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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This series about a place where all of the people over age 14 disappear has really drawn me in. I don't always enjoy every minute of every volume, but they really make me think a lot about human nature. The one disappointment I am having with each passing volume now is that I think I am ready for the story to be done. I know that two more volumes at least are planned, one coming out soon and one next year. I hope that is the conclusion because I would hate to have these wonderful books watered down by becoming an over extended series.
My initial reaction to the happenings in this book was probably:
but at some point I got used to it.
To be honest, I actually did like this one a lot. Still more than [b: Gone|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] and [b: Hunger|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603s/2767052.jpg|2792775] but not quite as much as [b: Lies|17286747|Necessary Lies (Necessary Lies, #1)|Diane Chamberlain|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362226103s/17286747.jpg|23845712]
And that has a reason.
There was quite a big, very big fantastical element to this. Not that there never was any fantastical element to it in the first place, but in this book, it just felt a bit too extreme. I mean, not enough to not give it 4 stars still, but enough to not give it 5 stars.
I am just a person that likes realism. And if it's fantasy, those fantastical elements must be true to their own rules. And while the Gone series isn't exactly breaking those rules, every book, I feel like, other fantastical elements are added. And while I am not hating it, I am also not necessarily digging it.
However, that is my only complaint.
I loved Astrids storyline in this book.
And Dianas.
Those were the most interesting ones to me. Not by far, but still. I was so in awe of Dark Astrid that I just couldn't really put that book down after that one chapter.
Diana... Same with her. I love her character development and her story overall is great.
Everyone else is at least interesting enough to keep reading.
And I can't wait to finish [b: Fear|7745|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|Hunter S. Thompson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1394204569s/7745.jpg|1309111].
but at some point I got used to it.
To be honest, I actually did like this one a lot. Still more than [b: Gone|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] and [b: Hunger|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)|Suzanne Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1447303603s/2767052.jpg|2792775] but not quite as much as [b: Lies|17286747|Necessary Lies (Necessary Lies, #1)|Diane Chamberlain|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362226103s/17286747.jpg|23845712]
And that has a reason.
There was quite a big, very big fantastical element to this. Not that there never was any fantastical element to it in the first place, but in this book, it just felt a bit too extreme. I mean, not enough to not give it 4 stars still, but enough to not give it 5 stars.
I am just a person that likes realism. And if it's fantasy, those fantastical elements must be true to their own rules. And while the Gone series isn't exactly breaking those rules, every book, I feel like, other fantastical elements are added. And while I am not hating it, I am also not necessarily digging it.
However, that is my only complaint.
I loved Astrids storyline in this book.
And Dianas.
Those were the most interesting ones to me. Not by far, but still. I was so in awe of Dark Astrid that I just couldn't really put that book down after that one chapter.
Diana... Same with her. I love her character development and her story overall is great.
Everyone else is at least interesting enough to keep reading.
And I can't wait to finish [b: Fear|7745|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|Hunter S. Thompson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1394204569s/7745.jpg|1309111].
By this point in the series, I knew full well not to expect life to have become easier for the kids in the FAYZ, and eight months in finds them with the title issue: plague. Of course that can't be the only issue, and, indeed, Sam's early activity and interaction with others soon reveals that to be the case.
Early on in the book, Sam reflects on his relationship with Astrid, with a focus on her "frigidity," which is later brought up by other characters. Given that other tough issues have been discussed frankly throughout the series, I thought it was a bit surprising that none of the characters brought up what I would consider a major concern in the FAYZ: pregnancy in a place with rudimentary access to health care and not enough nutrition.
The story ends in quite an interesting set-up for the next book... what can possibly happen next?
Early on in the book, Sam reflects on his relationship with Astrid, with a focus on her "frigidity," which is later brought up by other characters. Given that other tough issues have been discussed frankly throughout the series, I thought it was a bit surprising that none of the characters brought up what I would consider a major concern in the FAYZ: pregnancy in a place with rudimentary access to health care and not enough nutrition.
Spoiler
Indeed, this becomes quite clear when it is revealed that Diana is pregnant.The story ends in quite an interesting set-up for the next book... what can possibly happen next?
adventurous
dark
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I'm loving the character development. All the characters seem to be balancing out their personalities and problems (though those are far from over). But the cast as a whole seems to be more or less finding themselves (or at least getting closer to it).
There was some new, cute interactions between certain characters which I found witty and humorous.
The world building became even bigger with the exploration of the FAYZ and the ending of this story really has me wanting to start the next book as soon as possible. I feel like the kids are about to experience paradise but also hell. Like they're heading towards a new, promising future but there is also some unresolved issues that are going to hit the fan.
Also, it's very nice seeing the kids develop their powers.
There was some new, cute interactions between certain characters which I found witty and humorous.
The world building became even bigger with the exploration of the FAYZ and the ending of this story really has me wanting to start the next book as soon as possible. I feel like the kids are about to experience paradise but also hell. Like they're heading towards a new, promising future but there is also some unresolved issues that are going to hit the fan.
Also, it's very nice seeing the kids develop their powers.
Updated Nov. 2021: I upgraded my original rating to five stars because of the sheer impact this book makes in the series. It's an emotional roller coaster and it's worth every high and low. Plus this book has my favorite Sanjit quote.
****** Original review below:
Fantastic addition to the series! A quick-read but chock full of action and drama with a dark humor that works well. I can't even begin to imagine the parents and world's reaction to the happenings of the FAYZ if the barrier ever goes down. Love that Michael Grant gives us another cliffhanger. Looking forward to Book 5.
****** Original review below:
Fantastic addition to the series! A quick-read but chock full of action and drama with a dark humor that works well. I can't even begin to imagine the parents and world's reaction to the happenings of the FAYZ if the barrier ever goes down. Love that Michael Grant gives us another cliffhanger. Looking forward to Book 5.
Each one is as good as the last, that is a rare thing to find in this genre. can't wait for the next one, it's going to be agony.
This was quite a bit better than Lies but I really think Mr. Grant dropped the ball when it came to Astrid. For some reason I felt very distant from her and her emotions. What she was going through, her guilt about various things, didn't resonate as much as it should have. Her time as leader was too abrupt and not nearly as besieged with tragedy as that of Sam's so I don't quite think she went through things that would lead her to these emotions. But other than that, it was quite good.