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The Living #2
The Hunted
When the Big One hit, Shy was at sea in style. The Paradise Cruise luxury liner he worked on was a hulking specimen of the best money could buy. And now it's at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, along with almost all of its passengers.
Shy wasn't the only one to survive, though. Addie, the rich blond daughter of a mysterious businessman, was on the dinghy he pulled himself into. But as soon as they found the rest of the survivors, she disappeared.
The only thing that filled the strange void of losing her was finding Carmen, his hot coworker, and discovering a way to get back home. But Shy's luck hasn't turned. Not yet.
Back on the dinghy, Addie told him a secret. It's a secret that people would kill for-have killed for-and she has the piece that could turn everything on its ear. The problem? Shy has no idea where Addie is. Back home in California seems logical, but there are more ways to die back home then Shy could ever have guessed.
And thanks to what Shy now knows, he's a moving target.
Shy wasn't the only one to survive, though. Addie, the rich blond daughter of a mysterious businessman, was on the dinghy he pulled himself into. But as soon as they found the rest of the survivors, she disappeared.
The only thing that filled the strange void of losing her was finding Carmen, his hot coworker, and discovering a way to get back home. But Shy's luck hasn't turned. Not yet.
Back on the dinghy, Addie told him a secret. It's a secret that people would kill for-have killed for-and she has the piece that could turn everything on its ear. The problem? Shy has no idea where Addie is. Back home in California seems logical, but there are more ways to die back home then Shy could ever have guessed.
And thanks to what Shy now knows, he's a moving target.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
137 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Matt de la Peña
44 books1,503 followersMatt de la Peña is the New York Times best-selling, Newbery-medal-winning author of six young adult novels and four picture books. Matt received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific, where he attended school on a full athletic scholarship for basketball. de la Peña currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. He teaches creative writing and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.
Visit Matt at: mattdelapena.com
Visit Matt at: mattdelapena.com
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February 7, 2015*UPDATE!* Release date is May 12, 2015! Can't wait!!
Houston, we have a cover.
And it is awesome.
Houston, we have a cover.
And it is awesome.
June 26, 2015
Why do I love Matt de la Pena? The biggest factor is that he gets my students to read and he does so especially well with post-apocalyptic yarns that examine the socioeconomic implications of natural disasters. While I do not typically go for YA fare, I burned through The Living in couple of days and could not wait to do the same with The Hunted. Unfortunately (well, perhaps not) I'd wait quite a while while this one got tossed around my classroom. Worth the wait?
Not entirely.
Firstly, I know it's popular, but post-apocalyptic tales have been wearing me a little thin since Cormac McCarthy's The Road to the point that I refuse to consider watching The Walking Dead within the next decade.
However, dystopian fiction seems to be the more annoying current trend in YA fiction, so I was willing to go along with de la Pena as he led me down a highly entertaining path. The action scenes have been exquisitely detailed throughout the whole tale and while one might complain that he simply lists a bunch of horrible happenings to get accomplish this detail, isn't that kind of the point? Los Angeles is pretty much obliterated in the blink of an eye, so what do you expect?
Shy and the gang arrive at the coast to find the devastation to be nearly as bad I they thought it would be, but the social barriers that have quickly been constructed are another issue entirely. A biker gang has hastily risen to power, ensuring that people stay where they are, killing anyone leaving their assigned sections of the city. This is done to avoid the spreading of the Romero disease which has left the blackened cities riddled with bloated corpses.
The beauty in this YA novel is that it continues the trend of not shying teenagers away from horror. Shy and the gang are forced to camp out in one of the only places the biker gang won't mess with them: an abandoned trailer painted with a sign of the plague. They have to clear out the family, which includes children, that was living there before and give them proper burial before sleeping in the disease-ridden cabin.
So that happened.
Shy's background is fleshed out a bit more with the introduction of his deadbeat father as the group's savior from the biker gang because he is--you guessed it--a member himself. Dear old dad just wants to do right by his son after realizing the mistakes he has made over the years. While this sounds like pretty typical family drama fare, it didn't feel like it would end well.
Perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn't
To be honest, I am really not sure what to make of the ending. I know what literally happens during the final seconds of this novel, and no it does not look like this will become a trilogy, but the ending was lackluster to say the best. It simply kind of ends without much direction for the characters, outside of Shy. While he is the main character, the others have been there long enough to deserve a little bit better. I am all for an open ending, but they are left entirely in the dust.
