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.

Honestly...amazing. I loved The Maze Runner, especially by the end of the book. It left me craving the sequel. But this book was undoubtedly 10 times better than the first. Somehow. I felt so connected to the characters (and had a bit of a crush on Minho...hehe) that I couldn't get enough. The intensity sped up tenfold, and I couldn't put the book down. James Dashner should write more teen sci-fi. He's just amazing. As a writer myself, I really hope to meet him one day.

I don't usually give books five out of five. There is always something I didn't like. This book is not like that. It felt like someone was squeezing my heart out of my chest throughout the entire second half of the book. Far, FAR better than the first book (which was still good). I highly recommend the series. This book is intense; don't plan on having a life for several days after buying.

I didn't think that I could possibly love this sequel more than The Maze Runner, but Dashner proved me wrong. From the moment I began this highly anticipated sequel, I was captivated and completely entranced. The Scorch Trials was yet again another book that Dashner fills with heart-pounding action and mind blowing twists and turns.

*Before you read this review, go check out The Maze Runner, the book that begins this epic journey!

This was an epic sequel. It was explosively amazing. Just when you thought things might get easier for the Gladers, well, you're proved wrong.

The Maze Runner ended with an insanely crazy ending, so starting this book had me excited but also nervous for the characters. At the end of the first book, The Gladers were rescued and brought to an unknown location by people who said that they would be safe now. In the beginning, it seemed like that; they got to sleep, take showers and even eat. Well, soon things took an unexpected turn. Thomas wakes up to Teresa frantically talking in his head, and then, she's gone.

The next thing you know, Cranks are clawing at the windows and slowing perusing the Gladers. Cranks are people who have a disease called The Flare. Slowly, this disease eats away at your sanity and slowly turns you mad. It is a slow disease that diminishes your humanity day by day. The Gladers have a million questions yet again, and what they discover yet doesn't give them any answers.

Hanging from the ceiling are the people who saved them from The Glade. The Gladers stare at them with wide eyes, attempting to shake the fear from their systems. They have no idea who killed them, but they soon realize that WICKED is back, and ready for round two.

They also meet someone new, a boy named Aris who claims to have been a part of Group B, where he was brought into the Glade with a large group of girls. They soon realize that Aris' situation is the opposite of theirs, that Aris is like Group B's Teresa.

More questions, but still no answers.

Another unexpected event occurs, and the Gladers find themselves staring at a man sitting behind a desk who is surrounded by a defensive force field. Soon, he talks, and he gives the instructions that will begin Trial #2 within this experiment. Once again, The Gladers are not safe, and WICKED still has plans up their sleeves.

Looks like instead of the Maze, they will have to survive in The Scorch. Where Cranks roam and the heat eats away at your skin. Thomas and the Gladers do everything they can to survive. Thomas worries about Teresa, and soon, The Gladers will meet new people and have to face all new problems.

The Maze Runner was only the beginning.

I absolutely loved this sequel! It exceeded all the expectations that I had! James Dashner is an incredible author who really knows how to write exciting, thrilling and action packed installments.

5/5
2011-006

This series is good enough that I broke my self imposed moratorium on buying new books until the New Year because I had to find out what was in store next for Thomas and the rest of the Gladers.

After reading THE MAZE RUNNER I could not wait to start the next book. The story continued where the first book left off. You just had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Just when you thought things were settling down something crazy would happen. A real "keep you on the edge of your seat" kind of book. Looking forward to the next one.

This novel represents the second book in a series about Thomas, a young man, who is subjected to a series of lethal trials by a cabal of scientists. These trials are meant as an experiment to help guide mankind out of the crisis that is occurring. Along the way, Thomas meets several other test subjects that both help and hinder his path. This novel is a little more open-ended than the previous (which primarily took place in a very small setting) and I thought it was more suspenseful. Both novels are very addictive and the characters are quite engaging. The storyline is full of twists and surprises so you will definitely not be bored. Since there are more novels to come, I will warn you not to expect a happy ending.

This book left me wanting more. Waiting a whole year for the last book seems impossible.
In this book, Thomas and the Glader's find themselves faced with yet another trial. They have to make their way across the Scorch to a 'safe haven' in order to get a cure for a disease they are told they have.
This book was fantastic. I don't think I've ever felt like this while reading a book before. It left me with an uneasy feeling. Weird, I know. While reading, I didn't sleep at all each night because my head was filled with thoughts of this book. What will would happen next? Why is WICKED doing this to them? What's up with Teresa?...and Who the heck is this Brenda? So many question left unanswered. Very frustrating, but that made this book all the more better. I can hardly contain my excitement for the 3rd and final book.

Pros: lots of tension, great pacing

Cons: while I still didn't connect with any of the boys, I didn't find them as annoying as I did in the first book

Picking up directly where The Maze Runner left off, The Scorch Trials doesn't let the Gladers relax much before the next round of horrors begins.

While you find out a bit more of the mystery surrounding the boys - including the fact that there was a similar experiment for girls - a lot of mysteries remain at the end of the book.

Look forward to a wild ride of one bad thing followed by another.

This book is definitely better than the first one. All of my complaints for it were dealt with/not applicable here. The pacing is good, there's some downtime to appreciate the situation the boys are in but not enough to feel bored. There's little character development, but the book takes place over two weeks so that's to be expected. And what development there is, follows logically from the events of the story.

While I felt teens would enjoy the first book better than adults, the sequel is a fantastic book for readers of all ages.

Can't wait for the third, when I hope to learn what's really going on with WICKED.

It has been quite some time since I felt compelled to write a review. Lately many books are not grabbing my attention quitelike this one.

In The Scorch Trials we pick up where Thomas and his Gladers left off. They are off onto a new adventure to save their lives and battle with WICKED. Many of the same characters return in this second installment as well as some new characters as well. Without giving away the plot The Scorch Trials grabs you from the first page and will keep you guessing until the end. Well worth reading!