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Parallel #1
Gone
What if everything you knew was suddenly gone?
Sixteen-year-old Morgan Campbell runs away from home and when she returns the next day her world is turned upside-down. Not only is her family missing, but another family is living in her house and claims to have lived there for weeks. As Morgan desperately works to figure out what has happened, she finds society has become obsessed with weight in a way she has never seen before. The more she searches for answers, the more she begins to wonder if she has somehow ended up in another world—a world she doesn't want to be a part of.
Can she survive in this world until she can get home?
Gone does not contain any profanity or sexual content and is appropriate for all ages.
Sixteen-year-old Morgan Campbell runs away from home and when she returns the next day her world is turned upside-down. Not only is her family missing, but another family is living in her house and claims to have lived there for weeks. As Morgan desperately works to figure out what has happened, she finds society has become obsessed with weight in a way she has never seen before. The more she searches for answers, the more she begins to wonder if she has somehow ended up in another world—a world she doesn't want to be a part of.
Can she survive in this world until she can get home?
Gone does not contain any profanity or sexual content and is appropriate for all ages.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2013
274 people are currently reading
2,454 people want to read
About the author
Christine Kersey
104Ìýbooks316ÌýfollowersChristine loves to read, but also loves to write suspenseful stories. She enjoys camping and hiking with her family and watching movies. Check out her website: christinekersey.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
August 16, 2015
Morgan be like "WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH WAHWAHWAHWAH"
x29 chapters. She is a spoilt brat who runs away because her mother dares to tell her she can't have a new phone. 'I'll show her!' she thinks. By running away. With thirty dollars in her backpack and no plan. This in itself is enough to earn a TSTL rating because - hello? You're going to live on the streets and all that entails because your parents are so damn evil, they make you use an old phone? Stupid as fuck.
And then through a series of stupid decisions, including some breaking and entering, she ends up in some kind of parallel universe where the government regulates people's weight. She decries this civilisation as despotic - or she would, if she knew what that word meant - and spends her time there fighting for her right to binge eat cookies and subsist on a diet of burgers and pop tarts. What the point of all this is, I have no idea. Sure, this is a type of extremism (a relatively banal type if you ask me), but arguably the SAD Standard American Diet is pretty extreme too. Morgan evidently has never heard of a fruit or vegetable and is absolutely horrified when presented with oatmeal. God knows what she'd do if given some muesli. This is a girl who thinks about food more than me and I have a bloody eating disorder. Apparently her obsession with junk food has addled her brain because she wanders around making stupid decisions - "what's wrong with me making cookies every damn night and handing them out to people at school? Why are you all picking on me? WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH" (Oh, I dunno Morgan, you're in a world where that is illegal and could get you/your family/friends (ok, just one sort-of-friend) in deep trouble - why could that be a problem?) - and then bitching about how horrible this world is that she is forced to eat a banana for dessert. As if that wasn't annoying enough, she's really good at the middle class shock horror face - my mom doesn't have an ensuite bathroom???? I have to share a room with my sister??? Those people are driving a car with rust on it and aren't deeply ashamed?????? There's graffiti on my road???? We don't even have a dishwasher?????????????? What is this hell hole I find myself in?????????????????????????
Oh, did I forget to mention that there's a lame romance? This really cements the TSTL rating because Morgan can be midway through a rant about how sick it is monitoring people's weight and I start to think maybe Gone is going to turn into some manifesto on positive body image and squeeze some kind of purpose out of this mess and then:
Except the squirrel is a teenage boy. Let me contain my enthusiasm. It's like, sort out your priorities already.
The whole thing is a whiney mess with absolutely no point. Don't bother.
x29 chapters. She is a spoilt brat who runs away because her mother dares to tell her she can't have a new phone. 'I'll show her!' she thinks. By running away. With thirty dollars in her backpack and no plan. This in itself is enough to earn a TSTL rating because - hello? You're going to live on the streets and all that entails because your parents are so damn evil, they make you use an old phone? Stupid as fuck.
And then through a series of stupid decisions, including some breaking and entering, she ends up in some kind of parallel universe where the government regulates people's weight. She decries this civilisation as despotic - or she would, if she knew what that word meant - and spends her time there fighting for her right to binge eat cookies and subsist on a diet of burgers and pop tarts. What the point of all this is, I have no idea. Sure, this is a type of extremism (a relatively banal type if you ask me), but arguably the SAD Standard American Diet is pretty extreme too. Morgan evidently has never heard of a fruit or vegetable and is absolutely horrified when presented with oatmeal. God knows what she'd do if given some muesli. This is a girl who thinks about food more than me and I have a bloody eating disorder. Apparently her obsession with junk food has addled her brain because she wanders around making stupid decisions - "what's wrong with me making cookies every damn night and handing them out to people at school? Why are you all picking on me? WAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAH" (Oh, I dunno Morgan, you're in a world where that is illegal and could get you/your family/friends (ok, just one sort-of-friend) in deep trouble - why could that be a problem?) - and then bitching about how horrible this world is that she is forced to eat a banana for dessert. As if that wasn't annoying enough, she's really good at the middle class shock horror face - my mom doesn't have an ensuite bathroom???? I have to share a room with my sister??? Those people are driving a car with rust on it and aren't deeply ashamed?????? There's graffiti on my road???? We don't even have a dishwasher?????????????? What is this hell hole I find myself in?????????????????????????
Oh, did I forget to mention that there's a lame romance? This really cements the TSTL rating because Morgan can be midway through a rant about how sick it is monitoring people's weight and I start to think maybe Gone is going to turn into some manifesto on positive body image and squeeze some kind of purpose out of this mess and then:
Except the squirrel is a teenage boy. Let me contain my enthusiasm. It's like, sort out your priorities already. The whole thing is a whiney mess with absolutely no point. Don't bother.
July 26, 2015
I didn't like this story. If you'd like to know why, then read below:
So Morgan decides to run away, not surprising, she's young and obviously not that intelligent. I say this because she grabs 3 granola bars, her wallet and water bottle. Could she be missing anything else that she might need? Say some extra clothes for example?
Bad stereotype...She sees a German Shepard and is automatically scared that it will attack her? Really? Obviously if the owner is walking with the dog WITHOUT a leash, then you can pretty much assume the dog won't attack anyone.
She uses a device to leave marks on the trees so she can find her way back. First it's a fat purple marker then a fat pen. Sorry but there is a difference between the two. You wouldn't be able to use a pen on a tree that easily compared to a 'fat marker.' Not sure why the author switched it?
I did like the her interactions with being scared of the creepy crawlies in the cabin and later in the tunnel. haha I would have reacted the exact same way, I'm sure.
At one point Morgan takes the bus. The driver tells her it's $2, so why does she give him $3?
After wandering around for a while, we are told that Morgan was given directions to Rochelle Candee's house. BUT who is this person? We aren't told till a while later, which was kind of strange. What's even stranger is the fact that after she finds her 'other' family, we never hear about Rochelle again.
Why would Morgan automatically think that her family moved? I mean, she was only gone over night. She gets to her house to find a different person living there and still thinks they JUST moved. Really? I guess given the circumstances so far...I'll just let that slide. Then later after emailing her mom, thinks that maybe her mom doesn't even realize that she's gone. Huh? If your family moves, I'm pretty sure they would notice if a family member wasn't moving along with them.
So she's in Rochelle's house and needs to find out where her family is, right? So she emails her mom pretending to be a relative. That would be the common sense thing to do right? Of course! (Being sarcastic there!) The common sense thing to do, if you had to email someone would have been her sister, right? I mean she says that her mom rarely gets on the email or computer much. Wouldn't her sister have been more likely to get on? You know being younger, more into that stuff? OR even better, just email her mom and tell her that she's Morgan!!
Why is the old guy, Fred, the one to come up with the alternate reality/universe concept? He's old! Wouldn't the teenager going through all the weird stuff have thought of that first?
**So she finds her home and her room. Inside the desk are assignments supposedly done by her, yet she doesn't remember doing them. First off...If you just moved to a new area (supposedly a few months prior) why would you have old school assignments in your desk? Second, again, having moved to new area months prior, why would be later getting started in school? And lastly, the most important question...WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS WORLD'S MORGAN?????? Her mom tells her that she wasn't expected home till that evening because she'd been camping with Rochelle's family. Yet the other Morgan is never mentioned again. How in the world did the author forget about her? I mean this Morgan keeps talking about how she'll get to her real home and whatnot, but what will happen when she leaves? There are a few times when Morgan mentions this world's Morgan too but nothing more is said about her. Will the other Morgan suddenly pop back up? That was a major mistake there.***
So Morgan is washing dishes after dinner. She's wondering how she'll be able to get back to her home/world. Then suddenly she's rolling over?? Obviously she's in bed but when did that happen?
Morgan originally decides that she's not really going to bother doing homework because what's the point when she'll be leaving in a few months? But then by the next day, her tune has changed and she's not going to participate.
So in this alternate universe, they have malls but here they're called Plazas here. Okay. So the Plaza is basically the same as a mall except they don't sell food/have a food court. But why would they sell food at the bowling alley then?
One thing that really annoyed me about Morgan is her stupid-ness. I mean she knows everyone there is obsessed with their weight and what can happen if they get fat. Yet she knows, at home and at school, that no ones eating junk food. At the grocery store she had stopped at, they didn't sell the bad foods either. But with Morgan being Morgan, she thinks it's okay to be making cookies and then bringing them into school to pass out with the other students. There's nothing wrong with that right? Why would she get in trouble? Why would anyone care, right? This is after being told that the cookies aren't allowed at school too! She continues to make them. Or when she finds it 'interesting' that not everyone bought into the whole eat healthy, stay healthy propaganda. Seriously? As there EVER been a govt. issue involving 100% of the American people? I think not. OR when she's scared about gaining weight from all the cookies she's been eating, knowing she has to weigh herself once a week, knowing if she goes over her recommended weight amount that she'll be taken away, she "pushed it (the idea) away, refusing to get caught up in that." Again seriously?
Morgan needs so dinero. What does she do knowing her family, Mom, is struggling to support all of them and doesn't have much money? Well she asks her mom if she can do chores around the house to earn money. She's sixteen, wouldn't she have thought of maybe getting a job herself? I mean Conner is working so it's not a new concept for her.
The kids are watching cartoons on tv. Supposedly the F.A.T. people have been around for like 10 years. Well given the fact that the stores don't sell junk food OR soda, why would they have a show involving soda? "A jumbo cup of soda wandered to the cartoon children." Why would they basically being advertising something that no one sells?
Why does Morgan end up playing so stupid when it came to Lori? I mean she has Conner and his sister both asking what's going on between the two of them, and she plays dumb. I didn't get that. And in the end, after all the crap she's dealt with with Lori, she starts to believe that maybe it had all been a big misunderstanding?
Was the Editor being paid to read this? If so, the author needs to get her money back! I mean there were so many things that just weren't adding up. Someone just needs to shoot Morgan already! I mean seriously, I seem to be in a rut when it comes to the last few books I've read. Just so poorly executed. Just one stupid or annoying character after another. Now I'd like to say that this story had no redeeming qualities to it but then I'd be lying. The story line was interesting and called to me, but the Morgan character was just too much. I'm sure I was stupid at her age, but I can't believe I was ever that bad. It was hard to believe she was 16 most of the time, she seemed much younger to be so daft. So after saying that, I will not be continuing with this episode. I think Morgan got what she deserved in the end. At least for this book. I was surprised to see that this author has written several other books too, because I got the feeling that this was done by a first time author. It was too, step by step written for my tastes. I'm sure there will be lots of people who like this story, as long as they don't read to into it. Sadly, for this author, that is something I can't help but do.
So Morgan decides to run away, not surprising, she's young and obviously not that intelligent. I say this because she grabs 3 granola bars, her wallet and water bottle. Could she be missing anything else that she might need? Say some extra clothes for example?
Bad stereotype...She sees a German Shepard and is automatically scared that it will attack her? Really? Obviously if the owner is walking with the dog WITHOUT a leash, then you can pretty much assume the dog won't attack anyone.
She uses a device to leave marks on the trees so she can find her way back. First it's a fat purple marker then a fat pen. Sorry but there is a difference between the two. You wouldn't be able to use a pen on a tree that easily compared to a 'fat marker.' Not sure why the author switched it?
I did like the her interactions with being scared of the creepy crawlies in the cabin and later in the tunnel. haha I would have reacted the exact same way, I'm sure.
At one point Morgan takes the bus. The driver tells her it's $2, so why does she give him $3?
After wandering around for a while, we are told that Morgan was given directions to Rochelle Candee's house. BUT who is this person? We aren't told till a while later, which was kind of strange. What's even stranger is the fact that after she finds her 'other' family, we never hear about Rochelle again.
Why would Morgan automatically think that her family moved? I mean, she was only gone over night. She gets to her house to find a different person living there and still thinks they JUST moved. Really? I guess given the circumstances so far...I'll just let that slide. Then later after emailing her mom, thinks that maybe her mom doesn't even realize that she's gone. Huh? If your family moves, I'm pretty sure they would notice if a family member wasn't moving along with them.
