Gone vs. Maze Runner

The Gone series by Michael Grant versus the Maze Runner series by James Dashner. Since I just finished Fear, the fifth book in the Gone series, I realized several reasons why this series is one of my favorites. The best way to show this is to compare it to another book. Not that the Maze Runner series isn't a good series; it is. But for me, Gone, is just my kind of book. I chose Maze Runner because it is very similar as in the things they encounter. They're both about a group of kids who encounter horrifying obstacles and must use the resources they find to survive. A ton of people die on the way, as they face challenges that threaten their lives. Only the structure of how they're written is different.

One thing a good story needs is a variety of different characters. Although both series has a good number of main characters, Maze Runner is told solely by Thomas's point of view, while Gone is told from many different points of view. Although it may be for a purpose such as if it's only told from a single person's point of view, you have no idea what's going on, making the plot more suspenseful, I found it frustrating that I had no idea what was going on in another character's mind. In Gone, the character's points of view just gives a better insight on what's going on, creating more of a horror scene when you don't want them to fall into a trap or something.

The plot itself differs in many ways. In Maze Runner they encounter obstacles one after another; they would get pass one horror only to find themselves facing yet another obstacle in their path. I think this is why it seems so fast-paced, when it never gives you a decent break. Gone has many obstacles too, yet they are organized in a more confusing way. All these little obstacles in the beginning overlap each other, while it leads to an even bigger problem. More like that there are so many things going on, you can't even stop to think. All the different characters, all in different situations, it's enough to make your head spin.

Why they are similar is because they both face horrifying obstacles as they struggle to survive. They both face horrifying creatures, struggling in a crazy new world. They are both exciting, terrifying, suspenseful sci-fi novels. They are both great series. But in my opinion, I think the Gone series is superior.

Fear

Fear, the fifth book in the Gone series by Michael Grant finally gives you a glimpse of what's going on outside the FAYZ. In a world without adults, the barrier and the gaiaphage are both weakening, causing the FAYZ to turn black, into darkness, obliterating any light from the sun or stars. The gaiaphage is dying, and needs to be reborn. The Big Split has them separated when they need to be working together in order to survive. Fear starts to grab at them as they are emerged into complete darkness, as anything or anyone could be lurking around, attacking when you least expect it.

You can never put down any of these books. It's a high-tension, thrilling, terrifying story of a group of kids striving to survive at all costs in an impossible world of horror and hopelessness. The vivid characters and the intense plot keeps you reading, page after page, impossible to put it down as you are drawn more and more into the story. There's always so many things going on you can't stop to think. The author keeps switching from different character's points of view, providing a bigger insight to what's going on in so many different places.

This book is where they introduce the parents, long gone from the first book, and where their role is played in the result of the end of the book. I'm really looking forward to the next and last book in the series; Light. The change in the dome (I won't spoil it for you...) is really going to change the relationship and understanding between the kids and the adults. I'm really curious how this change will affect their lives, both inside and outside of the FAYZ.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

To find out how the FAYZ came to be, check out my review on the first book; Gone. Click HERE to read it.

Gone Series

One second they were there; the next they were gone. One day, everyone age fourteen and up suddenly disappears in a blink of an eye. Only the kids are left to survive on their own in this new world they nickname "the FAYZ". Enclosed by an impenetrable dome, they are unable to contact the outside world for help. At first it begins a terrific life; a life without adults to tell you what to do. But when food starts running out, people start developing strange supernatural powers, and the kids of Perdido Beach start encountering unimaginable horrors, their life in the FAYZ is getting out of control. And when your fourteenth birthday comes along, you may be the next one to disappear.

Suspenseful. Creepy. Enthralling. I loved every bit of it. Every book comes with a new challenge to overcome, and with the rich characters, and fascinating plot, you won't be able to put it down. Told from many different characters' point of view, you never know what's going to happen next. Gone by Michael Grant will have you suspicious, horrified, and thrilled all at the same time.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars