The Kill Order (Prequel to The Maze Runner Series) by James Dashner

* * * *

Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.

Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next.

Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there’s something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it’s mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.

Mark and Trina are convinced there’s a way to save those left living from descending into madness. And they’re determined to find it—if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you’re worth more dead than alive.

Let’s get straight to the point. The Kill Order is depressing.  Even more so that the rest of the series simply because it takes place so soon after the sun flares that life before all hell broke loose is still a fresh memory.  Every page speaks of the loss that these characters have just experienced. That is compounded by the heavy task of survival and learning to live in this new world that is all debris, chaos and vile.

We flash back 13 years before the events of The Maze Runner. Mark and Trina are in New York when the sun flares hit but survive because they were traveling the underground subway system when it happened. There they meet up with Alec and Lana, two army vets. Alec is a real tough guy who has seen plenty of action in his time and takes them under his wing. Together they attempt to stay alive and seek out shelter and food.

The Kill Order is all about being in survival mode. The only time when there is “down time” is at the beginning of the book. Otherwise, it’s straight action and mayhem once they’re attacked and the disease starts to take a hold of people’s minds.  Many of the things that occur, such as the disease, will be familiar to readers of the previous three books.  

I enjoyed the book. Yes, I know I said it was depressing but when a disaster of this magnitude happens, how can it not be? What makes it hard to swallow is seeing what becomes of those left behind.  Human nature descends into the depths of debauchery, superstition, insanity and gore, all in the name of survival. of the fittest.  It’s a new world order with rules made up as you go along. Everyone is out for themselves and it’s hard to figure out who to trust. It’s in this world that Mark and Trina begin to lose their innocence.  Mark goes from being the average teenager nursing a crush to a leader and hero who has to learn to make hard decisions including pulling the trigger when needed.

This is a must read for fans of the series. The prologue at the beginning of the book featuring Thomas and Theresa where he is getting the procedure moments prior to ending up in the box gave me the chills! Even though it’s short, it gives a more sympathetic perspective of Theresa and their friendship. It's kind of heartbreaking too knowing the trials they have to endure later. Overall, The Kill Order, which will be released August 14, is a great addition to the series. Believe me, you'll feel just as exhauted and worn down as the characters but this time we know what we're in for and we know how it all ends eventually.

~ Bel

Bel's "Top 10 Books I'd Give A Soundtrack To"

I thought I won the lottery when Nat told me about this meme. Take two things I love – music and books – mix and stir and I’m in heaven! So let’s get underway shall we?

Book: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

“Catch and Release” by SilverSun Pickups

Most readers really responded to the chemistry between Adam and Juliette. She experiences a sensory explosion because of Adam’s simple touch.  Not only does the very seductive bass echo their underlying sexual tension between them but the lyrics also describe her awakening.

Book: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

“Afterglow” by INXS

This song always hits me hard. I can’t listen to it without thinking of Wren and Danny. And every time I hear it (on repeat), I fall in love with the book all over again. Wren desperately holding on to what’s familiar and reluctantly realizing that she has to let go. It really does make me teary-eyed... pass the tissue please …

Book: Matched, Crossed by Ally Condie

“Take The World” by She Wants Revenge

There’s something about the the tone of this song that reminds me of Cassia and Ky. The lines “Is this the life, the one you imagined? Is this the life, the one in your dreams?” sound like a challenge Cassia's grandfather would make to her.

Book: City of Glass

“Ride” by Carey Brothers

I cannot express to you how special this song is to me. I have loved it for so long and it still gives me goosebumps any time I hear it. It’s so simple and yet it’s a potent punch to the gut. “You saw all my pieces broken, this darkness that I could never show…” This is Jace by the end of the book, shattered and vulnerable as he tries to come to terms with the truth about his childhood. And there’s Clary by his side anchoring him.

Book: The Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner

“We’re In This Together” by Nine Inch Nails

Yeah, this very disturbing and relentless romp through hell and back needs a gritty song. In fact, if The Maze Runner should ever become a movie, they should have Trent Reznor do the entire musical score. Just sayin' ...

Book: Saving June by Hannah Harrington

“Cough Syrup” by Young The Giant

Many of our readers know how much I love this book being that it was in my Top 10 of 2011. It’s really unnecessary to add another song to a book that already has its own massive soundtrack provided by the author, but I included this one because it’s about pain and healing.  It’s so beautiful, sad and yet hopeful – just like how Harper, Laney and Jake evolve by the end of the book. (Funnily enough, Young The Giant used to be called The Jakes … and there I go sounding like Jake!)

Book: Wither (Book 1: The Chemical Gardens Trilogy) by Lauren DeStefano

“Possession” by Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan first wrote this song about a stalker. The song just like the book hides a very dark and sinister undertone beneath it's beautiful melody and lyrics. It just struck me as fitting for Rhine who is kidnapped, married off and kept against her will, devising her plan for her freedom. 