So she's in Rochelle's house and needs to find out where her family is, right? So she emails her mom pretending to be a relative. That would be the common sense thing to do right? Of course! (Being sarcastic there!) The common sense thing to do, if you had to email someone would have been her sister, right? I mean she says that her mom rarely gets on the email or computer much. Wouldn't her sister have been more likely to get on? You know being younger, more into that stuff? OR even better, just email her mom and tell her that she's Morgan!!
Why is the old guy, Fred, the one to come up with the alternate reality/universe concept? He's old! Wouldn't the teenager going through all the weird stuff have thought of that first?
**So she finds her home and her room. Inside the desk are assignments supposedly done by her, yet she doesn't remember doing them. First off...If you just moved to a new area (supposedly a few months prior) why would you have old school assignments in your desk? Second, again, having moved to new area months prior, why would be later getting started in school? And lastly, the most important question...WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS WORLD'S MORGAN?????? Her mom tells her that she wasn't expected home till that evening because she'd been camping with Rochelle's family. Yet the other Morgan is never mentioned again. How in the world did the author forget about her? I mean this Morgan keeps talking about how she'll get to her real home and whatnot, but what will happen when she leaves? There are a few times when Morgan mentions this world's Morgan too but nothing more is said about her. Will the other Morgan suddenly pop back up? That was a major mistake there.***
So Morgan is washing dishes after dinner. She's wondering how she'll be able to get back to her home/world. Then suddenly she's rolling over?? Obviously she's in bed but when did that happen?
Morgan originally decides that she's not really going to bother doing homework because what's the point when she'll be leaving in a few months? But then by the next day, her tune has changed and she's not going to participate.
So in this alternate universe, they have malls but here they're called Plazas here. Okay. So the Plaza is basically the same as a mall except they don't sell food/have a food court. But why would they sell food at the bowling alley then?
One thing that really annoyed me about Morgan is her stupid-ness. I mean she knows everyone there is obsessed with their weight and what can happen if they get fat. Yet she knows, at home and at school, that no ones eating junk food. At the grocery store she had stopped at, they didn't sell the bad foods either. But with Morgan being Morgan, she thinks it's okay to be making cookies and then bringing them into school to pass out with the other students. There's nothing wrong with that right? Why would she get in trouble? Why would anyone care, right? This is after being told that the cookies aren't allowed at school too! She continues to make them. Or when she finds it 'interesting' that not everyone bought into the whole eat healthy, stay healthy propaganda. Seriously? As there EVER been a govt. issue involving 100% of the American people? I think not. OR when she's scared about gaining weight from all the cookies she's been eating, knowing she has to weigh herself once a week, knowing if she goes over her recommended weight amount that she'll be taken away, she "pushed it (the idea) away, refusing to get caught up in that." Again seriously?
Morgan needs so dinero. What does she do knowing her family, Mom, is struggling to support all of them and doesn't have much money? Well she asks her mom if she can do chores around the house to earn money. She's sixteen, wouldn't she have thought of maybe getting a job herself? I mean Conner is working so it's not a new concept for her.
The kids are watching cartoons on tv. Supposedly the F.A.T. people have been around for like 10 years. Well given the fact that the stores don't sell junk food OR soda, why would they have a show involving soda? "A jumbo cup of soda wandered to the cartoon children." Why would they basically being advertising something that no one sells?
Why does Morgan end up playing so stupid when it came to Lori? I mean she has Conner and his sister both asking what's going on between the two of them, and she plays dumb. I didn't get that. And in the end, after all the crap she's dealt with with Lori, she starts to believe that maybe it had all been a big misunderstanding?
Was the Editor being paid to read this? If so, the author needs to get her money back! I mean there were so many things that just weren't adding up. Someone just needs to shoot Morgan already! I mean seriously, I seem to be in a rut when it comes to the last few books I've read. Just so poorly executed. Just one stupid or annoying character after another. Now I'd like to say that this story had no redeeming qualities to it but then I'd be lying. The story line was interesting and called to me, but the Morgan character was just too much. I'm sure I was stupid at her age, but I can't believe I was ever that bad. It was hard to believe she was 16 most of the time, she seemed much younger to be so daft. So after saying that, I will not be continuing with this episode. I think Morgan got what she deserved in the end. At least for this book. I was surprised to see that this author has written several other books too, because I got the feeling that this was done by a first time author. It was too, step by step written for my tastes. I'm sure there will be lots of people who like this story, as long as they don't read to into it. Sadly, for this author, that is something I can't help but do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2016
Bad. Just, not good. I care nothing for the main character. She's a 16year old with the mentality of a 6 year old. The plot holes are large enough to shoot hoops through, and the editing is seriously lacking.
January 5, 2015
This book isn't very good.
But within the plot there is a book that could be very good. A severe post-apocalyptic world where FAT (Federally assisted thinning) is a very real thing, and everyone's weight is monitored by the government, and you can get sent away to FAT-camp (on your dime, goodbye job, house and life). We see some news articles on the cusp of that anyway, with some employers charging more for health insurance for employee's that are overweight. Or the one health foods store that gives thinner employees a larger employee discount.
Unfortunately, the premise of this book, is that the heroine (or anti-heroine) walks through a big magic secret tunnel, and goes from her world to this fat-phobic world. A premise, within that book that's kind of weak, as other reader's have said, where did her other self go?
What would you do, if you found yourself in a parallel world? For me, if I want to go home again, I would try very hard to lay low and not get caught while planning my escape. This is NOT what Morgan does. She's such a frustrating and jarring character to read about. She's painfully immature with no thought to consequences. Because going home, isn't something you can do if you don't have your freedom. She didn't have to be written that way for the story to still work or move forward.
It could have been a gritty race to lose weight so they don't catch her, there would have been a group of slightly overweight rebels helping her cheat the system so she doesn't get caught. Fake pills with bad side effects to lose weight instantly. Gritty dealers trying to sell candy on street corners to people with sugar addictions. This premise could have gone in different ways that would have had intense outcomes, without the suspense being caused by the poor decisions of the lead character.
But within the plot there is a book that could be very good. A severe post-apocalyptic world where FAT (Federally assisted thinning) is a very real thing, and everyone's weight is monitored by the government, and you can get sent away to FAT-camp (on your dime, goodbye job, house and life). We see some news articles on the cusp of that anyway, with some employers charging more for health insurance for employee's that are overweight. Or the one health foods store that gives thinner employees a larger employee discount.
Unfortunately, the premise of this book, is that the heroine (or anti-heroine) walks through a big magic secret tunnel, and goes from her world to this fat-phobic world. A premise, within that book that's kind of weak, as other reader's have said, where did her other self go?
What would you do, if you found yourself in a parallel world? For me, if I want to go home again, I would try very hard to lay low and not get caught while planning my escape. This is NOT what Morgan does. She's such a frustrating and jarring character to read about. She's painfully immature with no thought to consequences. Because going home, isn't something you can do if you don't have your freedom. She didn't have to be written that way for the story to still work or move forward.
