The Kill Order by James Dashner

The prequel to the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series.

Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.

Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there’s something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it’s mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.

Mark and Trina are convinced there’s a way to save those left living from descending into madness. And they’re determined to find it—if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you’re worth more dead than alive.

First line:
"Theresa looked at her best friend and wondered what it would be like to forget him."

Busy, full, action-packed book. Seriously, these poor characters hardly every had down time. Mark mentioned a few times he couldn't remember when he slept last.
A group of people find themselves thrown together in survival mode after sun flares fried the earth and inhabitants. The story is told mostly from Mark and Alec's constant adventures with nightmares Mark has about his past life catching us up.
These characters aren't fully formed except maybe Mark. He's scared a lot but fights through and tries his best.
The story is from one drama to another to another, each one escalating higher. I found myself consciously loosening my grip on the reader as I read the PDF.
Everyone is crazy in the book and determined to hurt others.
There isn't much world building either. I couldn't picture the places well. But that may be my own fault.
My very favorite part? The prologue. I loved the voice and the storyline. I hoped the rest of the book was like the prologue but it wasn't. I wonder if James just didn't have time to put everything in KILL ORDER that he wanted to.
KILL ORDER help explain what happened with the crazies and those who were immune, etc. But the story of Thomas and Theresa wasn't. James gave a little tidbit about Thomas as a toddler and his mom.

Rating: PG 14

Liked:
The Prologue
Trina


Disliked:
Constant action
Convenience of some tools to get out of trouble
The government in the book

3 1/2 STARS

Thanks Netgalley!