of the boy being sliced in two? Do you think it's true or just something someone staged so no one else would try to escape? Could it have happened prior to those 2 years the oldest one has been there?

Makes sense; whoever is keeping them there needs to have complete control. I'm surprised at them keeping the body on display.

Coming in late but here. Should catch up with all of you by tomorrow :D

Questions for Chapters 1 - 8

1) Wow! What a great place to stop. "She's the last one. Ever."
Well chosen break indeed :D

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?
Same genre does not equate to same atmosphere. Nope, with the Hunger Games we knew what was going on.

3) Do you think Thomas has been there before and escaped or could he possibly have watched them before? Maybe it's a reality TV show?
Those cam-bugs plus a maze give me the idea of a giant experiment, lab rat style, where you put the rat in the same maze and see if it learns. Which would account for the deja-vu.

4) The Changing????? What is that all about?
I wonder, and also about it giving Gally a vision of Thomas.

5) Any idea where they are?
Thomas repeatedly feeling inverted vertigo keep me thinking they are upside down, lol. Ludicrous, but *shrug*

6) What do you think they do to everyone before they get there? Obviously they wipe some of their memories, but do you suspect they do anything else? And why did the girl seem to know more? Is she the only girl and if so, why did they send her? Sooooo many questions.
Too many questions.

7) So are you liking the story so far? Are you hooked?
I'm intrigued but very, very annoyed. People defering answering questions is a cheap devise for holding the mystery, and it pisses me off.

Questions for Chapters 9 - 16

8) Now Thomas states, "She did seem familiar", and "what if all of them were sentenced to live here until they died."
Could the two have volunteered or are they and everyone else being punished?
I still think it's some kind of experiment. The girl reminded me of the one in The Truman Show.

9) We now know what jobs can be had in the Glade...Builders, Sloppers, Baggers, Cooks, Maps makers, Med-Jacks, Trak-Hoes, Blood Housers, & Runners. Which would you pick if you had to?
Cook or Map maker. I'm an arquitect student, and was half raised by my chef grandfather :D

10) What did you think of the boy being sliced in two? Do you think it's true or just something someone staged so no one else would try to escape? Could it have happened prior to those 2 years the oldest one has been there?
Interesting question. I remember thinking: "Well, when everyone that was there then dies, the message is still passed beyond word of mouth" and then thinking: "Then what if it is a lie to keep them cooped? Who's there to remember?". It made me feel paranoid

11) What do you think of Ben and his freaky statement, "He's not one of us!" Ben shouted. I saw him--he's...he's bad. We have to kill him! Let me gut him!" Could we have traces of 'Total Recall', the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie? I'm liking Parvathy's theory more and more.
What really, really got to me was this:
"“He’ll wanna take us home,� Ben said. “He’ll wanna get us out of the Maze. Better we all jumped off the Cliff! Better we tore each other’s guts out!�"
Another check devise by whomever is running the show, a warning that The Glade is a reserve or more to that deja-vu thing? I keep thinking it's all set as a cycle

12) So basically they sentenced Ben to death. Do you think they did what they had to do or do you think they were too harsh? Could the changing have affected him?
I don't know how crazy being stung made them. The part that worried me was the whole speech about keeping order. It sounded very dystopian.

13) What do you make of the ever changing maze? It reminds me a little of Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
I haven't read that book (though now I want to check what it's about :D), but what it does remind me of, right since the beginning, is of the movie "The Cube", and the lack of memories to "The Cube^2".

14) Do you think Newt will cause trouble later on? He seemed unfriendly in a strange way to me.
He seems suspiciously friendly to me, in contrast with Alby at least. I keep thinking him slimy and insincere.

15) Okay, I swear I didn't plan it this way, but again another awesome place to stop making you want to read on. lol "The walls slammed shut behind him, the echo of its boom bouncing off the ivy-covered stone like mad laughter." Would you have gone in?
Lol, I must be an idiot, because I kept shouting to the audio version to move it! Hurry up and help them damn it!. I reckoned he might have had better chances of getting the three of them back in if he'd gone in and helped Minho drag Alby from the moment he saw them.
Also, seriously, did they check the book beforehand?

Cathie wrote: "Oops, missed this question:"

10) What did you think of the boy being sliced in two? Do you think it's true or just something someone staged so no one else would try to escape? Could it have happen..."

I'm with you there. Also this answer of yours:

5) Any idea where they are?

