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beaktastic's review against another edition
4.0
Another exciting read from James Dashner, as Thomas & co. continue to fight for their lives and try and figure out what is going on.
The Scorch Trials picks up pretty much immediately where The Maze Runner left off - Thomas and the other Gladers have escaped the Maze and have been taken somewhere safe... or so they think. Before long, they are thrown headfirst into more challenges. WICKED tell them they have been infected with the Flare, and they're only hope of survival is to cross the Scorch within two weeks and reach the Safe Haven if they want to be cured. But it sounds a lot easier than it really is, and Thomas and co. find themselves fighting for their lives. To make things worse, Teresa has mysteriously disappeared, and been replaced with a strange boy called Aris, with whom Thomas shares an interesting secret...
This was another exciting read. I loved reading more about Thomas and the gang and seeing them face completely different problems to the first book, but with familiar themes and ideas. It was interesting to see how they adapted to the various problems they had to face.
It was a bit of a mind thriller as well as an exciting rollercoaster. There were parts where you could tell that WICKED were just trying to mess with the Gladers heads and such, but then there were other parts where you were unsure about whether or not they were behind some of the stuff that was going on. It was confusing yet intriguing at the same time and I found myself constantly guessing what was going on, like the Gladers were.
At the same time though, I felt like Dashner still hasn't explained everything. Some of the unanswered questions from the first book remained unanswered, and he introduced more things that I was confused about. I think I can guess some of it, but it would be nice for Dashner to explain in book 3 why some of the stuff that happened had to happen... if that makes sense... for example,
I felt like the characters had grown and developed somewhat to the first book, particularly Thomas, but at the same time I felt we didn't get to see favourite characters such as Minho or Newt develop enough. I felt like Dashner tried to suggest they had grown through their actions and interactions, and to suggest a greater level of friendship and camaraderie than we necessarily saw in the first book, without showing this development happen. Despite this though, I do think Dashner's characterisation of his characters and his ability to make Thomas a more sympathetic and relatable protagonist has grown and improved and will likely improve further in the next book. Thomas wasn't quite as thick and annoying as he was in the first book, apart from.
Throughout the book are scattered 'dreams' Thomas has of his pre-amnesia self and Teresa as they grow up before they enter the Maze and things they learn and overhear. This is obviously to give the reader more backstory and hint at things which will probably be discussed in book 3, but at the same time it just kinda felt like lazy story telling to me a bit... Every few chapters Thomas would fall asleep and dream-remember more stuff about him and Teresa and WICKED.
Overall though, an exciting book, full of twists and turns keeping both the characters and the readers on their toes, plus an epilogue to keep the reader hooked and hint at stuff for book 3. A good read. Onto The Death Cure!
The Scorch Trials picks up pretty much immediately where The Maze Runner left off - Thomas and the other Gladers have escaped the Maze and have been taken somewhere safe... or so they think. Before long, they are thrown headfirst into more challenges. WICKED tell them they have been infected with the Flare, and they're only hope of survival is to cross the Scorch within two weeks and reach the Safe Haven if they want to be cured. But it sounds a lot easier than it really is, and Thomas and co. find themselves fighting for their lives. To make things worse, Teresa has mysteriously disappeared, and been replaced with a strange boy called Aris, with whom Thomas shares an interesting secret...
This was another exciting read. I loved reading more about Thomas and the gang and seeing them face completely different problems to the first book, but with familiar themes and ideas. It was interesting to see how they adapted to the various problems they had to face.
It was a bit of a mind thriller as well as an exciting rollercoaster. There were parts where you could tell that WICKED were just trying to mess with the Gladers heads and such, but then there were other parts where you were unsure about whether or not they were behind some of the stuff that was going on. It was confusing yet intriguing at the same time and I found myself constantly guessing what was going on, like the Gladers were.