Speaking of the others, Addie makes her return (like you know she will throughout the entire story) but for being such a key character in The Living, she is not a major character and her inclusion seems to serve mainly as a means for Shy to get to her mad scientist father.
There is also a strange quasi-supernatural occurrence that bridges us into the final act but ultimately falls flat. Its inclusion seems like it is going to have major LOST-like implications, but then nothing becomes of it. Shy mentions it a few times, but it remains dead in the water where it occurs. (I realize I am employing circumlocution, but to mention it would spoil a major plot point. You'll know it when you read it.)
Perhaps I am missing something due to the fact that I read an Advance Reader's Copy, but I am fairly confident based on other reviews that I am not. The Hunted is certainly needed and certainly fitting in a lot of ways, but in others it really misses the mark. I almost hope there is a sequel just to figure out what kind of new adventure some of these "loose ends" might spark, but perhaps it really is time to close the book on these characters.
Not entirely.
Firstly, I know it's popular, but post-apocalyptic tales have been wearing me a little thin since Cormac McCarthy's The Road to the point that I refuse to consider watching The Walking Dead within the next decade.
However, dystopian fiction seems to be the more annoying current trend in YA fiction, so I was willing to go along with de la Pena as he led me down a highly entertaining path. The action scenes have been exquisitely detailed throughout the whole tale and while one might complain that he simply lists a bunch of horrible happenings to get accomplish this detail, isn't that kind of the point? Los Angeles is pretty much obliterated in the blink of an eye, so what do you expect?
Shy and the gang arrive at the coast to find the devastation to be nearly as bad I they thought it would be, but the social barriers that have quickly been constructed are another issue entirely. A biker gang has hastily risen to power, ensuring that people stay where they are, killing anyone leaving their assigned sections of the city. This is done to avoid the spreading of the Romero disease which has left the blackened cities riddled with bloated corpses.
The beauty in this YA novel is that it continues the trend of not shying teenagers away from horror. Shy and the gang are forced to camp out in one of the only places the biker gang won't mess with them: an abandoned trailer painted with a sign of the plague. They have to clear out the family, which includes children, that was living there before and give them proper burial before sleeping in the disease-ridden cabin.
So that happened.
Shy's background is fleshed out a bit more with the introduction of his deadbeat father as the group's savior from the biker gang because he is--you guessed it--a member himself. Dear old dad just wants to do right by his son after realizing the mistakes he has made over the years. While this sounds like pretty typical family drama fare, it didn't feel like it would end well.
Perhaps it does, perhaps it doesn't
To be honest, I am really not sure what to make of the ending. I know what literally happens during the final seconds of this novel, and no it does not look like this will become a trilogy, but the ending was lackluster to say the best. It simply kind of ends without much direction for the characters, outside of Shy. While he is the main character, the others have been there long enough to deserve a little bit better. I am all for an open ending, but they are left entirely in the dust.
Speaking of the others, Addie makes her return (like you know she will throughout the entire story) but for being such a key character in The Living, she is not a major character and her inclusion seems to serve mainly as a means for Shy to get to her mad scientist father.
There is also a strange quasi-supernatural occurrence that bridges us into the final act but ultimately falls flat. Its inclusion seems like it is going to have major LOST-like implications, but then nothing becomes of it. Shy mentions it a few times, but it remains dead in the water where it occurs. (I realize I am employing circumlocution, but to mention it would spoil a major plot point. You'll know it when you read it.)
Perhaps I am missing something due to the fact that I read an Advance Reader's Copy, but I am fairly confident based on other reviews that I am not. The Hunted is certainly needed and certainly fitting in a lot of ways, but in others it really misses the mark. I almost hope there is a sequel just to figure out what kind of new adventure some of these "loose ends" might spark, but perhaps it really is time to close the book on these characters.
March 28, 2023
The Hunted (The Living #2) by Matt de la Peña is one of those books that I didn't quite know what to expect from it given what all went down in the first installment. I don't want to give away any of the surprises here, but I'm surprised that I actually preferred this sequel to book one. I also actually ended up liking how this duology ended even though that seems to be an unpopular opinion. I also recommend the production of the audiobook. The narrator Henry Leyva did a great job.
May 24, 2015
I have wanted to read THE HUNTED since the moment I finished THE LIVING, and hearing Matt de la Peña read the first chapter at a book signing only whetted my appetite. THE HUNTED starts about a month later, when Shy, Carmen, Marcus, and Shoeshine finally make it to California.