No. When Thomas thought the layout reminded him of something he could no longer remember I was trying to figure out what Dashner could be explaining and thought I wonder if I'll get to the end of the book and it will be something that should have been recognizeable from everyday life, only more on a bigger blown up scale.

I keep running it around my mind, thinking.

Jex wrote: "Questions are in Post 3 if you want to answer them. I might go re-find my answers from the first read to add to the discussion when I'm on a computer with a better mouse. I liked this book a lot an..."

Please would you, Jex? What was Parvathy's theory that question 11 referred to?

@Zath - I kept thinking of the Truman Show throughout the book too! Just kept waiting for someone to jump out and go "You're on candid camera!" or something to that extent. The Cube is a good reference too. Feel like I need to go run and watch that now...

Going to find my question answers now.

Chapter 1-8 (reposted from BOM read)

1) Wow! What a great place to stop. "She's the last one. Ever."
My first thought is either they are close to solving the maze or the girl is to reproduce. I feel sorry for that girl, being the only one and all.

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?
Not necessarily. I guess the fact that it's children being placed in a game type environment may be Hunger Games ish. The story writing seems nothing like it to me though.

3) Do you think Thomas has been there before and escaped or could he possibly have watched them before? Maybe it's a reality TV show?
Maybe he was one that was lost in the maze and they transformed and saved him bringing him back? Or maybe Thomas is clairvoyant and everything seems familiar because he can kind of see what's to happen? I really have no idea.

4) The Changing????? What is that all about?
I have a feeling that "being stung" has something to do with a griever attack. Once stung they begin to change into a griever unless they get the serum that cures them in time. It sounds painful whatever it is.

5) Any idea where they are?
My guess is some island, or in a giant bubble like science lab. Anyone else think bio dome?

6) What do you think they do to everyone before they get there? Obviously they wipe some of their memories, but do you suspect they do anything else? And why did the girl seem to know more? Is she the only girl and if so, why did they send her? Sooooo many questions.
I can't even begin to fathom what happens to them before going in. My guess is that they control exactly what each person remembers and that's why the girl came with a message. They can most likely program people to be what they want/need in the maze.

7) So are you liking the story so far? Are you hooked?
I'm enjoying it but not amazed yet.

Questions for Chapters 9 - 16 (reposted from BOM read)

8) Now Thomas states, "She did seem familiar", and "what if all of them were sentenced to live here until they died."
Could the two have volunteered or are they and everyone else being punished?
I don't know if it's a punishment or not, but I don't think anyone volunteered. I think there's something weird about Thomas and the girl, but I don't know what yet.

9) We now know what jobs can be had in the Glade...Builders, Sloppers, Baggers, Cooks, Maps makers, Med-Jacks, Trak-Hoes, Blood Housers, & Runners. Which would you pick if you had to?
Map Makers. You get to use your brain to help solve the puzzle but you don't have to do the dirty work the runners do. That or a cook. I think I could get used to that after awhile.

10) What did you think of the boy being sliced in two? Do you think it's true or just something someone staged so no one else would try to escape? Could it have happened prior to those 2 years the oldest one has been there?
I think the Glade came with a started graveyard including that box. Something to scare the kids from trying to go down the shaft where the box is.

11) What do you think of Ben and his freaky statement, "He's not one of us!" Ben shouted. I saw him--he's...he's bad. We have to kill him! Let me gut him!" Could we have traces of 'Total Recall', the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie? I'm liking Parvathy's theory more and more.
I still think Thomas has been to the maze before but I'm not sure how or why he would be coming back. Maybe they have a way of altering the boys memories while they're in the glade so they don't remember Thomas but the Changing somehow brings that part back? I don't know. Remember what his face, the bully, said he say Thomas during the Changing as well.

12) So basically they sentenced Ben to death. Do you think they did what they had to do or do you think they were too harsh? Could the changing have affected him?
I think Ben was getting better and they could have waited it out. Banishment was a bit extreme. Then again, the way Thomas described the look of Ben in those last seconds before the door shut was pretty scary. Maybe the pleas for help were all an act.

13) What do you make of the ever changing maze? It reminds me a little of
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Never read it. I wonder if there is a pattern to the changes. There has to be something that stays similar for the runners to be able to find their way or the map makers to ever make progress. Maybe it's on a rotation, every x amount of days it goes back to the first configuration and repeats the process.

14) Do you think Newt will cause trouble later on? He seemed unfriendly in a strange way to me.
I think Newt is just doing his best to cope as leader of such a strange place. He's under a lot of stress with all the things that have been changing and the possible loss of two of his friends. I think Newt is next in line to be the true leader and he doesn't know how to process everything that's happened.

15) Okay, I swear I didn't plan it this way, but again another awesome place to stop making you want to read on. lol "The walls slammed shut behind him, the echo of its boom bouncing off the ivy-covered stone like mad laughter." Would you have gone in?
That was a great sentence that's for sure. Such a great way to describe him heading to his doom. I wish that he had gone sooner so that he may have had a chance to get back through or have been helpful. Although maybe all these "memories" and "feelings" he's been having about the maze will end up helping all three of them get back to safety. Or maybe they'll make a break through about the maze. Maybe during the day the interior doors open, but at night the exterior doors open. Maybe the grievers are on the outside and that's why they come in at night!

Parvathy's theory refers to this:

"4) The Changing????? What is that all about?
Maybe some kind of a genetic makeover or a disease affecting the brain."

Chapters 17-27 (taken from earlier BOM)

16.) So, the Glades sure don't like to tell Greenies anything or the others for that matter. Would you be the same as Thomas always poking and pushing around for answers or like the rest, going about their everyday business letting the Runners and Keepers deal with every thing and let information trickle down?
I've always been the type that has to know what's going on so I'm sure I'd ask a million questions and be frustrated when I wasn't getting answers. Just reading the book I get as frustrated as Thomas sometimes.

17.) Thomas seems to be a pretty smart cookie. I think he wil make an excellent Runner. I am willing to bet he has a lot of prior training in survival tactics and creative thinking and he just doesn't remember...yet.
I think he knows the maze somewhere in his memory which is why he had no trouble remembering the way back after running around like a crazy man. He does seem smart, but I think there's more to it then just that.

18.) Minho made the suggestion about Thomas becoming the Runners' Keeper and then told Thomas afterwards. "Aim high, hit low." Do you think that was what Minho was really getting at or his he trying to cover up his terror and insecurities about still being the Runners' Keeper. He sounded pretty eager to give up the position.
I think Minho is a bit embarrassed about he acted in the maze. He had been there two years and knew the maze better then anyone else, yet he freaked out and ran away leaving the other kids to die. Obviously Thomas can think better under pressure. While I don't think Minho really wanted to give up his spot, I think he truly believed that Thomas was better suited for the job.

19.) Ben and Gally both say they know Thomas and it isn't good. What do you think Thomas did in their past life?
I've exhausted my brain trying to figure it out. Wish they'd just tell us already. But what was up with Alby trying to kill himself when he tried to explain? I wonder if the creators get more control over the kids once they go through the changing.

20.) Alby speaks of "The Flare", being careful with the girl, Thomas being somebody important, guarding the maps, and then he tries to choke himself (I'm totally convinced it wasnot all his own doing though. You?). What does it all mean! I'm ready for answers!! I'm as confused as if I was in the maze myself...
I definitely want to know what the Flare is. I wonder if they'll reconsider Thomas as a runner to protect the maps since runners (I assume) would be near them.

21.) What do you think of Thomas' punishment and promotion? Did you side with any of the Keepers are did you have a different idea of what should be done?
I agree that in order to keep "order" Thomas needed some sort of punishment. I'm glad it isn't too bad of one. I'm glad he's becoming a runner, although it seemed the obvious progression of the story. I'm interested to see more about the process of running/mapping.

22.) If you were Thomas what would be your next course of action?
No idea. There is too much going on around Thomas to even comprehend it all. I think he needs to see about getting answers out of Alby or maybe even try to help the girl. Maybe he'll find a trick to reviving her that the Med-Jacks didn't. Or maybe he can make sense of her crazy ramblings.

P.S. - I want to know how bad the world outside the maze really is. Both Ben and Alby have talked about home being bad now. What could be so bad that they would like to stay in the glade?

Questions for Chapters 28 - 34

23) As a last resort, Newt suggests that they get Tom stung so his memories can come back. Good idea?
Yes and no. It would be good for Thomas to get his memories back, but I don't think the plan would work. I think the creators would intervene in some way just as they did with Alby trying to talk about it.

24) Teresa can talk to Thomas via their minds. Could they be twins?
I don't think twins, but there is definitely something strange. Maybe in the "real world" everyone can talk with their minds but the gladers have forgotten how or had it shut off due to the memory wipe.

