Friday, July 13, 2012

Gone by Michael Grant

Gone by Michael Grant
2008, HarperTeen
Series: Book 1 of Gone

Synopsis: In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.
 
Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...

Why read: Heard good things about the series

What impressed me: What happens when all the adults in a town disappear? Those left behind are forced to figure out how to go one without them. It's a challenging proposition when it happens to adults in fiction, but Gone goes a step further leaving those who remain with less life experience and knowledge on how to keep a town running. Who takes care of the babies? Who makes sure there's enough food? Who makes sure the electricity stays on? And who can get the parents back? These are only a few of the questions the kids face in Gone and every single step is completely gripping.

What disappointed me: The supernatural/genetic modification thing took the story in a direction I'm not quite sure was necessary given the strength of the science fiction/dystopian basis of the story. It makes me worry about what may be coming further in the series.

Recommended: Absolutely. The book was a little on the long side, but totally worth the read.

Continue series: Definitely. Gone left me wanting more.

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