Ummm, The scorch trials was ok. I liked it but it was kind of boring and I thought it wasn't as good as the first one. Though, in some parts I really did like it. The characters were ok, the new ones could have been described better. I thought the ending was also really confusing and it wasn't all the exciting. : /

*spoilers* The Scorch Trails was a good book, but nothing like The Maze Runner. Maybe it was because i had high expectaions because the first book was amazing, or maybe it was because it was a bad time to read it, but whatever the reason, this book just didn't really do anything for me. I really liked the plot and most of the events that occured in this book. I really enjoied the romantic aspect of this book, like the fact that the Brenda character came into the story, but i hated the fact that Aris and Teresa had a past. I thought that Teresa and Thomas were the two characters that had a past, and will end up together, but after reading this book, i am not sure what will happen in The Death Cure. I felt that i could connect with some of the secondary male characters more in this book then in the first one, but there were parts in ths book where i had to stop and re-read a chapter of paragraph. This did happn in the first book, but definitly not as often as it did in this one. The Scorch Trails was hard to follow and can be confusing at times, which is the main reson i rated this book 3 stars. I would definitly reccomend The Scorch Trails to anyone that read The Maze Runner, but i wouldn't start reading this book with high expectations.

Great continuation of the Maze Runner! Keeps you interested and on edge the entire time. Can't wait to see how the series ends!

Like the Maze Runner, the Scorch Trials was stunning and well-written. This novel revealed what it's like to be an experient, how deaths, to the "observers", don't matter in it. Now we know how lab rats feel. One part of the ending was slightly predictable, because it had already mentioned in the beginning what role Teresa was supposed to play. It was a test. But I loved how everything was suspenseful; it kept me on end. Thomas and the Gladers could trust no one, and anyone could die at anytime. If someone was at the wrong place at the wrong time, it could cost a life. However, near the end, things started getting ridiculous. Throughout the novel, it turned into this sci-fi zombie thing, which was not what I was looking for when I started this series. It really creeped me out, more than the first book. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book. I literally could NOT put it down-- I took just about a day to finish the entire thing, which is faster than I read the Maze Runner. I'm really connecting to the characters, and I was really into it when crazy things happened in the novel. I had NO IDEA what to expect, and when I did predict something, it turned out to be all wrong. I've got to say, this is one of my favourite sets of books-- along with the Hunger Games trilogy and the Uglies series. I am seriously looking forward to reading the next book, the Death Cure!

This book (book 2 in The Maze Runner trilogy) picks up right where The Maze Runner left off. As mentioned in my review of The Maze Runner, James Dashner is an amazing writer, and his writing remains up to snuff in this second installment. Once again the book opens with an intense and intriguing opening that immediately pulls the reader right into the story, but this time we are shoved into a room cramped with the surviving gladers, but we already know things are going to be bad. "She spoke to him before the world fell apart." I felt the pacing was a bit off with this novel. I was often left wondering what was really going on, why they were where they were, and what everything meant. It felt a little slapped together to be honest. It wasn't nearly as scary and creepy as The Maze Runner, and the whole back and forth thing with Theresa was just plain annoying. Thomas felt completely detached from the rest of the group, which I am sure was part of the point, but it just seemed like all those relationships that were built up in The Maze Runner didn't matter at all and were a waste of space. I hope things come together better in The Death Cure. Another thing that really annoyed me was the whole thing where Thomas would meet someone new, debate whether he should basically tell them his whole life story, then decide he either can trust them or has no other choice, and then those characters have no real main part in the book. Again it just feels like filler...and annoying filler at that... I guess it just felt like overall there wasn't enough surprises to keep my interest, especially since I knew there would be one more book. I find most trilogies tend to slack in the second book...almost as if there really should have been only two books in the first place. The chapters were kept short, yet involved, which keeps the readers interested and coming back for more. So that's a plus. There were also a few new characters added that made the story interesting, and hopefully continue to do so into The Death Cure. The writing was fantastic as was to be expected, just felt jumpy and unnecessary at times. Overall it was still a very enjoyable read, despite my complaints. It was interesting to see what happened to all the surviving gladers after they thought they were finally safe from the maze. I recommend this book to anyone who loved the first one, and plans on finishing the series off with The Death Cure.

In anticipation for The Death Cure, I thought I would finally share my thoughts on The Scorch Trials! Unlike with The Maze Runner, as soon as The Scorch Trials was released, I just had to get my hands on a copy of the novel right away to learn what would happen next to Thomas and his friends! Once again, James Dashner delivers another wild adventure filled with shocking surprises which will leave you gasping and eager to flip to the next page. Just when you thought the Gladers were finally safe after escaping from the Maze, complete chaos resumes... and the Gladers will have to complete the dangerous Scorch Trials if they wish to receive a cure to the Flare. And just like with The Maze Runner, not everyone is going to make it... If you thought The Maze Runner was more on the slow side, I have a feeling you won't be able to say the same for this one because once the action begins, it really doesn't pause to take a breather. As more of Thomas' memories begin to surface, he begins to have doubts about himself, and how he and Teresa are connected to WICKED. Actually, James Dashner adds so many new twists in the novel that as a reader, I was beginning to doubt myself! It's not exactly crossing into being confusing territory, but there's definitely a suspenseful edge to The Scorch Trials that leaves you desperate to try and learn the truth. Everyone is a possible suspect... and it's not exactly an easy feat for Thomas to sift through all the lies to learn who can be trusted. The ending of The Scorch Trials leaves off on a cliffhanger note... and it was definitely one which left me dearly wishing the final novel was already out. And you would think that with the sequel, you would get some more answers... but nope, if anything, I have even more questions to be solved! I can't wait to see how James Dashner will finish the trilogy when The Death Cure is released! You can also read this review at: http://midnightbloomreads.blogspot.com/2011/10/scorch-trials-by-james-dashner.html