At the same time though, I felt like Dashner still hasn't explained everything. Some of the unanswered questions from the first book remained unanswered, and he introduced more things that I was confused about. I think I can guess some of it, but it would be nice for Dashner to explain in book 3 why some of the stuff that happened had to happen... if that makes sense... for example,
Spoiler
Why did Thomas HAVE to be betrayed? Was it just to stimulate certain patterns in his brain? Or was it something else? What the hell actually happened in the gas chamber after that? I don't get it? And why were Teresa and Aris allowed to just admit to it all and go on their merry way afterwards? Why was the whole book basically setting this situation up? I JUST DON'T GET IT. I get that Thomas is clearly their favourite Candidate or whatever, but still. It just doesn't really make a whole load of sense to me apart from to create drama... I dunno, hopefully Dashner will elucidate on this in book 3.I felt like the characters had grown and developed somewhat to the first book, particularly Thomas, but at the same time I felt we didn't get to see favourite characters such as Minho or Newt develop enough. I felt like Dashner tried to suggest they had grown through their actions and interactions, and to suggest a greater level of friendship and camaraderie than we necessarily saw in the first book, without showing this development happen. Despite this though, I do think Dashner's characterisation of his characters and his ability to make Thomas a more sympathetic and relatable protagonist has grown and improved and will likely improve further in the next book. Thomas wasn't quite as thick and annoying as he was in the first book, apart from
Spoiler
the bit with Teresa and Aris towards the end - it was so obvious I thought that there was some kind of trick going on, but it was just so confusing generally that I can't really blame Thomas I supposeThroughout the book are scattered 'dreams' Thomas has of his pre-amnesia self and Teresa as they grow up before they enter the Maze and things they learn and overhear. This is obviously to give the reader more backstory and hint at things which will probably be discussed in book 3, but at the same time it just kinda felt like lazy story telling to me a bit... Every few chapters Thomas would fall asleep and dream-remember more stuff about him and Teresa and WICKED.
Overall though, an exciting book, full of twists and turns keeping both the characters and the readers on their toes, plus an epilogue to keep the reader hooked and hint at stuff for book 3. A good read. Onto The Death Cure!
yureisilhouette's review
4.0
There are parts that it kinda skipped scenes (Thomas is either blacking out or sleeping) so it intrigued me more to continue and wonder what's happening.
Also Brenda is getting into thomas way too hard like they don't even have a spark with each other. For me, it's more of a sibling vibe.
Don't even get me started with Teresa, but hell I will. WICKED is good? WICKED. IS. GOOD??? GIRL???????? And those missions to make Thomas feel betrayed is just ughhh I'mma hit HER with the butt of the spear
I love the last trial that they did with fighting bulb monsters and thunder, we could see the leadership of both groups and I AM IN LOVE WITH MINHO; I haaate that his role wasn't shown much on the moviiies
Also Brenda is getting into thomas way too hard like they don't even have a spark with each other. For me, it's more of a sibling vibe.
Don't even get me started with Teresa, but hell I will. WICKED is good? WICKED. IS. GOOD??? GIRL???????? And those missions to make Thomas feel betrayed is just ughhh I'mma hit HER with the butt of the spear
I love the last trial that they did with fighting bulb monsters and thunder, we could see the leadership of both groups and I AM IN LOVE WITH MINHO; I haaate that his role wasn't shown much on the moviiies
eesh25's review
5.0
When I finished this book yesterday night, I was really angry and frustrated and confused and worried and even more confused and just...
I mean, seriously, who the fuck ends a book this way?!
And it wasn't just the ending either. The amount of torture that was inflicted on these characters was unbelieveable. I loved the book but I desperately wanted it and the series to end because I couldn't bear the thought of anything more happening to Thomas or Mihno, Newt, Teresa or anyone else. For fuck's sake, give the people a break!
But does James Dashner care. Nope. No, he does not.
But, after a long night of sleep, I can finally think rationally and-
Oh, who am I kidding? Rational thought is so far from my mind that it could travel at the speed of light and it still wouldn't get to me in my lifetime. Long night of sleep didn't do shit (I didn't even get a long night of sleep since I was reading till 3 am). I might need therapy for this one.
