The Scorch Trials - Review

Title ~ The Scorch Trials
Series ~ The Maze Runner #3
Author ~ James Dashner
Release Date ~ October 12, 2010
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source ~ Kindle Store

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.
Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

REVIEW

Grab some sunscreen and an iced tea, it’s going to get hot around here. After solving the Maze, Thomas and the Gladers are facing a new challenge – the Scorch. It’s like the earth turned into the surface of the sun. There is devastation everywhere. With amazing descriptions, I felt like I was right there in the Scorch.

In classic dystopian style, the world has become a wasteland with a group of deranged leaders. In this case, the Creators (aka WICKED) are calling the shots. In a way, I can understand why the leaders are doing all of this, they are ultimately trying to save the world. But, my gosh, it is so cruel. The whole rock and hard place thing is part of why I love this book so much.

The Cranks are introduced as innocent people who have been infected with the Flare. They are like savage animals who act on instinct alone. A heartbreaking twist that added to the drama.

Another new character is Group B. They are the complete opposite of the Gladers because they are all girls with one boy. Instead of facing the Scorch above ground, Group B is forced to travel underground in a tunnel. The ultimate goal of Group B, as assigned by the WICKED, is stunning and pure evil.

Thomas is still the cunning boy from The Maze Runner. I see him as more of a leader now. He is not as innocent now nor is he as trusting. It is a great transformation. As for Teresa, she remains a mystery.

I am looking forward to this fall when The Death Cure releases. I can’t wait to read what James Dashner has in store for Thomas next after this cliff-hanger ending.

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

This cover looks hot – as in temperature hot – as in SCORCHING hot. I love that the lightning is included since it was mentioned in the story. The buildings look deserted and everything just looks dead. The scene is just as James Dashner described it.