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.

Source: Amazon
Author: James Dashner

The questions that I had about WICKD are explained a little in this prequel to the Maze Runner prequel, which has nothing at all to do with the the characters of the original trilogy. The actual interesting parts of this novel for me were the flashbacks, which explained exactly what happened the day of the first solar flare and how humanity reacted to it.  I truly want more of that story, I want more in depth explanations of the world they lived in before and during the flare, and less of the clumsy attempt at half and half zombies who sorta have brains but don’t have brains and are crazy and may eat you or may pin a medal on your chest.  It’s doubtful we’ll see these prequel characters again, but boy I’d like to have more stories from how they survived through the solar flare. This was good if you’ve read the original trilogy, but without that introduction to the universe they live in, it’d be hard to suggest this prequel.