2억2천만 관객을 동원한 영화의 원작소설 '메이즈러너'시리즈의 프리퀄이다. 바이러스성 질병에의 감염과 충격적인 사건들이 벌어지기 전, 인류는 과연 무슨 일을 겪었던 것인지 그 미스터리가 마침내 공개된다. 주인공들의 숨겨진 과거와 '위키드'와 이들의 관계가 드러나고 새로운 등장인물들도 대거 등장한다.

Read the fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent. The first book, The Maze Runner, is soon to be a major motion picture starring Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie Sangster, Will Poulter, and Aml Ameen and hits theaters September 19, 2014!

They thought the end came in a flash.

Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth, killing most of the population.

The worst is yet to come.

Mark and Trina were there when it happened. They survived. But now a virus is spreading. A virus that fills humans with murderous rage.

There is no cure. No escape.

They’re convinced that there’s a way to save those who are left―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.

The end is only the beginning.