Monster (Monster Book 1) by Michael Grant

Monster is the amazing first book in the Gone spin-off series, which takes place four years after the previous series. The Gone series is my favorite YA dystopian series, and I first discovered it back in 6th grade at my school library. An alien virus on a meteor attacked a nuclear power plant in Perdido Beach, California. When mixed with Uranium and human DNA, it formed a radioactive monster that called itself the Gaiaphage. It made an energy barrier that made everyone 15 and older disappear. Teens and animals also gained superpowers, and animals mutated. Four years ago, after defeating the Gaiaphage the barrier came down, children were reunited with their parents. The FAYZ (Fallout Alley Youth Zone) was over.

But four years later, asteroids are hitting Earth again, with a worse alien virus. Monster is the story of the teens that mutate into monsters when ingesting the virus, and the story of the corrupt government trying to control them for experiments. Some are heroes, some are out of control. Instead of just Perdido Beach, this time it's all over the world. The only thing more terrifying than the FAYZ is when history repeats itself.

I absolutely loved this book! Michael Grant does not fail to impress! The book follows the perspectives of multiple characters, with the main characters of Shade and Dekka, a character from Gone. I loved how the book includes elements and characters from previous books. Monster is basically Gone dumped with gasoline, and it was incredible. I absolutely loved the plot! After six books, the author still manages to create new elements and revolutionize the already amazing series! I loved the concept before, and I still do. The dramatic battle and action scenes are even more gripping than before!

I really enjoyed the prospect of having to digest part of the rock to mutate instead of it happening against their will. This book really shows options, and how these teens had a choice to swallow the rock, a choice to change their lives. (Shade ate it with peanut butter.) Some are hungry for power, while some want to be the hero. Others were forced to take it by the corrupt government, like Dekka. The diversity of the characters is stronger than in the previous book because each character clearly has their own motivations.

A little detail that I liked was that Monster came out four years after Light, and the book takes place four years later. I like that it kept the time frame the same, and all the events made sense and aligned with that time jump. I also love that this book is a prime example of one of the reasons why we learn history in school, to prevent history from repeating. It will be very interesting to see how the past impacts their decisions. The last time I read the previous book, Light, was two years ago. I appreciated the balance of Monster talking about background information from previous books while not distracting from the main events.

Michael Grant has confirmed the release of two more books in this series, Villain, coming out September 1, 2018, and Hero in 2019. (Why oh why do I have to wait a whole year?)

I highly recommend that you pick up the Gone series, and/or his other series that I loved, Front Lines!  Read my review of the last Gone book, Light! My Light review has links to all my Gone reviews. In the Front lines/Soldier Girl series, read my reviews of Front Lines, and Silver Stars! The third book in that series, Purple Hearts, comes out January 30, 2018.

Title: Monster (Monster Book 1)
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 576
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
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Silver Stars (Front Lines Book 2) by Michael Grant

Silver Stars is the second book in the YA historical fiction series, Front Lines, also known as Soldier Girl. It is WWII, but not as students would learn in history class. Women and girls are not cooking and cleaning while the men fight. Michael Grant creates an alternate reality of the war in which women could be drafted. 

Three brave girls decide to enlist in the war. Rio Richlin enlists because she wants to do her part and avenge her sister's death in the war. Frangie Marr enlists to be a medic and help pay bills. Rainy Schulterman enlists because she wants to get rid of Hitler and stop what is happening to her family. In book 2, the three soldier girls move to their next target- Sicily, Italy.

Rio, Frangie, and Rainy's personalities changed from being at war. This painted a big picture of how war can change a person. Their outlook on life and death changed. Rainy's sections were my favorite. I loved her bravery and her focus to do the right thing. How she survived would seem a miracle, and she was an incredible person that anyone would look up to. I also still love the idea of having women fight in the war, and it really shows how women can do anything men can. This story also teaches bravery and acceptance of others.

There was a focus difference in the second book. Front Lines, the first book, was more focused on Rio, Frangie, and Rainy getting through training and into the war, while this one is more focused on the real war life. There were some scenes that were hard to read and get through because of the graphic war violence.  

