Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: Dystopia, YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 368 (hardcover)
Rating: 5 Stars
I had high hopes and standards for The Scorch Trials, after reading The Maze Runner and loving it as much as I did. In this sequel, the Gladers are now put to the test of the Scorch Trials. They've finally gotten out of the maze and think that their troubles are finally far behind them but that is far from the truth. They're told by this mysterious man "Rat Man" that they must go north 100 miles through the Scorch in order to get to the safe haven. This is the place where they are told they will receive the cure for the Flare that they are supposedly infected with. They're only given a certain amount of time to do this and if they don't succeed, they'll die. The scorch is this desert area where WICKED has sent people infected with the Flare to basically sink deeper and deeper into insanity, become zombies and eventually die. They go through many excruciating things throughout the Scorch Trials. From molten metal devouring their heads, to crazy lightning storms burning them alive. These poor boys never get a break and are constantly fighting for their lives.
This book was a really great read but so stressful to get through! These poor boys go through such crazy things in order to fight for their survival and to be cured. Most of the time I was reading, I felt like I was mentally holding my breath. Every time something would actually work out for them or they would catch a little break of some kind, I felt like I could finally let the breath I was holding out. Only just to hold it again right after. It's as if the rug they are standing on is constantly getting ripped right out from under them.
There was never a point in this book for me where the story lulled or bored me. I was completely absorbed in the story from the first word to the very last. While reading this book, I really was all over the map with these characters. In the beginning I loved Thomas and Teresa's relationship because it was just a refreshing piece of the story, even though they were always in some kind of turmoil. But by the middle of the story I was beginning to question Teresa and her motives. Even though she kept telling Thomas to trust her, it was just so back and forth that I couldn't figure out whether she was being honest or not. But like The Maze Runner, I really love these characters. Especially Minho, other than Thomas, I think he would have to be my favorite. Not only is he the occasional comic relief in an otherwise humorless situation, he's just so logical and level headed. I like the fact that even though everyone else could be freaking out and just losing their minds over what's happening, Minho is always coming up with the plan and just ready to take the lead and take action.
The world that Dashner creates is just so unique and different than anything I've read before! Not only that but he just describes the scenes, their environment and situation so well that I can completely visualize everything that is going on. Not all authors are capable of this, it bothers me when a story lacks detail so you aren't able to fully visualize what the author intends you to, making you come up with a picture of your own. It's easier to get completely engrossed in the story when you are able to fully visualize it.
One last thing I really liked about this book is the fact that it begins RIGHT where The Maze Runner left off. I hate when a the first book in a series ends and then the sequel starts off in the future, whether it be 3 months or a year. It makes you feel like you missed so much and then the sequel bounces back between flashbacks and the present. I don't know, I just really like when stories pick up where the last left off. Although some series really pull off the jumps from past to present, like Delirium by Lauren Oliver.
This book was a great follow up to The Maze Runner and I can't wait to start the last book in the trilogy, The Death Cure.
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