Fear (Gone, #5) in It's not just a FAYZ

Jun 28, 2012 Crazyjamie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Judging from the average score for this book on Goodreads (at least the time of writing), it seems I am in a minority with my opinion of Fear, the fifth instalment in the Gone series by Michael Grant. Now I will begin by stating that I do like this series a lot. But it has fluctuated somewhat in terms of quality, and I feel that this is one of the weaker instalments.

Why? Well, for the first time in this book I felt like a number of plot elements were far too forced and obviously there simply to Judging from the average score for this book on Goodreads (at least the time of writing), it seems I am in a minority with my opinion of Fear, the fifth instalment in the Gone series by Michael Grant. Now I will begin by stating that I do like this series a lot. But it has fluctuated somewhat in terms of quality, and I feel that this is one of the weaker instalments.

Why? Well, for the first time in this book I felt like a number of plot elements were far too forced and obviously there simply to fit in with the overarching story. Three examples come immediately to mind. First, the separation of the survivors which occurred at the end of Plague. At first this seemed like an interesting development, but apart from some limited backstory it offered little except as a mechanism to separate the survivors when the barrier goes dark. The second is Taylor. I'm not going to spoil the plot for those who haven't read it, but suffice to say that Taylor clearly didn't fit in with the general theme of Fear, and Grant dealt with that issue on a rather blasé manner that felt rather lazy. The third is the role that Little Pete plays in the book. Again, there was very little substance to this and just seemed to be used as a convenient tool to do things with the plot that he otherwise wouldn't have been able to manage.

For me those three things somewhat undermined the plot of the book. It is clear from the ending of Fear that Grant has an overarching plot in mind, and it is certainly true to say that the final book as plenty of promise. But in Fear I felt like Grant didn't quite plan things well enough and/or ran out of ideas, and as a result he used somewhat lazy methods of plot advancement that felt very forced at times. That's a shame, because as with every other instalment there is plenty here to enjoy, and plenty here to recommend to those who are fans of the series. There is also nothing to suggest that Light isn't going to be anything other than a fitting conclusion. But against the high standards set by the series as a whole, Fear just slipped a little, which I hope just proves to be a blip and nothing more. ...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Horcruxiatus rated it it was amazing

These are just things I expect from the story, not bad or good things, just things I guess could happen in the next two books.

Lana has shown a very deep connection between her and her dog Patrick, the bond has been maintained since Gone and I have a very deep fear that Patrick will end up dying in the book. Now, there's no actual logical proof from the previous books that this will happen, rather something that is necessary to happen in the heat of the war, as well as can help in adding more emo These are just things I expect from the story, not bad or good things, just things I guess could happen in the next two books.

Lana has shown a very deep connection between her and her dog Patrick, the bond has been maintained since Gone and I have a very deep fear that Patrick will end up dying in the book. Now, there's no actual logical proof from the previous books that this will happen, rather something that is necessary to happen in the heat of the war, as well as can help in adding more emotion to the story.

I also have this small idea in my mind that Lana will die in this book and they'll have no hope of healing others in the last one, leaving everything to chance. It'd add a lot of urgency and caution to the book, but I'd doubt this'll happen after Lana's obvious deep connection with the gaiaphage, that started in Hunger, which can only grow over time really.

The one person that I'm sure will live throughout the whole story, maybe the only person, is Little Pete. He's the only one who can really defend himself from anyone seeing as he's an 8-bar (from what I can remember) plus, he's so essential to the main plot that it'd come as a shock to me if Little Pete was killed off for no reason. (Unless he works like Dumbledore and the plan is only set when he dies. (Which is another thing I don't see very likely to happen.))

A few more tidbit things, like supporting roles like Edilio, Quinn, Dekka, Brianna, Jack etc. possibly dying in the next few books. I'm expecting an epic war, one more brutal and outstanding (if possible) than the one in the Town Square. As well as another close Drake encounter near the end of Fear where he'll just make it and be written into the next story.

I expect Fear and Light to be the best books, I really can't see where the story with the kids from the island is going, but it must be essential or there'd be no point. I'm intrigued by how they were suddenly brought in, and then they're kind of forgotten near the end of Plague (from what I can remember, I read the books a few months ago.)

There is no doubt that the new installments in the Gone series will be epic and better than ever, and I'll be hanging on each and every one of Michael's words when I purchase the book in April. ...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Shyla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, children-teen-favs, dystopia-utopia, ya

Wow. I really don't know where to begin reviewing this book as soooo much happened in it!

As my 5 star rating tells you I really loved this one, in fact so far it's my favorite in the series. I think partly because while the other books in the series relied heavily on action driven plot, we got to see a whole deeper level to the characters and get a much better understanding of some very big issues and questions that have been lingering since Gone, the first installment. I felt Fear really dived Wow. I really don't know where to begin reviewing this book as soooo much happened in it!