It could have been a gritty race to lose weight so they don't catch her, there would have been a group of slightly overweight rebels helping her cheat the system so she doesn't get caught. Fake pills with bad side effects to lose weight instantly. Gritty dealers trying to sell candy on street corners to people with sugar addictions. This premise could have gone in different ways that would have had intense outcomes, without the suspense being caused by the poor decisions of the lead character.
March 14, 2014
I received this book free from Bookbubs.
The premise of the story is 16 year old Morgan runs away from home to an abandoned cabin during winter. The next morning she is over her mad spell and decides to return home only to find that someone one is living in her house- all the furniture ect has been changed and no one has heard of her.
I made it less than 1/3 of the book before I called it quits. After reading others' reviews, I realized that the storyline had something to do with obesity or childhood obesity as well- and while I did read a few guarded comments that vaguely spoke of being over weight- I hadn't gotten to that point yet.
This book read like it was written by someone in high school. The story was written in first person but the tenses seemed to be mixed up. It was written in past tense but in a present tense style which I am sure makes no sense to you- it didn't to me either.
The paragraphs were short and choppy, the lead character was spoiled and very very immature in her thinking and actions.
It reminded me of a self published book that had never been professionally edited.
One of the worst books I have read in a long time and I give Kudos to any adult who stuck through it to the end. I know I couldnt.
The premise of the story is 16 year old Morgan runs away from home to an abandoned cabin during winter. The next morning she is over her mad spell and decides to return home only to find that someone one is living in her house- all the furniture ect has been changed and no one has heard of her.
I made it less than 1/3 of the book before I called it quits. After reading others' reviews, I realized that the storyline had something to do with obesity or childhood obesity as well- and while I did read a few guarded comments that vaguely spoke of being over weight- I hadn't gotten to that point yet.
This book read like it was written by someone in high school. The story was written in first person but the tenses seemed to be mixed up. It was written in past tense but in a present tense style which I am sure makes no sense to you- it didn't to me either.
The paragraphs were short and choppy, the lead character was spoiled and very very immature in her thinking and actions.
It reminded me of a self published book that had never been professionally edited.
One of the worst books I have read in a long time and I give Kudos to any adult who stuck through it to the end. I know I couldnt.
August 22, 2017
Gone was the most STUPIDEST book I have EVER read in my life!!!!!!! I found this book and it sounded interesting, so I gave Gone a try. I started reading the book (thinking: why the heck did she run away cuz she could not get a freakin phone? What the hell is wrong with her? This is soooooo stupid!!!!!!! I hope it gets better then this.). Well obviously my wish did not come true. I kept waiting and waiting and waiting and....... Then I could not take it anymore. I closed the book and said, "I'm never EVER reading you again even if you were the last book on Earth!!!!"
I REALLY wanted this book to be good cuz it sounded pretty interesting. The story could have been soooooooo much better. I don't usually give only one start to anything that is bad, but this book was filled with crap. Don't even waste your time reading this book.
Only one lonely sad star!!!!
I REALLY wanted this book to be good cuz it sounded pretty interesting. The story could have been soooooooo much better. I don't usually give only one start to anything that is bad, but this book was filled with crap. Don't even waste your time reading this book.
Only one lonely sad star!!!!
October 1, 2016
so most people say this book was awful and that they hated it and it was a waste of time, but I thought it was cute. Her maturity level may have been a little low for her age, but that is by definition of today's society where kids are acting like they are grown by the tender age of 12-14. So I would like to say that I thought this book was a pleasent surprise because she doesn't act like she is grown and knows it all. all she knows is she wanted that phone and would do what she thought would get her it. when she enters an alternate reality, it makes the story even better because she learns- what most people believe she should have already known- to appreciate was she did have. I mean come on... what is a new phone to being able to eat whatever you want and not worry about your weight right?
September 22, 2016
**Also published on my **
This was free on Amazon.
So, this book was pretty terrible. It's not the worst thing I've read, but it was pretty bad. Start with the opening paragraph where Morgan TELLS US IMMEDIATELY what is going to happen, then head on to Morgan being an insufferable brat even while the adults ARE DOING THE SAME THING. Then we can move on to how the parallel world in which being overweight is illegal is COMPLETELY ridiculous (not necessarily in premise, but definitely in execution). Then, finally, we get to the absolutely cheesy relationship with Connor, the exaggerated hatred from Lori, and the fact the Morgan KEEPS LYING ABOUT STUFF. *sigh* And I haven't even touched the actual writing yet, so here I go...
The writing is... poor. Not completely unsalvageable but not very good. There's too much boring, bland action - she spends forever sleeping on park benches, crawling through tunnels, getting ready for school, and quite frankly, thinking useless things. The dialogue is uninspired, the development of characters is a fail. And in the end, I thought that Morgan learned more from being denied things - like food and insta money - than she ever did by having them, including doing exercise AND playing with her younger siblings/ doing chores to help her overworked mom. If anything, this convinced me that we're doing a poor job of raising our kids... and part of that is food related, so the book didn't even succeed in making me feel like this world was criminally insane! Talk about epic fail.
This book was free and it was still too much. Don't read it, Morgan never stops being a jerk.
This was free on Amazon.
So, this book was pretty terrible. It's not the worst thing I've read, but it was pretty bad. Start with the opening paragraph where Morgan TELLS US IMMEDIATELY what is going to happen, then head on to Morgan being an insufferable brat even while the adults ARE DOING THE SAME THING. Then we can move on to how the parallel world in which being overweight is illegal is COMPLETELY ridiculous (not necessarily in premise, but definitely in execution). Then, finally, we get to the absolutely cheesy relationship with Connor, the exaggerated hatred from Lori, and the fact the Morgan KEEPS LYING ABOUT STUFF. *sigh* And I haven't even touched the actual writing yet, so here I go...
The writing is... poor. Not completely unsalvageable but not very good. There's too much boring, bland action - she spends forever sleeping on park benches, crawling through tunnels, getting ready for school, and quite frankly, thinking useless things. The dialogue is uninspired, the development of characters is a fail. And in the end, I thought that Morgan learned more from being denied things - like food and insta money - than she ever did by having them, including doing exercise AND playing with her younger siblings/ doing chores to help her overworked mom. If anything, this convinced me that we're doing a poor job of raising our kids... and part of that is food related, so the book didn't even succeed in making me feel like this world was criminally insane! Talk about epic fail.
This book was free and it was still too much. Don't read it, Morgan never stops being a jerk.
November 9, 2013
I read this book and instantly bought the second. Such a thrill to consider how you would react if you were put in an alternate world. How do you go about finding your way home? Is it even possible?
