About the Book
The Scorch Trials is the second book in James Dashner's Maze Runner series, picking up immediately after the events of the first book. Thomas and the other Gladers escape the Maze only to find themselves dropped into a new and harsher test, a vast, sun-scorched wasteland called the Scorch, filled with dangerous obstacles and a deadly disease called the Flare. WICKED, the organization behind the trials, is still pulling strings, and the Gladers are once again fighting for survival with limited information and no clear allies.
The book maintains the series' relentless pace. The Scorch functions as a pressure cooker, the environment is hostile, the group is fractured, and Thomas continues to question what he knows about himself and the people around him. There's less mystery-box intrigue than the first book, replaced by more direct action and a few new characters who complicate loyalties.
Note on the metadata: the genre listed is "Juvenile Nonfiction," which is clearly a cataloging error. This is a young adult dystopian fiction novel, the second in the Maze Runner series. It should be treated as such.
Narration & Audio Performance
Mark Deakins narrated the earlier editions of the Maze Runner audiobooks and develops a consistent voice for Thomas, measured, slightly tense, which suits the material well. He handles the ensemble cast with enough differentiation that you can generally follow who is speaking without losing the thread, though a few secondary characters blend together in extended group scenes.
Pacing is where Deakins earns his keep. The Scorch Trials moves fast in print, and the narration doesn't drag, there's urgency in his delivery during action sequences without tipping into breathless overperformance. His tone stays grounded, which helps offset some of the book's more melodramatic moments.
Production quality on this edition is clean with no notable audio issues. If you're already familiar with Deakins from the first Maze Runner audiobook, the experience here is consistent, a reliable continuation rather than a jarring change.
The Audible Verdict
The Scorch Trials works well enough in audio, Deakins is a competent narrator and the book's linear, action-forward structure translates cleanly to the format. That said, the book itself is widely considered a step down from The Maze Runner in terms of plotting, and listeners who found the first book only moderately engaging may not find enough here to justify a paid credit. A free trial credit is the more appropriate call.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
The Scorch Trials is a good candidate for audio. The plot is linear and relentless, there are no charts, maps, or visual elements that matter to following the story, and the chapter structure suits natural listening breaks. It's the kind of book that works during commutes or workouts because you're not going to miss crucial structural information if your attention drifts briefly.
The book is written in close third-person from Thomas's perspective throughout, which keeps the audio experience focused. There's no non-linear jumping around that might disorient audio listeners. If you're planning to work through the Maze Runner series on Audible, this holds up as well as the first installment.
Popular Listener Questions
Is The Scorch Trials the second book in the Maze Runner series?
Yes. It follows The Maze Runner directly. You should listen to that book first, The Scorch Trials begins immediately after its ending and assumes full knowledge of those events.
Is the audiobook narrated by the author?
No. The audiobook is narrated by Mark Deakins, a professional narrator who also voiced The Maze Runner.
What age range is this book aimed at?
The Maze Runner series is marketed as young adult, generally suited to readers aged 13 and up. The content includes violence and survival scenarios but nothing explicit.
Do I need to have read The Maze Runner to follow this audiobook?
Yes. The Scorch Trials picks up without recapping the first book. Jumping in here without the first book would leave significant gaps in context about the characters, WICKED, and the overall situation.
Similar Audiobooks
The first book in the series, essential listening before The Scorch Trials, and narrated by Mark Deakins in the same style.
The third and concluding book in the main Maze Runner trilogy, continuing Thomas's story directly from where The Scorch Trials ends.
Another YA dystopian series with a similar tone, young protagonists, oppressive institutions, and survival-driven plotting. Emma Galvin's narration is strong.
The benchmark YA dystopian series. If you're working through Maze Runner on audio, The Hunger Games narrated by Carolyn McCormick is a natural companion listen.
Variant
Robison Wells's novel shares the trapped-teens-in-a-controlled-environment setup and may appeal to Maze Runner listeners looking for something adjacent.
Audiobook Details
| Title | The Scorch Trials |
|---|---|
| Author | James Dashner |
| Narrator | Mark Deakins |
| Genre | Young Adult Dystopian Fiction |
| Year | 2015 |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
The Scorch Trials is available on Audible and is a reasonable use of a free trial credit if you're working through the Maze Runner series in audio form.
Open on Audible