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Gone (Gone, Bk 1)
Gone - Gone, Bk 1
Author: Michael Grant
In 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. And no way to figure out what's happened. And no way to get help. — Hunger threatens. Bul...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780061448768
ISBN-10: 0061448761
Publication Date: 6/24/2008
Pages: 576
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 28

4.1 stars, based on 28 ratings
Publisher: HarperTeen
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

nantuckerin avatar reviewed Gone (Gone, Bk 1) on + 158 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I always think its kind of lazy to compare books to other novels, but I almost have to in this instance. Gone by Michael Grant is a delicious mix of one part Lord of the Flies, one part Stephen King's The Stand and one part Harry Potter. Since those are three of my all-time favorite books, its safe to say that I enjoyed Gone. A lot.

Gone is an interesting blend of horror, romance and sci-fi written with a young adult audience in mind, but adults will enjoy this book, too. There's a lot going on in the story -- which seems to be the first of at least a trilogy, based on the open ending and numerous loose ends still waving in the air. I hope this is the case, because I'm eager to learn more about what lies ahead for Sam, Astrid, Caine and the others.

It's hard to review this book without spoiling the complex and fantastic plot. Basically, the story begins when every adult over the age of 14 "poofs" out of existance. Suddenly, 14-year-olds are running the town, trying to ration food, deal with bullies, and care for the "littles" too young to look after themselves now that their parents have vanished. Natural leaders emerge, as well as the unavoidable power struggles that go hand-in-hand with crisis. More interesting, though, something else is also emerging. Animals are going through rapid evolutionary changes -- snakes can suddenly fly, seagulls have talons, and then there are the coyotes....

The kids in town are also having their own changes to deal with. Some suddenly are experiencing strange powers that they don't understand and can't control. Searching for help would seem like the logical option, if it weren't for the seamless dome that suddenly has appeared around a 10 mile radius of town....

This is an excellent read. Very engrossing and though disturbing at times (the parent in me just can't get past very bad things happening to very young children, even in a work of fiction!) one I would recommend to any lover of science fiction.
amichai avatar reviewed Gone (Gone, Bk 1) on + 368 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Adult reviewer here. I found this a captivating book. Very exciting. But it also has sadistic and creepy elements that might not be for everyone, particularly younger readers. (The Lord of the Flies with a paranormal edge.) Much is left unresolved for the sequel.....which I'll be reading.
skywriter319 avatar reviewed Gone (Gone, Bk 1) on + 784 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
One minute life is normal at Perdido Beach for fourteen-year-old Sam and his friends. The next, everyone fifteen and older is gone in a blink, disappeared without a trace. The startled remaining kids must find some inner strength in order to survive in a world without adults.

For Sam, it isn't just about survival, it's also about racing against the clock. His fifteenth birthday is days away, and he needs to find out how to survive it without disappearing like the others did. Sam can't just sit back and ponder about that particular moment, however. He and his new and old friends Quinn, Astrid, Edilio, and others must battle dim-witted local bullies such as Orc and his sidekick Howard, as well as face new challenges from the corrupt crew of Coates Academy kids--the private boarding school up the road said to house troubled rich kids--led by the power-hungry Caine.

To make matters even direr, it isn't JUST about the bullies and the dangerous outsiders. More and more kids are discovering that they have impossible magical powers. These include the powers to heal, transport...and to destroy. The rift between the "freaks" and the "normals" widen, which Sam is afraid of, because they must all bond together in the face of a common impending doom...or else they will all perish.

GONE is a high-action, high-concept rollercoaster of a read. Don't be daunted by its 500-plus pages; after all, Harry Potter books had more! Prepare to be excited and awed by the extent of Grant's admittedly crazy imagination.
ourlittlehouse avatar reviewed Gone (Gone, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 2
My 11 year old daughter...

"No adults. Anyone 15 or over disappears. Everyone looks up to School Bus Sam Temple for help.
In 12 days Sam will disappear like everyone else, leaving them behind to fend for themselves from coyotes, bullies, kids from Coates Acadamy. Most of all Sam wants to get rid of the two most dangerous kids, Caine and Drake from Coates Acadamy. Will Sam find a way to NOT disappear? Will he defeat Caine and Drake for good?

AMAZING! I loved this book! The clearness, perfect pace, and the amazing characters made me NOT put down GONE! Anyone will enjoy the mysterious case of GONE. I cant wait to read the next book in the series Hunger.

Put GONE on your to-read list!"
tampabookworm avatar reviewed Gone (Gone, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up. I originally bought it for my son, but of course I read it first. I found it a quick read - it kept my interest that's for sure. I just had to know what the heck was happening... which of course I still don't know!! I skimmed through the other reviews and found that there is to be a sequel - yay!
Read All 11 Book Reviews of "Gone Gone Bk 1"


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