Labyrinth by John Herman
In this book, Gregor and Gregory's lives in parallel worlds run on parallel courses. They are aware of each other, because they dream each other's lives. Gregor lives in a world much like ours. He is a high schooler, a problem kid. His father committed suicide two years past, and Gregor has not yet dealt with his father's demise. He looks up to troublemaker Jed, and has a crush on a girl who has a crush on Jed. The literal labyrinth in his story is an underground serious on tunnels that used to be used for water. The boys use these tunnels as entry to people's houses, so that they can steal from them more easily.
Gregory lives in a different sorrt of world. His world is somewhat like the United States with a different government, called Homeland. The top ten boys of every generation are sent to the Mother Country. Gregory is chosen to be sent. He is told that this is a great honor, but he is not so sure. One of the ten going with him is named J.T.. J.T. seems to be in charge, but he is really just as vulnerable as the other boys. In the Mother Country, the boys find that they are to be sacrificed to the Great Bull, who lives under the White House, in a labyrinth. J.T. convinces the daughter of the President to help them. His plan is to sacrifice her, in the hopes that the Great Bull can count and he will live. However, he dies, and it is Gregor who lives. The ending is somewhat mystical and confusing, as Gregor/ Gregory's father comes to save him. Gregory's story is a parallel to the Greek story of the minotaur.
This is not intended as happy reading so.....
Thoughtful reading.
