The Dead and the Gone

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The moon-off-kilter-messing-up-the-world plot is scary but Pfeffer has the characters tell you they are scared rather than allowing the language and the story create the mood. Some serious editing issues with 14 candles on the thirteenth birthday cake. I am sure she hoping for movie rights. ( )

Wow, this one was tough. It's a companion novel with Life As We Knew It. It's set in New York City in a grimly believable future. As with the LAWKI, there are a few minor plot holes but the narrative pulls you along without a ripple. There are some pretty gruesome scenes, so be warned. The main characters' continual praying in the face of relentless disaster seemed to me to highlight the essential futility of prayer, or maybe the author just plays to my bias. Either way, it worked for me. ( )

We've seen what happened to the suburbs when a meteor moved the moon closer towards the earth. In "The Dead and the Gone", companion novel to "Life As We Knew It", we see how the disaster changes life for those in the fast paced cities, namely New York City. The story centers around the Morales family. When both Alex's parents disappear the night of the disaster, it becomes his duty to keep him and his two sister, Bri, 14 and Julie, 12, alive in a city that is slowly falling apart. The repercussions of the movement of the moon differ from the story we heard in "Life As We Knew It", but are just as chilling. Alex must deal with a lot-- food shortages, failing electricity, an ill sister... They need a lot, but most of all, seventeen year old Alex knows he needs to get him and his family out of the city before it exists no more.

Oh my goodness. I don't know what I expected while reading "The Dead and the Gone". I enjoyed the book immensely even thought it never ceased to depress me. The characters seemed real and I really felt for them. Towards the end, the book almost brought tears to my eyes, which is unusual for me!

By no means should "The Dead and the Gone" be taken as 'the same old thing'. It reads similar, yet completely different to its companion novel. One of the most intriguing things was, at times, something would affect Alex and his sisters, and I would stop and be brought back to what happened to Miranda in "Life As We Knew It".

I really enjoyed this companion novel and can't wait until the third book in this series, "This World We Live In" is released. I recommend "The Dead and the Gone" for teens and adults who find themselves the least bit attracted to the story. It's definitely a page turner!

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I seriously love reading this series. I get so enthralled with books that are set in a post apocalyptic world--well, at least one where natural disasters are going crazy. I'm not sure which one I enjoyed more, this one or the companion (Life As We Knew It). Both had their highs and lows...but this one KILLED me for two major plot points:

Alex's dad was the super of the building. He would've had keys to every apartment. And, even if he didn't have the keys, EVERYONE IS FREAKING GONE OR DEAD LIKE THE TITLE SAYS, BREAK DOWN THE WALLS OF THE DOZENS OF APARTMENTS AND STEAL THEIR SH&T Alex and his sisters are starving to death (literally) and there was probably tons of food and supplies in the other apartments. People in the convoys could only take a bag of stuff--there would be lots left over.

The world is going to sh*t? There would be major looting and shooting. I know this a young adult book but Pfeffer isn't afraid to bring in harsh subjects (selling a young girl into basically sex slavery, anyone?)so it surprised me that she left out such an element. I think it would be human nature to rip buildings apart and strip them of everything. It is basic survival.

Don't get the idea that I didn't really enjoy this book; I totally did. I have some sort of sick obsession with survival stories.

P.S. I thought this ending was sort of a letdown ( )