Books similar to "The Maze Runner"
Discovering your next great read has never been easier! If you like "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner, you're in the right place. Our curated list features books that share similar themes, styles or vibes.
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The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
In "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins, the dystopian world is divided into districts where each year, a male and female tribute from each district are selected to participate in a televised battle to the death. Like "The Maze Runner," it features a young protagonist thrust into a fight for survival, facing complex obstacles and desperately trying to piece together the truth behind their oppressive world. Both books delve into themes of survival, friendship, and the questioning of societal norms.
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Divergent
by Veronica Roth
Veronica Roth's "Divergent" is set in a future Chicago where society is divided into factions based on human virtues. Protagonist Tris Prior learns she is "Divergent" and doesn't fit into any one faction, leading her to discover dangerous truths about her society. Similar to "The Maze Runner," this book explores a corrupt society, individual identity struggles, and a protagonist fighting to understand the real story behind the world they live in.
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Legend
by Marie Lu
Marie Lu's "Legend" unfolds in a dystopian future where the western United States is split into warring nations. The story follows two protagonists, Day and June, from disparate classes in a society fraught with secrets and injustice. Like "The Maze Runner," the novel centers on young individuals navigating a harsh world, uncovering truths, and challenging authority. It blends intricate world-building with action and character-driven storylines, illustrating survival and resilience.
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The 5th Wave
by Rick Yancey
In Rick Yancey's "The 5th Wave," Earth has been decimated by waves of alien invasions. The story follows Cassie Sullivan, who must navigate a world overtaken by extraterrestrial challenges, reminiscent of Thomas's journey in "The Maze Runner." Both books emphasize a survivalist theme where young protagonists must understand and adapt to radically altered circumstances, unraveling mysteries of their environments while confronting personal fears.
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Ender's Game
by Orson Scott Card
Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game" centers on a young boy, Ender Wiggin, who is recruited into a military school designed to find future leaders in humanity's fight against an alien race. Like "The Maze Runner," the protagonist is placed in a controlled, high-stakes environment where he must use his wits to survive and excel. The story features themes of leadership, strategic thinking, and the complexities of human nature under compulsion.
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The Giver
by Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry's "The Giver" presents a seemingly utopian society that eliminates pain and suffering at the cost of individuality and emotion. The protagonist, Jonas, is chosen to inherit the position of Receiver of Memory, which reveals the true, complex nature of his world. Similar to "The Maze Runner," it involves a young character discovering the hidden truths of their society and struggling with concepts of freedom, control, and the past.
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Uglies
by Scott Westerfeld
Set in a world where everyone undergoes surgery at a certain age to become 'pretty,' Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" follows Tally Youngblood as she grapples with societal expectations and the truth about her seemingly perfect world. Similar to "The Maze Runner," the story tackles the theme of rebellion against societal standards and the search for identity. It places a young protagonist in a journey of discovery and defiance within a controlled, illusionary environment.
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The Knife of Never Letting Go
by Patrick Ness
In "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness, Todd lives in a world where all thoughts are audible. Upon discovering unsettling truths about his society, he embarks on a life-altering escape. Much like "The Maze Runner," Todd must piece together the puzzle of his life, dealing with the visceral realities of a treacherous world while forming unexpected alliances. This novel is rich in action, emotional depth, and thematic exploration of power and truth.
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City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau
"City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau follows two children living in an underground city running out of resources. They find clues that could lead them to the world outside. Similar to "The Maze Runner," it features young protagonists in a constructed environment striving to uncover secrets crucial to their survival. The narrative touches on hope, resilience, and the courageous pursuit of knowledge to save their world.
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The Scorch Trials
by James Dashner
Although a sequel, "The Scorch Trials" by James Dashner extends the post-apocalyptic narrative from "The Maze Runner." It involves the same group of survivors facing new challenges in a harsh, unfamiliar landscape, having to trust each other and their instincts to survive. Maintaining the core themes of survival, trust, and discovering the truth, it shares the intense pacing and speculative intrigue of Dashner's original novel.