The Death Cure By: James Dashner

Overview: 3rd and final book in the maze runner trilogy

The Death Cure continues the story of Thomas and the Gladers as they try to finish the trials and finally discover the truth behind WICKED.  All the while running from Cranks, zombielike victims of the mysterious flare disease.  Fast paced, action packed, and violent, a real page turner.  Has some plot holes and unexplained events.  A good read for fans of sci fi and dystopian books.

Review:  Possible SPOILERS below

I was rather disappointed in the 2nd book so had low expectations for the last installment in this series.  Much like the Scorch Trials, this book contained action sequence after action sequence with very little time for character development or dialogue.  Nothing is ever really explained about WICKED or the flare.  In the end you are left hanging with even more questions than before.  The few bits of new information we do receive are confusing and seem very rushed and aren't fully explained.  Main characters die without ceremony or feeling.  Once again the book mostly focuses on Thomas who is just not dynamic enough to carry the story by himself.  Other more well rounded characters are seen infrequently or die off in the beginning.  It is very fast paced and I have to admit I read it in one setting mostly in the hope of new information that never came.

This book was also more violent than the last two.  Thomas quickly becomes a cold blooded killer and we are never let in on how he feels about killing people left and right.  It would have been interesting to see any sort of moral conflict about his new bloodthirsty nature.  Also the love triangle set up in the 2nd book between Theresa, Brenda, and Thomas isn't explored at all.  All that build up for nothing. Overall I found this book mediocre it had the the same problems found in many young adult books to much action and not enough character development.  I had high expectations for this series after reading Maze Runner and am disappointed the rest of the series did not live up to my expectations.  I only kept reading in the hope that WICKED and the trials would finally be explained, alas this never occurred.