In THE LIVING, they had to mainly survive a fight against nature. Now, they have to mainly escape people. A biker gang is killing travelers to keep them from spreading the Romero virus. And a certain entity wants to kill Shy and his friends because they know too much about the virus. Their only hope is to hike across a picked-over post-apocalyptic California to Arizona. It is a brutal journey.
I don't think THE HUNTED can truly be enjoyed without THE LIVING. De la Peña recaps the bare minimum, particularly when it comes to character relationships. I certainly don't think the passages involving Addie have much meaning if you haven't read the first book. Fortunately, both books in the duology are quick reads. The chapters are short of full of action, which keeps the pages turning.
I felt that Shoeshine was more of a plot mechanism than a character in THE LIVING, so I like that he's a little more fleshed out in THE HUNTED. A former soldier is still an incredibly lucky person to have by your side in a survival situation, but THE HUNTED gives hints of his hobbies and of his past.
I'm also truly thankful that rape isn't used as a threat in THE HUNTED. It is overplayed in dystopian/post-apocalyptic books, like everybody - not just rapists - couldn't resist the urge if civilization collapsed. People are too busy being awful to each other in other ways. (To be fair, a virus with a 100% death rate is scary.)
THE HUNTED is a great survival against the odds story. The protagonist, Shy, is hugely likeable. I could read many more books featuring him. I'm happy to leave it at two, although there are some unanswered questions that de la Peña could answer in a third book. Be sure to read THE LIVING and THE HUNTED if you like quick books about intense journeys and noble causes featuring diverse casts.
In THE LIVING, they had to mainly survive a fight against nature. Now, they have to mainly escape people. A biker gang is killing travelers to keep them from spreading the Romero virus. And a certain entity wants to kill Shy and his friends because they know too much about the virus. Their only hope is to hike across a picked-over post-apocalyptic California to Arizona. It is a brutal journey.
I don't think THE HUNTED can truly be enjoyed without THE LIVING. De la Peña recaps the bare minimum, particularly when it comes to character relationships. I certainly don't think the passages involving Addie have much meaning if you haven't read the first book. Fortunately, both books in the duology are quick reads. The chapters are short of full of action, which keeps the pages turning.
I felt that Shoeshine was more of a plot mechanism than a character in THE LIVING, so I like that he's a little more fleshed out in THE HUNTED. A former soldier is still an incredibly lucky person to have by your side in a survival situation, but THE HUNTED gives hints of his hobbies and of his past.
I'm also truly thankful that rape isn't used as a threat in THE HUNTED. It is overplayed in dystopian/post-apocalyptic books, like everybody - not just rapists - couldn't resist the urge if civilization collapsed. People are too busy being awful to each other in other ways. (To be fair, a virus with a 100% death rate is scary.)
THE HUNTED is a great survival against the odds story. The protagonist, Shy, is hugely likeable. I could read many more books featuring him. I'm happy to leave it at two, although there are some unanswered questions that de la Peña could answer in a third book. Be sure to read THE LIVING and THE HUNTED if you like quick books about intense journeys and noble causes featuring diverse casts.
January 18, 2016
I'm not sure what I just read and I'm glad to be moving on with this series.
September 29, 2016
Mucho mejor que el primero. Me ha gustado.
Read
February 24, 2017the ending was awful
rest of the book was great
rest of the book was great
May 26, 2015
Overall I enjoyed the series. You will probably want to read The Living before this one. The author doesn't spend a lot of time filling in the backstory. There's lots of action to keep you engaged and it often reads like a movie. I enjoyed the pacing, the plot, and the character development.
However, I feel weird about the literal magical black character. Shoeshine is a character who conveniently has a lot of skills acquired in mysterious ways with an absolute resistance to talking about himself. He is basically just a plot device with no motives of his own other than to support Shy, the main character. The tiny glimpses into his past aren't enough to fill him out and my eyebrows were quirking all over the place towards the end there. It might not bother others because this magical black character isn't being subservient to white needs/motives. Personally, I wish Shoeshine had been portrayed as a real person.
However, I feel weird about the literal magical black character. Shoeshine is a character who conveniently has a lot of skills acquired in mysterious ways with an absolute resistance to talking about himself. He is basically just a plot device with no motives of his own other than to support Shy, the main character. The tiny glimpses into his past aren't enough to fill him out and my eyebrows were quirking all over the place towards the end there. It might not bother others because this magical black character isn't being subservient to white needs/motives. Personally, I wish Shoeshine had been portrayed as a real person.
December 21, 2014
Ugh! The ending.