Book: Where She Went by Gayle Foreman

“Anyone’s Ghost” by The National

This is one of Nat’s favorite books and I hope I don’t disappoint her. I picked it because I think it captures Adam’s emptiness without Mia. And if you listen to the lyrics, "I had a hole in the middle, where the lightening went through it, told my friends not to worry", you can picture him walking around the streets of Manhattan a bit lost, confused, hopeless – and with his headphones on.

Book: The Iron Knight

“Don’t Take Your Love Away” by VAST

A powerful, sweeping story needs an equally powerful song. One of the things I love about VAST is that his songs are lyrically and musically dramatic. This beautiful song is perfectly matched for The Iron Knight ‘s majestic landscape and epic love story. Oh Ash ... *sigh*

Book: Fallen

“I Follow Rivers” by Lykke Li

Out of the series, I like Fallen the best.  I like the mystery of Luce’s inexplicable pull towards Daniel. I think that idea is conveyed in the song’s lyrics. Plus it has such as an ethereal feel that I associate with the book. 

Honorable Mentions:

I had so much fun doing this that I ended up having difficulty narrowing down my choices to just ten. There are also ones we’ve mentioned before but they’re so worth revisiting.  :)

Book: Hush Hush, Crescendo by Becca FitzPatrick

“The Big Bang” by Rock Mafia

Seriously? Do I need to explain this? If you’ve read my love letter to Patch, this should come as no surprise to you. 

Book: Hunger Games Trilogy

“Crossfire” by Brandon Flowers

Taylor who? Puhleese girl … step aside and let the Master (of Nat’s heart) sing this song that so perfectly captures the series.

Book: Silence by Becca FitzPatrick

"Need You Now" by Cut Copy

Okay I'm just looking for reasons to talk about Patch. This song just came to mind at the end of Crescendo and it happens to work for Silence. Plus, he does say "hush" a few times ...

Book: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

“We Found Love” by Rihanna

I picture this during that clandestine rave scene where the kids are reveling in the chaos and their brief freedom. Lena is there, exposed to all this for the first time as Alex encourages her to step out of her comfort zone. There’s no real deep meaning in this song for me. It’s just the rush and vibrancy of the music that connects for this one scene. 

Death Cure by James Dashner

* * * *

Thomas knows that WICKED can't be trusted.  They stole his memories and locked him inside the Maze.  They forced him to the brink of death by dropping him in the wilds of the Scorch.  And they took Gladers, his friends, from him.


Now WICKED says that the time for lies is over.  That they've collected all the data they can from the Trials and will rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission: to complete the blueprint for the cure for the Flare.  But Thomas must undergo one final test.


What WICKED doesn't know, however, is that Thomas has already remembered far more than they think.  And it's enough to prove that he can't believe a word of what WICKED says.


The time for lies is over.  And the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could have ever imagined.

WILL ANYONE SURVIVE THE DEATH CURE?

Intense, non-stop, heart-pounding, rip-roaring action would be the best way to describe The Death Cure, the third and final installment in the excellent  Maze Runner series. Thomas continues to battle the mind games on all fronts and maneuver between good and evil in a fight to save his life and that of his friends.


After years of tests and mind traps, WICKED has finally promised a cure to those who have survived the Scorch. But of course, can anyone really trust them? There are always strings attached and Thomas’ has been tethered pretty tightly to them. With the unenviable task of leading the group upon his weathered shoulders he must decide carefully if he wants to sever all ties with WICKED or put his life into their hands. His decision is directly tied to the cure…but at a cost. When WICKED offers the opportunity to retrieve all his memories he goes with gut instinct. He hides his secret that he's slowly regaining his memories, fleeting as they may be, but they're enough to plant doubts in his mind about WICKED's ulterior motives. With his friend Brenda, one of the few he trusts implicitly besides his Glader friends, Minho and Newt,  they hatch plans for their escape to go searching for answers on their own terms. The Death Cure is where this gang finally takes charge of their fate. Former enemies become allies, former allies become untrustworthy and all the while society is rapidly descending into debauchery around them.


What I have enjoyed most about this series is that you’re just as cynical and confused as the characters are.  Every misdirection somehow leads closer to the truth and every easy route is questionable. There is always so much more than meets the eye that you find yourself second guessing everything. It’s so easy to get sucked in and feel the pressure that these kids feel.  But these kids are so unbelievably resilient and loyal and ultimately they make this series so fantastic.


The intensity in The Death Cure is relentless and doesn't disappoint.  And if you have the special edition which includes never-before-seen classified documents –  let's just say that they're intriguing enough to make you wonder if perhaps there's more of the story to tell ...


~ Bel

The Death Cure Book Trailer

Happy Release Day to The Death Cure by James Dashner!

I've raved about the first 2 books - The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials and finally we're here at the end.  Thomas and company are back!  Oh and there's that pesky WICKED too.  Check out the trailer below.

It's a short clip but doesn't it get your adrenaline going? I can't wait to get my hands on it and see what Thomas is up against now!  Excuse me, I'll just hit the replay button on this a few more times ...


