The Scorch Trials, a sequel in the Maze Runner series, is a sci-fi thriller written by James Dashner. The story picks up from the last book, The Maze Runner when Thomas and his friends find himself in a secure facility after being rescued from the Glade by a rebel group. After residing in the compound, Thomas discovers the people who rescued him and his friends are murdered. Things quickly escalate when he wakes up the next day only to find Teresa missing, along with the dead bodies of the rescuers. He and his friends find a kid named Aris in Teresa’s room when they frantically attempt to recruit all the Gladers living in the compound. Aris explains that he himself lived in a similar maze and later concludes there are two groups: the Gladers and group B that served as experiments for WCKD. As Thomas and his friends undergo the harsh, scorching environment they encounter Cranks- savage people infected by the flare virus. Thomas and his fellow Gladers venture out to the unknown world, where boundaries cease to exist, in hope of finding the cure.

In this sequel, there are many troublesome characters introduced to Thomas. Although the Gladers are not fond of Teresa’s shocking role as an antagonist, they must set aside their intense abhor for her in order to keep their leader alive. Thomas’ character development in the scorch emphasizes his avid need to find safe haven. He soon learns his ability and free-will to communicate telepathically with Teresa may save the lives of his friends; however, Teresa’s decisions to betray Thomas unintentionally revealed her motives to associate with WCKD, making him reluctant to trust her. His past relationships with dead Gladers, Teresa and partnership with WCKD make it difficult for him to take a leadership role and portray himself as the hero he was in the Glade, as he grapples between choosing right from wrong.

Even though the characters are kept in extreme environments, the contrasting setting from the first book and second book set off the characters fervent wish to escape from WCKD and their malicious tactics to rid the world of the flare virus. In the first book, readers are introduced to characters that obtained limits and boundaries due to the fact that the maze’s wall controlled the Gladers behavior, making the plot predictable. The author creates suspense and mystery by changing the setting in which the Gladers are not responsive to, expanding their free will to escape the compound and defeat the Cranks to arrive at their safe haven.

James Dashner pieces the storyline in the sequel to wedge into the first book to give readers answers they have been longing for. As opposed to telling a story from the beginning, Dashner intrigues young teens and adults by including Thomas’ flashbacks during his training with WCKD, giving clues that leave the audience puzzled. I recommend this series for anyone who loves a combination of sci-fi, thriller and action. The book is great for people of all ages, as it teaches the importance of morality and one’s self discipline mixed with a fantasy that will keep readers hooked.