The Scorch Trials

Author: James Dashner

One-sentence summary: In the sequal to The Maze Runner, the boys find themselves in the middle of another dangerous test where nothing is as it seems and loyalties are put to the test.

B.A.D. Girls Book Rating: 8 (unanimous rating)

Our favorite thing about it: The story itself was very entertaining. And the added layers to the character’s relationships propel the reader through the story.

Our least favorite thing about it: Perhaps that we still feel like we don’t know anything about what is going on (maybe this is a good thing.)

Main Topics of Discussion: Loyalty, Bravery, Means vs. End, Friendship, Storytelling, Trilogies

Our favorite quote: “Rose took my nose, I suppose.”

Notes: This book was an unofficial book club choice. We all read it on our own and chose to discuss it at this meeting while also going to see the movie, The Help (a previous book choice.)

We all really liked this book and would even rank it a little higher than its predecessor, The Maze Runner. We thought the characters were more relatable and the story was slightly more smooth and enjoyable. This story didn’t have the lulls that the first book did and overall had a bit more action. It was still repetitive in the themes and the questions/confusions that the characters were pondering, but for some reason, it was not as annoying as it was in The Maze Runner.

Relationships were tested in this book, which added a different layer to the story. That was, in fact, a large part of the story and even ended up being part of the action. It seems that the curtain was pulled back in a few places to give the reader a glimpse into what is behind it (in other words…what is really going on.) It seems obvious that saving the world is a major reason behind these extreme and deadly “tests,” but some major things remain a mystery as well as many, many small details.

In fact, many more questions were raised than answered in this book. This makes us all look forward to the third installment this fall. However, this third book is in a precarious position. It can either be a triumph and end the series by wrapping everything up satisfactorily OR it can wrap things up in such a way that the reader thinks, “Really? That’s what was going on?” Or worse…the final book doesn’t answer all the questions the first two have brought up. We will see. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read for all of us.

Memorable Meeting Moments: We went to dinner at Fuzzy’s Tacos to celebrate Dara’s birthday. She opened her cards and books and then we went to Dessertapalooza. After picking out our desserts, we ate on the patio with absolutely perfect weather. Rachel used the word “colloquial” in a discussion of grammar in advertising, and we enjoyed listening to tunes from the 80s and 90s blasting on the patio. Then, we went to see The Help, which we read together two years ago. We were the ONLY ones in the theater so it was a private showing!

What We Ate: Various Tacos, Seasoned Chips and Salsa and Queso at Fuzzy’s Tacos. Then, red velvet cupcakes, cake balls, and chocolate cake at Dessertapalooza.