The Kill Order

Dashner, James. The Kill Order. Book 0.5 of the Maze Runners series. 2012. 347p. ISBN 9780385742887. Available at FIC DAS on the library shelves.

When sun flares struck Earth, the climate became unbalanced, millions of people died, and the world changed forever. Following the flare came a disease so contagious and effective that even more people died, but not before becoming violent lunatics who have completely lost their humanity. Now it’s a race against time for survival.

Mark and Trina are two of these survivors trying to remain alive in a sea of diseased folks. First present in New York City when the flares struck, they managed to hole up in a building when the tsunami hits and wiped out most of the city. Captured by pirates, they escape and are hunted down by people in flying Bergs.

They discover that the flare, as the disease is becoming known, is not a naturally occurring disease but rather was engineered by someone to bring humanity to a more manageable population level. Unfortunately, the disease has mutated and now threatens to destroy all of humanity. When they come across a child name DeeDee who appears to be immune to the flare, they realize that they hold the fate of humanity. But how much is DeeDee’s life worth?

This book sets up nicely the universe of the Maze Runner and provides a brilliant introduction to the flare and its effects on people. Those who enjoyed Thomas’ adventures will love finding out how they came about. Meanwhile, Thomas' story before the Maze appears in The Fever Code.