Death Cure--James Dashner

Title: The Death Cure
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2011
Pages: 325 p.
Source: Library E-book
Compensation: None
Read: August 2015

This book is the third in the Maze Runner series. While I always strive to avoid spoilers in my reviews, reviewing the second in a series will naturally spoil some of the first book. If you have not read The Maze Runner or The Scorch Trials yet, you may want to skip this review until you have. 

James Dashner's The Death Cure

Thomas has been under the control of WICKED long enough and now that he's survived the Scorch Trials and out in the real world, he's determined to save his friends and put an end to WICKED's manipulative testing. The more Thomas remembers, the less he trusts WICKED.

I read this back in August. I also read the first one back in August. I can remember the first one vividly. I can't remember enough about this one to write a full summary. I know that I felt very unsatisfied with the whole idea that all of these tests were just to map out brain patterns. I started reading The Kill Zone, the prequel to the entire Maze Runner series, but I didn't finish it. My son recently did and said it answers a lot of questions, but I shouldn't have to read another book to understand the trilogy. When I first read this I rated it 4 stars at GoodReads so it must have been entertaining at least, but my test of book quality is always how well it stays with me and this one isn't making a strong impression. It's worth reading it to finish out the series, but I don't think I'd recommend this trilogy like I do The Hunger Games or Divergent.

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links and buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Scorch Trials--James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2010.
Pages: 368 p.
Source: Library e-book
Compensation: None
Read: August 2015

This book is the second in the Maze Runner series. While I always strive to avoid spoilers in my reviews, reviewing the second in a series will naturally spoil some of the first book. If you have not read The Maze Runner yet, you may want to skip this review until you have. 

James Dashner's The Scorch Trials

Thomas and most of his friends have escaped the Maze and think they have finally found freedom, but in reality they are less free than before. Aware now that they have been the subject of experimental tests, Thomas's next assignment is to survive the treacherous Scorch--the dangerous wasteland home to people dying of the Flare disease. On top of all the scary threats and crazy people, Thomas's closest friend has been taken away from him and he doesn't know who he can trust anymore.

There were quite a few scenes in this sequel that were even scarier than the first book. Although I zipped through it and generally enjoyed it, I had to overlook some things. I had so many questions after reading the first book and I was a bit disappointed with some of the answers in the second book. I just didn't buy the overall reason why WICKED was subjecting these boys and girls to these tests. But, the book was entertaining nonetheless and readers of the first one will want to continue the series.

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links and buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

The Maze Runner--James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2009
Pages: 384 p.
Source: library e-book
Compensation: None
Read: August 2015

James Dashner's The Maze Runner

Thomas wakes up in complete darkness with no memories of where he is or how he got there. He realizes he is in a box moving upwards for what seems like forever when finally the elevator stops and the top door opens. Blinded by the light, Thomas eventually focuses on a group of boys peering down at him. Frightened and confused, Thomas leaves the elevator and enters the Maze.

Actually he enters the Glade, the home of this group of lost boys, which opens up to the Maze, an ever-changing towering stone maze that holds the only hope of escape--if the boys can evade the monstrous Grievers and stay alive long enough to find it. Just when Thomas thinks things are strange enough, the box makes an early delivery and this one is a girl who sparks some memories in Thomas.

I read this book based on a recommendation from my 11 year old son (and so we could watch the movie together ((book better than movie))). He loved the book. I enjoyed it as well. There are plenty of scary and suspenseful moments and I think this is the strongest of all three. This book leaves you with so many questions but is a good choice for readers who love all things apocalypse.

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links and buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.

Ashfall--Mike Mullin

Title: Ashfall
Author: Mike Mullin
Publisher: Tanglewood, expected pub date October 2011
Pages: 472 eGalley
Source: Netgalley courtesy of the publisher
Compensation: None

I read this back in May, but May was not a good month for me so I am just now reviewing it. 

Alex is a normal high school boy living in Cedar Falls Iowa when a super-volcano erupts. Although the volcano is at Yellowstone, it's a SUPER one so it causes lots of problems for people all over the country. Unfortunately for Alex, he is alone in his house when the volcano hits it--literally. A piece of rock flies hundreds of miles and destroys part of his house. His parents and sister are visiting family in Illinois, so Alex is completely alone. He starts out staying with his neighbors while the volcano continues to cause havoc and deafening thunderous booms, but quickly decides he needs to get to Illinois to be with his family. There's no public transportation or working cars because of all the falling ash so all Alex can do is walk. Luckily he finds a pair of his father's skis in the garage which makes the walking slightly quicker. Along the way Alex finds helpful people and murderous people. He spends the bulk of his journey with a young girl named Darla, a MacGuyver-type resourceful farmer who teaches him how to survive off the land.

As with most "post apocalyptic" books (and movies), in Ashfall the worst in human nature often comes out. Most people are just out for themselves and are not above killing and raping to get what they want to survive. But author Mullin does a good job of balancing the dark forces of humanity with some genuinely good people who help Alex and Darla on their mission. He also does a good job of showing how truly connected we are as a nation--the volcano physically affects neighboring states but it also has a severe impact on the nation's economy and the food supply. Money is useless if there's no food to buy.

Alex is a little naive at times but he grows up quickly on his journey. He's a good kid and we want him to reach his family. He and Darla fall in love, but it's done realistically and slowly. They endure horrible events together and it matures them in ways that most teens don't go through. Romance is not the crux of the story however and it will not be enough to turn off boys. The main story is survival and adventure. This is not a boy book or a girl book. It will appeal to both. Boys will like the harsh survival story. Darla is a strong character and girls will like reading how she is just as crucial to their survival as Alex.

The book ends how we expect it to with a little twist and sets Alex and Darla up for further adventures. Readers will be happy to know the sequel, Ashen Winter, will be published in the fall of 2012.

******
I'm an Amazon Associate now. If you click on the Amazon links & buy anything I might make a tiny bit of money.