Gone

Gone
By Michael Grant
HarperTeen, 2008. 558 pgs. Young adult fiction.

Imagine a world that has snapped in a second from the world we know now to a world composed of no one older than 14. Even further, children are exhibiting strange powers, or mutations, many proving very dangerous. All of this world is contained within a small area that was Perdido Beach, California. As bullies and would-be dictators emerge, a hero is also reluctantly forced to step up. The resulting struggle between two groups of children, both with enormous powers on their side, is something both frightening and fascinating.

This book is a gritty, fast-paced, intense adventure. The characters are well-developed and many manage to endear themselves to the reader. There is strong violence in the story, much of it disturbing, so beware to sensitive or younger readers. Recommended for older teens and up.