This summer, Mara reviewed The Maze Runner by James Dashner. The thrilling dystopian tale ended on a cliffhanger, so the librarians here at Pearl were very excited when the next book, The Scorch Trials, came out in October. Thomas and his friends have escaped the Maze, but it seems like their tests are only beginning. The action starts right away in this book, throwing the Gladers into what is myteriously being called "Phase Two": The Scorch Trials. The boys are given very vague instructions: head north and survive the Flare (a mysterious disease). If not, death is imminent.
The boys head towards their destination, even picking up some new friends. But as they progress further and further, more questions come up than are answered: Where is Tom's friend Teresa? Where did this boy, Aris, come from? Is the shadowy organization WICKED who seems to be behind all of this for good or for evil?
The book is extremely fast-paced and exciting, and the interactions between the characters alternates between hilarious and extremely strained. This book also ends on a cliffhanger, which will be resolved in the final installment, The Death Cure, due out next fall. I can't wait! Click here to request The Scorch Trials from your library. But be sure to read The Maze Runner first--available here.
Check out more about James Dashner at his blog.
