Starting a new book- the Scorch Trials

I recently started a new book, the Scorch Trials (sequel to the Maze Runner). I didn't really think that it would be the greatest book ever but I felt obligated to know more about the series than the online summary after reading the first book. Let's see if James Dashner has managed to make the Scorch Trials innovative with plot twists and character revelations that will make it unpredictable. It seems that every science fiction novel, save a few good ones, seems to follow a similar dystopian plot that drag readers into a similar formula.

((cliche flawed characters whose entire story can be described by one adjective) + (future that consists of an all powerful government) + (decomposed version of the US) - (any technological advancement) + (author who is writing a book for the first time))/(revolution and restructuring of society at the end of the book/series)) = 90% of science fiction novels published in the last five years

In fact, I still doubt that the Scorch Trials will divert from this at all. But why am I still reading it? It's like watching half a movie and then stopping and moving to do something else. (actually, as I recall, that did happen today). You only know part of the plot and you're just getting to know the characters- and then suddenly you are pulled out of the fictional universe and back into the real world. Reading the sequel to the Maze Runner will also let me know whether James Dashner had grand story arc planned for his entire narrative or did not know he would write a sequel until the Maze Runner became popular. I think it's going to be the second one.

As I just start the story, I know what to expect which is not very much- but hopefully my expectations will be exceeded. Anyway, the beginning is not all that promising. The "gladers" find themselves back in the actual world, next to a group of people who have just saved them and are now very sick. The Maze is a thing of the past... and now comes a massive desert. Honestly, could the author have been any less original? As far as I can see at the moment is like "The Maze Runner: level 2". (remarkably similar to the second hunger games book which for some reason is very well liked) According to an Amazon reviewer, "There are unexpected twists and turns in every chapter." I'm now on chapter 5 and I have yet to stumble upon a single turn I did not expect. The plot so far seems more like a ride on a train than a roller coaster. Maybe you shouldn't trust the Amazon reviews; probably a good number of them didn't even read the book. Switching out a few characters and changing the setting but keeping the plot the same does not seem very original to me.