Lies by Michael Grant (Gone Series #3)

It's been over half a year since everyone in the little town of Perdido over 15 vanished without a trace, leaving the younger children and teens to fend for themselves. In the aftermath of another of Caine's vicious schemes, the kids of the town live in a fragile peace. Astrid attempts to build a government, and Albert has established a currency. However, tensions are running high. There is still a high level of distrust between the normal kids and the mutants, and Zil's Human Crew still has support. Out of the shaky stability comes a girl who calls herself the Prophetess, claiming that she knows the way out of the Fayz. Meanwhile, a dead girl is walking again and Caine bides his time.

Sam now accepts his duty as a leader, but he also feels like everyone his responsibility, and he carries the weight of every kid in Perdido Beach on his shoulders. I admire his resolve and wish to keep the kids safe, but he's not alone - his friends are there to help if he needs it. I can identify with this. Like Sam, I feel like it's best if I take charge in a situation, but he's very hard on himself. Sam's become a sort of a teen superman, defending the weak and standing up for the right thing, but he's not perfect, which is good. It's more complicated than that. Sam also hides things from the people around him if he thinks it's for the best, and even though he has not wish to hurt people, he will if he has to.

Overall, I was pleased with Lies. Grant's eerie plot twists kept me hooked! I mean, now we have undead people? Prophets? Count me in! I also kept learning about the shady monster of the Fayz, who aids to the series's sense of unease by always lurking in the background without letting you forget it. Grant also employed his trademark brutality, which was both horrifying and admittedly creative. I also liked Sam's character development. Lies ended with a dark, bittersweet ending, and I can't wait to see what happens next. 4/5 stars.

#scifi #survival #monsters