Plague (Gone)

In the ongoing story of the FAYZ, a bubble with a ten-mile radius around the nuclear power plant in California where all adults "poofed" out and left anyone under the age of 15 to fend for themselves, is getting darker and darker with each new book. Plague is the fourth book in Micahel Grant's Gone series, and it doesn't disappoint. Kids are tested time and time again by the supernatural terrors in the FAYZ, but can you stomach them long enough to finish the book? A lot went down in the months since the FAYZ wall went up, trapping the kids and leaving them to fend for themselves. After finally "burrying" the gaiaphage- a creepy mind-controlling entity that eats nuclear waste- the kids think they have a chance at a normal life. Boy are they wrong. Caine, Diana, Penny, and Bug are living the high life on the impenetrable island (after scooting its multicultural adoptees off the island unceremoniously) with plenty of food and drinking water, electricity, and nothing to bother them. Astrid and Sam were estranged after Astrid tried to kill a girl that convinced the littles to jump off a cliff. The new council is a hodgepodge of kids, including Howard, a known criminal. Edilio is struggle to maintain control of the town, but it is a constant battle, especially since he doesn't have any superpowers himself. All is bumbling along until Albert, the town business man/banker realizes they are almost out of clean drinking water. He sends Sam, Jack, Dekka, and Taylor out to the other end of the FAYZ to find the large lake he thinks is there. Hopefully it will keep the kids from dying of dehydration, but they have to get there quickly. On their way, they run across Hunter, who got gooped on by one of the flying snakes. Unfortunately, the snake goop seems to carry insect eggs that get into your body and eat your from the inside out. It doesn't hurt, and you don't know they are there at first, because they numb you up while they eat you, but when they find Hunter, he is so far gone they have eaten half his face and is beginning for Sam to finish him off. Sam obliges, but he can't seem to kill the bugs- they aren't fazed by his ultra-hot green lasers, and it takes Jack and Dekka's powers to realize they can at least crush the bugs. Meanwhile back at town, a plague is sweeping through the community. Kids are coming down with what seems like the flu, but what clearly has supernatural implications and becomes the most violent cough you have ever seen, eventually causing the kid to cough so hard they either break their neck or cough out their lungs (I told you this book was dark). Not even Lana the healer can stop this plague, despite her futile efforts. When the hostile kids who resent not having power decide to take it out on the one man who controls their status in the FAYZ, Albert, everything starts to fall apart. The final straw is when the immortally evil Drake (who bounces between being forceful Drake and plump, innocuous Brittney) escapes and returns to the Gaiaphage to serve his master. In the meantime, the bugs have grown bigger than SUVs and can snip a man in half. The Gaiaphage gives Drake control over the bugs, and Drake immediately sends some to attack the town and takes the rest with him to finally kill Sam Temple. What he doesn't understand is that his murderous rage is nothing compared to the will to live and protect that Sam and the others wear proudly like a badge of honor. But will it be too late to protect the town from the terrifying bugs? The reading level for this books is the same as the rest of the series- moderate language but some mature situations. I think this is the most adult book so far in an ever-maturing series, and I am constantly shocked at how dark Grant is willing to go. He certainly doesn't pull any punches even though this is a kids series, and he isn't afraid to lay it all out, gory bits and all. I am a huge fan of this series because it is like a modern day Lord of the Flies. Actually, if I had a student who was reading Lord of the Flies in their literature class, I would love to read this with them at the same time as an independent reading book. The comparisons would make for excellent discussions as well as great topics for essays. My favorite part about this book is that there are no clear heroes- everyone is flawed in some way. It makes the story more real and scarier than if you had some knight in shining armor who rode in and saved the day every time. Sam, Astrid, Edilio, and the other leaders are often tested and they don't always do the right thing. This is a very human story with tons of moral ambiguity- would you lock up a kid who was being eaten from the inside out by indestructible bugs to save other kids in the town once the bugs finished with him? Would you be able to kill an autistic nine-year old if it meant getting out of a place like the FAYZ? Michael Grant is an author who isn't afraid to make the reader feel uncomfortable with the tough questions. In fact, I think he revels in making the reader uncomfortable!

Michael Grant has the rare capacity to understand how teenagers think, to comprehend the fact that they are often capable of thinking like adults while they continue to act and make choices which are unwise or impulsive. Plague is just as riveting--with just as many "OMG" moments--as the other three books in the series to date. With each book, there is some character who grows or changes or steps up. In this book, it is Computer Jack... and perhaps someone else.... I love that Grant has been consistent with the personality of each character, and each character is thoughtfully crafted, a distinct individual among the rest. My favorite new character with this book is Sanjit.... I must include again my normal caveat for parents and teachers who are looking for Young Adult books to get their teens reading: I do not recommend these books for younger than high school age. There is violence (no profanity--good on you, Mr. Grant), and children die. But older teens love these books and devour them quickly as they are absolute, riveting page turners. (In my classroom, I've had to replace the earlier books in the series as they were 'read to death' by my students.) A further, more important point is that Grant places his characters in situations where there is no easy escape, and they must choose to do what is right or what is wrong in order to survive. The 'life lessons' are not overbearing, just enough to make us empathize with the good guys and really, really hate the bad guys. I read this one in two days. Can't wait for the next installment!!

I'm a fan of the entire series, each new book takes the situation to a whole new extreme. Horror and the like do not really appeal to me, I am more so attracted to the super power aspect. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, it was made to be that way, I just don't really have the stomach for such things. This book in particular really got into my head, really making me experience the gruesome situation. I wasn't able to read it as fast as I wanted because I had to keep pausing to let the depressing atmosphere leave me. While it is a good read and great continuation of the story, I would be hesitant to let younger readers of the series continue with this one. It is marketed towards young adults, but I know that it is appealing to a younger audience as well. Up until this point, the series has bordered the line of appropriateness, but Plague sort of goes over the mark. I applaud Mr. Grant for managing to continue to refrain from using extreme profanity, but there were several adult situations presented here. Aside from that, the next chapter of the events taking place in the FAYZ are a spectacular one.

Fantastic book. The cover listed on the product page (with the detailed character art) doesn't match what shipped, but this worked out for me since the rest of my collection has the blacked out silhouettes on the their covers.

If you loved the other books in this series then you'll love this book too. It draws you in from beginning to end, it's hard to stop reading and take a break. These books are addictive, you'll want to read every book in the series without a break. I am already looking forward to diving into the next book, I have no doubt it will be just as good and addictive. Excellent story line, keeps you gripped and wanting more, never predictable and great escapism. Highly recommended from mid teens onwards, I'm an adult and I've loved every book...I've even told my husband to read them too.

These books are becoming somewhat repetitive. However, they are still gripping and exciting.

As usual, an action-packed book you simply cannot put down. Wether you're discovering some new terrifying bug only the FAYZ could have created, or you're wondering how the situation could get any worse, (and Lord knows it always can in the FAYZ), your eyes will be glued to the screen ! Once again, well done M. Grant !

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