Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Then She Was Gone is about a sixteen year old girl named Ellie Mack and her disappearance. After not coming home one day, her mother, Laurel Mack, panics and becomes devastated when she realizes that she is gone forever. But who wouldn't want to kidnap Ellie, she has the perfect life. From excellent grades, to perfect boyfriend, and to a perfect family of five, she basically has the life everyone wants. But Laurel was obsessed with Ellie, she referred to her as the golden child. She was her mother's favorite child. When Ellie disappeared, Laurel's life fell apart and nothing was going right. After her divorce and her other children leaving the house, the police found bones that were identified to be Ellie's. Years after, Laurel was living on her own and found herself meeting a young man named Floyd and his daughter Poppy. Laurel was shocked when she met Poppy because she was identical to Ellie. She is then determined to find out why Poppy looks and acts like her missing daughter.

This book became one of my favorite books. I enjoy reading books that have mystery, thriller, and some sort of suspense to them. The plot twist was unsuspected and it took a crazy turn. I just wanted to keep on reading and reading till the end. The plot took so many turns and it kept up the suspense. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery themed books and people who want an exciting plot.

Reviewed by A.C., Grade 9

Casa Verdugo Library

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

Hig lives on an abandoned airfield with his dog, Jasper, and an acquaintance - a prepper named Bangley. They have survived the flu epidemic that destroyed society and killed his wife, and the new dangers they have are other survivors. Hig flies his planes over the area, keeping overwatch and looking for potential other survivors, while Bangley protects the airfield. Hig hates the rigidity and ruthlessness they meet the survivors with, and when he sees a chance to find a life outside this tension, he takes it. Flying his small Cessna past the point of no return, he must figure out if whatever he finds is worth changing his rigid, but relatively secure life for.

I enjoyed reading this novel. The entire story was very good. Hig's character was believable and reading the world through his eyes was very intense. All of the characters were very well written and interesting. The story was also written in a slightly different prose, more reminiscent of The Road (Cormac McCarthy). I think people who liked The Road or post-apocalyptic fiction would enjoy this book. However, the book wasn't all about violence or survival - a lot of it was about Hig's emotions and memories of before society collapsed and how he dealt with this new reality. 

Reviewed by NK, Grade 10

Montrose Library