Review: Plague - Michael Grant

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (April 5, 2011)

It's been eight months since all the adults disappeared. GONE.

They've survived hunger. They've survived lies. But the stakes keep rising, and the dystopian horror keeps building. Yet despite the simmering unrest left behind by so many battles, power struggles, and angry divides, there is a momentary calm in Perdido Beach.

But enemies in the FAYZ don't just fade away, and in the quiet, deadly things are stirring, mutating, and finding their way free. The Darkness has found its way into the mind of its Nemesis at last and is controlling it through a haze of delirium and confusion. A highly contagious, fatal illness spreads at an alarming rate. Sinister, predatory insects terrorize Perdido Beach. And Sam, Astrid, Diana, and Caine are plagued by a growing doubt that they'll escape - or even survive - life in the FAYZ. With so much turmoil surrounding them, what desperate choices will they make when it comes to saving themselves and those they love?

Plague, Michale Grant's fourth book in the bestselling Gone series, will satisfy dystopian fans of all ages.

My Thoughts...

This book almost broke my heart.  There are some characters that I love, and some that I love to hate, and I spent quite a bit of time worrying about people dying.  I think this one is my NEW favorite so far n this series.  There was adventure, and happiness at some points, there was fear, drama, and action as well.   It was a great mix, with a few shocking things along the way.  I also think that quite a few characters "grew"  some in this book.  I definitely will be waiting  for the next one not so patiently. 4 stars from me!

Review: Lies - Michael Grant

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; 1 edition (May 4, 2010)

It's been seven months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness—or so they thought.

As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

My Thoughts...

So far this book has been my favorite in the series.  My opinion on quite a few characters has changed.  I still really like Sam, I really just wanted to give him a hug through most of this book.  I was never a big fan of Astrid but this book sealed the deal for me,  She came off as such a manipulative person in this book.  Diana surprised me, she seemed so lost and then putting herself on the line to help a bunch of kids she really didn't know, I was pleasantly surprised.  I also really feel for Lana, how much can one girl deal with? Really give this poor girl a break!  I can't stand Zil!  Ugh he makes me angry.  I can't wait to start Plague and see where this is going.  I am very glad that I started this series.  I'm giving this book 4 stars.

Review: Hunger - Michael Grant

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; 1 edition (April 6, 2010)

It's been three months since everyone under the age of fifteen became trapped in the bubble known as the FAYZ.

Three months since all the adults disappeared. GONE.

Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from the kids without powers. Tension rises and chaos is descending upon the town. It's the normal kids against the mutants. Each kid is out for himself, and even the good ones turn murderous.

But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.

The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.

My Thoughts...

I liked Gone, but I liked Hunger a lot more.  this book addressed quite a few of the issues I had from the first book.  Since rationing food really didn't seem to be taken all that seriously at first, and no one wants to harvest the fields everyone is hungry.  Things are getting desperate, and everyone seems to be reaching there breaking point.  It was tough watching Sam struggle to get people motivated to try to help save there own lives.  There are also a few main characters that are driving me nuts, pick a side already!  I am curious to see where this human vs freaks story lines goes.  Also I loved watching Sam and Caine towards the end.  If only they could continue to work together maybe things would get better.  Now the Darkness...I oddly enough hope we see more, I find its attachment to certain people very intriguing.  I give this one 4 stars!

Review: Gone - Michael Grant

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; Reprint edition (April 28, 2009)

n 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...

My Thoughts...

I loved The Lord of the Flies, and this struck me as a similar story but with a paranormal twist which should put it right up my alley.  Getting into this book took me a little while but once it had me...it had me. I usually don't like it when the narration jumps from one person to another but it seemed to work here.  I also really liked Sam!  I'm not a fan of Quinn or Astrid so much but Sam is awesome!  There seems to be so much going on in this book that I'm having a hard time here.  One of the things I liked was watching certain kids just all into rolls trying to help or keep things going.  I also at times forgot I was reading about kids.  I couldn't imagine living through what these kids are put through.  I don't want to say too much and spoil anything.  I give this one 3.5 stars and hope the next one is just as good.