April 18, 2023
2016: first read:
This book was good and I loved thinking about what the other Morgan was doing in the normal universe... was she marvelling in hamburgers and pizza or was she keeping up her diet?!
I Recommend this book to parallel universe lovers!
2022: second read:
Who knew an act of defiance could turn your entire world upside-down? Morgan Campbell runs away from home in protest of the unfairness her mother imposes upon her. Morgan can’t seem to do anything right and finds herself in trouble at every turn. But running away brings one problem after the next. She spends the night in a run-down, abandoned cabin in the woods, and when she tries to find her way back home again the next day, she is in for a nasty surprise.
Her family doesn’t live in the house they did yesterday. For all she tries, Morgan can’t figure out what has happened. The world she fell asleep in is gone, and she has woken up in one where it is illegal to be overweight, and the government tracks everyone, punishing those who do not stay within their weight goals. Somehow, Morgan has found herself in a parallel universe, and must adapt quickly, or else she might find herself at a F.A.T. centre.
Morgan is the kind of character you are not sure whether or not you like to begin with. She is rude to her mother and runs away basically because her mother wouldn’t allow her to get a new phone. She seems a little stuck up and acts as if everyone should listen to her, and she should be allowed to do whatever she wants. After losing everything she was familiar with, though, Morgan starts to become a much more likeable person. She appreciates the things her family can afford, and starts to spend more time with her siblings and do things around the house to help her mother out. Trying to hand out baked goods with an illegal amount of calories in them at school is obviously just her deviance rearing its head. There is not too much time spent with any of the characters for me to really get to know them, other than Morgan, but I did end up liking her, and rooting for her to either manage to get home or adapt quickly enough to survive in the new world she found herself in.
I can’t imagine what struggles and fears Morgan must face during this book, as she finds out things she saw as normal are now illegal, and that she must abide by the rules or else face being dragged away from her family. The loss of control comes across very clearly in this book, especially since the weight restrictions are not just guidelines, but laws, and it is hard to afford, or find, simple foods such as sugar. I love the idea that, while Morgan is struggling to follow all the new rules that have been thrust upon her, there is another Morgan, thrown into the ‘normal� world. I would love to know what that Morgan was getting up to throughout this book. Was she relishing in the freedom, and eating what she wanted, or was she sticking to her harsh diet and exercise routines to keep the weight off?
This book does, unfortunately, fall into the category of books that I downloaded for free, not realising they were part of a series and would have a massive cliffhanger at the end to make you want to buy the next book in the series. I don’t particularly like it when books do this, I like being able to read a book and feel satisfied with the ending. If you’re not planning on buying the whole series, then this book probably isn’t the one to choose. There are some chapters from book 2 at the end, so you are not left right in the middle of a scene, but I wish there had been a more definite conclusion.
I have read this book twice now, the first time I read it was several years ago, but I remembered it being a good story, and so I reread it. My memory serves me well, I read the whole thing in one sitting. This is the kind of book that is easy to read, if not slightly predictable, that is perfect to read if you’re trying to crawl out of a reading slump. It is an easygoing book, and it is not difficult to immerse yourself alongside the characters. I am glad I came back to re-read this book. Although the plot definitely isn’t lighthearted, it is an easy book to read, and I enjoyed reading it.
This book was good and I loved thinking about what the other Morgan was doing in the normal universe... was she marvelling in hamburgers and pizza or was she keeping up her diet?!
I Recommend this book to parallel universe lovers!
2022: second read:
Who knew an act of defiance could turn your entire world upside-down? Morgan Campbell runs away from home in protest of the unfairness her mother imposes upon her. Morgan can’t seem to do anything right and finds herself in trouble at every turn. But running away brings one problem after the next. She spends the night in a run-down, abandoned cabin in the woods, and when she tries to find her way back home again the next day, she is in for a nasty surprise.
Her family doesn’t live in the house they did yesterday. For all she tries, Morgan can’t figure out what has happened. The world she fell asleep in is gone, and she has woken up in one where it is illegal to be overweight, and the government tracks everyone, punishing those who do not stay within their weight goals. Somehow, Morgan has found herself in a parallel universe, and must adapt quickly, or else she might find herself at a F.A.T. centre.
Morgan is the kind of character you are not sure whether or not you like to begin with. She is rude to her mother and runs away basically because her mother wouldn’t allow her to get a new phone. She seems a little stuck up and acts as if everyone should listen to her, and she should be allowed to do whatever she wants. After losing everything she was familiar with, though, Morgan starts to become a much more likeable person. She appreciates the things her family can afford, and starts to spend more time with her siblings and do things around the house to help her mother out. Trying to hand out baked goods with an illegal amount of calories in them at school is obviously just her deviance rearing its head. There is not too much time spent with any of the characters for me to really get to know them, other than Morgan, but I did end up liking her, and rooting for her to either manage to get home or adapt quickly enough to survive in the new world she found herself in.
I can’t imagine what struggles and fears Morgan must face during this book, as she finds out things she saw as normal are now illegal, and that she must abide by the rules or else face being dragged away from her family. The loss of control comes across very clearly in this book, especially since the weight restrictions are not just guidelines, but laws, and it is hard to afford, or find, simple foods such as sugar. I love the idea that, while Morgan is struggling to follow all the new rules that have been thrust upon her, there is another Morgan, thrown into the ‘normal� world. I would love to know what that Morgan was getting up to throughout this book. Was she relishing in the freedom, and eating what she wanted, or was she sticking to her harsh diet and exercise routines to keep the weight off?
This book does, unfortunately, fall into the category of books that I downloaded for free, not realising they were part of a series and would have a massive cliffhanger at the end to make you want to buy the next book in the series. I don’t particularly like it when books do this, I like being able to read a book and feel satisfied with the ending. If you’re not planning on buying the whole series, then this book probably isn’t the one to choose. There are some chapters from book 2 at the end, so you are not left right in the middle of a scene, but I wish there had been a more definite conclusion.
I have read this book twice now, the first time I read it was several years ago, but I remembered it being a good story, and so I reread it. My memory serves me well, I read the whole thing in one sitting. This is the kind of book that is easy to read, if not slightly predictable, that is perfect to read if you’re trying to crawl out of a reading slump. It is an easygoing book, and it is not difficult to immerse yourself alongside the characters. I am glad I came back to re-read this book. Although the plot definitely isn’t lighthearted, it is an easy book to read, and I enjoyed reading it.
June 25, 2013
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention close to 36% of all American adults ages 20 years and over are obese. Adolescents age 12-19 have obesity levels hovering around 18% while 12% of children 2-5 are way over healthy weight limits. It’s not only a problem in the U.S., but a worldwide issue.
So what can be done?
Christine Kersey may have the solution in Gone (Parallel Series: Book 1). Morgan Campbell, age 16, runs away from home because her mother won’t buy her a new cell phone. Morgan storms off into the nearby forest only to become lost, cold, and alone. She uncovers a mysterious cabin and spends the night. In the morning, she escapes through a hidden tunnel beneath the structure because a tree fell during the night blocking her escape. When she finds her home, everything has changed including the occupants.
In an engaging writing style, Kersey leads her readers into a parallel universe where society is obsessed with weight and bringing cookies to school to share with friends is analogous to dealing drugs.
Kersey does an excellent job developing the Morgan Campbell character. Morgan starts as a shy introvert and slowly evolves into a revolutionary willing to take on her nemesis, Lori, the daughter of an Enforcer at the local F.A.T. center.
Gone is an entertaining read, but beware. Morgan’s problems intensify at book’s end, so be willing to delve into Imprisoned (Parallel Series: Book 2), available in July 2013. This writer believes it’s worth the wait.
So what can be done?
Christine Kersey may have the solution in Gone (Parallel Series: Book 1). Morgan Campbell, age 16, runs away from home because her mother won’t buy her a new cell phone. Morgan storms off into the nearby forest only to become lost, cold, and alone. She uncovers a mysterious cabin and spends the night. In the morning, she escapes through a hidden tunnel beneath the structure because a tree fell during the night blocking her escape. When she finds her home, everything has changed including the occupants.
In an engaging writing style, Kersey leads her readers into a parallel universe where society is obsessed with weight and bringing cookies to school to share with friends is analogous to dealing drugs.
Kersey does an excellent job developing the Morgan Campbell character. Morgan starts as a shy introvert and slowly evolves into a revolutionary willing to take on her nemesis, Lori, the daughter of an Enforcer at the local F.A.T. center.
Gone is an entertaining read, but beware. Morgan’s problems intensify at book’s end, so be willing to delve into Imprisoned (Parallel Series: Book 2), available in July 2013. This writer believes it’s worth the wait.
July 19, 2014
At first I wasn't sure, the main character made me wanna bash my head against the wall and scream WHYYYYYYYYYYY. she was 16 (i think? forgot) with the most immature mentality. I mean, who runs away at 16? seriously? I did that crap when i was 10-13. by 16 i had a job and more maturity and stability that when mom and I fought, I just hid in my room with hearphones and a cd player, or a book..I had a car, and more freedom.
But the plot was cool, I felt the fat thing was just annoying, but at the same time i could see it happening in a dystopian type world, with how obsessed our world is today, if government wants to take over our weight/food intake, yeah..now I just plain want to know whats going to happen, if she stays in that world, if she gets back, connor, lani, all that. but this book was one of those free lendme books from the nook store, the 2nd and third you have to pay for, and im a sad panda, cause right now im a broke joke. hopefully ill get them before i forget the book:(
But the plot was cool, I felt the fat thing was just annoying, but at the same time i could see it happening in a dystopian type world, with how obsessed our world is today, if government wants to take over our weight/food intake, yeah..now I just plain want to know whats going to happen, if she stays in that world, if she gets back, connor, lani, all that. but this book was one of those free lendme books from the nook store, the 2nd and third you have to pay for, and im a sad panda, cause right now im a broke joke. hopefully ill get them before i forget the book:(
April 19, 2021
Though I haven't read very many books about parallel universes, the ones that I have read have been amazing, and that's why I'm actively seeking them out for future reading. I did feel a little bit too old for this book due to how young the main character is, but honestly it wasn't that big of a deal, and I still was able to enjoy it. I just thought that she was a bit bratty at times. Not a world with flashy portals to indicate the change, this book told the story of a teenage girl who's mad at her family and runs away, and mysteriously finds herself in a completely different world when she decides to return home.
Check out my full review here!
Check out my full review here!
February 26, 2014
This book kept me reading until the end...well to the end of book one! Must grab the second and third book to really know how this young girl survives her adventures. Morgan is a 16 year old teenager girl, unhappy at her home, she hatches an idea that things out on the road will be better so she runs away. Upon waking up the next morning feeling remorseful, decides to return home only to find everthing is changed(hense this is where the adventure begins). This book is clean without cursing or sex. I am recommending this book with high marks
September 6, 2016
Morgan seems to think she's 16, but I'm pretty sure she's actually 10. She is one of the most annoying and stupid characters I have ever come across.
Not to mention there are to many plot holes to count. How did she even end up in a parallel world? What happened to the other Morgan?
This book was an extremely painful read, and I wish I never had.
Not to mention there are to many plot holes to count. How did she even end up in a parallel world? What happened to the other Morgan?
This book was an extremely painful read, and I wish I never had.
February 22, 2014
Great book!
this book was such a good book to sit down and get lost in. It puts u in this weird trance and carries u away. the story itself is wonderful and apt. it's amazing and I can't wait to read the second one.
this book was such a good book to sit down and get lost in. It puts u in this weird trance and carries u away. the story itself is wonderful and apt. it's amazing and I can't wait to read the second one.
December 5, 2017
Teens who love dystopian fiction will enjoy this. It's a bit of a stretch, but a fun beginning to a new series. Maybe it gets better?!
In the interest of transparency, I won a copy of this book on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and have given it a fair review.
In the interest of transparency, I won a copy of this book on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and have given it a fair review.
December 7, 2015
I have read some amazing books with a teenage heroine thrown into complex and foreign situations and adapting. This is not one of those books. The possibility was there in the idea of a teenage girl running away from home and the next morning returning home in a parallel world. But there were too many things that didn't make sense.
Spoiler alert here.
The main character, Morgan, walks through a mysterious tunnel to find some other family in her home. She sets out to find her family and in the process discovers that everyone is fixated on being thin. Through various events she learns that it is illegal to be overweight, and the government in big-brother style monitors everyone's weight and hauls them away to work off the excess if they gain too much weight. Morgan finds her family and then determines she needs to go back through the same tunnel, now a 4-hour car ride away, to return to her own world. So while waiting to make this plan to return to her own world happen, like anyone trapped in a parallel world they don't understand, she proceeds to draw excessive attention to herself with no consideration that she is putting herself in danger by doing so.
The fact that Morgan keeps drawing attention to herself and making just plain stupid decisions is what kept me from giving this book more stars. Yes there are plot holes but I can forgive that when the story is engaging and the main characters likable or even hateable. But I found I didn't really care what happened to Morgan. Teenagers are smart, and I just couldn't wrap my mind around Morgan's obliviousness, it didn't seem believable. When you break it down, she really only thought about three things, and in order those were "where can I get something decent to eat?", "does this boy Conner really like me?", And "how do I get back to my own world?" This made no sense to me. It's unfortunate, because the idea for the story is great. I just wish Morgan had been a great character.
