Gone by Michael Grant

Wow is all I can say about this book. I mean really, WOW! It’s an incredible read. You are drawn in right from the moment you read the blurb and I’m still eagerly anticipating the sequels (there are 6 books in this series and, whilst that may sound very drawn out, with each book presumably more terrible than the prior, it most certainly is not! The story is cleverly continued throughout the books and each one is equally, if not more so, gripping as new threats loom and you also connect even more so with the characters, who are excellently developed throughout. The sequels are Hunger and Lies, with the fourth, Plague, coming out sometime in April of this year; the final two haven’t been given a date yet, but I’m sure they’ll be epic!)

The book centres on Sam Temple, a 14 year old ordinary surfer dude, who lives in the town of San Perdido, a town where one minute everything is fine and the next, all of the adults have disappeared.  Chaos ensues as everyone panics, rules are abandoned and human nature turns against itself, which isn’t helped by the dangerous powers that some children develop, not to mention the fact that on your 15^th birthday, you too disappear…

Whilst Sam is undoubtedly the main character, the book is written in 3^rd person and switches between different people’s points of view, providing more of an insight into their thoughts and lives and also keeping the pace up; which is excellently maintained throughout and you will probably find yourself reading through the night, eager to find out what happens next. The characters are so well developed you find yourself hating some with a passion and loving others immensely and even choosing which side you are on, though each character is undeniably interesting in their own way.

This book also has a bit of everything about it – twists, turns, fantasy, romance, action, violence, suspense, frightening parts, is strangely realistic and thought-provoking, has quite dark bits (beware this is NOT for young kids or the easily disturbed) and a strong original plot.

Suspense and brilliant, captivating writing keeps you turning the pages, and the continued story arc keeps you buying the sequels. I really cannot put down in words how much I enjoyed this book and the sequels, so I would advise you to read it to find out for yourselves – you won’t regret it!

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 [SYNOPSIS: In a flash, your life can change forever... Something bizarre has happened in the town of San Perdido. In a flash, everyone over the age of fourteen has disappeared. Poof. Gone. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating.  A strange impenetrable force field encircles the town. As the stranded kids struggle to survive on their own, they discover that some of them are developing new talents — unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers — that grow stronger by the day. And unfortunately, not all the kids with these new-found powers are good… It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent.]