Helpful Score: 4
I always think its kind of lazy to compare books to other novels, but I almost have to in this instance. Gone by Michael Grant is a delicious mix of one part Lord of the Flies, one part Stephen King's The Stand and one part Harry Potter. Since those are three of my all-time favorite books, its safe to say that I enjoyed Gone. A lot.
Gone is an interesting blend of horror, romance and sci-fi written with a young adult audience in mind, but adults will enjoy this book, too. There's a lot going on in the story -- which seems to be the first of at least a trilogy, based on the open ending and numerous loose ends still waving in the air. I hope this is the case, because I'm eager to learn more about what lies ahead for Sam, Astrid, Caine and the others.
It's hard to review this book without spoiling the complex and fantastic plot. Basically, the story begins when every adult over the age of 14 "poofs" out of existance. Suddenly, 14-year-olds are running the town, trying to ration food, deal with bullies, and care for the "littles" too young to look after themselves now that their parents have vanished. Natural leaders emerge, as well as the unavoidable power struggles that go hand-in-hand with crisis. More interesting, though, something else is also emerging. Animals are going through rapid evolutionary changes -- snakes can suddenly fly, seagulls have talons, and then there are the coyotes....
The kids in town are also having their own changes to deal with. Some suddenly are experiencing strange powers that they don't understand and can't control. Searching for help would seem like the logical option, if it weren't for the seamless dome that suddenly has appeared around a 10 mile radius of town....
This is an excellent read. Very engrossing and though disturbing at times (the parent in me just can't get past very bad things happening to very young children, even in a work of fiction!) one I would recommend to any lover of science fiction.
Gone is an interesting blend of horror, romance and sci-fi written with a young adult audience in mind, but adults will enjoy this book, too. There's a lot going on in the story -- which seems to be the first of at least a trilogy, based on the open ending and numerous loose ends still waving in the air. I hope this is the case, because I'm eager to learn more about what lies ahead for Sam, Astrid, Caine and the others.
It's hard to review this book without spoiling the complex and fantastic plot. Basically, the story begins when every adult over the age of 14 "poofs" out of existance. Suddenly, 14-year-olds are running the town, trying to ration food, deal with bullies, and care for the "littles" too young to look after themselves now that their parents have vanished. Natural leaders emerge, as well as the unavoidable power struggles that go hand-in-hand with crisis. More interesting, though, something else is also emerging. Animals are going through rapid evolutionary changes -- snakes can suddenly fly, seagulls have talons, and then there are the coyotes....
The kids in town are also having their own changes to deal with. Some suddenly are experiencing strange powers that they don't understand and can't control. Searching for help would seem like the logical option, if it weren't for the seamless dome that suddenly has appeared around a 10 mile radius of town....
This is an excellent read. Very engrossing and though disturbing at times (the parent in me just can't get past very bad things happening to very young children, even in a work of fiction!) one I would recommend to any lover of science fiction.
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