Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
No sunny wrap-up to this very dark, mature series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 46 kid reviews
Kids say the final book in the series is an intense and emotional rollercoaster that showcases dark themes, high-stakes action, and significant character deaths that can be upsetting to younger readers. Despite some critiques regarding pacing and an abrupt ending, many appreciate the story's depth, character development, and the lasting impact it leaves.
- emotional rollercoaster
- intense action
- significant character deaths
- dark themes
- critiques on pacing
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After five weeks of solitary confinement at WICKED (the government agency) headquarters, Thomas needs a shower and some answers. They're willing to give him both if he's ready to get his memory back through an operation. But when he and some of his friends decide against getting their memories back it sets in motion an escape plan to Denver, one of the protected cities where the Flare disease is screened for and protected against constantly. All is not so safe in Denver, though. Looking for other escaped friends uncovers plots to take down WICKED -- about time, Thomas thinks -- and rumors of city officials becoming ill and spreading the disease. It's not long before lawlessness reigns and Thomas has to decide whom he's going to side with: the too-powerful government that still wants his help, the rebels who want to take them down, or his friends who just want out of government control for good.
Is It Any Good?
It shouldn't be surprising to series fans that THE DEATH CURE stays grim throughout. As answers surface, friends don't suddenly stop dying or getting manipulated by the government. The scientists keep being fanatical and nonsensically blood-thirsty and are just about always one step ahead. The world is still diseased and mad. The hopelessness gets downright oppressive after a while, even as the pace quickens toward an explosive finale.
What keeps this series from being more memorable is that oppressiveness. The dystopian world of Hunger Games has a rabid fan base because of the hope the memorable characters have of overcoming all obstacles. It's always pretty obvious in The Maze Runner that there are too many obstacles to overcome. If this was adult literature, sure, depress the heck out of readers. But this is YA fiction and even if teen readers are mature enough to handle it, they still deserve a little more optimism.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what a dark dystopian world this is. How is it different from other books you've read? Do you think the goals of the scientists will ever be met? Do you think Thomas made the right decision in the end?
Do you think all the violence in this book made sense for the story the author was trying to tell or was it too much?
If you were Thomas would you want your memory back? Why did he make the decision he did?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : October 11, 2011
- Number of pages : 384
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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