Wrong turns. Dead ends. The thrill of discovery. There’s something thrilling about getting lost in a story, especially when it includes an actual maze.
Remember the story of Theseus and the Minotaur? The hero enters a deadly maze, faces his fears, and finds his way out. Though the labyrinth is a background, it shaped the story in clever ways.
Books Featuring Mazes
Each book below uses a maze as a key part of the plot, setting, or theme. Some are literal, others are more symbolic. Either way, they keep you turning pages.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas wakes up in a place called the Glade. He’s surrounded by other teenage boys who can’t remember their past. The only way out? Through an ever-changing maze filled with deadly creatures called Grievers.
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
During an archaeological dig, Dr. Alice Turner steps into a long-lost cave. Inside, she finds two crumbling skeletons, strange symbols etched into the walls, and a faded drawing of a labyrinth.
What she doesn’t know is that this discovery links her to a young woman from 800 years ago, who is entrusted with a powerful secret.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Brother William arrives at an abbey to investigate the monks, who stand accused of heresy. However, bodies begin turning up, with each death more suspicious than the last. All clues point to the library and the secrets it holds within.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A man lives in a house full of endless halls, surging tides, and statues. He spends his days exploring and meeting with the “Other”, who enlists him to search for “A Great and Secret Knowledge.” But the more he uncovers, the more he questions everything he knows about his home.
The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher
Kara, recently divorced and staying at her uncle’s museum of oddities, discovers a mysterious hole in the wall. Behind it lies a hidden bunker and portals to strange, unsettling places. The deeper she explores, the more she realizes these other worlds are beginning to bleed into her own.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery’s life takes a sharp turn when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and unexpectedly leaves her his entire fortune. But to claim it, she must move into his massive, puzzle-filled mansion. The catch? It’s already home to the family he didn’t choose, who each have their reasons to question her place in the will.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafón
Daniel’s father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a secret library that protects rare and forgotten titles. There, he is drawn to The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax. But when he tries to learn more about the author, he discovers something strange. Carax has vanished, and someone has been destroying every copy of his books.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
A family finds a hallway in their home that leads to an endless maze. The deeper they go, the more they lose their grip on reality.
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
A collection of short stories and essays that explore themes of reality, dreams, memory, and labyrinths. One story, The Library of Babel, imagines the universe as a vast library where every possible combination of letters exists.
The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg
Richard Muller is driven into exile after a life-altering encounter with an alien race. He retreats to the heart of a maze-like city built by a long-extinct civilization, where he lives alone. Years later, when a new alien threat emerges, a team is sent into the deadly labyrinth to find him and persuade him to return.
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
Tenar is taken from her family as a child and raised to serve as high priestess to the Nameless Ones. She lives in the Tombs, a vast underground labyrinth where she is taught to obey without question and live in fear. Her world unravels when she finds Ged, who seeks a powerful relic within the tunnels she calls home.
Why Mazes Work So Well in Stories
When you trap characters in a maze, you give them a problem they must solve. You also become an active participant.
You want to solve the puzzle alongside the main character. You try to map out paths, follow twists, and track clues. You feel triumphant when they find the exit.
Second, mazes often symbolize deeper struggles. A maze can stand for confusion, fear, or a personal journey. You don’t always need a hedge or a wall. Some mazes are mental or emotional.
It makes them a perfect metaphor for life. You know that feeling when you’re facing a big decision and don’t know which way to turn? That’s exactly what characters experience in maze stories.
What’s your favorite book with mazes? Share your thoughts below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 12 Books about Parties That Go Incredibly Wrong
- 10 Fiction Books about the Multiverse
- 12 Books about Pirates Every Swashbuckler Will Enjoy
- 14 Books about Magic Schools You Wish You Could Attend
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
