Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.
There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.
The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.
There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.
REVIEW:
After the announcement of the Maze Runner film, hype for this book series quadrupled. As I was relatively new to the series as well, (only having read the book 3 months prior to the film) I desperately wanted to grab my hands on the next book. Flashback: I'm in the CBD inside the biggest Dymocks in Sydney (for which reason I can't remember) and I'm searching for one thing. I find it. I idolise it. Then, I buy it.
This book was a definite step-up from its predecessor. It had the same raw and edge to it but with more maturity and the desperate realism it lacked in the first book. We open up right were we left off, with both the Gladers and the readers in an 'i-dont-even-know-whats-happening-right-now-can-we-please-just-get-to-the-action' state.
And thats exactly what Dashner did.
All the characters really excelled in this book (EXCEPT FOR ARIS, DON'T GET ME STARTED ON ARIS) and the tagging fiasco really cranked up the drama, get the pun? Cranked? Thomas excelled brilliantly in this novel and dealt with his problems with precise logic. He led the group (and plot) in the right direction twisted with adventure and tragedy. Although, there were some flaws in characters particularly Teresa. Her goal was so illogical and was just plain stupid! Why pretend to be pretending but actually pretending to pretend! I found these twists in her character so odd and useless to the plot that I wondered why they were there in the first place.
The action in this book kicks off hard. From engulfing metal balls to extreme, mega-death beasts, this book never failed to impress me with its intense thrill. I found Dashner's writing style, at times sloppy throughout long exposition scenes but it always excelled whenever there was a fast-paced mystery about to be uncovered.
The addition to Team Dashner included Jorge and Brenda who I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. Brenda was an intricate onion, a complicated character that peeled one layer at a time (thank you, 'The Blind Side") who entwined perfectly with the mucho beast, Jorge who surprised me with his humour and gentle-giant personality. Their role in regards to the brilliant, albeit cliché 'viral-disease-that-wipes-out-the-entire-population' known as The Flare surprised me to say the least.
Overall, this book surpassed my expectations from a not-so-wonderful start. I enjoyed myself every step of the way of this journey. We'll see how it goes from here.
P.S: WICKED is good.
P.P.S: I apologise (basically only to Kelly) for my absence on this blog. I hope to keep it updated! Anyways, have a good one - Josh.
