Scorch Trials by James Dashner
384 pgs
Target audience: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon

Intense does not even come close to describing this gripping, heart-pounding sequel to Maze Runner. Thomas and his companions manage to escape the horrifying maze only to have the briefest of normal moments before they're catapulted into the desolate and blistering wasteland of the Scorch. Desperate to receive the promised cure to a deadly virus called the flare, they are forced to navigate their way through mobs of zombie-like flare victims, unnaturally huge storms and monsters in order to reach the safe haven by the two week deadline. The enormous physical and emotional stress transforms trust into fear and betrayal.The high energy plot moves at a frenetic pace, twisting and turning and placing the kids in hair-raising and often visually painful scenarios. It is not a story for the weak at heart. Although the author does provide a few answers to the burning questions posed in the series, whether W.I.C.K.E.D, World in Catastrophe Kill-Zone Experiment Department, is good or evil continues to remain a mystery. Scorch Trials firmly places this thrilling, brilliant, and terrifyingly realistic series on the forefront of teen dystopian fiction.

Maze Runner by James Dashner
 400 pgs.
Targe audence: Young Adult
Rating: Dragon (would give even higher if I had a higher rating)

Synopsis from inside front cover
"When Thomas wakes up in thelift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is a blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade - a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they've closed tight. And every 30 days anew boy h as been delivered in he lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up - the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more suprising yet is the message she delivers.
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind."


Wow, wow, wow is this book good! I listened to this on audio and it was amazing. What I liked first was that you are as clueless to what's going on as the protagonist, Thomas. The author doles out information very slowly so that you become so hopelessly hooked that you could not stop even if you wanted to. Twists and turns and unexpected revelations. Very suspenseful and thought provoking. The world of the glade and maze Dashner has created is brilliant and terrifying all at the same time. The characters seem real and you feel for them, well feel for most of them. I felt like I was going through the terror of their life and their desparate need for escape myself as I listened. I found myself looking for excuss to drive just to listen to it which is an absurd waste of gas, but I couldn't help it. It is that good. This is an absolute must for fans of Hunger Games.