The Death Cure

Gr 7 Up—Thomas and his friends have survived many deadly and harrowing ordeals starting with the maze in The Maze Runner (2007) and continuing with The Scorch Trials (2010). In the final book (2011, all Delacorte) in James Dashner's trilogy, Thomas, Minho, Newt, Brenda, and Jorge believe that they have been saved and that the Wicked experiments are complete. But as they recuperate at Wicked's headquarters, they learn that nothing has actually been accomplished and that Thomas and his cohorts are needed for one final and fatal experiment. With very little planning, the group boldly escapes the compound and heads to Denver, which is now a safe haven where only those untouched by the Flare (a virus that has infected the population) reside. When Thomas consults with some former maze subjects who live there, he decides that he must return to Wicked and destroy the organization from within. Fans of the first two books will find a very satisfying conclusion to the story. Dashner infuses this book with intense, fast-paced action, plenty of gory fight scenes, and heart-pounding plot twists. Mark Deakins expertly conveys Thomas's growing confusion about the fate of his friends and himself. As the action heats up, Deakins skillfully expresses the panic and desperation of the group. Emotions easily move from relief to shock to denial to grief to anger, and all of it rings true. Listeners will identify with Thomas and his zeal to see good triumph over evil.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN