Review: Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz

14 April, 2012 Reviews 13 comments

I received this book for free from Galley Grab in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah MoskowitzGone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz
Series: Standalone
Published by Simon Pulse on April 17th 2012
Pages: 251
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Format: eARC
Source: Galley Grab
Amazon Good BooksBook Depository
Goodreads
five-stars

In the wake of the post-9/11 sniper shootings, fragile love finds a stronghold in this intense, romantic novel from the author of Break and Invincible Summer.

It's a year after 9/11. Sniper shootings throughout the D.C. area have everyone on edge and trying to make sense of these random acts of violence. Meanwhile, Craig and Lio are just trying to make sense of their lives.

Craig’s crushing on quiet, distant Lio, and preoccupied with what it meant when Lio kissed him...and if he’ll do it again...and if kissing Lio will help him finally get over his ex-boyfriend, Cody.

Lio feels most alive when he's with Craig. He forgets about his broken family, his dead brother, and the messed up world. But being with Craig means being vulnerable...and Lio will have to decide whether love is worth the risk.

This intense, romantic novel from the author of Break and Invincible Summer is a poignant look at what it is to feel needed, connected, and alive.

Look, it doesn’t really matter what star rating I’d have given this book.  Because, at the end of the day, nothing would have been able to take away from how unflappably cool Hannah Moskowitz is.  She’s like the genius rockstar of the YA world.

So I guess it’s just a good thing that I completely, truly and irrevocably (I feel Twilight has ruined this word forever) loved this book.

For a book that doesn’t have a giant, action packed plot or complicated message, Gone, Gone, Gone manages to be brilliant in the most understated, replete fashion.

It’s language is simplistic, I’d even go so far as to say MUNDANE, but it’s packed to the brim and even the most inane parts are interesting.

“I’m not an enigma.  I’m just talked out, probably permanently.  I said all I needed to say when I was a boy made of sticks and radiation and half-digested oatmeal.  I don’t feel good.  I want to go home.  Make it stop.  It’s been seven years, and I’m still out of words.”

Well and truly it is the intense characterization of Craig and Lio that make this novel.  Clearly Moskowitz doesn’t just do characterization.  She DOES characterization.  You know.  Like, when she writes a character – that character has been written.  Thoroughly.

I mean, if Craig and Lio had any more personality, oddities and complexities then her characters might just come alive and start trying to murder their creators and Moskowitz would have to hide her status from them forever like that guy in The Solitaire Mystery.  Actually, just for good measure, don’t ever get stranded on an island Moskowitz.  Especially not a magical island that brings your day dreams to life because then you’re probably screwed.

It’s going to be hard to sell this book.  Usually you latch onto something easy like describing a book as being The Hunger Games meets Madame Bovary or some other such nonsense.  But it’s a little hard to do that.  I could go the easy route and tell you it’s Awesomness meets your mind, or fabulous meets the written word.  But that doesn’t really translate well into what this book is about.

But this book is about a lot of things.  Mostly it’s about two boys who fall in love while dealing with themselves.  Mostly it’s about healing and growing and loving.

Mostly it’s about me kicking your ass if you don’t add it to your TBR list, alright?

Kat Kennedy

Kat Kennedy

Co-blogger at Cuddlebuggery
Kat Kennedy is a book reviewer and aspiring author in the Young Adult genre. She reviews critically but humorously and get super excited about great books. Find her on GoodReads.
Kat Kennedy

13 Responses to “Review: Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowitz”

  1. Bonnie

    This truly was a wonderful story despite it being understated. I couldn’t write a review on this book to save my life. I think I basically said it was ‘Bittersweet’ but I definitely enjoyed it and will be checking out more from this author.

  2. Reut

    The awesomeness that is Hannah Moskowitz is indescribable. But you did it pretty well 😉 I put off reading this one too late and now I won’t be able to before it expires (even though I had it for like, a year) but you make me sad I did.

  3. Lexie B.

    I would really, really love to get my hands on a copy of this. And not just because Hannah Moskowitz is really fucking fantastic, but because this sounds kind of amazing. I think I especially would be a big fan, because I’ve always prized characterization more than anything. If I hate the characters, I can’t get behind the story. If I adore them, it’s going to be in my favorites.

    Plus, there isn’t enough wonderful LGBT literature out there today. Maybe awesome books like this can help awaken the genre.

    (Also, this was already on my TBR pile, so my ass is safe, right? It’s a rather nice ass and I’d prefer it stay in good shape.)
    Lexie B. recently posted…UnearthlyMy Profile

  4. Paige

    I seriously loved this book. Hannah Moskowitz is also a lovely person, too. I adored the characters and they really helped hold up the story. Also, the ending is amazing and so, so perfect.

    I’m really glad I could get an ARC of this and I totally am buying myself a copy as an early birthday present (my birthday is three days after this book is released!).

    And there will be no ass-kicking, as I have already read and reviewed and loved this book. 🙂

  5. roro @roro is reading[rogier]
    Twitter:

    awesome review

    i so want this one/been saying this a lot lol[but i despriately need this1]
    2 bad i will never read it . if i did hell would break lose my parents are bookbanners . anti lgbt and close minded

    tnx 4 the amazong review
    roro @roro is reading[rogier] recently posted…IMM #17My Profile

  6. alexiareads

    Oh my gosh this book looks AMAZING! I must put it on my TBR. Pronto.This review has made me even more desperate to read it. I’ve been on a LGBT books kick lately.

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