Author: Michael Grant
Pages: 576
Language: English
Series: Yes
Quote: “Yesterday I sent Edilio to the power plant to get two things. First, a cache of automatic weapons from the guardhouse.” Sam said
“Machine guns?” Astrid said
“Yeah. Not just for us to have, but to make sure the other side doesn’t get them.” Sam said
“Now we have an arms race,” Astrid said.
Her tone seemed to irritate Sam. “You want me to leave them for Caine?” Sam said
“I wasn’t criticizing, just… you know. Ninth graders with machine guns; it’s hard to make that a happy story.” Astrid said
Sam relented. He even grinned. “Yeah. The phrase ‘ninth graders with machine guns’ isn’t exactly followed by ‘have a nice day’.”
— Gone
Gone is the first book in the series GONE by Michael Grant. This dark dystopian book can be seen as the modern Lord of the Flies with the way it brings together societal problems and the reaction of those who cannot yet create their own societal structure perfectly, the kids.
Suddenly, everyone over 15 is just gone. No teachers, parents or doctors and no internet, phones or television. These kids have to figure out what happened themselves. As hunger threatens, animals mutate and bullies start a twisted rule of the town, a sinister creature lurks somewhere outside the town. The teens themselves are also changing; gaining powers that would have been unimaginable before.
Welcome to FAYZ, as the kids christen the hell they now are stuck in. People are choosing sides, tensions are increasing and time is running out; on your birthday you will disappear.
Gone by Michael Grant is an extremely thought-provoking story. The reader cannot help but react to the images created and the plot development with a million questions. What if it was happening to me? How would I react? And many, many more questions of the same type, it might be hard to imagine how you would react, but it does not stop the reader from wondering as they keep reading the series.
As you worry about what you would do you also get caught up in the mystery that is FAYZ as well as worrying if the kids will survive the hardships or not. The author has created a world that keeps you biting your fingernails in worry as you follow the story of the FAYZ kids.
Sure, the story might seem a little unrealistic as total war almost breaks out after a few days with bullies becoming torturers and murderers, but this increase in tension and action makes it impossible for anyone to take their eyes of the pages as you wonder what will happen next.
Sam is the main character, and unlike many others whom after a while seem to naturally fall into the hero category, Sam is always reluctant to take on the role as saviour. He too is only a kid after all. Such heroes are often my favourites though as they seem to do the right thing, just because it has to be done. When the problems start escalating he does his best to do what needs to be done, without any major character changes taking place. He doesn’t want to be a hero, but he does what no one else seems to want to do.
The ‘bad guy’ of this book is Caine; rich, delusional and from the private school for more or less troubled children on the hill. He is the perfect counterpart to Sam, the position of power that Sam so reluctantly holds against his own will seems to be what Caine craves most. And as Sam tries to keep calm and collected Caine seems lost in his own dark thoughts.
One of the darkest characters in the book is Drake, Caine’s right-hand man. The boy enjoys causing others pain and could be characterized as a psychopath who does not know how to feel guilty after hurting others.
There are too many characters to mention every one, but the variety is quite good because of it. The different ways they react to the fall of their society makes for an interesting read.
Though dark and dystopian with a cultural structure falling apart, even Gone had some romance, between Astrid and Sam, an innocent childlike love that grew after being brought together by the catastrophe. They complement each others strong point and yet their relationship is far from perfect and quite realistic for the situation. Astrid was clearly my favourite person, not only did she take care of her autistic little brother, but she was also a really smart. Acting as the brains behind most plans without seeming overly conscious of it.
This book is not suited for those under thirteen due to the intense scenes and the use of violence as the town goes of the hinges. A lot of the children in the book get hurt very badly as well as some using extreme measures of cruelty, so it might not be the right book for those whom cannot deal with these types of things.
However the book is a great read that might be more suited for the mature reader due to the violent scenes that happens in the book. The level of action and excitement is high too, making it a book you don’t want to put down.
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You can watch the trailer video for the series here or on the video page and read more about Michael Grant on the author page.
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