As my 5 star rating tells you I really loved this one, in fact so far it's my favorite in the series. I think partly because while the other books in the series relied heavily on action driven plot, we got to see a whole deeper level to the characters and get a much better understanding of some very big issues and questions that have been lingering since Gone, the first installment. I felt Fear really dived into the nitty gritty of each characters developement as well as fleshing out the plot.

It has been 4 months since "the parting", when Sam left for the lake taking half the FAYZ with him while the rest remained behind with King Caine in Perdido Beach. Since then things have been, dare I say it, calm and somewhat peaceful. At the Lake Sam, Dekka and Edilio have created a small society that involves work and fun and everyone has a place and a pupose. Back at Perdido Beach King Caine keeps order and Albert keeps the food, business and work going while Quinn and his crews take care of fishing. Overall everyone is doing pretty good.

Then things change. The barrier begins to darken and soon the whole FAYZ is aware that they will be in pure and utter darkeness soon, with no more sun which means no more gorwing food or fishing or...anything. They will have NO light. Of course form there things go from bad to worse as the Darkness uses Drake/Brittney and other evil forces to get to Diana and her baby at all costs. This is the Darkenss' only hope of survivial and it all rests on the small but powerful shouldres of Caine and Diana's unborn baby. The coyotes are still a threat and there is another person who becomes so terrifying that there is no wonder the book is named Fear.

We also get a look at the Outside World, the real world. Where we now know with certainity that all the adults that disapeared in the FAYZ are alive and well and that the whole world is aware of the Barrier, although they have no idea what is going on inside.

Now the characters. Of course I LOVE Sam, to me he is the perfect hero for precisely the fact that he is so far from perfect! He is strong, brave, kind and always tries to do the right thing. But a lot of the time he makes the wrong choice, he puts his own wants and needs above the majority or above his duties. He resents the role of leader and yet can't stand to not be in control. Overall I love him becuase he is so very real!
I love Dekka and Brianna, they are strong kick ass girls who are so brave! I am beginning to like Diana and Caine more as well. I love when characters are multi-dimentinial and not carbon copies of sterotypes. Both Diana and Caine were classified as "bad or evil" from the start but through the series I have seen much more to both these characters that makes me question sif I know them at all.
Astrid, I lvoe dher in this book. She stepped up, she bacame brave and instead of expacting Sam to take care of her she made her own choices and really became her own person.
Quinn and Edilio are two of my favorites as well. Edillio has been the strong, stable one from the beginning, we can always caount on him. Quinn has grown so much and I love his quiet, strong presence and hope we can expect even more growth from him.
Lana is awesome, so glad she has Sanjit, he has mellowed her out a bit!
And I love Orc, he also has grown so much, perhaps more then any other character.

I think I will die before 2013 and the next book comes out....I just can't wait! ...more

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Nov 15, 2010 Kissie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This series is the only one I have been pushing people to read. I'm glad that I am because they are fucking amazing and keep getting better and better.
Anyway since the movie 'The Lucky One' is coming out in 8 days, I wanted to read that book first. But I got Fear and the cover is so appealing I decided to read a couple chapters of it first. A couple chapters turned into the whole book in not even 2 days. This book is honestly the definition of a page turner, amazing.
(view spoiler) ...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Jessye rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, dystopia, epic-series, tough-stuff, fiction, emotional, supernatural, dark-style, huge-cast-of-characters, depressing

No words to describe how I feel about this book. That ending was just mind-blowing, magnificent, it left me speechless besides a few animal like cries of pure joy at the sheer greatness of this story and pain for all the characters in this series. Every Gone series book is like this for me. Each new book in the series becomes my favorite and it's hard not to love this plot, story, and characters with a deep passion. No matter how messed up some of these characters are I can't help but love every ...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Dorinde rated it it was amazing

Preordered this book and I can't wait until it comes and sits at my doorstep! Just a month and one day! Totally awesome!(: I am nearly jumping out of my seat that I"m so excited!Ugh, can barely wait! Love the books! Love them forever(: ...more

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May 27, 2011 Astoria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: wishlist

The last lines in the book are just too wonderful.
I loved it,

I am an Edilio fan, not in a "I love him so much I wish he would marry me way, but rather on a ' he is truly the best person in the FAYZ. He is the one friend Sam has and can rely on as well as the one who pushes him back' so I was surprised with the whole 'Edilio thing', still my favorite by far.

I think it was time for him to get the recognition he deserved, so when Sam said he was the one who kept everything moving I was happy.

An ...more

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