The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials

Author: James Dashner

Series: Maze Runner #2

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Age: 13+

Pages: 368

Buy: Amazon.com

THE SUMMARY

Thomas was sure that escaping the Maze meant that the Gladers could get their lives back. But when Teresa showed up and triggered The End, they had no idea that escaping was just the beginning. Outside the Maze, Thomas and the Gladers must now face the Scorch—a hot, dry, and dangerous wasteland where nature itself seems to be against them. Out there, they learn that the government is virtually nonexistent. There is no order, no structured society, only WICKED, and who knows where they stand. Oh yeah, and then there’s the Cranks—people covered in festering wounds driven to insanity from a disease known as the Flare. And guess what? All of the Gladers have it.

Now the Gladers have two weeks to cross the Scorch in order to save themselves. Supposedly, at the end of this set of Trials is a safe haven and the cure to their brain disease. But with new variables, new alliances, and Test Group B to deal with, Thomas can only wonder what WICKED’s real intentions are, and if the answer lies somewhere locked inside his mind.

THE REVIEW

For those of you who read my review of The Maze Runner, you'll know that I was eager to read this book. And I'm giddy to say that it did not disappoint! Like The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials is an adrenaline-shot rollercoaster. Dashner picks up right where he left off in the previous book, and wastes no time putting Thomas, Newt, Minho and the rest of the Gladers through hell. New spooks hide around every corner (or in some cases, hang from the ceiling) which will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Though I hate to admit it, I was afraid to read parts of this book in the dark. Don't judge me! Wouldn't you be scared if psychotic zombie-like people were chasing after you demanding to have your nose? Life for Thomas in this book is like playing Resident Evil or BioShock or one of those other freaky zombie video games.

*coughs* Anyway, like The Maze Runner, more questions than answers arise from the new turns in this plot, but Dashner has significantly improved the way information is revealed to the characters and reader so the confusion is tolerable, if not enjoyable. You’ll be guessing throughout the entire novel who and who not to trust. In addition, as mysteries unfold, we learn more about Thomas and his character, shedding some light on WICKED and their position in all of this. This is done tastefully through sporadic flashbacks that come to Thomas in dreams, and in the end, I was left wanting more. Seriously, I have half a mind to march myself over to Delacorte Press and demand to read The Death Cure (the last book in the series). I cannot wait to see what Trails lay ahead for Thomas, Teresa, and the Glader Gang when this trilogy concludes!

THE RATING

7/8 Tentacles