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ellie_bronte's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a few chapters to really get pulled into this novel but when it happened, I literally couldn't put the book down. It's like a teenage version of Lord of the Flies; the characters who weren't "gone" either kept to their morals or went completely off the deep end. Yes, there is a lot of violence which is very graphic but personally I find it necessary. Any form of parental supervision has disappeared and Grant take a grim but realistic approach to what could and would happen. I also like the fact pace and the way the book is written; there's always a sense of urgency to scramble for some sort of stability in the FAYZ. The writing style accomplishes this very well, the bluntless, the quick sentences and small paragraphs.
I also loved how realistic the characters are and the variety that came with it. I loved Sam and the fact that he didn't want to take up the protagonist role, how he was sort of thrown into the spotlight. I actually like the complexity of Astrid and her brother Little Pete, the sibling love and yet slight resentment of caring for him. I can even appreciate Quinn, that some people really would be terrified out of their mind to do anything heroic. Just overall the realism is haunting, but great none the less.
The only thing that I'm unclear about, which should change by reading the rest of the series, is what exactly happened. Religion is briefly mentioned in the story, while science seems to play a big role, and yet what they end up seeing later in the book is completely random. I wasn't sure what to make of it, especially among all the realism this stood out to me as slightly odd. But besides that, I'm hooked, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
I also loved how realistic the characters are and the variety that came with it. I loved Sam and the fact that he didn't want to take up the protagonist role, how he was sort of thrown into the spotlight. I actually like the complexity of Astrid and her brother Little Pete, the sibling love and yet slight resentment of caring for him. I can even appreciate Quinn, that some people really would be terrified out of their mind to do anything heroic. Just overall the realism is haunting, but great none the less.
The only thing that I'm unclear about, which should change by reading the rest of the series, is what exactly happened. Religion is briefly mentioned in the story, while science seems to play a big role, and yet what they end up seeing later in the book is completely random. I wasn't sure what to make of it, especially among all the realism this stood out to me as slightly odd. But besides that, I'm hooked, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
megan_0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
gear3232's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
megsbookishtwins's review against another edition
4.0
Actual Rating 4.5
I’ve heard a lot of great things about this book, so my expectations were high, but it didn’t disappoint.
I did struggle getting into it, but about 1/4 of the way through it really started to grab my attention.
The characters were well developed, some were well likeable, some I really hated. However that, in my opinion, shows a good writer, as they manage to make you feel something for a character, whether that love or hate, rather than not caring about the character.
The book was well written with a unique and interesting concept that was done really well. It also had a very good and exciting pace, not too fast that you feel like its rushed but not too slow that you feel like its been drawn out too much. Especially because its such a big book (over 500 pages on kindle) so keeping it exciting and captivating is very impressive.
Well worth a read!
I would definitely recommend and I will be reading the next one!
I’ve heard a lot of great things about this book, so my expectations were high, but it didn’t disappoint.
I did struggle getting into it, but about 1/4 of the way through it really started to grab my attention.
The characters were well developed, some were well likeable, some I really hated. However that, in my opinion, shows a good writer, as they manage to make you feel something for a character, whether that love or hate, rather than not caring about the character.
The book was well written with a unique and interesting concept that was done really well. It also had a very good and exciting pace, not too fast that you feel like its rushed but not too slow that you feel like its been drawn out too much. Especially because its such a big book (over 500 pages on kindle) so keeping it exciting and captivating is very impressive.
Well worth a read!
I would definitely recommend and I will be reading the next one!
magic_treehouse's review against another edition
5.0
I've read some great teen books this year and this is easily the best, along with The Hunger Games. Like The Hunger Games it has a cast of teen characters but with an extra X-Men type element which creates a gripping read. The cast of characters are varied and large but without being too confusing and the 'world' has a surprising amount of depth to it, which I guess is why there are a fair few sequels to get reading!
eggan_y's review against another edition
5.0
I give the whole series a 5/5. I love the multiple points of view, the battle one has with their own morality and mortality, and how every book was memorable. A world where one day our adults just vanish was what drew me in back in middle school when I first read the series. How it can go from exciting to depressing so quickly because in reality children should never have to make such life and death decisions, doing so forces them to grow up in a way that when the adults do come back their child is already gone.
tiffanynoel's review against another edition
4.0
It was a pretty good book. And if there was only like 2 more in the series I probably would have finished it.
rkkps2122's review against another edition
4.0
At first the story went slow but I love how it progressed. Although people need to be aware that this book shpuld not be read by those who cannlt tolerate a man demanding coyotes to eat children. 4.5 stars for the dystopian feels.
ally131993's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
1tiredmom46's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book when I first started reading it. I knew that that the target audience was young adult/teen, but with the style of writing and language used I would be comfortable letting my 9 year old read this.
As the story continued to unfold it became much more interesting. I would describe this book as a modern day take of "Lord of the Flies". There is the struggle for power, the ever present question of what is right, and the fight for survival. And since it is 2014 there is the added issue of mutation, both human and animal.
Despite being unsure when I first started reading "Gone" I'm looking forward to starting "Hunger" the second book in the Gone series. I'm interested in seeing where the author will go with the story line.
As the story continued to unfold it became much more interesting. I would describe this book as a modern day take of "Lord of the Flies". There is the struggle for power, the ever present question of what is right, and the fight for survival. And since it is 2014 there is the added issue of mutation, both human and animal.
Despite being unsure when I first started reading "Gone" I'm looking forward to starting "Hunger" the second book in the Gone series. I'm interested in seeing where the author will go with the story line.