Synopsis: At the end of The Maze Runner Thomas and the Gladers close their eyes for their first peaceful night out of the Maze. They think they are in a safer place, hopeful that maybe in the morning, they could find out more about the world, and how they really ended up in the Glade.
Instead, in the The Scorch Trials, the boys find themselves alone, there are more questions than answers, and Teresa is missing. Then a strange man tells them that they are infected with the Flare and they have to travel a hundred miles to get to the cure. With limited supplies and a deadline, the Gladers have no other choice but to go through the next phase of the Trials, just as WICKED intended.
Instead, in the The Scorch Trials, the boys find themselves alone, there are more questions than answers, and Teresa is missing. Then a strange man tells them that they are infected with the Flare and they have to travel a hundred miles to get to the cure. With limited supplies and a deadline, the Gladers have no other choice but to go through the next phase of the Trials, just as WICKED intended.
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| image from GoodReads.com |
My Review: I enjoyed The Scorch Trials more than the first book. This sequel was more interesting, there was more adventure, and more action. The pacing of events was very good. Finally, the characters are no longer just sitting, waiting, or running around in the same large space.
I also liked that Dashner picked up exactly where he left off. No time passed between the last sentence of first book and the first sentence of this book.
The characters got better in this book. At least some of them stood out from the rest. For example, Minho is a good character. He's a leader, he's brave, and has quite the temper. I like him. Newt seems like the sensible type. I kind of wish there was more about him.
But Thomas, well, he's the same. He's confused and he's having weird dreams, which reveal some details about his life before the Glade, and adds to the mystery.
I also liked that Dashner picked up exactly where he left off. No time passed between the last sentence of first book and the first sentence of this book.
The characters got better in this book. At least some of them stood out from the rest. For example, Minho is a good character. He's a leader, he's brave, and has quite the temper. I like him. Newt seems like the sensible type. I kind of wish there was more about him.
But Thomas, well, he's the same. He's confused and he's having weird dreams, which reveal some details about his life before the Glade, and adds to the mystery.
Of course, this being the second book in a series, there are new characters. First, there was Aris who is apparently from another group Gladers. I was wary of him from the start. His introduction to the story was mysterious.
There was also Jorge and Brenda who were quite helpful to the Gladers. I can't say that I like Brenda more than Teresa. To me, one personality is not better or more interesting than the other. I wouldn't pair off Thomas to either one so quickly.
Teresa's disappearance was a great attention grabber. I just wanted to keep reading and see where she went and how it affects the rest of the characters.
And when the Gladers meet her again, I like that she was different. I like that she didn't just jump up and hug Thomas like she missed him and has been waiting to be rescued. Also, I understand why Thomas was hurt. I think I would be hurt too if that happened to me and I might not forgive her so quickly either.
Overall, I think The Scorch Trials is much better than The Maze Runner. I think the first book provided a good groundwork for the rest of the series and this book built upon that. This book is a good, solid sequel.
I will definitely be reading the third book. I want to see what happens next and how the series concludes.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Have you read The Scorch Trials?
Did you like it?
Will you be reading The Death Cure?
What are your thoughts on Teresa's actions?
Do you think she did the right thing?
If you were Thomas, would you forgive her?
