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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: To be Announced

If you are planning to read with us in May please let us know which of the three BOMs you can read first based on availability. It will help us figure out our reading order.

I will be skipping this one since I already read it!

Kim L wrote: "I will be skipping this one since I already read it!"

Was it any good?

Sashana wrote: "Kim L wrote: "I will be skipping this one since I already read it!"

Was it any good?"

Yeah, I liked it. I think I gave it 4 stars. I started the second one but never finished it. I need to go back and read it.

Sashana wrote: "If you are planning to read with us in May please let us know which of the three BOMs you can read first based on availability. It will help us figure out our reading order."

I will try to read them all, but this one would be best for me to do first since I already have it. I have to acquire the others.

This is the one with the longest wait time for me. I'll see how long Lisarenee, Rachel, and LK will have to wait for it, Stefani.

I have the book and am ready to go :-)

Angelfall - May 2nd 
Life of Pi - May 13th 
Maze Runner - May 23rd

I have the book and it will be a reread since there will be a movie sometime later this year (I think).

Life of Pi is also being made into a movie.

Can't wait to read The Maze Runner with you guys! :D

Cool! Can't wait to read it with everyone! Only 16 more days. ;)

My library is taking the book back on the 11th. Will have to wait for it again. Crossing my fingers I get it in time.

I am hoping to join on this group read as I already have the book. Since this is my first group read can anyone tell me how it is done ?:)

Hi Parvathy,

I hope you do decide to join us, the group reads are a lot of fun! Basically how it works is that someone will post a reading schedule, its usually around 50 pages per day-give or take. Sometime during that day someone who has already volunteered (usually one of the moderators) will post questions pertaining to that day's reading. Then once you finish the day's reading you answer the questions and can discuss other people's answers.

Thanks for explaining, Stefani! We hope that you can join us, Parvathy.

Thank you, I am definitely going to join this group read.

*happy dance*

Just bought the book today and am all set to go! This is my first group read!

Welcome to the group reads Parvathy and Lauren! I joined in my first one just a month or so ago, and now I'm hooked so be prepared lol.

I've just bought the book and I'm excited for my first group read!

I'm glad to see some new faces this time around :)

I read The Maze Runner last week and will be curious to hear what everyone thought of it. Here are my thoughts but don't read further until you're done too! (view spoiler)[I had a really hard time accepting the premise of The Maze Runner. Obviously Dashner hasn't revealed all by the end of book one, but we get some idea that there is some group of evil, dispassionate scientists that think it's a good idea to memory-wipe teenagers and put them in an artificial maze scenario to see who survives to escape. Somehow this is supposed to prepare them with the "never give up" attitude to face problems in the real world that seem to involve dangers of the zombie-like Cranks. I have to say, I like every other dystopian teenage-survivalist premise I've seen better, whether the kids are thrown into the situation for entertainment (Hunger Games), because they're who are left alive, because weird subcultures have arisen in isolation, etc. Put aside the impossibility of the memory-wipe. My main issue is that the maze doesn't make any sense as a way for scientists to try to solve a societal problem. I couldn't come up with a set of goals for this experiment that could have made any sense with what they did. If you are conscripting children who are especially smart, wouldn't you set them at intellectual problem solving- trying to find cures for diseases, improving weapon engineering, etc? IQ doesn't necessarily match with the mental and physical toughness you need to survive in a hostile environment (i.e. you don't expect the top nerds in high school to automatically be the best Army Rangers or Marines). If you're trying to create zombie-fighting survivalists, wouldn't you put all of the conscripted kids through fighting and survival training, rather than letting most form a stable, safe (if not entirely happy) society with only a few that go out into the maze? And how is learning to run from dart-wielding creepy mechanical cow things relevant to the challenges they will face in the real world, anyway? Why would a culture that is controlling enough to throw kids in a maze in the first place then send them all in tabula rasa and let them make up their own micro-culture, where the only obvious uniting factor is hatred of who put them there? I just didn't buy it, and without a reveal that I could buy into when they got out of the maze, it deflated the excitement of the story for me. Personally I don't think the entertaining action sequences weren't enough to make up for the shaky premise and simplified characters. (hide spoiler)]

Reading Schedule for this one. Sorry I didn't get it up sooner. I had a massive headache that went from Saturday night till late yesterday. I could still function, but anything I didn't have written down on a to do list pretty much didn't get done.

Date Chapters Pages PPQC
May 23 1 - 8 1 - 57 Lisarenee
May 24 9 - 16 58 - 112
May 25 17 - 27 113 - 175
May 26 28 - 34 176 - 223
May 27 35 - 42 224 - 277
May 28 43 - 54 278 - 328
May 29 54 - Epilogue 329 - 374

*PPQC = Person Posting Questions & Comments

Sound okay?

Ouch, feel better soon! It sounds fabulous to me, can't wait to get started.

Questions for Chapters 1 - 8

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?

1) Wow! What a great place to stop. "She's the last one. Ever."
I agree, great place to stop...but it just makes you want to read further :)

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?
I am getting a Hunger Games vibe but I'm not sure if that's because it was recommended to me due to the fact that I loved Hunger Games and this book is similar(ish).

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 think he has watched them before and it is a reality show(or something like that). He referenced several times that he feels like he is looking down, so that could have been a previous memory of when he was looking down at the maze?(on tv)

4) The Changing????? What is that all about?
-who knows!

5) Any idea where they are?
-I have no idea!

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 agree, so many questions and I have no idea whats going on!

7) So are you liking the story so far? Are you hooked?
I am totally hooked! I already have the second book on my June reading list(and will be starting it June 1st lol).

Questions for Chapters 1 - 8

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

Such a stopping place! I couldn't help myself a read a tiny bit further lol.

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?

I am getting that vibe a bit. The Glade reminds me very much of the arena in Hunger Games with the bugs that seem to be cameras of some times and that kind of thing.

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 didn't think about a reality tv show, but that's an excellent theory! The vague feeling he has of knowing them but not sure how could mean he watched it on tv. Or, he could have been one of the first ones and found a way to escape. We only know its been 2 years because that's what Alby says, but obviously people were there before him, so who knows how longs its gone on.

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

Very weird. But am I the only one who immediately thought zombie? The vines seemed like some kind of parasite the way they were described.

5) Any idea where they are?

I can't help thinking its some kind of enclosed arena where everything is controlled and planned out by these "creators"

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.

Obviously the wipe is very selective, but I keep wondering why they need to wipe their memories at all? What is the harm of knowing about their life before since they obviously can't leave? Maybe because if they knew of their previous life all of this stuff with the Glad would be explained perhaps?

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

I am very interested and hooked in. The dialogue gets a bit hard to follow for me at times, but I like it a lot so far.

Questions for Chapters 1 - 8

1) Wow! What a great place to stop. "She's the last one. Ever."
I so wanted to read ahead.

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?
Yep.

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 like the TV show idea. Either that or Thomas was a coordinator of sorts. Or he escaped before. That was my first thought.

4) The Changing????? What is that all about?
I'm assuming they live after going through the Changing. I mean, if they always die from it why not just kill them when they get stung? Keep them from all that pain. Maybe they become the Grievers?

5) Any idea where they are?
Maybe an arena like Hunger Games where everything is controlled by others.

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.
If they aren't sending any more people, will they still send food and supplies?

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

I am behind, yet again. :( Once school lets out I will have a lot more time for reading.

1) Wow! What a great place to stop. "She's the last one. Ever."
True. Keeps one hanging
2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?
Too soon to tell. I am throughly confused about of things but the glade did have the feel of an arena.

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 think Thomas was maybe one of the designers of the Glade.The reality show angle would be a good twist

4) The Changing????? What is that all about?
Maybe some kind of a genetic makeover or a disease affecting the brain.
5) Any idea where they are?
Not a clue. I don't even think they are in Earth any more.

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 am feeling as frustrated as Thomas regarding the questions. The memory wipes are selective which makes me think that they are crucial for solving the riddle of the maze. I kind of think the girl entered Glade voluntarily. I don't know why but I am getting that vibe.

7) So are you liking the story so far? Are you hooked?
Yes. I am definitely hooked.

Don't worry Laura. Just do it at your own pace. :)

Lauren said, "I agree, great place to stop...but it just makes you want to read further :)"

Stephani wrote, "I couldn't help myself a read a tiny bit further lol."

Alley said, "I so wanted to read ahead."

I was good and stopped, but I was really tempted!

Stephani said, "The Glade reminds me very much of the arena in Hunger Games with the bugs that seem to be cameras of some times and that kind of thing."

I thought the same thing.

Parvathy said, "I think Thomas was maybe one of the designers of the Glade.The reality show angle would be a good twist."

That would be something. I didn't thing of that.

Stefani said, "Very weird. But am I the only one who immediately thought zombie? The vines seemed like some kind of parasite the way they were described."

Those were weird. I hadn't thought about zombies, but now I am. :0

Alley asked, "If they aren't sending any more people, will they still send food and supplies?"

Good question!

Parvathy said, "Maybe some kind of a genetic makeover or a disease affecting the brain."

I thing you and Alley are thinking along the same lines.

I'm going to start reading the section for today so it will be awhile before any questions are posted.

