Thomas and the rest of the Gladers had thought that things were going to be okay now that they got out of the Maze. But after only 24 hours of rest, they are thrust into a new trials because it turns WICKED’s machinations turn out to be less than altrustic. What do you expect with an acronym like that?

Well, their goal is altruistic. The Gladers are the best of the best, and all the pain and suffering they’ve been through has been used for testing to find the cure for the Flare. A pandemic disease brought by sun flares that turns infected to cannibalistic, animalistic zombie-monsters. Now, the Gladers have to go through the Scorch in order to reach the Safe Haven. One final test to complete WICKED’s blueprint for a cure.

Oh, and if they don’t complie, they’re gonna die from the Flare that WICKED injected into them while they slept. You know, for added personal motivation.

AND to top this all off, there’s a Group B. A parallel group of girls and one boy who have undergone the same trials and Ending as they have. They’re going to be on the hunt for them to add to this survival of the fittest narrative they have.

It’s a lot, but even though Thomas and the others want to live in peace, they decide to follow WICKED’s orders and once the trial ends, get their control back. If they survive.

Just as before, Dashner thrusts you right into the action with a late night invasion of Cranks trying to get into their safe house (Cranks aer those infected with the Flare) in a very Walking Dead-esque horror show.

In which the terror is increased by the disappearance/hanging of their rescuers and mysterious tattoos appearing on their bodies. Plus Teresa’s gone with this new boy, Aris in her place, expositioning the whole Group B parallels.

But once the mission is given, the Gladers are resigned yet determined to see it through. It’s interesting as Thomas, Newt and others note that the whole exercise should feel different now that they know the reason for everything that’s happening, there’s a clear stake in survival. But it doesn’t change the sense of hopelessness for WICKED have clearly shown their amoral colors with their high tech that can control people’s bodies and perception. Plus their willingness to put a bunch of kids into death traps just to see who’ll survive.

These people are not capital G-good which makes Thomas wonder if what they’re doing is even worth it. If saving this world that seems so hopeless actually viable. Is it really worth all their pain and body count? The death of Chuck weighs heavy on Thomas and colors his futile mood.

Which is worsened when it seems teresa has betrayed them. Remember, she believes “WICKED is Good,” and has followed through on her rule-abiding belief in the system, causing untold amount of emotional anguish for Thomas who just can’t let go no matter how many times she bashes him in the head with a spear. Like I said, I didn’t fully trust Teresa in the last book, and found their relationship hollow so I agreed with Newt and Minho that Thomas should forget that shank.

Yet Thomas is thrust into a different implied triangle when he meets Brenda (and her tough guy ally, Jorge) who offer to help them get through the Scorch in exchange for a cure themselves. Her instant flirtatious touching and implied feelings for Thomas roused my suspicions immediately as they knew each only a few hours and hello, they’re surrounding by cannibals, there are more important things!

The interest may coincide with the signs and implications that Thomas is the truekey to the cure with the rest of the Gladers along for the ride with literal signs proclaiming “Thomas is the Real Leader” and Group B’s directive to kill him for sacrifice.

But as frustrating as it was in the last book, Dashner continues the many questions, few straight answers narrative that I only hope will pay off in the last book.

I also felt there was loss potential with how Thomas and Aris discuss their parallels in their respective mazes and how similar the truama Group B and the Gladers went through (including their own language), it is only discussed briefly in the beginning and overshadowed with the Teresa drama. I wanted to know about these Group B characters and Aris.

Even though Group B/Aris were background, Newt’s reluctant second in command status and hot tempered Minho are given more characterization and limelight which almost made up for it.

As usual, Dashner excels in his landscape and technological description in this new land Thomas and the Gladers traverse from the sun-like Scorch landscape, the wild Cranktown full of murder, debauchery, and despair of the infected and more bulbuous monsters to face.

Now let’s see if that Cure really works or WICKED has more in store for the Gladers.

3 stars