Review: The Death Cure (Maze Runner 3)

 James Dashner
 The Death Cure
 Maze Runner - Book 3

*Spoilers if you haven't read the first two!

You know those books or TV shows where everyone dies? This is pretty much one of those.

and it's amazing!

Just like The Scorch Trials, this one picks up right where we left our boys and the gang. While they made it to the "safe haven" like they were told to do for a cure, WICKED didn't exactly tell the full truth.  No surprise there.  WICKED hasn't found a cure yet, but they are still in the process. Tracking every move and decision these kids make will help WICKED eventually find a cure.  Isn't that nice of them.

So Thomas and his friends have decided they have had enough. No more will they be pawns in a never ending game of "when am I going to die?". They are going to escape from WICKED and try to find somewhere safe to live out their days.

If only it was that easy.

With some returning characters, some missing characters, remembered memories and the one page us in the fandom do not speak of ... prepare yourself for a whirlwind of lies, running, tears and heartbreak as Thomas finally realizes what he comes to love above anything else: his friends.

I think this one is my favourite of the series so far. We get a lot of the puzzle pieces from WICKED, we see a lot more of the kids interacting with each other as oppose to just running for their lives (even though they do a lot of that too), and who doesn't love twists and turns all over the place? Dashner has this way of writing that you cannot help but fall in love with. It's short and snappy, yet the plot twits and dramatic flare of his characters is so on point and delivered right on time.

 I am sure this is not the end because I still cannot decide if I agree that WICKED is good.  

P.S If a friend hands you a note, read it once they've left the room.

Review: The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner 2)

  James Dashner
  The Scorch Trials
  The Maze Runner - Book 2 

Picking up right from where “The Maze Runner” ends, we hit the ground running, literally, as the boys and Teresa are taken to a remote building and left alone. No one knows what is going on.

What else is new?

The next morning, Teresa is now gone. So is her and Thomas’ telepathic link. She is replaced by a boy named Aris. He is from Group B.
And he was also in a Maze.
Except his maze was full of girls, and he was the only boy.

They have now entered “phase two” (whatever that means) and have been instructed by a man who looks like a rat that to be cured of the Flare, which they all incidentally have, they must go out into the world, go 100 miles north within two weeks, and reach the safe haven.  Rat Man doesn’t give them any more information.

Off on a whirlwind adventure, battling Cranks (those who have the Flare and have gone crazy from it), the cruel, unforgiving atmosphere that Earth as we know it has come to be, and just basic survival struggles – food, water – the boys must dig deep within themselves to complete this mission…Or die. Good that.

Not.

Dashner’s world is one of horror of both post-apocalyptic possibilities, and of the human spirit. When push comes to shove, the things humans are able to do to themselves or to each other is ferocious.  However, you cannot help but fall in love with everything that is going on. Yes, your heart goes out to these boys, but the writing is so enthralling that you can feel yourself running alongside of Thomas and the gang. As savage as the world you are reading about is, you cannot help but want more. 

Review: The Fever Code (Maze Runner #5)

 James Dashner
The Fever Code
Maze Runner - Book 5


The prequel to The Maze Runner is just as action packed and amazing as the rest of the series.

We get a glimpse into Newt's story before Dashner shows us how Thomas and Teresa work with WICKED to create the Mazes, meet the Gladers, and how our beloved characters all came to be.

Told from Thomas's perspective, we see an unique take on WICKED:
How did the kids all come to be in WICKED's protection?
We learn where and why it all started, and what they teach the "elites" of those who are immune...
We learn more about the Flare and it's effect on the world...
We even meet some characters from the later books and pieces of the overall puzzle slowly start to come together.

Dashner's ability to explain big things in the most subtle ways is fantastic. He draws you in from the first page - and I think the fandom is very happy that we got to see a bit of Newt's story (although this poor guy could not have been dealt any worse of a hand in life).
We follow Thomas as he sets up his friends to be put in a prison, yet follows them closely. We read about political conspiracies that come with a world in catastrophe, we see the good and the evil... and how one boy's knowledge and goodness can hopefully save it all one day.

WICKED may be good. This reader has yet to make up her mind.

Review: The Maze Runner (book 1)

James Dashner
The Maze Runner

Thomas wakes up in the box.
His name is all he can remember.

Welcome to the Glade, Greenie.

A group of boys has been trapped in a field of 2 years. Once a month a new boy arrives. Weekly the box delivers supplies.  The Glade runs on order. Ever boy has a job, every boy pulls their weight.

 The next day the box comes up again. With a girl inside. She will be the last one sent up, ever.

The Glade is surrounded by a daily-changing maze filled with monsters.

This starts a chain of events. Thomas realizes the boys (and girl) need to get out. He joins up to be a runner of the maze - someone who can track the patterns, and try to figure out the puzzle.  If they figure it out, they can go home.

Not that any of them remember "home". They all had their memories wiped when they were put in the box. Only Thomas and Teresa can remember bits and pieces.
Yet, it's convenient that when Thomas comes to the Glade, all these strange things start happening. The order of the Maze is threatened. Some of the boys do not like this.

The comfort of the Hell that is the Maze compared to the thought of battling the monsters and the unknown that is out there ... I got two words for you: Start running.


I love this series! This is my second time reading it in anticipation of the next book (can you call it "next" if it's a prequel?) and even though I have seen the movie, it has not altered my perspective of the book.

Dashner writes in quick, snappy chapters that draw you in and end on dramatic flares (no pun intended). He has created a world of terror and intrigue that keeps you glued to the pages until the very end. These boys pull on your heart strings. You are left questioning who these Creators, why did they set up the Maze, who is WICKED? and what do they have planned for these boys? and then you are cheering them on as they fight their way to the "exit" ... and whatever comes next. Brilliant, just brilliant. Prepare to be "bloody inspired".