Hunger

In Hunger, the stakes are higher, the fear deepens, the drama is more dramatic, freaky occurrences are happening more often and the food slowly starts to run out. This book is very disturbing, especially the part when the kids inside the FAYZ, get so desperate, they eat the remains of their fallen comrades.

It's been three months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

food ran out weeks ago and starvation is imminent. Meanwhile, the normal teens have grown resentful of the kids with powers. And when an unthinkable tragedy occurs, chaos descends upon the town. There is no longer right and wrong. Each kid is out for himself and even the good ones turn murderous.

But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.

The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.

I think that in this book, the characters start to develop their true nature, as their are no adults keeping the beasts inside them contained. Like how Caine becomes power hungry, and Sam starts to collapse under the pressure of being leader.

I loved this book, as well as all the other Gone novels, and I think they deserve a round of applause. And by reading this novel, you can be prepared if this really happens.

The modern-day Lord of the Flies (with a bit of a paranormal/supernatural twist) continues in this second book. The conflict is more intense, the stakes are high, and the freaky occurances are mounting. Beneath the drama and conflict, there's an interesting look at prejudice and fear and what that will drive good people to do. I couldn't put this book down, and I love that the boys in the book sound like boys. What a fabulous adventure.

Reader reviewed by Krystal Larson

Lisabeth is on the verge of death, dying from Anorexia. She no longer cares that much about her friends, family, interests, etc... When Death comes for her, she is not really even that surprised. What he offers, however, is the chance of her lifetime; an opportunity she really can't refuse. To become a Horseman of the Apocalypse, especially to become Famine, fits Lisabeth perfectly.
She begins to carry out her duties as Famine in the beginning of the book. Ignoring her friends' concerned glances, she continues to give in to her eating disorder. She takes the reader to small towns, where famine is also prevalent, leaving the people starving and in pain. She meets War, an evil woman who cares little for anyone else, bent on causing destruction. She sees people in a restaurant fight and hurt each other all because of her new power. Thankfully, she isn't altogether happy with what she causes and observes; not nearly as callous as War, Famine has a chance to do some good. The question is, will the good she does other people kill her? Or will she be able to apply some of her lessons to herself?
This was a great read, very enlightening when it comes to eating disorders (which seem to be written about too infrequently). The author provides the reader with a view into the mindset of someone in the grips of Anorexia. The writing is descriptive and filled with foreshadowing. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend the novel to young adult/teen readers.

Reader reviewed by The Flashlight Reader

Synopsis from Goodreads: Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.

Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: shes been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

 

 

Review: The story begins with Lisas attempted suicide. Before she can overdose on her mothers pills, Death intercedes and appoints her as Famine. She thinks she is dreaming, until she notices a large, black horse living in her backyard and Famines scales sitting on her kitchen table. At night, Lisa takes on the roll of Famine, the fourth rider in the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With her horse, Midnight, she travels trying to find ways to bring balance to the worlds famines.

 

As Lisa discovers her power as Famine, she also discovers how to control the thin voice in her head. Instead of being controlled by the negative power of hunger and food, she learns that food has the power to heal. With her new knowledge, Lisa begins to heal the victims of famine and her self at the same time.

 

This book was very unique. The idea of an anorexic girl becoming Famineand not being crazywas a hard one to take in. I didnt fully appreciate the story until I finished the book and read the authors note. Knowing that the author had a Lisa in her own life really put the story in to perspective for me. I couldnt help but remember people I knew growing up that battled with eating disorders. With that, I began to appreciate the symbolism throughout the story more than I previously had. Ive never suffered from an eating disorder, but I would imagine Lisas thoughts would be accurate. You could feel her struggle with the thin voice throughout the story. I could almost feel her pain every time she saw food.

 

I thought the characters werent as developed as they should be. I never fully appreciated the other Horsemen of the Apocalypse. War came across as mean and nasty, but that was it. I never got the feeling of an overly threatening persona. Pestilence was disgusting. The description of his cold sores and snotty nose made my stomach flip. Other than that, however, there wasnt any character development. My favorite of the four Horsemen was Death. A Kurt Cobain styled messenger of death was an interesting touch. I picked up on the Nirvana songs instantlyeven if I wasnt a fan of Nirvana when I was younger. I would have loved to see more character development overall. Since this is the first book in a series, maybe the characters will have a chance to evolve with each addition in the series.

 

I think I would pair this book with Laurie Halse Andersons Wintergirls. Together, they would be an interesting look into eating disorders. I had a rating for half stars, I would probably give this a 3 ½. But, since the image of the struggle with food seemed so real and horrifying for Lisa, I will give it a 4.

 

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

I'm glad this book FINALLY got around to addressing the issue of the Mysterious Hungry Monster in the Cave that everyone's so freaked out about. lol

Mysteries are solved and some are still not in the second book of the Gone series, and leaves me "hunger"ing for more...ok, bad joke.

Minor things in the book I had issues with in Hunger: evolution references and one of the characters was gay.

Michael Grant writes with an addicting style. Never a good place to put the book down. "OK, at the end of this chapter I have to eat something....ooh, I wonder what the next chapter is going to be about...", etc.

Hunger was more darker and more depressing than the first book. Food is diminishing and everyone's ganging up on everyone. People are turning into freaks, and because of that, they're being ostracized by the normals.

Some of you may disagree, but I wish Astrid had a more exciting personality. I really like Diana, but I always like the snarky, spicy girl characters in books. I know Astrid's a brain and all, but smart girls have personality too!

Reader reviewed by Ollie

It's a typical SciFi story: People disappear. Some one takes charge. Then everyone finds out that there is some weirdness going on. Then, to make matters worse there is a self-centered antagonist the wants to usurp the leader.
   It's a plot that every has seen one time or another. The scary part about this book series is that it happens to a bunch of kids. And most of these kids have lost all common sense by book 2. Food is running out and everyone is testy.
  I know that Sam is supposed to be the hero and all, but I think the real hero of the story is Duck. Duck is just a kid trying to survive in the FAYZ. He doesn't try to bother anyone, but he doesn't cave under pressure either. When its time to cut to the chase Duck did what he had to do.

Reader reviewed by Julie H

In this sequel to Gone, we find the kids of the Perdido Beach area still trying to cling to some semblance of everyday life, while their food supplies have dwindled.  Sam is acting mayor, Lana's in hiding as a healer, Mary runs the daycare for the "littles" and Astrid is still analytically examining the weird goings on.  More kids are coming into some powers, this is both good and bad.   And, there are some in town that think it's time to regulate things more, even start a system of bartering or currency before the food totally runs out. There are farms within their FAYZ area and the boys take off to do reconnaisance, only to find a new creature to fight.  Will their defenses hold against new threats and the old coyote pack that's licking it's wounds, waiting?  I didn't like this as much as the first book, but it's definitely worth dipping into as we wait for their next adventure.