I also felt like the development of the characters were different. In Silver Stars, I was less drawn to Rio and I was more intrigued to Frangie and Rainy. I found myself wanting to skip passages to get to what happens next. (Luckily I stopped myself.) Just like the first book, Rio had most of the chapters, but in the other book I liked all of the characters equally. The balance of characters and the length of each character's perspective was really strong in Grant's Gone Series, so I was a little surprised. 

Just like in the first book, the names of the battles and the places they went were real. The amount of research that had to go into writing this had to be really extensive. It was very obvious that he knew what he was talking about, and I admire the hard work he put into this. (Take a look at the bibliography page at the end!)

I cannot wait to read the next book, Purple Hearts, coming out on January 30th, 2018! There are two other books in the Front Lines collection. Soldier Girls in Action is book 1.5, and Dead of the Night is an extra short story that Michael Grant wrote exclusively for World Book Day 2017. 

Michael Grant is also the author of the Gone series, which I highly recommend for YA dystopian fans. Read my review of the first book in the Gone series. I am thrilled to know that Grant is coming out with a follow up edition to Gone called Monster and comes out on October 17, 2017.

I recommend that you read this book!

Read my review of the first book in the Soldier Girl series, Front Lines. 

Title: Silver Stars

Author: Michael Grant

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 576 Pages

Series: Yes, Book 2

Rating: 4 Stars

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Front Lines (Soldier Girl Book 1) by Michael Grant

The author of the dystopian series Gone is back with a new YA historical fiction trilogy, Soldier Girl. In Front Lines, the first book in this trilogy, it is WWII, but not as students would learn in history class. Women and girls are not cooking and cleaning while the men fight. In Michael Grant's version, women and girls get to fight alongside men in the fight against Hitler. After Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, America joins the war against Hitler. Michael Grant creates an alternate reality of the war in which women could be drafted. 

Three brave girls decide to enlist in the war. Rio Richlin enlists because she wants to do her part and avenge her sister's death in the war. Frangie Marr, who is African American, enlists to help her family pay bills, and she wants to become a medic. Rainy Schulterman, who is Jewish, enlists because she wants to get rid of Hitler and stop what is happening to her family. While they are on their separate paths, all three of them will come together in the Battle of Kasserine Pass. 

I like that while the details and the main topic that women could fight was made up, the places and the Battle of Kasserine Pass are real. I also got to learn more about the war and what it was like. There is a lot of background information provided. The details were really outstanding in the fact that most of them are correct, like the military terms and the names of the boats. There is a bibliography in the back of the book with many sources in it. I liked that amount of credibility, and I did not expect to see one. 

The characters were great! The style about switching perspectives was the same as Grant's style in the Gone series. I really liked how the characters crossed paths, even though they were working in different areas. Frangie was my favorite character. I think she deserved a whole book. Rio had most of the chapters, but she was also the most influenced. She had a key part on the battlefield, and I loved her emotions about firing the rifle. Rainy was very helpful in her intelligence unit, and there were some scenes that I really liked about her. There were other strong characters as well, such as Jenou. She was basically Rio's sidekick. I liked that she brought humor to the book.

Michael Grant is one of my favorite authors, as he wrote the Gone series. He can write fantasy and science fiction just as well as he can write historical fiction. I do not read historical fiction that often, but the fact that Grant wrote it made it more appealing. While the majority of Front Lines is about the war, he also tackles issues of racism and sexism. Frangie wanted to be a medic, and most of her prospective was about the challenge of being a women, and on top of it all, being African American. She handled the criticism well, as did the other girls about their gender and race. 

I did not enjoy the fact that America lost this battle. I think that for a book like this with female empowerment and such inspiration it was not the best choice to put in the book a losing battle. I also did not like that not many events happened in the book. I think that there should have been more battles mentioned than the Battle of Kasserine Pass. Most of the events went on a little longer than was needed, but since this is a trilogy, I understand why.  

I recommend you read Front Lines. I cannot wait to read the sequel, Silver Stars, which comes out on January 31, 2017!

Michael Grant is also the author of the Gone series, which I highly recommend for YA dystopian fans. Read my review of the first book in the Gone series. I am also thrilled to know that Grant is coming out with a 7th book in the Gone series, Monster, set 4 years in the future.

