Let's eat Grandpa!

The Death Cure by James Dashner (Book #3 in the Maze Runner Trilogy)

Narrator: Mark Deakins
Source: Sacramento Library
Finished: 12/17/11
Rating: 6 out of 10
Publisher: Delacorte
Pages: 336
Published: 2011

Synopsis (from VOYA): After surviving the maze and scorch trials, Thomas is again forced to confront his beliefs regarding the “cure” that WICKED claims to have within their grasp. Without understanding his importance to the cure and subsequent survival of the human race, he defies the government organization at every turn while trying to determine along the way who is friend and who is foe. As his list of friends grows smaller, Thomas relies on survival instincts to help him last just one more day in a world gone amuck with madness. 

* * * mild spoiler alert * * *

Overall Impression: This whole series had been strange for me. I’ve really liked the concepts and ideas Dashner created — but I think a lot was lacking in the execution department. Out of the three, this one was my least favorite, mostly because there were so many loose ends. (Thomas never gets back his memories, for example. And “WICKED is good?” Nothing ever explains that fully.) Again, the concept was decent, wrapping up the series in a way that felt fairly true to the story, but it fell flat in terms of the writing and the overall plot and character development. Several of the characters, for instance, felt dispatched of without much ceremony. Which may have been Dashner’s point, but it still left me feeling empty.

That being said, there are some very interesting ethical choices that Thomas has to face in this book (in the entire series, actually) that would make it an interesting book to discuss in a group. I also enjoyed the way the plot twisted and turned — I truly never knew where Dashner was going and I was usually pleasantly surprised, even if I did wish things were fleshed out a little more. If you’re a fan of YA dystopian, give this one a shot. If you’re on the fence, you might want to skip it — there are better series out there.

Positives: An original concept that kept me guessing throughout all three books.

Negatives: Flawed execution in the writing and development.

Narration: Mark Deakins does a perfectly serviceable job with this series. Not stellar, but better than others.

Other books I’ve read by James Dashner: The Maze Runner (review) and The Scorch Trials (review)

Other blogger opinions:

S. Krishna’s Books: “The Death Cure didn’t quite live up to the incredible story that was The Maze Runner, but it was a satisfying conclusion to an exciting series.”

That’s What She Read: “As much as I loved the first two books, I cannot help but feel slightly disappointed with this last novel and the overall series.”

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner (Book #2 in the Maze Runner series)

Narrator: Mark Deakins
Source: Sacramento Library
Finished: 9/22/11
Rating: 6 out of 10
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Pages: 368 (print version)
Published: 2010

* * * Spoilers if you haven’t read the Maze Runner * * *

Synopsis (from Publishers Weekly): This dystopian novel begins where The Maze Runner ends. Thomas and the rest of the group’s escape from the Maze and the horrifying creatures called Grievers has proven to be short-lived because WICKED, the group behind it all, has another trial in store for them. Sun flares have destroyed most of the Earth, and a virus called the Flare has ravaged its population. Infected people turn into zombies called Cranks that attack and eat one other. The kids are told that they have the Flare but if they succeed in surviving the second trial, they will be cured. With few supplies, they must travel across 100 miles of hot and scorched land within two weeks to reach a safe house to receive the cure.

Overall Impression: Is it just me? Or is it impossible to spell “scorch” on the first try? I am always trying to wedge an unnecessary “t” in there. “Scortch.”

Anywho.

Like The Maze Runner, The Scortch Scorch Trials was both hit and miss for me. I liked the idea of the plot — the boys (and a new set of girls) trying to make their way across a barren wasteland, their goal being the expensive cure to an awful sickness that has ravaged earth. Again, the Thomas and his friends had to use their brains — and this time, a lot of brawn — to survive the desert. They also pick up some new friends (?) along the way, so the character base is widened a little and the fresh blood makes things interesting. There is a theme of betrayal running throughout the book, and Thomas (and, likewise, the reader) never knows who to trust.

But then there’s the writing. While Dashner did improve on showing instead of telling, I still wish that this had been written by someone else. His writing feels choppy and the sentences need more variation in length and tone. Sometimes the word choice was poor. This book is much more about plot than it is about the writing. Readers who are captivated by plot more than anything will probably enjoy it. If you’re one of those people who really likes a well-crafted sentence…this probably isn’t for you.

And, of course, as it is a series, there is NO closure at the end of the book. You have to read book #3 to find out what happens to Thomas and his pals. (It will be released next month!)

Narration: Mark Deakins is passable, though he’s sort of one-note about everything. I wish there was more variation in his narration.

Positives: Dashner puts his characters in a similar-yet-totally-different situation that tests them even more than the maze did.

Negatives: Writing is…meh.

Other books I’ve read by James Dashner: The Maze Runner (review)

Other blogger opinions:

S. Krishna’s Books: “ There was so much action and adventure in this book, which made it an incredibly exciting read. From beginning to end, I was completely and utterly hooked.”

Michelle (My Books, My Life): “I was frustrated for much of the novel. Not because I wasn’t enjoying it but because we don’t know anything more than Thomas. And Thomas doesn’t know very much.”

Michelle (That’s What She Read): “The Scorch Trials is frustrating, infuriating, exhilarating and exciting. Poor Thomas continues to bear the brunt of the action and focus during the trials.”