Parvathy: I didn't even think that he might be one of the designers of the Glade at first and now that's all I can think of when I read it! It would explain why he has vague memories... Great thought, I love that idea!

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

Gah! I want to keep going! haha.

2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?

A little.

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 think Thomas has been there before, or has at least seen it before and it wasn't completly erased from his memory. Which could go along the lines of a reality tv show, perhaps Thomas watched it and that is way it looks familiar.

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

I think the Grievers do something to the boys that will in change the victim into a Griever.

5) Any idea where they are?

no

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.

If some of the boys have been there for years, perhaps those in charge are bored and in need of a little spice.

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

I am hooked!

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?

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?

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?

The idea that they volunteered is an interesting one. I speculated earlier that perhaps Thomas was one of the first in the Glade (before any of the others got there) and found a way out. Maybe they offered him something for going in again, but be just doesn't remember it because of the memory wipe. I like where these feelings of his are going though.

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 love the idea of the mapmakers, or the trak-hoes. I don't think I'd like any of the others that much.

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 it is a legend at this point. I can't quite recall if Chuck said any of the others had seen it happen. I think it is one of those things that just got passed down and since everyone said it was true and had "evidence" then it must be true.

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.

That was really interesting. I am not quite sure what to make of his statements, but there seems to be some truth to them.

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 their reasoning makes sense, but I am wondering if being left in the maze really means death. If this was some kind of tv show, couldn't they just decide to pull the kid out and then put him back in later with a brand new clean memory? Just speculating, but the Grievers seem like a scare tactic more than anything, dangerous for sure but meant to serve as a warning not to be in the maze at night.

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

That one is on my TBR list actually! I might have to bump it up lol. I think it is probably very minor changes but because they are relying only on memory it seems more major. Or there's a pattern to it and if they could figure out that pattern they could solve the maze.

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

I am not sure what to make of him. Thomas seems to like him but be wary at the same time. I think he'll play a bigger role later but not sure if it will be in a bad way.

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?

This happens for every BOTM!! It's a conspiracy I tell ya lol. I would like to think I would have gone in, but if I'm entirely honest with myself I probably wouldn't have. I'm excited to see what happens in the maze at night though!

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 can see them volunteering for it. Maybe like the Hunger Games (again) when they put extra names in for food for the family. If it is a punishment, why wipe the memories? The point of punishment is to learn from your mistakes. Can't do that if you do not remember what you did.

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'd choose either cook or med-jack. I couldn't slaughter animals, wouldn't want to weed all day or clean up after people.

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 bet it did happen but so long ago that it's just a legend now.

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 got a total zombie feel from Ben. I know he's not undead, but homicidal rage combined with biting? Kinda like a zombie. Ooh, it could be like the Matrix or one of the recent Eureka episodes where they were all inside a machine but didn't know it. Being stung and Changing could be waking them up briefly/sporadically. Ben could remember seeing Thomas standing over him. I know that's not what is going on, but I would totally read that book.

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?
it makes sense to banish those who create chaos in the Glade. It does seem a little harsh, but at least that way, he has a very slim chance (but still a chance!) to escape the Grievers. I do hope they explain more about the Changing. I get so annoyed when things like that are left unanswered.

13) What do you make of the ever changing maze? It reminds me a little of
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
I would be disappointed if it didn't change. They would have solved it and escaped by now. I did not like Incarceron much. Not sure why - probably on YA overload at the time. I should give it another try sometime soon.

14) Do you think Newt will cause trouble later on? He seemed unfriendly in a strange way to me.
I'm not sure. He seems to be hiding something but so is everyone else.

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?
I'd like to say that I would have gone in, but I don't think I would. Self-preservation and all. I don't even know if I would go in during the day.

Behind again as always, but here's the first section:

Chapter 1-8

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.

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 definitely think both Thomas and the girl volunteered. I think they are trying to undo something in the maze. May be something went wrong and Thomas lost his memory like the others. So the girl came into the picture. Maybe she remembers.

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?

A Cook would be my first preference. Map makers doesn't seem so bad either. Sloppers, Baggers and Runners no way

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?

No, I don't think it was staged. Whoever build the glade has given attention to every kind of detail. I don't think they would leave out this possible escape route. There might still be some who may not heed a warning.

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 had something to do with the creation of the maze. Also Ben kept screaming "He'll wanna take us home. He'll wanna get us out of the Maze. Better we all jump off the Cliff." I don't know why Ben is so scared with the prospect of going home. I thought everyone wanted to get out of the maze.

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 am not yet convinced that Ben has died. I mean there was no blood only the collar was left behind, no body. Why would they leave the collar behind are these Grievers intelligent creatures. May be the converts the banished into one of them. I think they judgement was a bit harsh and I don't think he was in the right mind when he attacked Thomas.

