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Janina's Reviews > Gone
Gone (Gone, #1)
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I put this book aside about two weeks ago, saying I would definitely go back and finish it as I only had about 100 pages left. But it doesn’t look like it now. I’m simply not in the mood to pick it up again. And as I’m not planning on spending money on the next instalments of the series, I will probably never read them anyway, so why continue here?
I really don’t know why Gone wasn’t able to intrigue me. It is a clever and absolutely thought-provoking story that definitely got me thinking. How would I react if people suddenly started to disappear? What would I do to help keep things working? Would I freak out? Would I become as cold-blooded as some of those barely 14-year-old kids? It’s hard to imagine. I would definitely start feeling claustrophobic.
But it also made me wonder: Can those kids be for real? I mean, I have of course never been in a similar situation, but it’s hard to believe it can transform you into a heartless killer in a matter of days. Even if you’ve always been a bully. Killing and torturing people is still on a completely different level.
That being said, I think one thing that I didn’t like was the constant action in this book. I know this is how the book is supposed to be like and I totally knew what I was getting myself into and even looked forward to it. But somehow, in this novel, it just didn’t work for me. Don’t ask me why.
You just never get one peaceful moment. One awful thing happens after the next. We get Caine the dictator and his little crazy friend (I’ve forgotten his name already. Duh.) who want to rule the FAYZ and don’t care at all who lives or dies as long as they stay in power. But hey, that’s not enough. No, throw in some weird talking animals and that creature in the cave. And I know things will probably only get worse in future instalments. I’m certainly not a faint-at-heart when it comes to books (don’t make me watch a horror movie, though), but this was simply � exhausting. And it had the opposite effect on me than it should have had. It made me not care.
The language and dialogue were kept simple, but I thought that fitted the story in some way. I liked Sam’s voice and his personality. Same goes for Astrid, although their love story felt a bit strange to me and developed so fast. But, then again, under their circumstances everything’s a bit different ...
All in all, this book just wasn’t for me. But it might be for you, so don’t refrain from giving it a try. I can totally see people loving this series.
I really don’t know why Gone wasn’t able to intrigue me. It is a clever and absolutely thought-provoking story that definitely got me thinking. How would I react if people suddenly started to disappear? What would I do to help keep things working? Would I freak out? Would I become as cold-blooded as some of those barely 14-year-old kids? It’s hard to imagine. I would definitely start feeling claustrophobic.
But it also made me wonder: Can those kids be for real? I mean, I have of course never been in a similar situation, but it’s hard to believe it can transform you into a heartless killer in a matter of days. Even if you’ve always been a bully. Killing and torturing people is still on a completely different level.
That being said, I think one thing that I didn’t like was the constant action in this book. I know this is how the book is supposed to be like and I totally knew what I was getting myself into and even looked forward to it. But somehow, in this novel, it just didn’t work for me. Don’t ask me why.
You just never get one peaceful moment. One awful thing happens after the next. We get Caine the dictator and his little crazy friend (I’ve forgotten his name already. Duh.) who want to rule the FAYZ and don’t care at all who lives or dies as long as they stay in power. But hey, that’s not enough. No, throw in some weird talking animals and that creature in the cave. And I know things will probably only get worse in future instalments. I’m certainly not a faint-at-heart when it comes to books (don’t make me watch a horror movie, though), but this was simply � exhausting. And it had the opposite effect on me than it should have had. It made me not care.
The language and dialogue were kept simple, but I thought that fitted the story in some way. I liked Sam’s voice and his personality. Same goes for Astrid, although their love story felt a bit strange to me and developed so fast. But, then again, under their circumstances everything’s a bit different ...
All in all, this book just wasn’t for me. But it might be for you, so don’t refrain from giving it a try. I can totally see people loving this series.
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Reading Progress
March 20, 2010
– Shelved
December 10, 2010
–
60.35%
"Some of these kids really are sick. They are all 14 and younger, yet so power-hungry and cruel."
page
344
December 19, 2010
–
79.65%
"I like the story, but somehow I can easily put the book aside after reading a few chapters."
page
454
April 16, 2016
– Shelved as:
abandoned
December 3, 2021
– Shelved as:
young-adult
December 6, 2021
– Shelved as:
dystopia
April 7, 2022
– Shelved as:
given-away
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message 1:
by
oliviasbooks
(new)
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rated it 3 stars
May 04, 2010 06:03AM
My copy is in a bad, bad condition (heavily creased and rounded spine, dog-eared and dented covers with small rips, out of shape). Do you want it? It is pretty thick, but if s.th. fits into the under-1000g-Package, I would also include a a 2:1-offer.
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Thanks for offering, I don't mind that much if it's in a not-so-good condition as long as it's still readable ;). I looked through your shelf, and if it fits in, I would also take "Defining Dulcie" (sounds quite interesting). But if not, it's no prblem.
I'll go over and put it up for you. You can get Dulcie or something thicker as well. I've put Gone on my kitchen scale and it weighs less than 500g, even. Light paper, apparently.
I hope you like this one, Janina. It's one of my favorites.
I'm enjoying it so far. Although these multiple point of views can be rather painful. I already know that this Caine is up to something, but Sam and his friends don't ...
Caine will soon be the least of their problems....
LA LA LA I cant hear you ... ;P.
I'm not spoiling anything..............much.
Great series, but I couldn't continue with them. There just...to much.I hope you have better luck hun:)
Well said, Janina.
Great review Janina. I am definitely fall into the faint at heart category so I don't think this is for me.
Awesome review, Janina! Sorry you could't get into the story, though.
Thank you! Well, you can't win them all. Jessi, do you want my copy? I can send it to you for free, it's in a bad condition (like, really bad, see Olivia's first comment ;)), but if you don't mind ...
