Light by Michael Grant

Cover via Goodreads.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

If there’s one series that captures my teenage years, it’s this one. I picked up Gone five years ago at the age of 13 maybe because Sam was cute, not like I knew I was into guys at the time and five books later I’ve finished the series, now as an adult. I have so much history with this series, and I doubt any sleeping aid would give me back the hours I’ve spent reading it late into the night.

If you haven’t read Light yet or the books preceding it, I’d recommend skipping this paragraph and catching up right now. Otherwise, the central story line of the last installment in Michael Grant’s epic series revolves around Gaia and her (its?) plan to destroy all who inhabit the FAYZ… and eventually, all outside of it, too. Every character joins in for the fight no matter his or her previous wounds or scars. The question remains: will it be enough to defeat the darkness once and for all?

As always, Grant’s plot grabbed me from the get go.

Fear by Michael Grant

Cover via Goodreads.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

There are certain books that, if turned into movies, I would never watch. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (which is a movie, actually) is one of them. Rape and torture? Not something I would like to see on the big screen. Fear by Michael Grant is another one of those books. People having their minds ripped apart and their bodies broken and bent and twisted in various ways? Yeah, throwing up is not that high on my list of priorities.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Gone series by Michael Grant. Like I’ve stated in almost all of my reviews of the previous books, they are not superbly well-written. They are not books that make me think about the meaning of life or make me want to grab a friend and discuss philosophy at my local Barnes and Noble. But they are fierce, addictive, and possess an overarching quality that commands a five-star rating.

Plague by Michael Grant

Cover via Goodreads

Rating: 5/5 stars.

Plague, the fourth book in the Gone series, continues the story of the FAYZ inhabitants and their struggle to survive. There’s a creepy cough-until-you-die disease going around, the Darkness is slowly spreading its malevolent influence, and the characters are killing each other. Again. But let me tell you something…

THE BUGS. OH DEAR LORD, THE BUGS.

The book jacket describes the disturbing insects that appear in this book as “sinister” and “predatory”. I prefer “scary as hell”. They hatch their eggs inside of you and eat you from the inside out – lovely, I know. Just let me die of fever or something, please.

Anyway, I love this series. The writing isn’t verbose or decadent – it’s simple, straightforward, and to the point. With a cast of so many characters not all of them are as developed as they could be, but ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I love these books because of the total thrill they provide.

If you didn’t get the message from my ostentatiously capitalized exclamation above, Plague is not for the faint of heart. There are sickening scenes – the content is much worse than in most young-adult books. After reading this late at night, I was almost afraid to go to sleep.

However, if you’re looking for a fantastic, frenetic read, check out Plague and the other books in the Gone series. They will not disappoint you.