Gone by: Michael Grant

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Gone #1

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 558

Rating: 4/5

Genre: YA Science Fiction
Release Date: July 1st 2008

**Part of my Dystopian Reading Challenge**


In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.
Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.
Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.
It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...


This book was absoultey amazing! I was so impressed with the unqiue plot that kept me engaged in the story from page one. I didn't want to put this book down and I was up very late at night reading this and ignoring my other duties. (Like the dishes... Sorry Matt!) I felt so invested in Sam and his friends that I felt like I was their own personal cheerleader, rooting them on and wanting them to find out why people are disappearing. The pages tick down according to hour of when Sam is going to disappear which was an awesome touch since it added to the excitment of the book. If I had to complain about one thing it would be the constant action and not as much character building. I felt like I couldn't breathe for 500 pages because there was always a problem or some epic battle going on. Michael Grant: A little break for a couple pages would have nice a nice touch ;)


Overall I really enjoyed this book and I am excited to start the rest of the series. This is slated to be a 6 book series with the first 4 already out. It's defintely a MUST read!!

IMM [ 5 ]

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren

These are all the books that came in the mail this week! So excited for all of them!! (Much bigger one on my Youtube)

The White Queen (Philippa Gregory)

Touch of Power (Maria V. Snyder)

Blood Rights (Kristen Painter)

Blood Bound (Rachel Vincent)

Soul Screamers bind up

My Soul to Keep

My Soul to Steal

If I Die

(All by Rachel Vincent)

Book Review: The Merchants Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Publisher: Zondervan

Series: Stand-alone

Edition: e-book

Pages: 304

Rating: 3.5/5

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: November 29th 2011

*Received for review at Net galley* 

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart

As a lover of the historical fiction genre I will always have a place on my shelf for these titles. This book was beautifully written and had a little bit of "Beauty and the Beast" that made it a unique retelling. It was very fun and easy to read and had beautiful descriptions of the world around Annabel. Annabel goes through some really interesting struggles that had me rooting for her to find her voice and continue to be the strong woman she presented herself to be. I really liked reading about Annabel and Lord Ranulf and their dialogue between each other, that was something I definitely enjoyed!

The only complaint that I had was the religious aspect. It's not so much that I had a problem with it, I just felt like the author was trying to be a little aggressive with her beliefs and at times it made it difficult to want to continue reading. I don't have a problem with religious aspects in books but I think there is a way to do it correctly without turning off some readers. Lightly talk about the idea of religion, if the main character has values that she wishes to protect that is fine but don't make it the focus point of the story. 

I did like this book. A 3.5 rating for me is pretty great and the only issue I had was the religious aspect. 

River of Time series is a series I read that had religious aspects and was also a historical fiction, but it wasn't the main point of the book.