27 Jan 2012 2 Comments

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Paperback: 321 pages
Publisher: Graphia (June 1, 2008)
The Last Survivors Series #2

Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event–an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex’s parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.

With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities

Once again, I am completely blown away by Pfeffer’s captivating continuation of The Last Survivors series. This installment introduces the Morales family of New York City, giving the apocalyptic tale a new angle. We go through the initial onset of the disaster for a second time, but Pfeffer keeps it new and exciting. Even though we know exactly what will happen, we are still shocked by the dramatic emotional content.

Alex is suddenly thrust into the adult role of the household with younger siblings under his care. Emotions run high as Alex struggles to care for his sisters. Lack of food, heat, and not knowing if their parents are alive or dead weighs heavy on his mind.

The level of realism in this series is heartbreaking and emotional, no matter how you look at it. The differences between Life As We Know It and The Dead and the Gone are unbelievable. I was concerned at first that the stories might be too similar but other than the disaster itself, the situations are more different than I thought possible. The religious aspect is much higher in this installment and fits nicely with the characters’ family background.

I highly recommend this series to readers of all ages as it puts life, death, responsibilities, and family into perspective. A must-read

by Jennifer in Reviews, Young Adult Tags: Apocalyptic, Susan Beth Pfeffer, The Dead and the Gone, The Last Survivors Series