August 28, 2015
Truly amazing. Though, the ending confused me a little.
April 20, 2018
"The Hunted" is an excellent action mystery book that continually leaves the reader wonder what will happen next. The book created a well-developed story that questions society and the psychology of people.
The book was published in 2015 by Matt de la Peña as a sequel to "The Living". His style of writing is a continuation of the first book as it constantly rises in action. The book is about how Shy and his friends must survive the catastrophic remains of western civilization to deliver a cure for an epidemic. The characters developed more in this book as Shy became more heroic. Marcus was characterized well despite him have a minor role in the last book, and Shoeshine became increasingly mysterious and resourceful. Carmen, however, became more annoying in this book for small reasons. The plot is similar to other dystopian books but it had a unique flair to it. The story takes place from California to Arizona. The book was a true sequel to "The Living" as it was the same style. This book did not remind me of anything else I have read or watched despite the first one reminded me of many other stories. This book does tackle racism and power of big businesses.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the first one. I would recommend it specifically to teens and young adults as it is targeted mostly to them. "The Hunted" is an exceptional book that people should read.
The book was published in 2015 by Matt de la Peña as a sequel to "The Living". His style of writing is a continuation of the first book as it constantly rises in action. The book is about how Shy and his friends must survive the catastrophic remains of western civilization to deliver a cure for an epidemic. The characters developed more in this book as Shy became more heroic. Marcus was characterized well despite him have a minor role in the last book, and Shoeshine became increasingly mysterious and resourceful. Carmen, however, became more annoying in this book for small reasons. The plot is similar to other dystopian books but it had a unique flair to it. The story takes place from California to Arizona. The book was a true sequel to "The Living" as it was the same style. This book did not remind me of anything else I have read or watched despite the first one reminded me of many other stories. This book does tackle racism and power of big businesses.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the first one. I would recommend it specifically to teens and young adults as it is targeted mostly to them. "The Hunted" is an exceptional book that people should read.
March 9, 2016
http://wandering-world.skyrock.com/32...
LES PROIES est une excellente suite au roman LES VIVANTS. J'ai pris un énorme plaisir à voir Shy, Carmen, Marcus et Cireur évoluer dans un environnement hyper hostile à la fois ultra oppressant et terriblement saisissant. Le rythme de cet opus est encore plus haletant et palpitant que celui de son prédécesseur, chose qui me paraissait tout simplement impossible. L'auteur nous livre ici de nombreuses révélations et retournements de situation qui confèrent à l'histoire une ambiance bien particulière et extrêmement addictive. Je me suis surpris à dévorer 300 pages de cette histoire d'une traite sans m'en apercevoir tant j'avais été happé par les mots et l'imagination de Matt de la Peña. Néanmoins, si j'ai apprécié la majeure partie de l'histoire, la conclusion reste un énorme point d'interrogation à mes yeux. Je suis hyper confus et je reste sur ma faim. Si LES PROIES est officiellement le dernier tome de la série, alors ma déception n'en est que plus grande. A l'inverse, si une suite est annoncée, mon jugement sur les dernières pages est à prendre avec des pincettes. Je suis donc divisé concernant les ultimes chapitres alors que tout le reste du récit m'a absolument transporté.
Je n'avais qu'une idée en tête depuis que j'avais terminé LES VIVANTS : pouvoir mettre la main sur le tome 2 et découvrir la suite des aventures de Shy. Au cœur de ce monde post-catastrophe, la petite bande avec laquelle nous avions précédemment fait connaissance se retrouve livrée à elle-même et fait l'objet de diverses agressions. On sent bien que, cette fois, les enjeux sont encore plus élevés et que les risques à prendre se paieront très chers. Cependant, Shy, Carmen, Marcus et Cireur ne se laissent pas abattre et font preuve d'un courage à toute épreuve qui m'a absolument fasciné. Les héros sont époustouflants et extrêmement touchants. On les sent à la fois déterminés, braves et solides mais également sur le point de s'effondrer et de se briser. Il y a quelque chose d'énormément bouleversant dans cette dualité qui émane de chacun d'entre eux. J'ai vraiment passé un merveilleux moment à leurs côtés.
