Channan M. (shiner716) -
Helpful Score: 2
The ending was abrupt and left a lot of unanswered questions but I really liked the book and tore through it in about 24 hours. The whole story is an emotional roller coaster and makes one wonder what would happen should events like this really occur. I'm not sure I would be as strong as Alex. I'm hoping there is a sequel that I don't know about yet as I'm looking forward to knowing what happens next.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 1
As "Life As We Knew It" is one of my favorite books, I could not wait to read this. It started out seeming like a more diverse, perhaps politically correct, big city version of the same events and had many similarities. But it is a different set of characters and different setting experiencing the same event, after all. It still reeled me in and I became completely absorbed. I love the way this author can paint her characters so human that the reader becomes so emotionally attached to them. It is a much darker book than the first was, more heart wrenching in some ways. I highly recommend it, but be prepared not to feel the same at the end of this as the author left us feeling at the end of the first.
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed The Dead & the Gone (Last Survivors, Bk 2) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Breanna F. for TeensReadToo.com
Alex Morales is a 17-year-old Puerto Rican boy living with his family in New York. He has two younger sisters, Briana and Julie, and his parents, who he calls Mami and Papi. Everything is going pretty normally for Alex. He's the vice president of his school council and he's looking forward to getting into a great college.
But in one moment everything changes. Something huge hit the moon and knocked it out of place. It's now closer to Earth, causing a lot of horrible changes, including tidal waves, flooding, blackouts, and overall panic. According to many people, the Earth is coming to an end.
Alex's father was in Puerto Rico when it happened and they haven't heard from him since, and his mother was called in to the hospital where she works. Alex is afraid that since she hasn't contacted them that she died when there was a flood in the subway.
All of a sudden, Alex realizes that he is the sole caregiver to his two sisters. He has no idea when his parents will be back (if ever) and he's terrified.
People all around New York are dropping like flies. Bodies line the streets. People are going crazy trying to get their hands on food. Nothing that seemed important before is important now. All that matters is staying alive. And Alex is determined to care for his sisters and keep them alive no matter what.
But is that really possible with what has happened to the Earth?
Wow, this book was intense! It's scary in all ways possible. Reading about the bodies lining the streets of New York brought shivers to my spine. It's hard to explain in words how crazy this book is. If you like really intense books then this is definitely a story for you.
Also, be sure to read Ms. Pfeffer's previous release, LIFE AS WE KNEW IT, which deals with the same issue that's discussed in this book but with different characters. I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure it's just as good and frightening as THE DEAD & THE GONE.
Alex Morales is a 17-year-old Puerto Rican boy living with his family in New York. He has two younger sisters, Briana and Julie, and his parents, who he calls Mami and Papi. Everything is going pretty normally for Alex. He's the vice president of his school council and he's looking forward to getting into a great college.
But in one moment everything changes. Something huge hit the moon and knocked it out of place. It's now closer to Earth, causing a lot of horrible changes, including tidal waves, flooding, blackouts, and overall panic. According to many people, the Earth is coming to an end.
Alex's father was in Puerto Rico when it happened and they haven't heard from him since, and his mother was called in to the hospital where she works. Alex is afraid that since she hasn't contacted them that she died when there was a flood in the subway.
All of a sudden, Alex realizes that he is the sole caregiver to his two sisters. He has no idea when his parents will be back (if ever) and he's terrified.
People all around New York are dropping like flies. Bodies line the streets. People are going crazy trying to get their hands on food. Nothing that seemed important before is important now. All that matters is staying alive. And Alex is determined to care for his sisters and keep them alive no matter what.
But is that really possible with what has happened to the Earth?
Wow, this book was intense! It's scary in all ways possible. Reading about the bodies lining the streets of New York brought shivers to my spine. It's hard to explain in words how crazy this book is. If you like really intense books then this is definitely a story for you.
Also, be sure to read Ms. Pfeffer's previous release, LIFE AS WE KNEW IT, which deals with the same issue that's discussed in this book but with different characters. I haven't read it yet, but I'm sure it's just as good and frightening as THE DEAD & THE GONE.
Excellant! Couldn't wait to start it. Finished it in less than a day. Very, very believable and very well written.
After I read "Life as We Know It" I could not wait to read the next book in the series. I was not disappointed. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down and read it all in one sitting. The story is gritty and difficult to read sometimes but you are compelled to keep going just so you can see what happens. I will be thinking about the characters in this book long after the book is done, just as I did in Miranda's story, "Life as We Know It." Can't wait to read the next installment.
Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) -
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one, I think one reason was because I already knew pretty much what was going to happen but mainly cause I really couldn't stand the main character. Still, all in all, the book was really good reading and I can't wait to read the third and final one!
Cheryl C. (moondance120) reviewed The Dead & the Gone (Last Survivors, Bk 2) on + 422 more book reviews
The 2nd book in the Last Survivors series. This one takes place in New York and follows Alex, his sisters and his friends. I didn't think that I could be more involved with a book than I was with LIFE AS WE KNEW IT but this sucks you in and hold you prisoner until the end. Terrifying, heartbreaking! Well done! 5 stars
Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) -
Wow, for me, looking at the authors picture I just can't believe these outstanding stories came out of her! I don't know what I expected - someone who looked over the top maybe. Huge and in-your-face possibly.
he Dead & the Gone, just like Life As We Knew It, was amazing. So amazing it's one of those books you don't forget. I read the first book months ago and although I couldn't wait to read the next two books I wasn't concerned in the least about forgetting. (Coming from me that says much, believe it.) I knew, for a fact, I wouldn't forget anything... because I couldn't.
The stories here are more realistic than a lot of non-fiction out there today. Every single character, every single situation, every single everything was exactly how you can imagine it would be. And that's what's so scary.
The last book will be the epitome for me I think, for many others too I have no doubt. These are hard to put down!
he Dead & the Gone, just like Life As We Knew It, was amazing. So amazing it's one of those books you don't forget. I read the first book months ago and although I couldn't wait to read the next two books I wasn't concerned in the least about forgetting. (Coming from me that says much, believe it.) I knew, for a fact, I wouldn't forget anything... because I couldn't.
The stories here are more realistic than a lot of non-fiction out there today. Every single character, every single situation, every single everything was exactly how you can imagine it would be. And that's what's so scary.
The last book will be the epitome for me I think, for many others too I have no doubt. These are hard to put down!
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed The Dead & the Gone (Last Survivors, Bk 2) on + 2527 more book reviews
This is the second book in the Last Survivors trilogy by Pfeffer. I didn't like this book quite as much as the first, but I did enjoy finding out how a large city dealt with the apocalyptic events that took place in the first book.
This book follows around a young boy (17 years old) named Alex who lives in New York City. It is not a journal like the first book, but tells the story by date and time. Alex's parents are lost during the event; one is in Puerto Rico and one is working in a hospital when things start to go South for the city. Alex is left to take care of his twelve year old sister Julie and his fifteen year old sister Bri. Their day to day survival is chronicled from the point of the moon moving on forward; it seems to cover the same period of time that the first book did.
This book wasn't quite as good as Life As We Knew It. To be honest I think this book suffered some because it wasn't done in a journal-type format. Because of this we weren't able to follow Alex's thoughts and speculations as well.
I did enjoy seeing the events from the first book in setting of a big city. Pfeffer did a pretty good job of detailing all the things that could go wrong in that type of setting; she thought of some things I hadn't considered. There are some pretty grisly things that happen in this book, they aren't described in stomach turning detail, but they are there. Honestly I thought maybe the violence was toned down a bit since this was a young adult book.
Religion features in this book since it plays a big part in Alex's life. I am not big on books that feature religion, but for this book it worked well. In the end it was Alex's involvement with his church (or just with a tight-knit community in general) that really helped his survival.
The book makes you ask questions and think about what you would do in a similar situation. You can't help but compare the issues with surviving in a rural area (as depicted in the first book) to the issues with surviving in the city. In general there were easier and harder things about both situations.
Overall this was a solid book and I enjoyed reading it. It was neat to see the events from the first book, but set in a big city. This book wasn't quite as good as the first and I think not having it be a journal made it suffer some. I will definitely be reading the third and final installment, This World We Live In.
This book follows around a young boy (17 years old) named Alex who lives in New York City. It is not a journal like the first book, but tells the story by date and time. Alex's parents are lost during the event; one is in Puerto Rico and one is working in a hospital when things start to go South for the city. Alex is left to take care of his twelve year old sister Julie and his fifteen year old sister Bri. Their day to day survival is chronicled from the point of the moon moving on forward; it seems to cover the same period of time that the first book did.
This book wasn't quite as good as Life As We Knew It. To be honest I think this book suffered some because it wasn't done in a journal-type format. Because of this we weren't able to follow Alex's thoughts and speculations as well.
