GONE

GONE

by Michael Grant

2008

558 pages

From Inside Cover:

In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. Gone. Except for the young: Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. And just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to figure out what's happened. And no way to get help. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And 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 will disappear just like everyone else.

My thoughts:

Be prepared for a wild, intense, nail biting ride. Gone is a classic tale of good versus evil with a whole lot of super natural thrown in.

At first the situation seems like a kid's dream come true-everyone over the age of 14 suddenly disappears-poof! One minute everything is normal, then people are gone and a force field surrounds Perdido Beach, CA trapping everyone inside a 20 mile radius. No one can get out or come in. The kids are on their own. The mood quickly changes from excitement to fear. Things get even more desperate as some of the kids start to develop strange powers-defy gravity, throw fire, or heal.

The story is told by several characters who each have their own issues or problems and sets the story up for a sequel. The book is a hefty size but the plot moves along smoothly with a great combination of suspense, action and a wee bit of romance thrown in. I've already ordered the sequel Hunger from Amazon. I can't wait to see what happens to these kids and a situation I predict will go from bad to worse.

This book was read for Dystopian February hosted by Presenting Lenore. I plan to donate this book to my public library. I think it would make an excellent addition to our young adult section.