De plus, Matt de la Peña leur en fait voir d'absolument toutes les couleurs de par les multiples retournements de situation qui prennent place au cours de cette histoire. En effet, si le tempo était déjà rapide et déchaîné à la fin du premier opus, ici il en devient pratiquement insoutenable. LES PROIES nous rappelle bien que l'auteur ne se focalise pas seulement sur l'aspect chaotique du monde et l'impact du tremblement sur les États-Unis mais également sur tout un tas d'autres plans. A l'aspect catastrophique du phénomène naturel s'ajoute le côté course-poursuite mortelle que nous avions déjà expérimenté lors de notre lecture du premier volet. En effet, Shy et ses amis se retrouvent confrontés à de nombreux dilemmes et situations dangereuses à cause de leurs connaissances. Leur survie ne tient véritablement qu'à un fil et on sent bien la pression aller crescendo de la première à la dernière page. Les chapitres – très courts – s'enchaînent brillamment et rendent notre lecture hyper effrénée. On veut toujours en savoir plus et découvrir comment Shy, Carmen, Marcus et Cireur vont s'en sortir. Les coups de théâtre sont si nombreux et inquiétants qu'on se retient sans cesse de respirer. LES PROIES possède véritablement un caractère anxiogène qui m'a énormément plu. J'avais toujours envie d'aller plus loin, d'avoir plus de réponses et de connaître – finalement – le dénouement de cette intrigue totalement inédite et captivante.
La conclusion, justement, comme je le disais plus haut, me laisse, elle, un drôle de goût dans la bouche. Tout d'abord, je la trouve beaucoup trop rapide. Elle nous tombe dessus comme un cheveu sur la soupe. C'est trop abrupt, trop imprévisible et trop soudain pour être totalement crédible. J'ai eu l'impression que l'auteur voulait juste en terminer avec son roman sans trop s'affoler de savoir si nous avions toutes les réponses à nos questions. Certaines d'entre elles restent extrêmement ouvertes, chose qui, pour une fois, ne m'a pas nécessairement déplu dans le sens où cela colle à l'atmosphère du roman. Il y a quelque chose de mystérieux et d'étrange qui enveloppe cette histoire et j'ai beaucoup aimé que cette idée soit menée à son paroxysme en nous laissant certaines options pour imaginer tel ou tel scénario. Néanmoins, les toutes dernières lignes me laissent hyper confus et complètement déstabilisé. Je ne suis même pas sûr d'en avoir saisi tout le sens, même après plusieurs relectures. Les derniers mots m'ont laissé bouche bée et le regard vide. Il me manque vraiment certaines explications pour comprendre ce choix de l'auteur. A mes yeux, une suite est obligatoire. J'ai clairement besoin d'un troisième tome pour vraiment saisir tous les enjeux de cette conclusion, de l'intrigue globale de la saga mais également comprendre le point de vue de Matt de la Peña et de ce qu'il espérait nous transmettre avec cette fin. Si aucun tome 3 n'est annoncé, alors je suis hyper perplexe et vraiment déçu. Cette conclusion est bien trop ouverte et trop peu explicite pour que je puisse m'en contenter.
En résumé, LES PROIES est une lecture renversante et enivrante dotée d'un rythme enflammé et passionnant. J'ai adoré l'univers hostile et chaotique dans lequel l'auteur nous embarque et retrouver Shy et ses amis a été un véritable bonheur. Les coups de théâtre s'entremêlent à une vitesse folle et nous coupent le souffle d'un bout à l'autre de l'histoire. S'ajoute à cela des révélations explosives et des enjeux importants qui nous prennent tout simplement aux tripes. Néanmoins, je reste frustré et abasourdi par la conclusion de cette histoire et j'espère de tout cœur avoir des explications à l'avenir. Un roman saisissant et bouleversant malgré une fin décevante à mes yeux.
LES PROIES est une excellente suite au roman LES VIVANTS. J'ai pris un énorme plaisir à voir Shy, Carmen, Marcus et Cireur évoluer dans un environnement hyper hostile à la fois ultra oppressant et terriblement saisissant. Le rythme de cet opus est encore plus haletant et palpitant que celui de son prédécesseur, chose qui me paraissait tout simplement impossible. L'auteur nous livre ici de nombreuses révélations et retournements de situation qui confèrent à l'histoire une ambiance bien particulière et extrêmement addictive. Je me suis surpris à dévorer 300 pages de cette histoire d'une traite sans m'en apercevoir tant j'avais été happé par les mots et l'imagination de Matt de la Peña. Néanmoins, si j'ai apprécié la majeure partie de l'histoire, la conclusion reste un énorme point d'interrogation à mes yeux. Je suis hyper confus et je reste sur ma faim. Si LES PROIES est officiellement le dernier tome de la série, alors ma déception n'en est que plus grande. A l'inverse, si une suite est annoncée, mon jugement sur les dernières pages est à prendre avec des pincettes. Je suis donc divisé concernant les ultimes chapitres alors que tout le reste du récit m'a absolument transporté.
