Susan Beth Pfeffer's the dead and the gone
is the second in her series of an apocalyptic future in which the moon has been thrown off course. Everyhing is a mess, the weather in particular, which is making it difficult for life to continue. I really liked the first book in this series, Life As We Knew It
, and actually wasn't that interested in this installment until I heard there would be a third book involving the main character from the first book. Whew! So, this installment follows New Yorker Alex Morales as he deals with the fallout of this new existence and his new role of 'man around the house' for his two sisters. Alex's story was different in that he seemed to have more resources for food as well as relationships outside his family through school and church. Speaking of church, the Morales family are devout Catholics and their faith is referred to again and again. Readers with a low tolerance for religion may find this tiresome. While I did find this to be a quick read and a page turner, I never felt an emotional connection with Alex nor as drawn in to the story as I was with Pfeffer's other book. Despite this, I still plan to read the next book in the series to see what happens next. I'm fascinated by this future Pfeffer has imagined.I was waiting, waiting, waiting(!) impatiently for Suzanne Collins' Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)
to arrive at the library last Friday. It did, and I finished it Sunday morning. What a ride! Fast paced and exciting, this book picked up where The Hunger Games
left off. Heroine Katniss is being targeted by The Capital as Someone Who Might Ignite a Rebellion and they decide to show her who's boss! Do they ever. Was anyone else a little surprised at the direction this book took? I was not expecting more of, you know. But it worked. And the ending was great - a cliffhanger, but what did you expect!? I'll be first in line (at the library) for the third installment.
12 comments:
I think I'm going to be the last person in the world to read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
I'm reading Hunger Games/Catching Fire during Christmas break...I need to read the Dead and the Gone!
I enjoyed (ok, loved) The Hunger Games, but was very lukewarm about Catching Fire. I'll read the third, but the second really failed to impress me.
I haven't read either of Pfeffer's books, but have heard good things about them. I may just read the first and skip the follow-ups. These YA series tend to start out with a bang and fizzle out after a few installments. Just my two cents, of course. ;)
Wow, Catching Fire is so awesome, but such a big cliffhanger at the end. Now we just have to wait until August 24th 2009.
-Eric
http://themockingjay.vndv.com
I went through the exact same thing with the Pfeffer - no interest in the sequel until I discovered there was a third book that brings it all together again. I'll have to pick a day to read the second one where I am feeling brave. :P
I think that last-minute desperate library reading is hilarious. :) Neither of these YA series appeal to me (I do NOT like dystopia, lol), but that's too bad the dead & the gone isn't as good.
There's nothing like being sucked into a good series of books and absolutely Having to get the next book when it comes out. And I've found there are some wonderful YA novels out there. I will have to check these out.
I'm definitely interested in the first Pfeffer book. And I was actually a bit disappointed in the 2nd Hunger Games...I didn't like the,you know. :)
I have Catching Fire in my hands for the second time, and I hope I have better luck. I wasn't in the right mood for it the first time, but I'm looking forward to diving into it for another go.
Kathy, you might be! Just kidding!
Staci, what a great gift to yourself (to read those!).
Les, that's interesting, your take on YA series. Hmm. I'll reserve judgement until I read the next installments of these two series.
Eric, August 24 huh? That's not so bad... I was expecting the cliffhanger, I guess.
Jennysbooks, Funny! I am still looking forward to the third.
Eva, I don't know why I DO like dystopia, never did in my younger years!
Danielle, I love it! I am really impressed by some of the YA I read - I overlooked it for so many years.
Melanie, Yeah, I know. Disappointing to do the same thing.
Andi, I hope you do too! It's a whirlwind of a book.
The Pfeffer books sound intriguing. I'll have to add them to my HUGE TBR list, LOL. I stumbled across your apge via Jenny's Books, and I just love it. You combine all my favorite things. I'll be back often:)
overflowingbookshelf, thanks for stopping by! I know what you mean about the TBR list!
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