Monday, November 21, 2011

The Death Cure by James Dashner

First of all, you could definitely say, with confidence, that this book by James Dashner is not very cheery. It is the third and last book in The Maze Runner trilogy. So if you plan on reading this book, I highly suggest reading The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials first. The main idea is that the world is in catastrophe due to a puzzling disease known as the Flare, which was accidentally released during a science experiment, which causes people to go literally insane. The main characters; Thomas, Minho, and Newt are under surveillance by WICKED, which stands for World in Catastrophe, Killzone Experiment Department. The whole goal of WICKED is to map out a blueprint of how the killzone (also known as the brain) works with those who are immune to the Flare. And throughout the book, many things go wrong.
After being put through multiple trials in previous books, these teenagers are being put to what WICKED says is the final test to complete their blueprint. But can they trust WICKED after all they've done and said to them? No matter how hard they push to escape, and find an alternative to the experiment, WICKED will not let them go, they will do whatever it takes to complete their precious blueprint. WICKED thinks that they're doing it for a good cause, but is it really worth is to put these hundreds of kids, who happen to be some of the only immunes left on Earth, to such torture and labor. Throughout this book, Thomas and his friends go through many attempts to get out of WICKED's iron grip, followed by other obstacles, such as people who have been infected by the Flare trying to literally eat them alive. But WICKED has systems planted in their brains that cut out their long term memory, let them be manipulated against their will, give them the ability to talk to each other in their minds, and track wherever they go. With all of that put together, it makes it very difficult for them to escape WICKED's grasp.
Now, discussing how entertaining this book is, it is a human magnet from cover to cover. I could not get my nose out of it. Each chapter is packed with suspense, action, and drama, with clues from the previous chapter. I loved it as far as the turns of events, but I must warn you it is a little bit violent, but I don't think it would disturb many people. But if you react to fast paced action and violence, be careful. I just felt like it could've told the story, and made it be just as interesting without as much violence.
With that said, this book made me realize how lucky we are to not have to deal with the problems that, not only the main characters, but the whole world in this book have to bear. It Makes it seem like living in hell. But it also shows what some people do go through, and that it's way worse than you'd think. To an extent, it really reminded me of the movie I am Legend, as far as the main point, the setting, and the conflicts.
Overall, I give this book an A, and would definitely recommend the series to anyone who likes intense, action packed books that keep your blood pumping. It gives great description of everyone and everything, and ties all the conflicts together from beginning to end. I thought this was an excellent book.

2 comments:

pianoninja said...

i just started maze runner and thought it was awsome, i also met him and he signed my book.

Logan Clarke said...

9,
I just started Maze Runner. Your book review makes me really excited to finish the first two books so I can get to the third. You did a great job and it excited me to know that I found a good book.