The Scorch Trials is the second book of the Maze Runner trilogy. It was written by James Dashner soon after The Maze Runner, the first installment of the trilogy. It was published on September 18, 2010, by Delacorte Press. No one knows if it is a coincidence or not, but the movie was first premiered on the same day (September 18) in 2015.
The plot mainly revolves around the Gladers after they successfully escaped the Maze, which was the first trial. They meet Group B, which went through the same trial with the same events. They discover that they will go through the second trial, or 'the Scorch Trial'. To pass this trial, they have two weeks to go through the scorch, a place located at the equator that is overrun by Clanks and where the Flare destroys life. WICKED has promised them the cure for the Flase after that. Thomas will face many betrayals and, with his friends, will go through many hardships.
Dashner got the idea for The Scorch Trial from the environment he lived in when he was young. Georgia's intense heat, along with the incredibly bright sun, gave Dashner the idea of the Flare and the Scorch. He says he included many of his personal experiences in his books, and says he wishes he were "as brave as Thomas is."
Along with The Maze Runner, this second book was a hit. It received positive reviews from several critical sources. For instance, Seventeen.com said about the book: "A nail-biting must-read." Newsday also said: "Wonderful action writing...fast-paced...but smart and well observed."