25) Teresa said, "it was you and me, Tom. We did this them. To us.... The plot thickens. What did they do? If Tom truly is 16 he would have been 14 when everything started.
I don't know, but I'm eager to find out.

26) So we noticed wicked written on the Beetle blades. Now we know that it stands for:
World
In
Catastrophe
Kill
Experiment
Department
What do you make of that? What could they possibly be testing?
My guess is that the world asploded as this was some sort of experiment to fix it or change it or do something about it

27) What could have happened to Gally? He just sort of disappeared? He was last seen entering the maze. Do you he was killed or is in hiding?
Maybe he found the magical way out, or the creators pulled him out because he was saying too much, or he's simply being hidden somewhere by his friends. Who really knows.

28) Chuck and Tom have a heart to heart about parents. Could parents have been killed off? Perhaps only children survived some awful catastrophe? Tom keeps saying why would adults do this to kids. What if they didn't? Just throwing out possibilities. Do you have any wild or crazy thoughts?
It's very plausible that kids did this to other kids seeing as how Thomas seems to be a part of it. There's been so little talk about the "outside" that I really don't know what to think of it at the moment.

29) Alby states, "Greenie, you ain't evil. You might be a shuck-faced slinthead, but you ain't evil." Could whatever Tom did be that bad if Alby says he doesn't think he's evil?
My guess is that the glade is like heaven in comparison to the "outside" and therefore what Thomas helped create is a blessing not a curse. Maybe the maze is just something to occupy the mind of the kids, give them hope, but really there is no exit.

30) What do you make of the Griever they thought was dead? Did it recharge?
It probably didn't make it back in time for the door opening and therefore had to power down where it stood. Or maybe it broke itself somehow and couldn't get back, hence the acting weird that Minho described. I think the cliff is where the grievers go to charge and that's why they seemed to disappear when they ran off it instead of dropping and why the griever they saw during the day ran to the cliff. The cliff is probably the key to getting out.

31) Before Tom goes to sleep, Teresa states,"I just triggered the Ending." WHAT?????? What do you make of the sun not shining the next morning? Any ideas as to what is happening?
The glade is shutting down?

Jex wrote: "@Zath - I kept thinking of the Truman Show throughout the book too! Just kept waiting for someone to jump out and go "You're on candid camera!" or something to that extent. The Cube is a good refer..."

Never, ever, ever again. It's been about 10 years, and it still gives me the creeps. And now that the cliff was revealed, it reminded me even more, lol. You were almost clairvoyant with your answer to 5) over where they are in away.

Questions for Chapters 17-27

16.) So, the Glades sure don't like to tell Greenies anything or the others for that matter. Would you be the same as Thomas always poking and pushing around for answers or like the rest, going about their everyday business letting the Runners and Keepers deal with every thing and let information trickle down?
Seeing as I was annoyed reading about it it, I can imagine just exploding experiencing it. I actually though Thomas was being quite meek in the asking for answers

17.) Thomas seems to be a pretty smart cookie. I think he will make an excellent Runner. I am willing to bet he has a lot of prior training in survival tactics and creative thinking and he just doesn't remember...yet.
Beyond any previous knowledge, the bit that I liked was the character aspect: I reckon that is beyond erasing, and he found out he was not the type to abandon a friend :D

18.) Minho made the suggestion about Thomas becoming the Runners' Keeper and then told Thomas afterwards. "Aim high, hit low." Do you think that was what Minho was really getting at or his he trying to cover up his terror and insecurities about still being the Runners' Keeper. He sounded pretty eager to give up the position.
I think there was mix between apologizing in a very strange way about loosing it at the wall, and truly being strategic about his request. He probably would have welcomed any outcome.

19.) Ben and Gally both say they know Thomas and it isn't good. What do you think Thomas did in their past life?
I don't know if it's about Thomas being bad. It looks as if the world they come from is the bad thing. Alby says he doesn't get why anyone would want to remember, so it lends to the idea that The Glade is better? It also sounded as if he was prophesying Thomas getting them out of there, and that that was the problem, which meshes well with what Ben said before.

20.) Alby speaks of "The Flare", being careful with the girl, Thomas being somebody important, guarding the maps, and then he tries to choke himself (I'm totally convinced it was not all his own doing though. You?). What does it all mean! I'm ready for answers!! I'm as confused as if I was in the maze myself...
It sounded like there is a conflict between forces wanting them out and others wanting to keep them in. What I can't figure out is which was Alby, and which not, and if either has good intentions.

21.) What do you think of Thomas' punishment and promotion? Did you side with any of the Keepers are did you have a different idea of what should be done?
I liked the solution: a token punishment for the rule broken, but make use of Thomas obvious affinity for runner.

22.) If you were Thomas what would be your next course of action?
Seat with that girl and have a good long chat. It does seem to keep coming back to her

Ooookeeeyy... that was not the kind of chat I had in mind

Questions for Chapters 28 - 34

23) As a last resort, Newt suggests that they get Tom stung so his memories can come back. Good idea?
Painful idea, but it does have merit. They'd though those that didn't receive the serum soon died from being stung, but it doesn't look like that's the case. The memories seem to leave them somewhat deranged, though, and put or trigger a remote control forbidding them from sharing those memories, so even it Tom got them, he wouldn't be able to tell

24) Teresa can talk to Thomas via their minds. Could they be twins?
Huh? Wouldn't the guys there realize they look alike? I thought that more than a real mind link it could be an auditive memory being triggered, but that last didn't seem like it. I have no idea what that is about.
Edit after 25): real life hearing :D

25) Teresa said, "it was you and me, Tom. We did this them. To us.... The plot thickens. What did they do? If Tom truly is 16 he would have been 14 when everything started.
*blink* You know what just occurred to me?: It's all a virtual game, and something went bad big time, maybe a virus, and the players can't get out. So I think Tom and her entered to get them out, and the gal just triggered some sequence to force the game to quit, and force the gamers to leave

26) So we noticed wicked written on the Beetle blades. Now we know that it stands for:
World
In
Catastrophe
Kill
Experiment
Department
What do you make of that? What could they possibly be testing?
Oh, I hadn't made the connection *chuckle*. Audio version. It seems like a very juvenile acronym. I'm keeping my game theory.

27) What could have happened to Gally? He just sort of disappeared? He was last seen entering the maze. Do you he was killed or is in hiding?
In the back of my mind, unmolested and untested, I keep this idea that previous lost boys became those slug things, and I wonder if he's too

28) Chuck and Tom have a heart to heart about parents. Could parents have been killed off? Perhaps only children survived some awful catastrophe? Tom keeps saying why would adults do this to kids. What if they didn't? Just throwing out possibilities. Do you have any wild or crazy thoughts?
25)

29) Alby states, "Greenie, you ain't evil. You might be a shuck-faced slinthead, but you ain't evil." Could whatever Tom did be that bad if Alby says he doesn't think he's evil?
If I go with my theory, and further it on that comment, it could also be that some of them have really crappy lives out of The Glade's reality. If Tom was the programmer....

30) What do you make of the Griever they thought was dead? Did it recharge?
It got reseted? *grin* I'm liking it more and more, and running with it, lol

31) Before Tom goes to sleep, Teresa states,"I just triggered the Ending." WHAT?????? What do you make of the sun not shining the next morning? Any ideas as to what is happening?
Sustaining 25) :D

16.) So, the Glades sure don't like to tell Greenies anything or the others for that matter. Would you be the same as Thomas always poking and pushing around for answers or like the rest, going about their everyday business letting the Runners and Keepers deal with every thing and let information trickle down?

Yeah, I would be like Thomas. Always asking questions, wanting answers.

17.) Thomas seems to be a pretty smart cookie. I think he wil make an excellent Runner. I am willing to bet he has a lot of prior training in survival tactics and creative thinking and he just doesn't remember...yet.

He isn't one to sit around and wait for something or someone else to find things out. It seems he is predestined, at least in his own mind, to be a Runner.

18.) Minho made the suggestion about Thomas becoming the Runners' Keeper and then told Thomas afterwards. "Aim high, hit low." Do you think that was what Minho was really getting at or his he trying to cover up his terror and insecurities about still being the Runners' Keeper. He sounded pretty eager to give up the position.

I think Minho recognizes Thomas's skills and his courage. I also think he was very smart in suggesting he be Keeper; that way Thomas would be almost guaranteed to be a Runner. "Aim high, Hit low" :-)

19.) Ben and Gally both say they know Thomas and it isn't good. What do you think Thomas did in their past life?

I have no idea, but I am intrigued to find out.