I did enjoy seeing the events from the first book in setting of a big city. Pfeffer did a pretty good job of detailing all the things that could go wrong in that type of setting; she thought of some things I hadn't considered. There are some pretty grisly things that happen in this book, they aren't described in stomach turning detail, but they are there. Honestly I thought maybe the violence was toned down a bit since this was a young adult book.
Religion features in this book since it plays a big part in Alex's life. I am not big on books that feature religion, but for this book it worked well. In the end it was Alex's involvement with his church (or just with a tight-knit community in general) that really helped his survival.
The book makes you ask questions and think about what you would do in a similar situation. You can't help but compare the issues with surviving in a rural area (as depicted in the first book) to the issues with surviving in the city. In general there were easier and harder things about both situations.
Overall this was a solid book and I enjoyed reading it. It was neat to see the events from the first book, but set in a big city. This book wasn't quite as good as the first and I think not having it be a journal made it suffer some. I will definitely be reading the third and final installment, This World We Live In.
Bridget O. (sixteendays) -
This book is what I would imagine they would've twisted Life As We Knew It into had it been made into a fim. Based on the same cataclysmic event, but unworthy ipof the big screen unless we can show New York City being destroyed. The only redeeming parts of this story were Alex's trip to Yankee Stadium to view the dead bodies, and Alex's fever dream near the end. Absolutely none of the characters wew likable in any way, and I found myself wanting them to die just to make it stop.
I understand why the author might have wanted to tell this part of the story, but it was a huge disappointment after reading the first book.
I understand why the author might have wanted to tell this part of the story, but it was a huge disappointment after reading the first book.
Laura S. (nisforneville) -
I liked the characters in this book much more than in Life as We Knew It.
This was book two to, Life as we Knew It, and it was a good book. This book took place in NY instead of PA. This book had alot of talk of God and church and Fathers and Nuns. But there was alot more to it than that. The book went deeper into the lives of three young siblings and their lives of survival. Trying to find food, hope, family and God in their time of need. This book is not a spiritual book by any means. I enjoyed the book. I liked the first one alot better though. But this book was very good and it was engaged and constantly wanting to know what would happen next. I can't wait to start book three and get back to the family in PA and see how the rest of the story goes. I would suggest this book The Dead and the Gone to Junior High level reading due to the nature of events that take place in this book. Heather
Casey L. (casey-sue) -
This book is the second in the Life as We Knew It series. After finishing the first, i wanted my hands on the second. Leery that this was written from a different viewpoint, i started my journey. This book is 100% different from the first. Same tragedy, different family, location, and experience. I did find myself enjoying the first book more. For the age of the main character and his IQ, i felt he was emotionally immature. Yes there are many ways we deal emotionally with tragedy, i know. The sisters also drove me insane. In general i didn't find myself rooting for the main characters. The ending was also very abrupt, though i know book 3 carries on from that point.
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
I was sucked in to this story like a whirlwind. I loved it! I thought this book was better than the first one, "Life as We Knew It"...
This second book in the series takes place in New York City and involves a Puerto Rican family. The moon is knocked off its axis as in the first book and terrible things start to happen to the earth.
Its up to the oldest kid in the family to be the "man" of the house now. Mom and dad have not been heard from and no idea if and when they will return when the disaster hits. So, 17 year old Alex has to take care of his 2 younger sisters. What they go through was nothing short of epic. Survival of the fittest.
The book is fast paced and never has a dull moment. I look forward to book 3.
This second book in the series takes place in New York City and involves a Puerto Rican family. The moon is knocked off its axis as in the first book and terrible things start to happen to the earth.
Its up to the oldest kid in the family to be the "man" of the house now. Mom and dad have not been heard from and no idea if and when they will return when the disaster hits. So, 17 year old Alex has to take care of his 2 younger sisters. What they go through was nothing short of epic. Survival of the fittest.
The book is fast paced and never has a dull moment. I look forward to book 3.
Rebecca P. (wrongheaven) reviewed The Dead & the Gone (Last Survivors, Bk 2) on + 12 more book reviews
After devouring and really enjoying "Life as We Knew It" I couldn't wait to get to this book, which is a companion story. It was good, but not nearly as good as "Life as We Knew It" and I wound up feeling somewhat disappointed. The main character wasn't as likable as Miranda, and I found him somewhat frustrating. I guess the point of the book was how different the situations were from book to book, but I found it almost startlingly different. I'll definitely read the third book, but the bloom is off the rose for me.
