Crank Palace is a 2020 novella written by American author James Dashner, in The Maze Runner Series. The novella was first released as an audiobook on 25th August, 2020, with the print copy and eBook version following on November 23 of the same year.
Synopsis[]
Newt has been to hell and back with his friends.
The Glade, The Maze, The Scorch, The inner halls of WICKED. But now he has a burden that can't be shared with Thomas and the others—the Flare. And Newt can't bear the thought of his friends watching him descend into madness as he succumbs to the virus.
Leaving only a note, Newt departs the Berg before the Gladers return from their mission into Denver, Colorado. From there, he experiences the gritty nightmare of life on the streets, running from the infected and those hunting them, until he ends up in the Crank Palace, the last dumping ground of those without hope. Although Newt thought he was running away from his friends to save them from himself, along the way he meets a young mother named Keisha and her son, Dante, who end up saving Newt in a way he could never have imagined.
Taking place during the latter events of The Death Cure, Crank Palace tells the story of Newt like never before, from inside his own mind, as he searches for meaning in a life gone horribly wrong. He will try to fulfill a newfound destiny before his path leads to its inevitable conclusion—and one last meeting with his best friend.
Characters[]
- Newt: The former Second-in-Command in the Glade. He had a slight limp and was Thomas and Minho's best friend. He was the center-focused character of the novella. Newt contracted the Flare and began losing his mind.
- Keisha: A woman who found Newt outside the walls of Denver. She took him in as her own son, even though she was only about ten years older than him. She was Dante and Jackie's mother. Newt believed Keisha was Immune. She also had a brother, but his name or any information about him was never mentioned.
- Dante: A boy under 12 months old. Dante's mother was Keisha, and he had an older sister named Jackie. He did not talk through the book, but seemed to find comfort while in Newt's presence.
- Jackie: A ten year old girl who was only mentioned until the end of the book, when she was reunited with her mother and her brother. Jackie was being looked after by her uncle; Keisha's brother.
- Terry: A Crank that found Newt in the middle of the night in the Crank Palace. He had a nephew - Alejandro - who had been taken by WICKED. He asked Newt if he knew him, to which Newt believed he did. Terry invited Newt, Keisha, and Dante to a cook-out during their first night Newt was in the Crank Palace. He is Maria's husband.
- Maria: Terry's wife. She was further gone from the Flare than Terry, and tended to use the word "purple" multiple times in her sentences. She revealed who she had a daughter that had died. The mention of her child caused Maria to go into a fit, throwing herself in a fire. Terry managed to pull her out, but not before the flames melted parts of her skin and singed her hair.
- Alejandro: Terry and Maria's nephew. He was taken by WICKED twenty years before Newt was put in the Crank Palace. It is believed he may have been in the Maze with Newt.
- Jonesy: a Crank that Newt met in the Crank Palace. 'Jonesy' is an alias given by the man, with no hint to what his real name was. He and his friends offered Newt protection and assistance, which Newt accepted when they left the Crank Palace.
- Thomas: a former Runner in the Glade. He was best friends with Minho and Newt.
- Minho: the former Keeper of the Runners in the Glade. He was snarky and sarcastic, and one of Newt's closest friends.
- Brenda: an Immune girl the Gladers found in the Scorch with Jorge. She previously worked for WICKED, but changed sides and supported Thomas.
- Jorge: an Immune man who was found in the Scorch with Brenda. He could fly Bergs, and previously worked for WICKED.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Prior to official announcement, James Dashner hinted at a new book retelling of The Maze Runner, Newt's story, and/or 70 years after The Death Cure.
- Rumour has it that he is working on a spin-off series that takes place in the same world but 70 years later. There will be at least three books in that series and foreign language releases are already in the works.
- James Dashner is working on an adult Paranormal Thriller.
- James Dashner announced on Twitter after conducting a poll that he will donate his profits from his new novella, CRANK PALACE, to several charities for important causes such as #BLM and #LGBTQ organizations.
External links[]
- Tantor Audio: Crank Palace
- Barnes & Noble: Crank Palace
- Amazon: Crank Palace
- iBooks: Crank Palace
- Riverdale Avenue Books: Crank Palace
- James Dashner's new website