Title: Front Lines (Soldier Girl Book 1)

Author: Michael Grant

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 576 Pages

Series: Yes, Book 1

Rating: 4 Stars

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Light (Gone Book 6) by Michael Grant

Light is the last book in the young adult dystopian series, Gone. It has been over a year since all the adults disappeared. They thought they were rid of the gaiaphage, but they are wrong. It has reborn into Diana's daughter, Gaia. She has every power, and wants to seriously harm everyone in the FAYZ. After long battles, Sam's people who live at the Lake and Caine's people at Perdido Beach must band together if they have any chance of survival. Gaia is ridding them one by one, and the number of kids are decreasing rapidly. In the end, one will make a sacrifice that will save the world.

The only thing I didn't like was the extremity of Gaia and the extreme amounts of violence that was showed forth by her. It was a little too graphic for me, as some of the other books, and I feel that the way some things ended were slightly more extreme than they needed to be.

There is a lot of good vs. bad in the series, and it seemed like just now they finally realized that there are shades of gray. In Light, this is the book where the lesson finally comes into play about coming together despite differences for a greater cause.

Ending the series was great. A lot of times the endings don't really sum up, and leave room for another book even though you know there is no other book and you are left hanging forever. Fortunately, this book was not the case. The ending was perfectly summed up with really no room to expand on, which is great. It fully showcases their lives after this whole disaster and sums the rest of their lives up completely.

Gone was a good series that kept me hanging until the end, and I recommend that you read this unique series!

See my reviews of the previous books in the Gone series:

• Gone by Michael Grant
• Hunger (Gone Book 2) by Michael Grant
• Lies (Gone Book 3) by Michael Grant
• Plague (Gone Book 4) by Michael Grant
• Fear (Gone Book 5) by Michael Grant 

Title: Light (Gone #6)

Author: Michael Grant

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 411 pages
Series: Yes, Book 6
Rating: 4 Stars

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Fear (Gone Book 5) by Michael Grant

Fear is the fifth book in the young adult dystopian series, Gone. A year ago, everyone 15 and older disappeared, leaving all the kids trapped in a barrier called the FAYZ, with no way out. Now, the barrier is turning black, threatening to get rid of light, and engulf the world with darkness. With everything that has already happened, this does not sound like a huge threat, since Sam can create light for them to use, but you know the saying, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

I was definitely disappointed. Given the others in the series, I was expecting better, especially since this is the second to last book in the series. It went very slow, and I was kind of like "hurry up, already!" I know that is harsh, but I really did feel that way.

Another thing was that it was like running in a circle. You would finish one thing, but it would come back again, basically the same thing over and over. The ending was very confusing. Even after reading it over and over, it is hard to understand how it happened.

There were some parts that were good, but not really enough for me. The next book in the series is the last, Light. I really hope it is better than this was!

Read my reviews of the other books in the series:

• Gone by Michael Grant
• Hunger (Gone Book 2) By Michael Grant
• Lies (Gone Book 3) by Michael Grant
• Plague (Gone Book 4) by Michael Grant

Title: Fear (Gone #5)
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 509 pages
Series: Yes, Book 5
Rating: 2 Stars
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Plague (Gone Book 4) by Michael Grant

Plague is the fourth book in this young adult dystopian series, Gone. Sam and his friends have been without adults for eight months, and they are barely surviving. Things were just starting to get back to normal (or, at least the closest thing to normal in the FAYZ) until multiple disasters strike. Mutated bugs are attacking and harvesting in humans, a highly fatal, contagious disease is spreading, and on top of it all, they are almost out of water. Everyone is out of hope, and now their thoughts are not about getting out; it is about staying alive.

I was so excited to read Plague and see what adventures the teens have next. The disasters bring everyone together, and they really have to get past their personal issues with each other to survive. However, it was not really clear what the plague was. There were three disasters happening at once, and it was hard to focus on them separately. While I like the idea of the mutated bugs, some of the details are too graphic for my liking.

Some of the characters that the previous books said were evil actually helped to fight the bugs, and you got to see good and bad characters working together, which has never happened before.