20.) Alby speaks of "The Flare", being careful with the girl, Thomas being somebody important, guarding the maps, and then he tries to choke himself (I'm totally convinced it wasnot all his own doing though. You?). What does it all mean! I'm ready for answers!! I'm as confused as if I was in the maze myself...

Me too, I want answers! It definitely seems the Changing gives you back your memories, although I'm not sure that is a good thing.

21.) What do you think of Thomas' punishment and promotion? Did you side with any of the Keepers or did you have a different idea of what should be done?

I think it was a very fair and right outcome in both respects.

22.) If you were Thomas what would be your next course of action?

To learn as much as possible observing, being a Runner and to lay low and not make any more enemies.

Questions for Chapters 35-42 (taken from earlier BOM)

32.) So we made it through the first night in the Homestead. Were you expecting the first night to be better or worse?
I think it was about on par with how I was thinking. I figured someone would die and people would over react, which happened. I also totally called the maps being ruined, although I though Alby was going to be the one to do it. As soon as he said he'd get started I thought "he's off to ruin the maps" because why would someone that doesn't want to get home help find a way out?

33.) I thought it was awkward the way Alby suddenly decided to go to the Map Room after being in such a stupor. (This got me thinking about this next question...
As I stated above, something was definitely up with him. He was way too eager.

34.) Who burned the Map Room? Gally? Alby? Was there a scuffle between the two of them? Do you think it could be someone else altogether?
I think Alby burned the maps and then tripped and smacked his head on the table. Either that or someone saw him and tried to stop him. Although I have no idea who else it could have been. Gally seems too obvious, and we presume everyone else was in the homestead at the time. Also, if the whole place was boarded up so tight, how did Gally get in?

35.) " Wicked is good." Complete oxymoron if I've ever seen one!
definitely

36.) Why did Thomas keep running from Theresa when she said she needed to tell him something? I know someone in your head is scary and all but you could have been way ahead of the game by now.
He was in a hurry to tell Newt and Minho about the code

37.) They hid the maps! Clever!
I was happy to hear that. I wasn't expecting it at all. I figured they would have thought them to be safe in their little dungeon room.

38.) We have a letter, "F". What are your theories about the hidden message? What do you think it will say?
I cheated. I read the next chapter and got the first two words. Now I'm dying for the rest!

Questions for chapters 43 - 54 (taken from earlier BOM)

39) Were you surprised when Tom decided to get pricked by the Grievers to get his memory back?
Yes and no. It makes sense and he seems brave enough.

40) So the walls aren't moving, we've got several codes, and a potential way out. Do you think they should trust Thomas?
Of course. He's done nothing but help them thus far.

41) Why can Tom talk without getting choked? Could his telepathy be blocking whatever it is they do or is it just time for things to be revealed?
I have a feeling that his telepathy keeps him from being controlled.

42) What do you make of the whole experiment? Kids being kidnapped and raised to be part of an experiment? Why do they have to kill them or are they?
They need the best and strongest. Those that die or give up weren't strong enough and thus aren't needed. It sounds cruel, but maybe the world is bad enough to make them think this was the only option.

43) Could it all be an elaborate video game? A simulator?
I cheated and finished the book.

44) I think we all probably figured they had to go through the Griever hole. What do you think they'll find?
A giant clown! Again I cheated.

45) How do you think they forced Tom and Teresa to help create the maze?
Maybe threatened them? Or said they could either help or go in themselves?

46) Who do you think Teresa was named after?
Mother Teresa. It's the only Teresa I can think of. It even has that strange spelling like this one. At least I think it's strange.

47) Is Alby going to cause trouble? He's been acting weird.
Always and forever. Actually I don't remember where this section leaves off so I don't want to answer.

48) Is anyone besides me surprised people would want to stay put?
Not really. There are always going to be those that are either not brave enough to follow what's right or truly believe it's not the right answer and therefore won't follow.

49)We're still not sure what Wicked truly is. Any ideas?
World In Catastrophe: Killzone Experiment Department
Could there be some upcoming catastrophe that only a limited number can survive and they're looking to see who could survive confined for a long period of time so they know who to send? If that is the case, however, I guess there should have been more females unless they didn't want to have any families starting??? I'm at a loss.
Maybe all the females stayed in the real world to help repopulate? Maybe they didn't want the distraction of having both sexes. Just look at how they acted when Teresa showed up.

I apparently never did the last section of questions...

I loved this book. 5 stars. The ending really surprised me. I was so upset that Chuck died. That was so not right.

I may catch up on the questions in a while. I've been too busy reading. I find I start out answering questions when I'm first into a book and able to put it down. But once I start to get pulled in I don't stop reading, and I don't want to stop and answer questions, lol. I'll never get bonus points because I'm too busy reading. (Sometimes I find there are too many questions; makes me feel like I'm back in school having to do a book report and that sometimes just puts me off).

I love the books NBR picks (well, most of them) and I do at least try to read most of them or at least give them a start to see if I like them. I've read more types of books I would have never picked up if they hadn't been a BOM or a series read or a challenge, and I think that's what the real focus of the group is anyways; to read more books and engage in discussions with each other about the books. I'm so grateful to all the moderators for all the hard work you do. My focus is just not on answering questions, but on actually reading, more reviewing and discussing as if I was sitting down with friends over a cup of coffee


I want to read the next in the series ~ The Scorched Trials. Anyone going to read that one also?

I think the questions are more of just a starting point for discussion. I like it more when it takes off from there and side conversations start up about various points. I wish I could add more to this discussion but I was afraid that I would give things away as I'm not re-reading through it with you gals, but now that you're at the end I can discuss away!

Any thoughts on what to expect in book 2? I can't wait to hear more about the world is like now that they are outside the glade and find out why the experiment was started in the first place. Also hear about the other experiments (pretty sure there were others mentioned if I'm remembering right...). I wonder if there was a glade with all females somewhere or another with mixed genders?

I'm super excited to read the Scorch Trials!

Me too Jex :-). I think we may find out why the Earth got Scorched and maybe more about what the Maze experiment was all about, and why only males were chosen...I'd like the answers to that one. It also seems "zombies" (or the like of) are being introduced in the Scorched Trials, so I'm not sure where the story line is going other than sheer survival.

So, when does everyone want to start the Scorched Trials?

I've just finished this within about 24 hrs of buying it.

Group B could be a mainly female group to solve some of the problems with how they can have families when it's all over. Though I'm not convinced by that given how little effort the author put into any character that wasn't Thomas, especially Teresa who could have been quite interesting.

I found the start of this slow, enjoyed the middle section and then found myself frustrated by the end. Chuck's death seemed pretty pointless.

I'm not sure that I will be reading the sequel any time soon. Often find that the problems I have with the first of the series continue and worsen, and there are many other things I'd prefer to be reading. This was readable but not fantastic.

I found myself not really caring for this one -- after all the hype (and touting it as "perfect for Hunger Games fans") this book just fell so flat for me. I spent the whole book feeling like I was missing some important detail that everyone else knew about, and it frustrated the hell out of me.

By the end I was so disinterested in the whole thing, and the final few days of reading felt like a chore. It definitely had an interesting concept (and the promo shots for the film looked spot-on from what I saw) but I won't continue with the series. When I wasn't frustrated, I was bored, and sometimes I was both at once (never good).

I was about the same. It had a lot of potential, but just didn't live up to it!

Might watch the films of the rest of it, but can't see myself reading the rest.

Right? Made me realize I'll have to take any future books with a reference to THG with a grain of salt, because I absolutely devoured those books and I have yet to find a series to match it, for all that the dystopian subgenre seems to have exploded since. Divergent, nope. Maze Runner, nope. What's next?

I devoured the first 2... Had a real problem with the 3rd book of THG. Have been told that the plot structures of most of these series are similar to the Gormenghast trilogy...

Have decided that I really need to stop reading dystopian books for at least a couple of years to see if I regain my enthusiasm for them.

I've got a few other dystopia-themed ones in mind to tackle before I give up on it for a bit.

What really disappointed me about Maze Runner was that I really couldn't connect with the characters. Thomas and Teresa's telepathy thing seemed pointless aside from giving them a "deeper connection" and there weren't too many of the boys who were particularly likeable. I would have to say Minho was probably my favorite though, he seemed like he really knew his stuff when it came to the maze.

I was the same. The telepathy just felt like the author couldn't be bothered to come up with a proper way for them to connect. I just felt that no-one, other than maybe Thomas, had been made into enough of an individual character

Thomas totally had the Gary-Stu-special-snowflake thing going though, much like a lot of heroines in paranormal fantasies, and that grated on my nerves. "I'm new and have barely been here a day but I want to be a Runner because I KNOW I'M SUPPOSED TO DO IT. I'm new and have barely been here a day or so and I survived outside the Doors overnight when no one's done it in TWO YEARS." bleh.