~ Bel

The Maze Runner & The Scorch Trials By James Dashner

I am in awe of The Maze Runner series.  It is by far one of the best that I’ve read recently!  James Dashner is a genius who has created a complex world filled with plenty of suspense, strife and intrigue. I’m utterly spent after finally finishing the first two books. 

I would describe this series as a cross between Lost, Lord of the Flies and the Hunger Games.  It’s intense from the very start and you’re left breathless upon making it to the end.

The Maze Runner begins with Thomas who finds himself alone inside a metal box. He has no memory, just faint glimpses of his past with no way of putting any of those memories in context.  He’s discovered by a group of boys.  It turns out that the box is actually an elevator of sorts that has transported him to a very different world called The Glades. 

The Gladers, are all boys who’ve inhabited this world for 2 years by the time Thomas shows up.  Like Thomas, all of them have had their memories wiped.  None has managed to escape.  Despite the hopelessness, there's a very calm order that allows the boys to function.  The population is split into different groups each with a specific responsibility to ensure the running of their “society”. 

There are plenty of questions but answers are few and far between.  The most important rule he learns is never to find himself beyond the movable walls that enclose The Glades at night.  If he does, he’ll find himself trapped in the Maze along with some unwanted company and no hope of survival.  There's an order to things he’s told several times and any deviation from it is discouraged.

Thomas’ arrival is like clockwork.  A “newbie” shows up every 30 days.  Supplies arrive every 2 weeks.  Since the story is told from Thomas’ perspective, you feel all his helplessness, confusion, frustration and anxiety swelling inside of him.  Whatever bits of fleeting memory Thomas has only lead to more questions and disappointment.

On his second day there, an unusual thing happens.  Another delivery is made and this time there’s a girl in the box.  She’s unconscious and carries a cryptic message that everything is going to change from that moment on.  This sends the Gladers into a panic and they become suspicious of Thomas and what his purpose in The Glades is.  Thomas has to defend himself while at the same time feeling an inexplicable connection to the comatose girl he doesn’t remember.  All he knows of her is her name, Teresa.

While the she's recovering, Thomas is determined to play an important role in The Glades.  Every day, a group called the Runners, travels beyond the walls to map out the Maze.  Every day they come home before the walls close, draw their maps, compare them for clues as to what the purpose of the Maze is and how to escape.  Thomas is drawn to the Maze and feels a sense of familiarity.  He befriends one of the best Runners, Minho and soon becomes one as well. 

It’s so easy to get drawn into The Glades because Dashner has so deftly created this world with its own rules, habitat and even vernacular.  And Thomas as the hero is such a worthy character.  He’s not perfect.  He's not a stealth-like superhero.  He's just a kid who wants out in a bad way.  Every bit of vague memory he tries to snatch gets the reader excitable.  And he even discovers that he and Teresa have a special skill that sets them apart from the rest of The Gladers.  The friends he makes are such impressive personalities that it’s hard to fathom that they’re just kids – leaders Alby and Newt, Minho and a younger kid, Chuck, who quietly becomes one of Thomas’ best friends.   

There are many twists and turns throughout the book that only add to the depth of the story.  Just like Thomas, I found myself going through plenty of scenarios in my head trying to figure out the purpose of the Maze and how all these people were connected.  This is why it reminded me so much of Lost.  And just like Lost, my mind was buzzing with plenty of conspiracy theories.  The ending had me in disbelief and I had no idea what was to come …

The Scorch Trials

I can’t talk about The Scorch Trials without giving away what happens in The Maze Runner.  So I’ll say this  - it’s AWESOME!

Just when you think things couldn’t get worse, they do.  Thomas and his friends have been through hell and now they’re thrown further into it.  You learn more about the Maze and that Thomas and company serve a purpose.  The Maze was child’s play compared to what the next level is. 

Thomas and his friends have received special instructions and must complete the next phase of their "trials" within a certain time frame in order to survive.  They've even been given special motivation -a reward they'll all receive at the end.  But there’s a hitch as well.  They can’t trust anyone or trust what they see.  Every thing is questionable. 

The Scorch Trials has more going on in it than the previous book and don’t be surprised if you feel yourself getting a bit of an adrenaline rush.  New characters are introduced and Thomas constantly finds himself in many precarious positions.    Whatever small victory is accomplished is usually erased by some disappointment soon after. They all face physical challenges that drive them to their absolute limits.  They’re emotionally beaten down and scarred.  As the reader you do feel their frantic moments and their isolation.  And somehow they’re always clinging to hope no matter how overwhelming their circumstances are.  They don't ever give up.  They manage to push through no matter what.  Their collective determination is what drives this story.

Available October 11, 2011

By the end of the book I found myself thinking of the beginning credits of The X-Files - “the truth is out there”.  I have no idea what’s going to happen in The Death Cure that comes out in October but I know to expect more physical and emotional turmoil, lies, mind games, near-death moments and eventually ... the truth.

- Bel

(P.S.  Thank you James Dashner for making reality boring by comparison!)