That's so nice of you to offer! Well, how can I turn such an offer down? :)
:) Okay, I'll post it some time next week. The adress for books was the first one, right?
:( Sorry you didn't like it. But you're right, if you didn't like the first one, the other ones won't get much better for you.
I'll post your two books tomorrow, too, Jessi.
These books were hard to stomach, which is a shame since it's written so well:(I wanted to try The Enemy, but doesn't it sound a lot like the Gone series?
Almost exactly. Except its in London. With zombies.
*giggles* The series after that one is set in Munich. With cannibalistic mermaids.
I like London...I think I'll pick it up at my lib.Cannibalistic Mermaids? HA!
Olivia, you know you would read that.
Sorry this didn't work out for you. Great review Janina!
Thank you Janina! :D Yes, the first address. Not the one you sent the Christmas card to.Cool, thanks Olivia! I'll post yours tomorrow, too!
Totally forgot to add my rating before! Alright, Jessica, I'll send it out some time next week. I'm sick at the moment and don't really feel like leaving the house, so it might take a few days.
Sick? Oh shit.
It's not that bad. It's just one of those colds that make you want to stay in bed - caught it on New Year's Eve. Yay. Well, at least I wasn't hit by a skyrocket ;).
Aw, sorry to hear that! Hope you'll feel better soon!Don't worry about sending the book! There's really no rush!
This book is good so far, but you're right, the thought of bullies turning into cold hearted murderers in a matter of days was just disturbing. Especially when the innocent begin to die :(
I'm blown away by how many people loved this book. I thought it was spectacularly boring.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned that the constant action, and the movement from bad to worse and worse, desensitizes the reader until they no longer care what happens next, because it's always going to be bad.
I kind of agree because i have 100 pages left too, and i left it for a 2 year hiatus so...going back into it is kind of hard, but i'll finish the book, and see if i want to read the rest of the series later, because there's many more series i want to read.
I really just don't agree I find it amazing that anyone could not find this book amazing it really is such a unique storyline I and dispite the constant action which I happened to love
the last 100 pages is definitely the most awesome part of the bookit seriously defined this book
made it my favorite out of any other book ive ever read
if you dont read the last 100 pages, you havent read gone. because the ending is absolutely amazing, same with the other two books
I feel exactly the same way. I read about the first 100 pages and just didn't like it... I mean it was a great story and a great concept but it seemed like it was written by a 7th grader for some reason. I mean everyone else seemed to like it so I won't say it was a bad book
I feel exactly the same way. I read about the first 100 pages and just didn't like it... I mean it was a great story and a great concept but it seemed like it was written by a 7th grader for some reason. I mean everyone else seemed to like it so I won't say it was a bad book
I absolutely agree. I did finish, but it was a battle to do so. On their own every element was pretty well done, but put together it just didn't capture me as much as I wanted it to. I am left feeling mostly "eh" about it.
I agree....took a long time to read because i just couldnt get into it. However, now that i have finished, i probably wont read the others but have to admit....curious
I disagree, I loved this book!
my friends have given me this books with vast compliments! I've great expectations
I'm glad I'm not alone with these books - I picked up Gone around the time it came out and read it in a few sittings. I was irked by the constant crises, but kept going - but I admit it, I peeked at the end around two thirds in.The absurdity of the ending with talking coyotes (or jackals? I don't remember). I remember looking at the book and going "seriously?" It seemed so random. I've seen the series grow in length and popularity, and I just.. don't get it. I think I'm the wrong audience.
:( Ah oh well, I know this story isn't for everyone. It does have a lot of gore and it is in some ways really unbelievable. For me though I love the constant action! I love the way one thing happens after the next with barley any space in between. I especial love how there are like a million characters in this book and how they are all so unique and all have their own stories. Like I said though, this book is for definitely for everyone. I glad you gave it a chance though :)
Don't judge it until you get to the very end seriously just trust me...
i agree with sarah... you suck janina
read Lord of the Flies. The kids kill each other too.
Not trying to be a prick here, but the author was, as i have read, doing his best to make these characters act as realistic (not including powers) as possible. This book got me thinking too, and i do believe that 14-year old kids would start acting like these did in just a matter of day, especially the psychopaths.it's the fight of flight kind of thing. You can either fight, and most likely live, or you can flight, and most likely get killed by the fighters. And another thing, you said there was to much action. I'm not calling you wrong for not liking action, you can like whatever, but this is a world of powers, killers, and un-adulthood (yes I know that is not a word), do you really think there will be time to just sit and talk with your friend about your crush, over coffee? These kids are trying to survive, and the pre-K teachers are trying to take care of the little ones. And if you actually read the hole book, you would know that all the good guys hand a wonderful, AND CALM Thanksgiving.
I would have to disagree with you about the unrealisticness in the way the children are portrayed (Is that a word? I dont know.)of the book. The evil in the boy whose name you forgot, Drake, was always there. But in my opinion he never got a chance to let his full blown dark and sadistic side show because of things like police and adults to stop restrict him. Now, without these, he has nothing to keep him from carrying out his evil plans and torturing the poor children with powers. In the book, the powers the kids of Perdido Beach have are manifested through the hands, so Drake decides to force some the kids he captures to put their hands in a cinderblock mold, while cement is poured over them and lets it dry, trapping the poor children. In this position, the children can barely eat and keep themselves upright. Also, part of Drakes cruelty stems from his lack of a power and his jealousy of the people who possess them, and his desire to dominate and be in control is trumped by the unique abilities of the other kids.
I agree with your first statement. How can a bully transform in a matter of days into a killer? And later in the book Orc starts drinking 10 or more beers a day. I mean can that really happen, be a bully one day and a week later become an alcoholic? Also I don't understand what happened to him in the end, did he become a stone golem or something.
