The Scorch Trials
By James Dashner
Summary
Major Character
Thomas is the main character and protagonist in this novel. Beginning in The Maze Runner, things got weird when Thomas arrived. Normal daily things stopped happening, and people stopped showing up. At that point, all of the Gladers knew Thomas was different. Throughout The Scorch Trials, Thomas encounters some strange things as well. For example, one morning, everybody woke up with a tattoo on their back. Most of them read things like "Leader" and "Betrayer", but Thomas' read "To be killed by Group B". When the Gladers reach the city, Thomas notices signs all over that say his name. In one instance, Thomas gets shot near the shoulder, which is not part of WICKED's plan. As a result, Thomas gets lifted up to WICKED's headquarters to be saved. He overhears two people talking about how he was acting like the supreme leader and would be the best candidate. For what he is a candidate for, we don't know. Overall, Thomas is definitely different from everyone else, which changes the plot of the story.
Setting
Comparison
The Scorch Trials is very similar to The Hunger Games in many ways. For starters, they both involve surreal worlds: the Scorch and the Hunger Games. The main characters are also very similar. Thomas and Katniss are both tough people seeking a change in the way things are run. Katniss wants to rebel against the government, and Thomas wants to rebel against WICKED. They also meet very similar people along the way. Thomas falls in love with Teresa, and Katniss falls in love with Peeta. However, during the books, both Peeta and Teresa do things that push them away from Katniss and Thomas. Aside from characters and setting, these books are similar in their plots. The main goal is to beat the enemy and survive with your friends. Although there are many similarities, there are also many differences. Thomas has no memory of his family or friends, but Katniss does. However, Thomas uses the friends he meets in the Glade to free himself from the maze, and Katniss doesn't have many friends to help her win the Games. Overall The Scorch Trials and The Hunger Games are more similar than different, and I would recommend both of them to anybody.
Reviews
-The Guardian
"Though lacking in the depth of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games books or Patrick Ness’ Chaos Walking trilogy, James Dashner’s The Scorch Trials is a heart-thumping rush of a book. Recommended, especially for reluctant readers."
-The Book Smugglers
“Wonderful action writing—fast-paced…but smart and well observed.”
-Newsday
“Heart-pounding to the very last moment.”
-Kirkus Reviews
"Definitely one of the best books I have ever read. It kept my heart racing through the whole thing, and the cliffhangers always kept me reading. I recommend this book to anyone who loves action and suspense. 5/5 stars."
-Ryan Hickok
About the Author
Citations
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorch_Trials
- http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140925202157/mazerunner/images/e/e4/ST_affiche_Thomas.gif
- http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/mazerunner/images/a/a3/The_scorch.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140108205024
- http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120329195535/thehungergames/images/b/b8/Hungergames_poster.jpg
- http://www.themazerunner.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/JamesDashner1.jpg