The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials

Author: James Dashner

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Age Group: Young Adult

Grade: 92% or A-

Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to. In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal. The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED? I was very much anticipating reading this book. I loved The Maze Runner so so much and the ending had such a huge cliffhanger. I knew that this sequel was going to be amazing, and I wasn't wrong.

Thomas is such an amazing male lead. Usually when there is a male character in the forefront, I feel like I have to have some kind of attraction towards them. Like if they don't make me swoon, then they aren't good. This is one of the few times that hasn't happened and I still loved the character. There's just something about Thomas. I guess when you're put into a desperate situation, I'm going to like you no matter what. Which makes sense. I really liked all of the other male characters as well.

The plot this time around is similar but the subplot is different. They just found about this destroyed outside world which contains a horrible disease and now have to travel through it. It was exciting and interesting to learn about this world along with the characters. This novel focused a lot on trust and betrayal. It actually plays a very large part of the subplot which changes Thomas forever.

There wasn't much at all that I can say I disliked about this book. As with most books it wasn't long enough. It would also drag at times making it not so fun to read. Sometimes I was a bit confused about the motive behind certain character's actions. I really do enjoy all of the secrets and things that we are left thinking about at the end of each book. It makes us doubt everything that was said.

Overall I was very happy with The Scorch Trials. It was exciting most of the time and I really like how the characters are developing. If you are interested in a dystopian read that can keep you guessing, I recommend you check out book #1 The Maze Runner. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one even more.