Overall, Plague was a good fourth book, and I cannot wait to read the next book, Fear.

See my reviews of the other books in the series:

• Gone by Michael Grant
• Hunger (Gone Book 2) By Michael Grant
• Lies (Gone Book 3) by Michael Grant

Title: Plague (Gone #4)
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 459 pages
Series: Yes, Book 4
Rating: 4 Stars
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Lies (Gone Book 3) by Michael Grant

Lies is the third book in the young adult dystopian series, Gone. Seven months ago, everyone 15 or older vanished, leaving the kids trapped inside the FAYZ. (Their word for the mysterious barrier surrounding them.) Sam and his friends thought that they had defeated the darkness, but they are wrong.

Drake is back from the dead to finish off Sam, and that is the least of their problems. A girl named Orsay claims to have the power to hear and see the adults outside the barrier, and communicate through their dreams. Sam and Caine found a way to stay after your 15th birthday, but she says that you go on the other side and are reunited with your parents. She also says that death is a way out, which causes chaos. 

Lies is definitely a super third book. It was kind of alarming how quickly things spiraled out of control. The second one problem was solved, another happened. Nobody could rest, and some never slept. It was also a prime example of how power can go to your head, and how things can't just appear overnight. That caused a lot more trouble than it should have.

A good thing that happened was that there was two pages told from Sam's mother's perspective about life without the kids. That completely changed my entire outlook of the series, but I just wish that had happened sooner. I also felt that there were too many characters, but it did not really affect the book as a whole. 

The Gone series keeps getting better, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, Plague.

See my reviews of the other books in the series:

• Gone (book 1)
• Hunger (book 2)

Title: Lies (Gone #3)
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 447 pages
Series: Yes, Book 3
Rating: 4 Stars
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Hunger (Gone Book 2) by Michael Grant

Hunger is the second book in the young adult dystopian series, Gone. Three months ago, everyone 15 or older vanished, leaving the kids on their own. Some developed supernatural abilities that set them apart. Ever since, it is powerful vs powerless. Bullies become power-hungry and fight non-stop to get what they want. Food is running out, and nobody wants to take on the role of getting food. The battles become worse every day. Resources are limited, and everyone is struggling to stay alive. Meanwhile, the students at Coates Academy plot to take over the power plant, which the ultimate source of power.

The title is literal, and also not. True, everyone is hungry, but that is just a small part of it. Hunger is the combination of hunger for power, and also hunger for food. In the beginning, I thought it was just about food, and I did not understand until much later. In this book, it is important to look at it from all angles, and there are a lot of hidden meanings that you have to look hard to find.

There is one thing that did not make sense. Over and over throughout the book, it says it has been three months. When the first book (Gone) ended, it was around October, right after Sam's birthday. In the beginning of this book, it says it is March. October to March is not three months, so I think the author forgot to explain something.

Overall, this was a good book. I liked the concept and the continuation of events. I am excited to read the next book, Lies.

Read my review of the first book in this series, Gone.



Title: Hunger (Gone #2)
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 590 pages
Series: Yes, Book 2
Rating: 4 Stars
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Gone by Michael Grant

This is the first book in this young adult dystopian series. There are currently six books in the Gone series.  In one second, everything is normal. The next second it is not. In the blink of an eye, everyone 15 or older vanishes into thin air, along with phone signals, internet, and anyway to get help. A barrier is surrounding them, and there is no way to get through. On top of that, some people get powers. Strange abilities that cause power struggles. Ones with powers against ones that don't. Time is running out. When you turn 15... you vanish too.

I liked that the story was shown by a lot of different perspectives, and it helped to see what was happening at the same time as other things. Although there were a lot of different characters, it was pretty easy to see who the main characters were. The characters were all so different, and it made them all memorable.

The book was very suspenseful, and I did not want to put it down. It is filled with twists and turns that you would never expect. The amount of visual details was incredible, and I could picture every single thing that happened. I liked the concept, and the thing about getting powers was awesome.

The author did a great job with the ending. It was just enough for it to tell the important stuff, and still have a cliffhanger. This is an amazing book, and I cannot wait to read the other ones in the series!


Title: Gone #1
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 559 pages
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
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