The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
by Jenners • 06/08/2012 • 3.5 Stars, D Authors, Dystopia, S Titles, Young Adult • 17 Comments
The Scorch Trials by James DashnerPublisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2010
Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction, YA, Dystopia
Where I Got It: Bought it for my Kindle
Why I Read It: I needed to know what happened next after reading the first book of this trilogy, The Maze Runner
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Book Description
SPOILER ALERT: This review assumes that you have read the first book of this series, The Maze Runner. If you haven’t read that book yet, I recommend skipping this review.
Now that they’ve escaped the maze, Thomas and the other Gladers are plunged into the “real” world and another set of trials so that WICKED can gather more data to devise a cure for the Flare. This time, they are given the task of crossing the Scorch (the dried out desert-like hot wasteland of what probably used to be Mexico) within a specific timeframe in order to reach a safe haven. If they make it across the Scorch and survive the Flare-infected Cranks that live there, they are promised a cure and an end to the trials. However, things start off strange when each Glader wakes up with a tattoo on their neck that seems to define their place in the group. In addition, Teresa goes missing and another boy takes her place. As in the first book, all is not what it seems, and Thomas and his friends are thrown into adventure that will require them to stay alive long enough to reach the end.
My Thoughts
Throughout this book, Dashner starts giving Thomas more of his memories back, and we begin to get a clearer picture of what happened to the world after the sun flares started. But, once again, the focus is squarely on the action, with Thomas, Newt, Minho and the other Gladers facing a new set of challenges, most often in the form of the Cranks, which are people who have been severely affected by the Flare and appear as crazy, sore-infested violent people.
The biggest mystery facing Thomas this time is how he is going to deal with the fate of Teresa and deciding whether WICKED is a force for good or bad. Dashner keeps you guessing who is “real” and who is “fake” as the book goes along, and I was never quite sure what would befall the Gladers next. The book was a decent follow-up to the first one and moves the action along to get ready for the final book, called The Death Cure.
My only quibble is that I’m starting to get as antsy for answers as Thomas and his friends. It felt like one obstacle after another, with Thomas always getting away by the skin of his teeth. This started to feel a little repetitive.
Tune in tomorrow when I write about the third book, The Death Cure, which left me feeling very very very annoyed.
What are other bloggers saying about this book? You can find out at the Book Blogs Search Engine.
I think with this series I will stop with the first one. It sounds like they go down hill after that
Sadly, they do go downhill. I hate when series do that.
I just met Dasher in New York and he was hilarious! I have yet to read him but can not wait to try his books! This one has been on my shelf for far too long.
Cool that you met him. The first book was worth reading but I had some serious issues with how he wrapped up the series.
I’m glad you posted this review. I read the first two books so long ago that I have put off reading the third because I forgot so much of what happened. I liked The Scorch Trials a lot better than The Maze Runner. I need to get around to reading the third one soon I guess.
Well, if you’re looking for satisfaction, don’t get your hopes up.
Excellent, honest review! You’re “going to town” with this genre, YA dystopian fiction.
I keep reading it and it keeps annoying me … yet I can’t stop!
This one definitely annoyed me. But you are wrong about “the dried out desert-like hot wasteland of what probably used to be Mexico” – NO! This is Tucson! Today! Now! This Moment in History! gaaaaaaaaaaah (Hmmm, maybe I should go get a neck tattoo and things will be better….)
Why would a neck tattoo make things better? Do explain!! So it is hot out there, huh? I would be a 24/7 bitch. I don’t do well in heat.
You wrote: “each Glader wakes up with a tattoo on their neck”. This maybe helped them deal with the scorching-ness?
Yes, it’s over 100 every day. OMG you mean I have an EXCUSE for being a 24/7 not nice person?
See, I read and wrote that review so long ago (like the book last July and the review last November) that I totally forgot that it came from me. Obviously I didn’t reread it too closely when I finally got around to publishing it. Amazing what a procrastinator I am.
And yes … you have a built-in bitch excuse due to heat!
I must skip the review, since I haven’t read the first book. Thanks.
Hmm, great review but alas not a read for me I don’t think.
Yeah … I wouldn’t recommend it.
In YA dystopias, I do see a lot of running around and avoiding injury and evil-doers. And it does get old. To me, this feels like a dumbing down (gotta give the kiddies some action so they don’t get bored). The kids and I gave up many series because of this. What was that James Patterson series where the kids had wings? I don’t remember, but my son exploded one day “If they do one more round-house kick, I’m going to stop listening”. And they did, so we did. That was the end of that. They shouldn’t underestimate kids.
I agree!!! That is why the Chaos Walking series worked so much better. It mixed things up and didn’t repeat itself. I agree that YA authors don’t always give kids the benefit of the doubt. Good for your son for having good reading instincts!