The second prequel of the Maze Runner series, taking place shortly after the events of The Kill Order.

Read: Sep 28 – Oct 2, 2024

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia
Audience: Young Adult
Book contains: human experimentation, non-consensual body modification, isolation, social experiment, illness, madness, disease, violence, monsters, death

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A Decent Origin Story

Thomas was specially chosen to be one of WICKED’s Elite Subjects, which gives him more freedom to do what he wants, but he’s still just as much a subject as the other kids. He and Teresa grow up in WICKED’s care as scientists study their killzone patterns and search for a cure to the Flare, which continues to ravage the human population. Their next phase of experimentation: the Maze Trials.

This series is interesting because I first thought it was a series of five books; I read the first three thinking the tale would continue, only to find out that books 4 and 5 were part of a prequel series to the original Maze Runner story. I don’t mind this, but it still makes me look back at the ending of The Death Cure and feel dissatisfied with it (though I guess that’s par for the course with dystopian fiction—you’re supposed to be unsatisfied with the conclusion).

This book was written in limited omniscient third person from Thomas’s perspective. We experience the world through his eyes, and we hear his thoughts (and later, Teresa’s, when he’s talking to him). The book is structured in chronological order, even giving dates and times at the beginnings of each chapter (which are fairly short and quick to read).

I didn’t have access to an audiobook version to listen along to with this book, so I read it the old fashioned way in the short snippets of time I had while on vacation in Mexico (between activities).

I found it super cool that a bunch of characters from the original series came back—the Gladers, group B, and even some scientists and other leaders. We also got to learn the original names of some of the kids, before they were renamed and such; I love the confirmation that the little girl from the previous book (The Kill Order) was in fact Teresa.

I love the depth in the topic of betrayal throughout this book. We already know where Thomas will end up by the end—in the maze with no memories—but how he gets there is a mystery that this book reveals. There are plenty of characters in this book—the adults and kids alike—that Thomas thinks he can trust, and he later finds out that he can only really do that with a few of them. It’s super intriguing what he learns and how he learns these lessons.

Again, it really felt like the story was being told from the perspective of a clever child/teenager. The words were fairly commonplace, and there wasn’t anything too complicated that the intended YA audience wouldn’t understand. The fun language and invented slang words make it engaging for teens.

The shorter chapters aid the fast-paced style of writing. Time is passing rapidly as Thomas and Teresa grow up in WICKED headquarters. I’m still a bit disappointed not to be told what thee ever-important “variables” are and what the scientists hope to achieve. It’s never really clear what specifically is special about the Immunes and what makes Thomas extra special—besides the fact that he was just born different. I would’ve liked to know that.

Nonetheless, for a reader who just likes to read about a post-apocalyptic world and corrupt governments, this is an excellent deep-dive into the world of The Maze Runner!

Related Reviews:

The Maze Runner Book 1: The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Maze Runner Book 2: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
The Maze Runner Book 3: The Death Cure by James Dashner
The Maze Runner Prequel 1: The Kill Order by James Dashner
The Maze Runner Prequel 2: The Fever Code by James Dashner
The Hunger Games Book 1: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Divergent Book 1: Divergent by Veronica Roth