This was definitely the best of the series I think. Although Maze Runner is pretty close. Like The Hunger Games, this group of books definitely took a thematic and plot turn that I in no way expected and I still haven't really decided how I feel about that. I will say that these books are really, really dark. I don't think I've read another YA series with so much death or gore. Not really my cup of tea, but I bet some people like it! I definitely liked reading this book much better than I liked listening to the first two.
I don't think I would really recommend the series overall, but I'm glad I finished it so I could discuss it with my friend who read them.