Spoiler alert here.
The main character, Morgan, walks through a mysterious tunnel to find some other family in her home. She sets out to find her family and in the process discovers that everyone is fixated on being thin. Through various events she learns that it is illegal to be overweight, and the government in big-brother style monitors everyone's weight and hauls them away to work off the excess if they gain too much weight. Morgan finds her family and then determines she needs to go back through the same tunnel, now a 4-hour car ride away, to return to her own world. So while waiting to make this plan to return to her own world happen, like anyone trapped in a parallel world they don't understand, she proceeds to draw excessive attention to herself with no consideration that she is putting herself in danger by doing so.
The fact that Morgan keeps drawing attention to herself and making just plain stupid decisions is what kept me from giving this book more stars. Yes there are plot holes but I can forgive that when the story is engaging and the main characters likable or even hateable. But I found I didn't really care what happened to Morgan. Teenagers are smart, and I just couldn't wrap my mind around Morgan's obliviousness, it didn't seem believable. When you break it down, she really only thought about three things, and in order those were "where can I get something decent to eat?", "does this boy Conner really like me?", And "how do I get back to my own world?" This made no sense to me. It's unfortunate, because the idea for the story is great. I just wish Morgan had been a great character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2014
This was good, free ebook, and I found it on one of the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ lists for free kindle books worth your time.
I surprisingly made it through the whole thing!
I think the main character needs some COMMON SENSE or some INSTINCTS of some sort.
The beginning of the book starts with her having a teenager tantrum and yelling and screaming and being totally unfair to her mom, and then she runs away.
Eventually, she realizes how stupid she was being, because it is winter, and she was not prepared. She only has a jacket, and she has no food and barely any water, so she finds this random, abandoned house. And a tree just happens to fall on it, covering every single exit she has (this was totally unbelievable). So she somehow finds this hatch on the floor, and some matches, and a lantern, and everything she wants, right at the moment that she wants it...
She goes through this hatch or door, and through this tunnel, and when she comes out, she is in a world where it is ILLEGAL TO BE OVERWEIGHT.
I thought this was a really cool idea, but maybe this was a bad character for this idea. She rebelled and ate a lot of chocolate cookies in this world...
And I won't say any more, but Hello? Any common sense in there?
I surprisingly made it through the whole thing!
I think the main character needs some COMMON SENSE or some INSTINCTS of some sort.
The beginning of the book starts with her having a teenager tantrum and yelling and screaming and being totally unfair to her mom, and then she runs away.
Eventually, she realizes how stupid she was being, because it is winter, and she was not prepared. She only has a jacket, and she has no food and barely any water, so she finds this random, abandoned house. And a tree just happens to fall on it, covering every single exit she has (this was totally unbelievable). So she somehow finds this hatch on the floor, and some matches, and a lantern, and everything she wants, right at the moment that she wants it...
She goes through this hatch or door, and through this tunnel, and when she comes out, she is in a world where it is ILLEGAL TO BE OVERWEIGHT.
I thought this was a really cool idea, but maybe this was a bad character for this idea. She rebelled and ate a lot of chocolate cookies in this world...
And I won't say any more, but Hello? Any common sense in there?
Read
January 24, 2015DNF 150 pages in. I have read this author before, so I knew what I was in for with the writing style (not the best, but easy to read). However, Morgan was a brat. I could not buy her as 16 years old. Thinking of myself at 16, I definitely wasn't mature, but to run away into the woods because my mother wouldn't let me buy a phone? Lol. I think not. I had a full time job at 16. If my mother bugged me that much, I would have put up with it, but started saving for the day I could move out (which kind of did happen to me 3 years later, but I digress...). Anyhow, Morgan was an unconvincing lead, which i maybe could have stuck out reading about if I didn't read some reviews of this stating it is half a book and you need to buy two more to get the full story.
Um. No. $12 to complete this series, I don't think so.
Story had potential, but one complete book would have done it and a less idiotic trigger for the events than a phone (wow!) would have made me relate to Morgan a little more.
Geez, if she had have snuck out to meet the guy she lied to her sister about, and then somehow got herself stuck in that cabin waiting for him, THAT I could believe from a 16 year old.
Um. No. $12 to complete this series, I don't think so.
Story had potential, but one complete book would have done it and a less idiotic trigger for the events than a phone (wow!) would have made me relate to Morgan a little more.
Geez, if she had have snuck out to meet the guy she lied to her sister about, and then somehow got herself stuck in that cabin waiting for him, THAT I could believe from a 16 year old.
September 15, 2016
This is a charming read. The lead, narrator, Morgan is her name, is a sweet child who runs away from home and gets lost in the woods. And I liked the beginning because that can lead you anywhere. Bad things happen in the woods, but for Morgan she takes shelter in a hut which is flattened in a storm and her only exit is the underground cellar. A big long tunnel takes her into a parallel universe, where society has outlawed being fat.
And guess what? Morgan is just a tad overweight.
Now this is book one and had I realized i'd have to read books two and three to find out what happens and how, or if, Morgan gets back to reality, I'd probably not have bought the book(actually I'm not sure I did buy it-gift, freebie, can't remember). So bare that in mind. Nothing is resolved in book one, well except Morgan gets in trouble with a girl called Lori and her dad is head of the Fat Police.
So the book is Ok, but I won't be buying book 2 & 3, because I don't care enough about Morgan's fate. I'm pretty sure I know how it will turn out, eh
And guess what? Morgan is just a tad overweight.
Now this is book one and had I realized i'd have to read books two and three to find out what happens and how, or if, Morgan gets back to reality, I'd probably not have bought the book(actually I'm not sure I did buy it-gift, freebie, can't remember). So bare that in mind. Nothing is resolved in book one, well except Morgan gets in trouble with a girl called Lori and her dad is head of the Fat Police.
So the book is Ok, but I won't be buying book 2 & 3, because I don't care enough about Morgan's fate. I'm pretty sure I know how it will turn out, eh
June 18, 2017
Gone is... is just a pointless book. It teaches no message and says nothing.
Morgan is a terrible character. She's dumb, clueless, stupid, lying, stealing, emotionally insensitive, but mostly IMPULSIVE (the word the author uses to excuse Morgan making terrible decisions to move the plot).
The story is weird. Being fat is a crime? Most dystopian novels are made to show a flawed yet plausible future that teaches the reader about what he or she can do to better themselves and society. This society's message: fat is okay, and controlling governments are bad. Wow. I already knew that, but okay.
No offense to the author, but this book just isn't very exciting for me.
