GONE by Michael Grant

The reviewer for VOYA said, "If Stephen King had written LORD OF THE FLIES, it might have been a little like this..." and I couldn't agree more.

What I like about this book is that it shows us how kids treat each other. If they can do thing things that they've done to each other without parental supervision, what do they do with it? In this day of bullying at an all time high, this book shows how some kids are just bad and make inappropriate choices at every turn.

Sam is a kid who is already known as a hero, but doesn't really want to be noticed accept by the object of his affection, Astrid and hang out with his surfing buddy, Quinn. When everyone over the age of 15 literally disappears, everyone looks to Sam for guidance. He doesn't want to be the leader, but doesn't consider what will happen if he doesn't take charge until it too late.

Some of the kids, start to develop abilities, which are against the laws of physics... So the question becomes, are they in this world or are they somewhere else? With the barrier surrounding the town, into the ocean, as low as they can go and as high as they can see, they soon realize no one is coming to rescue them.

At the same time a young girl by the name of Lana, who's been sent to stay with her grandfather for sneaking alcohol to a friend, is alone in the desert hurt for an accident resulting from her grandfather going "Poof" while driving into town. Lana believes she's going to die from her injuries until she realizes she has the ability to heal herself.

Sam, Quinn, Edilio, Astrid and Little Petey, find Lana when they are driven out of town by Sam's newly found twin brother Caine. It seems Caine was given up for adoption and discovers that his mother was none other than the school nurse at his boarding school. He's bitter about life, bitter that she kept Sam and pretty much a sociopath bent on making this new world they call The FAYZE, his domain.

There are elements of Caine and Able, in this book. With the kids learning that being different and more advanced than their peers, due to their abilities, isn't a good thing. They are persecuted and bound for purposes of keeping them under control.

There is violence, when kids killing other kids, but it's done in a way that isn't overtly brutal.

I am looking forward to reading HUNGER, the next in this six part series, with a new book coming out each spring.