This is quite a book, so full of action and crazy horrible situations that it doesn't let you relax for a second. I kept thinking that Dashner has created a diabolical dystopian Lord of the Flies scenario, filled with tension and mystery as well as brutal situations of survival. The Scorch Trials takes place immediately where The Maze Runner left off. It is full of excitement and the horror of the boys battling the elements, trying to save their friends, fighting thirst and starvation, and fighting the Cranks. The Cranks turn out to be fairly intelligent, zombie like beings and definitely add to the element of terror. Then there are killer thunder and lightening storms, scorching heat, and the constant threat of starvation. Dashner does a great job of building a chaotic, brutal and dying world in this book. The characters are confused and in the dark about what is going on, and the readers are only slightly more knowledgeable. It is so difficult to imagine in what kind of world creating a scenario where kids are killed off by monsters in order to collect data is a good idea. Even with more knowledge than the characters, as a reader I felt their betrayal, fear and frustration. I think this book will really appeal to teens who like thriller and horror books, as well as books of survival. Some of the scenes are quite vivid and gruesome. The third in this trilogy, The Death Cure, is due out October 11 of this year. I can hardly wait to get my hands on it!

The Good Stuff * Spectacular second book in a trilogy -- we all know that is a rarity - honestly I think it was better than the The Maze Runner * Non stop action with plenty of twists and turns * Will appeal to both male and female readers * Dystopian novel with hints of the Outsiders, The Running Man, Death Race and even a bit of Lost, Serenity (you will think of the Reavers trust me) and The Stand * Could not put it down, I actually counted down till nap time today so I could put my toddler to bed and read the last 80 pages. Stayed up last night to midnight to read, my eyes were drooping but I still wanted to read more * Realistic characters who develop nicely * Nice moral questions put in, would be great for a High School literature course & far less dull than The Lord of the Flies * The writing is so vivid and spectacular you feel like you are one of the characters * Just go buy The Maze Runner and the Scorch Trials if you wanted to become immersed in a fantastic tale that you just can't stop yourself from reading * Now off to hunt someone down who has a copy of The Death Cure -- I'm still totally buying my own copy for my bookshelf (its shelf worthy - hey I got limited space I gotta be selective) but I NEED to read it now * Some nice humour in this one, which was a little lacking in The Maze Runner The Not so Good Stuff * Darn wish I had got an arc of The Death Cure so I could find out what happens. Ah well I guess I can practice patience and wait till Oct 11th when it comes out Favorite Quotes/Passages "Yeah , right," Minho said. "And Frypan's gonna start having little babies, Winston'll get rid of his monster acne, and Thomas here'll actually smile for once." Thomas turned to Minho and exaggerated a fake smile. "Ther, you happy?" "Dude," he responded. "You are one ugly shank." "With thoughts of revenge actually comforting him in a sick and twisted way, he finally fell asleep." "Sometimes I wonder." Thomas murmured. "Wonder what?" "If being alive matters. If being dead might be a lot easier." "Please. I don't believe for one second you really think that." Thomas's gaze had lowered while he'd delivered the depressing sentiment and he looked up sharply at Newt's retort. The he smiled, and it felt good. "You're right. Just trying to sound as miserable as you." Who should/shouldn't read * Fans of dystopian literature will be hooked * Would recommend reading The Maze Runner before you read this, otherwise you might be totally lost * Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and Stephen King's The Running Man will enjoy * Not for the squeamish or sensitive - it be intense 4.75 Dewey's I received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review - darn you couldn't you have sent me the next book too -- ah wait a second, I get it -- this intrigues me enough for me to go BUY my own copy -- good one LOL!

Just like The Maze Runner, this book is very, very special. I loved it from beginning to end. It was very gripping and I never wanted to put my Kobo down. It was that good. I can't wait until The Death Cure gets released so we can finally (maybe?) have a clue of what is going on. I won't get into details not to spoil anyone or to reveal details but... nothing truly is as it seems. That's what I love about these books.

I enjoyed the first novel and saw real potential in the idea. The characters are easy to relate with. I find that people who are open-minded and can figure out the worst puzzles are amazing. Which is why I love all the characters in this novel as they don't just GIVE UP. The idea of WICKED is quite interesting. Searching for kids to solve the world's problem, definitely a big responsibility on your shoulders. The more I learn about WICKED, the more confusing the plot is. What does Thomas have to do with WICKED that the organization has to keep him alive when he should have died? Those who don't simply give up will keep reading and experiencing the puzzle like the Gladers.