Morgan is a terrible character. She's dumb, clueless, stupid, lying, stealing, emotionally insensitive, but mostly IMPULSIVE (the word the author uses to excuse Morgan making terrible decisions to move the plot).
The story is weird. Being fat is a crime? Most dystopian novels are made to show a flawed yet plausible future that teaches the reader about what he or she can do to better themselves and society. This society's message: fat is okay, and controlling governments are bad. Wow. I already knew that, but okay.
No offense to the author, but this book just isn't very exciting for me.
May 7, 2017
GONE by Christine Kersey book 1 in Paralle series. Morgan wanting a new cell phone, crossed the line, when she told her Mother, that she didn't tell them how to spend their money. She earned money why couldn't she spend it, like she wanted. New town, new school, no friends, now being grounded. Why stay, if I run away, I could make my own decision. A bottle of water, a backpack,she's gone. Home, life would never be the same, with the Enforcers in her life .Book 2 continues IMPRISONED.
June 24, 2018
I actually read this in the Fractured world's series box set.
This was a fascinating story. I have often thought of parallel worlds and having a twin in it. I have even written a tween story with it. I was so into the book I hated the end. Yet I get it. My daughter was even mad she had been listening as well and was mad when it just ended. LOL! Well, the ploy worked because I just got the second book.
This was a fascinating story. I have often thought of parallel worlds and having a twin in it. I have even written a tween story with it. I was so into the book I hated the end. Yet I get it. My daughter was even mad she had been listening as well and was mad when it just ended. LOL! Well, the ploy worked because I just got the second book.
March 19, 2015
This was a fun read. I'm not sure I really liked it. I enjoyed Morgan and I'm curious to see whet it goes from here. I'm still undecided on the overall story.
May 17, 2017
I really enjoyed this book (until the ending), even though there were a bunch of things that bothered me about it. The protagonist acted a lot younger then she was and did some pretty unrealistic things. Some of the stupid things Morgan did, I couldn't believe a 16 year old would actually do. It didn't make sense why she decided to run away in the first place over something so small. It also didn't make sense that when she did run away she never planned where she was going to go, and didn't pack for it either; she just left with minimal supplies that would not last long. If a 16 year old decided to run away in the middle of winter, she would have a least a good idea of where to go. It could be different if it was summer. She would also pack more food and more money if possible.
I would have been looking forward to the next book even with it's short comings, however this one didn't contain a proper ending, only a hook to get you to purchase the next book in the series. This was a huge disappointment for me and a big turn off. Each book in a series should have a proper resolution. Because this one doesn't, it makes me feel like I purchased an incomplete book and was tricked by the author.
I would have been looking forward to the next book even with it's short comings, however this one didn't contain a proper ending, only a hook to get you to purchase the next book in the series. This was a huge disappointment for me and a big turn off. Each book in a series should have a proper resolution. Because this one doesn't, it makes me feel like I purchased an incomplete book and was tricked by the author.
June 10, 2021
I found this story intriguing, but then I’m a fan of time travel-like books. The details were sufficient to make the parallel universe believable. And the characters were � despite all the other readers complaining about the immaturity of the lead � clearly defined. Mono- Dialogue was good. The premise was enjoyable.
Now, regarding the maturity level of the 16 year old protagonist, she’s a teenager! They are immature. They are illogical. They are overly dramatic. I thought the way Morgan was portrayed was fair compared to the many teenagers I have worked with as a family counselor - both the disturbed kids and the well-balanced ones.
Sixteen year old girls are under a great deal of stress, especially when they are forced to move away from their friends and familiar surroundings. Even without those stressors, many resort to childish behavior to cope. That she ran away to get the attention of her parents is well within scope. And how she dealt with the stunning developments sounded pretty mature to me. I know many adults who would act much more irrationally if confronted suddenly with total confusion.
I found it a good story, well told and a good read.
Now, regarding the maturity level of the 16 year old protagonist, she’s a teenager! They are immature. They are illogical. They are overly dramatic. I thought the way Morgan was portrayed was fair compared to the many teenagers I have worked with as a family counselor - both the disturbed kids and the well-balanced ones.
Sixteen year old girls are under a great deal of stress, especially when they are forced to move away from their friends and familiar surroundings. Even without those stressors, many resort to childish behavior to cope. That she ran away to get the attention of her parents is well within scope. And how she dealt with the stunning developments sounded pretty mature to me. I know many adults who would act much more irrationally if confronted suddenly with total confusion.
I found it a good story, well told and a good read.
August 17, 2017
Reasons why this book was meh:
1. The plot had some decent potential, but was executed poorly and the writing wasn't that great. Pretty boring, honestly.
2. The main character, Morgan, pissed me off for really no reason. I just didn't like her
3. ...wait, no, I thought of a few reasons. She acted like a child and threw temper tantrums over the littlest things—like not getting a cell phone
4. If I hear 'I'll be leaving in a few weeks' one more time, I will punch somebody in the throat
5. She was only assuming her escape plan would work. Nothing was based on fact.
...Yeah, that's pretty much the big stuff. This book was meh and not really worthy of a full review. -shrug-
1. The plot had some decent potential, but was executed poorly and the writing wasn't that great. Pretty boring, honestly.
2. The main character, Morgan, pissed me off for really no reason. I just didn't like her
3. ...wait, no, I thought of a few reasons. She acted like a child and threw temper tantrums over the littlest things—like not getting a cell phone
4. If I hear 'I'll be leaving in a few weeks' one more time, I will punch somebody in the throat
5. She was only assuming her escape plan would work. Nothing was based on fact.
...Yeah, that's pretty much the big stuff. This book was meh and not really worthy of a full review. -shrug-
May 5, 2018
Meh. Although the idea of a parallel universe where the government controlled weight and fat/sugar content was a bit interesting, the novelty of that wore out quickly. It was hard to get over the whiny, snarky brat of a main character, especially since everything was done from her POV. I tired of her quickly and found myself wanting to know more about others than just her. I hung in there until the end of the book, hoping to see some evolution in her character. Perhaps that's coming in the next book, but I won't be sticking around to find out.
February 20, 2020
Interesting premise
What if the government controlled how much you were allowed to weigh and what you were allowed to eat? And if you didn’t follow their rules you were imprisoned?
This is the world a young teen girl finds herself in after running away from home after a fight with her mother and going through an underground tunnel. It’s a scary premise and makes this book a very interesting read. Recommend to YA and even adults who enjoy an easy, clean read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
What if the government controlled how much you were allowed to weigh and what you were allowed to eat? And if you didn’t follow their rules you were imprisoned?
This is the world a young teen girl finds herself in after running away from home after a fight with her mother and going through an underground tunnel. It’s a scary premise and makes this book a very interesting read. Recommend to YA and even adults who enjoy an easy, clean read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
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