Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Genre: YA Science Fiction, Series #2
Published: 2008
Personal Rating: 2/5 (not enjoyable)
Yearly Count: 64
New York experiences the ramifications of an astroid ramming into the moon - knocking it out of kilter. The focus is on Alex, 17 and his younger sisters Bri, 15 and Julie, 13.
Last year, Life As We Knew It was a "Best Read" for me and so, The Dead and the Gone was a highly anticipated read. Boy did it fall short. I am a believer, so a little spirituality sprinkled here and there isn't bad, but GEEZ - this book was oozing Catholicism. I didn't like it or appreciated it in the least. Also, the characters were just not believable.
What I did like was the general plot - how the city would respond to the devastating changes and the plans that would unfold. That was what kept me interested.
I've been wanting to read both books for a long time. But I'm with you -- I can't stand it when an author pretty much smacks me in the face with his or her agenda.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry it was such a disappointment. I'm not fond of authors leading the reader on.
ReplyDeleteOoh, nice to know. I read Life As We Knew it and really liked it. I hate it when another book by the same author falls short of my expectations.
ReplyDeleteSo the book is actually blatantly from a pro-Catholic stance? That doesn't happen often (ever) these days!
ReplyDeleteI'm Catholic so, if this is the case, I guess I'd really enjoy reading this book. Will have to make sure I start this series soon now.
I read and liked Life As We Knew It recently, and I'm planning to read The Dead and the Gone soon. I knew that it has a Catholic viewpoint - and my assumption was that the author was balancing the non-religious viewpoint of the first book. It hadn't occurred to me that she had an "agenda." I guess I'll see what I think after I read it.
ReplyDeleteThe Catholicism didn't bother me a bit. In fact, I thought she was trying to make the point that God doesn't really answer prayer. I'd be curious to know the authors thoughts about that, since the first book seemed very anti-religion.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the city's response . . . I think she did well, but I didn't think this book had as much tension as Life As We Knew It, so I still like Life As We Knew it best, too. I haven't reviewed this one, yet. It was really fun reading your thoughts. It's wild how we come away from reading the same book with different thoughts.
Cassie ~ It just ruined it for me. I highly recommend Life As We Knew It.
ReplyDeleteVickie ~ You don't know until you read it. :(
Missy ~ That's exactly what I was just thinking.
Nicola ~ Yep! It's the family's faith.
Alisonwonderland ~ I'm not so sure about an agenda. I just didn't like so much of the focus on Catholicism. I didn't know there was a problem with the first not having any religion in it.
Bookfool ~ I hope that wasn't her point.
Absolutely - no doubt, her ability to put you in the situation is fabulous and the possible happenings were extremely interesting. Some things I never even thought about.
Joy - I didn't mean to imply that there was a "problem" with Life As We Knew It. I just meant that I thought that the author must have decided to present the same situation from two different worldviews - an idea I like a lot. I guess I'd better get The Dead and the Gone read, so I can reach a conclusion of my own. :)
ReplyDeleteAlisonwonderland ~ It does give another perspective. I just wish she did it in a different way, but I'm only one reader. :) There's a lot good about it. I think you'll enjoy it.
ReplyDelete