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

Sorry, Haven't read the book so can't comment. But the ever changing maze is kind of scary and reminds me of the 4th Harry Potter movie third Triwizard challenge. Also the cliff is at the out skirts of the maze. So the glide is may be like the center.
14) Do you think Newt will cause trouble later on? He seemed unfriendly in a strange way to me.

Newt is Ok. I am more disturbed by Chuck. Remember how happy he was talking about the banishment of Ben. Also he seems a little too content with his situation. Not asking questions and not even a little bit curious. Accepting his fate just like that. There is something off about him.

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?

I was also surprised when the chapter ended there. Just like last time I wanted to read on. I read one line in the next chapter just to be sure that Thomas ended up in the maze.Also, I don't think I would have gone in I am a strict follower of rules, can't help it. If there was no rule regarding entering the maze then may be I would have tried I guess.Still speculating

Lauren wrote: "Parvathy: I didn't even think that he might be one of the designers of the Glade at first and now that's all I can think of when I read it! It would explain why he has vague memories... Great thoug..."

Just trying to expect the unexpected!! :)

Questions for Chapters 1 - 8


2) Anyone else getting a Hunger Games vibe?

It is of the same genre and has the same story type, but at the same time it is very different.

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 have read this book before so I won't answer this one.

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

Again, won't comment.

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

I loved it the first time around and I am hoping it is just as good the second time around.

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 think they volunteered to come in.

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?
Ummm.. preference would be cooks, then trak-hoes and med-jacks.

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 it may be true, at first I thought dying was just an "illusion" or staged but since others have seen people die(or the bodies) I think that it's real.

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'm totally for Parvathy's theory. I really think that he was one of the designers or something like that.

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 they were too harsh. Once it said that Thomas could see that he was crying and really upset I felt sad for him, I don't think he was well because he was going through the changing.

13) What do you make of the ever changing maze? It reminds me a little of
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
I'm indifferent about the maze, I don't know what to think of it at this point.

14) Do you think Newt will cause trouble later on? He seemed unfriendly in a strange way to me.
I don't think Newt will cause trouble, I actually like him.

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?
It was an awful place to stop, lol. Awful as in I could almost not contain myself to keep from reading. I could not wait for my commute to work this morning so I could start reading again. I'm not sure if I would do in. I would say no now, but in that moment who knows what anyone would really do.

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?

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?

Answers 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?

This wouldn't be my ideal situation so I would be trying like hell to get information like Thomas is. Now, if I were content where I was at I don't think I'd care. Horrible, I know...

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'm think along the lines of perhaps Thomas either being a Creator with a change of heart or similar person in charge, a threat to the old world, or a person petitioning for change among the old world and they threw him into the Maze to shut him up.

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 thought it was weird that he sounded so serious and eager about demoting himself and then afterwards said it was all a mind trick. I hope it was a mind trick because I would hate to be running in the maze by his side, counting on him to have my back, and he freezes.

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 kind of answered this in question 17. The way Gally and Ben act towards him, Thomas might have been the ruthless first Creator?

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...

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 didn't like that he was going to be punished even if he did break the biggest rule of all, but I guess it had to be done. It definitely could be worse and he got the Runner position because of it.

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

I would be trying to find out who I was and what the girl knows.

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?

I don't think I'd be as forceful as he is, but I'd definitely poke around if I could. I am not good at just sitting back and letting others dictate what I know.

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.

I think he has been in the Glade before and was a Runner before. That's why it calls to him so strongly, because subconsciously he knows he can do it.

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.

He seems pretty crafty, I think that he was hoping they'd think he was nuts but make Thomas a Runner anyway. But I also think that if it had backfired, he would have given up the position too...it just wasn't his primary goal.

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 can't help but feel like they've all been in the Glade before, they just don't remember it.

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 am sooooo suspicious of this Serum. They have no idea what it is, and they have no idea what would happen if someone didn't get it. They admitted that everyone who came back after getting stung has been given the Serum, and they lived, so that must be why. But there's no real proof! Minho said that anyone who was stung and not gotten the Serum dies, but they only think that because they disappeared from the Maze. I think the Serum is the problem. it brings back the memories. If someone was stung and didn't take the Serum I think they'd be fine. Like so many other things they assume its true because that's what has always happened....but there's no real proof.

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 can see all sides. Order is everything and they can't look like they are supporting someone who broke the most important rule. But Thomas wasn't trying to break a rule to subvert order, he was trying to help someone who he believed would die otherwise.

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

I would want to get that girl to wake up, to me she feels like the key to everything.