Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner is the sequel to The Maze Runner. This book begins right where The Maze Runner ends, with Thomas and the other Gladers having been rescued and taken to a building where they are fed, clothed, and allowed to sleep. Their elation at being out of the Glade and Maze quickly turns to panic as they are nearly attacked by people possessed by the debilitating disease called the Flare, trying to get into the windows of the dormitory they're in. Things turn even worse when Thomas goes to check on Teresa and finds that not only can he not communicate telepathically with her anymore, she's been taken away and in her place is a new boy, Aris. They find out that there was another experiment, exactly the same as their own Glade/Maze, but with a group of all girls and one boy (Aris) rather than what the Gladers had - all boys with Teresa as the only girl. While they're trying to work out exactly what is happening, they notice new tattoos on each other's necks. Minho's tattoo proclaims him the leader of the group, while Thomas's says he will be killed. The sign that had been on Teresa's door labeled her as the betrayer. Eventually, they boys are told by a mysterious figure in white who literally appears out of thin air that in order to be free of WICKED and receive treatment for the Flare (they've all been infected), they must survive for two weeks in the Scorch, traveling 100 miles to the Safe Haven. On this journey the boys will be attacked by foes both familiar and unfamiliar. They will be plagued by the Flare and those infected who are slowly losing their minds. And, they will constantly be asking themselves if any of this is worth it.

This book was amazing! Just like The Maze Runner, it was action packed from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down! I especially liked the different twists and turns the author added in to throw the reader off. I can't wait for book 3 to come out!!! I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good science fiction novel. Fans of The Hunger Games series would really like this series as well.

No comments: