In a standard maze, the solving algorithm is straightforward: follow the right-hand rule, use Breadth-First Search, or look for the shortest path. In Maze R, the rules are different:

A teenager finds himself trapped in a mysterious maze with no memory of who he is or how he got there, and must navigate the deadly labyrinth and its secrets to survive and uncover the truth.

As Thomas tries to survive and escape, he:

A well-formed Maze R must avoid such deadlock by introducing a — a smallest maze that is not recursive. For example, at depth 0, the maze is simply a straight line. This ensures that the recursion terminates.

The Maze Runner series, written by James Dashner, consists of five young adult novels: The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order, and The Fever Code. The series has been adapted into a successful film franchise.

Next time you draw a labyrinth on paper, ask yourself: Could I draw a smaller version inside this dead end? And if I did, would I ever truly find my way out?