Wayward Pines Trilogy // Blake Crouch

Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke arrives in the idyllic mountain town of Wayward Pines in search of two fellow Secret Service Agents. During his search in this perfect small American town, a violent crash lands him in the town's hospital. He comes to without any of his personal belongings and cannot contact his family outside of the town. Something feels off. As he searches for the missing agents, he finds more questions than answers, and definitely more than he bargained for.

I picked up this series as I flipped through my Kindle to see which new books my husband bought. I absolutely adore Blake Crouch's writing, and figured "Why not?" and jumped into these books blind. And man oh man, was I in for a journey! From start to finish, I loved each moment and the special elements that each book brings. Each book has a dramatically different pace and overall feeling, and this dynamic element to the series makes it unforgettable.

Pines, the first book in the trilogy, is chock full of questions. Ethan can't call home? He can't drive out of the town? Everyone is so surface-level happy? And why do some people disagree about what year it is? Crouch's signature style of short snappy sentences makes the feeling of severity increase. There's no other way to describe this book than electric. The thriller elements carry throughout the series, but this novel on a standalone level is the most thriller-like of the series.

Then, the thriller style pacing blended with the post-apocalyptic goes even farther as Ethan becomes the Sherrif of Wayward Pines and investigates the town's first murder in Wayward. He knows the town's deepest secret, fully aware of what was so wrong when he first woke up in the hospital. (Which I will not share for the sake of not including spoilers!) As he investigates, he learns that the town's secret purpose and leadership are more sinister than he ever thought. This book was my personal favorite of the series, as it turns into more of a police procedural with a dark sci-fi twist. Genuine perfection.

Moving from a procedural crime novel, The Last Town becomes a tale of survival. Ethan's choice all catch up to him in this electrifying finale to the series. The majority of the book spans only hours, creating a sense of all-out chaos and destruction that might be the end of the town itself.

While the trilogy is a hard one to describe without giving away the plot's major spoilers, I can describe it in one word: Electrifying. From the first page, Crouch creates a sense of mystery that propels readers through and ties the series together in a wonderfully fulfilling yet ambiguous ending.

I did not expect to love this series so much. I picked it up on a whim and was blown off my feet. Ethan is a rich and complex character who, while was difficult for me to relate to, I could understand him completely. His search for the truth and inability to go against his moral beliefs guide the story to it's darkest and most riveting moments. I wish there were more moments to talk about without spoiling the series, so you need to read it so you know what I mean!

My only qualm with the series came in the final novel. By that point in the series, there is no way to turn around and stop so close to the end. Yet, certain characters began to act in ways that just didn't make sense. A town leader puts their safety on the line. Romantic tensions come just out of nowhere. Certain motivations don't really line up. But again, Crouch's masterful plotting moves the story along in a way that these issues just don't get in the way. And who knows, maybe if I were in the character's position's I'd start acting out of character, too.

As a whole, this trilogy is a must-read. The thriller-like pacing, blended with the signature Blake Crouch realistic sci-fi elements makes it un-put-down-able. If you're in a reading slump and want a series to pull you out of it, pick up these reads!

Have you read this series? What are your thoughts? Comment them below!