Summary
Summary
The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling Gone series by Michael Grant, is another masterful, arresting depiction of life in the FAYZ.
It's been over a year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.
In the time since every person over the age of fourteen disappeared from the town of Perdido Beach, California, countless battles have been fought: battles against hunger and lies and plague, and epic battles of good against evil.
And now, the gaiaphage has been reborn as Diana's malicious mutant daughter, Gaia. Gaia is endlessly hungry for destruction. She yearns to conquer her nemesis, Little Pete, and then bend the entire world to her warped will. As long-standing enemies become allies, secrets are revealed and unexpected sacrifices are made. Will their attempts to save themselves and one another matter in the end, or will the kids of Perdido Beach perish in this final power struggle?
"[T]his book is more than satisfying--it is epic."--VOYA (starred review)
Read the entire series:
Gone Hunger Lies Plague Fear Light Monster Villain HeroReviews (3)
Horn Book Review
In this gory conclusion to the Gone series, it's unclear whether any of the kids will be left alive once the dome that has enclosed them through the previous five volumes is finally gone; certainly none will survive unscathed. While this novel will be irresistible for series fans, newcomers will need to catch up before diving in; characters remain two-dimensional. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
With the world outside the FAYZ in sight and stakes rising, characters take drastic actions for survival and redemption. As the barrier has become clear, the FAYZ kids gain an audience, creating anxiety about performance as they worry about how they will be perceived by the adults in the normal world. Kids now communicating with their parents and the media have renewed hope that the end of the FAYZ is near, and they act accordingly. Others deduce that Gaia is up to something big, the endgame, now that the gaiaphage has taken a human form. They restructure leadership so Sam and Caine can team up to try to stop Gaia before it's too late. Sure enough, Gaia can feel little Pete weakening without his physical form and plans to doom the human race once Pete fades enough for the barrier to fall. But first Gaia must prevent Pete from taking a physical form again by trying to slaughter his potential hosts--the FAYZ kids. However, Gaia must kill judiciously, as the powered kids' link to the gaiaphage is revealed and explained. The answers to the FAYZ mysteries sometimes come in less-than-graceful exposition, but dedicated series readers will be more concerned with satisfying their curiosity. Multiple chapters of aftermath wrap up the series better than an epilogue could. A bloody, action-packed reward for the series' loyal fans. (Science fiction. 14 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
We've come a long way from Gone (2008). The emaciated children still plod through their days locked beneath the dome. All the food is nearly gone, and they have little energy to repel the unknown Darkness that besets them. The gaiaphage inhabiting Diana's unborn baby growing at an alarming rate is always hungry, and it is determined to destroy everyone in the FAYZ, especially those who have tried to resist. Making matters worse, the veil that shrouded the dome has lifted parents and gawking TV reporters can now watch the carnage as it transpires over the last 88 hours and 39 minutes of life (and death). Will someone or something be strong enough to obliterate the gaiaphage? And, if anyone lives, what will happen to them on the outside? In four separate Aftermath chapters, Grant sorts out who's left and what kind of future awaits them. Readers dying for this series ender will be rewarded by Grant's characteristic nonstop action. He keeps readers where he's always had them on the edge of their seats until the very end. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The Gone books have been one of the most dependable YA series in recent history. Advertising and attention will spike probably significantly for this final battle.--Petty, J. B. Copyright 2010 Booklist