Or maybe some answers. Yup, answers would work too. I'll get them. In a week or two, after I'm over this book.
So, this was my not-really-a-review-but-just-a-rant review. You should read the book and you'll get why I feel this way.
I mean, seriously, who the fuck ends a book this way?!
And it wasn't just the ending either. The amount of torture that was inflicted on these characters was unbelieveable. I loved the book but I desperately wanted it and the series to end because I couldn't bear the thought of anything more happening to Thomas or Mihno, Newt, Teresa or anyone else. For fuck's sake, give the people a break!
But does James Dashner care. Nope. No, he does not.
But, after a long night of sleep, I can finally think rationally and-
Oh, who am I kidding? Rational thought is so far from my mind that it could travel at the speed of light and it still wouldn't get to me in my lifetime. Long night of sleep didn't do shit (I didn't even get a long night of sleep since I was reading till 3 am). I might need therapy for this one.
Or maybe some answers. Yup, answers would work too. I'll get them. In a week or two, after I'm over this book.
So, this was my not-really-a-review-but-just-a-rant review. You should read the book and you'll get why I feel this way.
kayy25's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sunshower12's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
I didn't like this book as much as the first one. It basically consisted of Thomas being thrown into a different perilous landscape, people dying, and him still confused about everything as he tries to make it to the waypoint. He also keeps being captured by one group, escaping somehow, then being captured by another. That happened over and over until he was recaptured by WICKED at the end. It felt like a lot of filler to get to the last book, and maybe I'll change my mind about that once I'm done with the series, but I guess I don't really understand what the whole point of it was. If the third book is going to be another part of the trials I think it's going to be fairly boring. I'm pretty much over Thomas suffering repeatedly, I hope it ends up being worth it.
crbrodie's review against another edition
3.0
If you are thinking of reading this book series because you ended the films, think again. They are completely different with just a smidge of similarities.
I was put off reading this because I HATED the first book! However, this one is much better than the first, which gives me hope for the rest of the series.
Saying that, I still hate how some of the characters are portrayed in the book - I will stand by the film characters as being superior. Some of the chapters were so boring to read (was literally oh toms tired, he falls asleep. Tom has awoken but still tired, he falls asleep etc)
Also I don't get why they pick and choose when to use the telepathy. Like he's really worried about how he got separated from his friends but doesn't use his telepathy to talk to one of them 🤷🏼♀️ like he doesn't even try, like he's forgotten he can do that?!
I was put off reading this because I HATED the first book! However, this one is much better than the first, which gives me hope for the rest of the series.
Saying that, I still hate how some of the characters are portrayed in the book - I will stand by the film characters as being superior. Some of the chapters were so boring to read (was literally oh toms tired, he falls asleep. Tom has awoken but still tired, he falls asleep etc)
Also I don't get why they pick and choose when to use the telepathy. Like he's really worried about how he got separated from his friends but doesn't use his telepathy to talk to one of them 🤷🏼♀️ like he doesn't even try, like he's forgotten he can do that?!
karrama's review
4.0
I felt like some of these trials and craziness in this book simply existed to keep me on my toes. So it was unfortunate but not unexpected when the floor dropped out from under our heros at the beginning. They were warned that nothing can be trusted. So what can the reader trust? Can we know that the first chapter happened? Can we know that the end happened? I'm pretty sure it didn't. But did it? Will the next book begin as this one did? Now we've got to keep reading.The only think I know for sure? WICKED might be good or psychotic.
narcissia's review
4.0
If y'all thought The Maze Runner was a crazy ride, wait until you read The Scorch Trials. Madness ensues pretty early into this sequel and will have you on the edge of your reading chair as the action-packed trials continue for Thomas and his friends. I really liked the character development in this one better than in The Maze Runner as well. We get more depth and emotions out of Thomas and some of the others. The plot is filled with new action, conflict, drama, and twists - and the Scorch is as menacing as the Maze ever was.
dedebolduc's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0