I'm always a bit hesitant when I pick up a sequel to read, but I wound up loving every last bit of "Foreverland Is Dead"! I think it could almost be read as a standalone novel, but the reader would also greatly benefit from having read "The Annihilation of Foreverland" first. The story moves quickly and the plot is masterfully woven in such a way that the reader learns things alongside the protagonists in a way that doesn't feel contrived or forced. As the book goes on, each additional revelation is satisfying and rewarding (and there are many such gems in the book!) The ending of the book tied things up succinctly and left enough surprises that I find myself wishing "Beyond Foreveland" was already out! Well done, Mr. Bertauski! ( )

As with The Annihilation of Foreverland, I was very impressed by the character building/development and the skilful showing and not as much telling. I love the clever plot! ( )

ABR's full Foreverland is Dead audiobook review can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Although this is not a sequel this book is fantastic and felt like a great addition to the Foreverland series. What I did not enjoy about the first, I loved in this, mainly the characters and how they were introduced. I really enjoyed listening to this one as well where the first I felt like if I missed anything then I was in trouble. I wanted to hear every word of it since it was very intriguing and a bit mysterious! Both narrators for the books are fantastic though and I definitely recommend the listen if you do not prefer reading. I had a few audio issues with the first, however this one has been fabulous.

In this the story starts at a cabin with a few girls who have no memory of how they got there. They do find some food and my favorite of the bunch, Cyn, realizes that since they don't have a clue what is going on, then maybe they should ration the food. From the beginning I could tell that Cyn was fabulous. She is able to stand up to the bullies in the group and doesn't take much crap, even in this really weird environment.

I cannot express how much I enjoyed listening to this compared to the first. Although the first I considered good I just wasn't compelled to get to know the characters. I hung in because of the first narrator. The narrator in this, Linda Velwest, also did a fantastic job of helping me to stay focused and IN the story. There are many female characters and I was able to distinguish between them all. Kudos not only to the narration but also to Tony Bertauski who kept the gals very different from each other.

Audiobook provided for review by the narrator. ( )

cool book. glad there was a sequel. now just waiting for the third :) ( )

A girl wakes up, remembering nothing, in a room with slashes on the wall, as if she’s been counting days. She walks toward a brick house and collapses unconscious. Other girls help her, and there’s a Lord of the Flies feel to these castaway lives; no one really sure of who she is, all seeking their own input to who they will turn out to be. Of course, who you are is always a balance between who you were and where you’re going, and this fast-paced novel explores the concept powerfully and mysteriously.

Mysteries abound as food disappears from the kitchen, a dead body lies on the path, and one shy little girl seems to have powers beyond everyone else's. Meanwhile danger rears its head in the choice between starvation and escape. And always those hauntingly missing memories threaten from the gray.

Foreverland is Dead is a sequel to Tony Bertauski’s the Annihiliation of Foreverland, but it stands alone as a powerfully evocative and disconcerting tale. The teen girl voices are convincing and compelling. And the mystery enthralls. The story draws readers in on its own, with no need for preconceptions, and I truly couldn't stop reading; I wanted to know what would happen here and now; I wanted to know why these girls were trapped (and remembered vaguely, there were boys in Annihilation). And I wanted, like the characters, to know which things were real and which were dream—and who could be trusted.

The solution is scary, dark, and pleasingly self-contained by the end of the tale, despite a final line that begs for more. Personally, I hope there will be more—this series has all the classic elements of reality vs imagination, self vs image, the value of life, and fast, intriguing storylines. And these books are really good reads for teens young and old.

Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I’m offering my honest review. I honestly loved it. ( )