Je n'avais qu'une idée en tête depuis que j'avais terminé LES VIVANTS : pouvoir mettre la main sur le tome 2 et découvrir la suite des aventures de Shy. Au cœur de ce monde post-catastrophe, la petite bande avec laquelle nous avions précédemment fait connaissance se retrouve livrée à elle-même et fait l'objet de diverses agressions. On sent bien que, cette fois, les enjeux sont encore plus élevés et que les risques à prendre se paieront très chers. Cependant, Shy, Carmen, Marcus et Cireur ne se laissent pas abattre et font preuve d'un courage à toute épreuve qui m'a absolument fasciné. Les héros sont époustouflants et extrêmement touchants. On les sent à la fois déterminés, braves et solides mais également sur le point de s'effondrer et de se briser. Il y a quelque chose d'énormément bouleversant dans cette dualité qui émane de chacun d'entre eux. J'ai vraiment passé un merveilleux moment à leurs côtés.
De plus, Matt de la Peña leur en fait voir d'absolument toutes les couleurs de par les multiples retournements de situation qui prennent place au cours de cette histoire. En effet, si le tempo était déjà rapide et déchaîné à la fin du premier opus, ici il en devient pratiquement insoutenable. LES PROIES nous rappelle bien que l'auteur ne se focalise pas seulement sur l'aspect chaotique du monde et l'impact du tremblement sur les États-Unis mais également sur tout un tas d'autres plans. A l'aspect catastrophique du phénomène naturel s'ajoute le côté course-poursuite mortelle que nous avions déjà expérimenté lors de notre lecture du premier volet. En effet, Shy et ses amis se retrouvent confrontés à de nombreux dilemmes et situations dangereuses à cause de leurs connaissances. Leur survie ne tient véritablement qu'à un fil et on sent bien la pression aller crescendo de la première à la dernière page. Les chapitres – très courts – s'enchaînent brillamment et rendent notre lecture hyper effrénée. On veut toujours en savoir plus et découvrir comment Shy, Carmen, Marcus et Cireur vont s'en sortir. Les coups de théâtre sont si nombreux et inquiétants qu'on se retient sans cesse de respirer. LES PROIES possède véritablement un caractère anxiogène qui m'a énormément plu. J'avais toujours envie d'aller plus loin, d'avoir plus de réponses et de connaître – finalement – le dénouement de cette intrigue totalement inédite et captivante.
La conclusion, justement, comme je le disais plus haut, me laisse, elle, un drôle de goût dans la bouche. Tout d'abord, je la trouve beaucoup trop rapide. Elle nous tombe dessus comme un cheveu sur la soupe. C'est trop abrupt, trop imprévisible et trop soudain pour être totalement crédible. J'ai eu l'impression que l'auteur voulait juste en terminer avec son roman sans trop s'affoler de savoir si nous avions toutes les réponses à nos questions. Certaines d'entre elles restent extrêmement ouvertes, chose qui, pour une fois, ne m'a pas nécessairement déplu dans le sens où cela colle à l'atmosphère du roman. Il y a quelque chose de mystérieux et d'étrange qui enveloppe cette histoire et j'ai beaucoup aimé que cette idée soit menée à son paroxysme en nous laissant certaines options pour imaginer tel ou tel scénario. Néanmoins, les toutes dernières lignes me laissent hyper confus et complètement déstabilisé. Je ne suis même pas sûr d'en avoir saisi tout le sens, même après plusieurs relectures. Les derniers mots m'ont laissé bouche bée et le regard vide. Il me manque vraiment certaines explications pour comprendre ce choix de l'auteur. A mes yeux, une suite est obligatoire. J'ai clairement besoin d'un troisième tome pour vraiment saisir tous les enjeux de cette conclusion, de l'intrigue globale de la saga mais également comprendre le point de vue de Matt de la Peña et de ce qu'il espérait nous transmettre avec cette fin. Si aucun tome 3 n'est annoncé, alors je suis hyper perplexe et vraiment déçu. Cette conclusion est bien trop ouverte et trop peu explicite pour que je puisse m'en contenter.
En résumé, LES PROIES est une lecture renversante et enivrante dotée d'un rythme enflammé et passionnant. J'ai adoré l'univers hostile et chaotique dans lequel l'auteur nous embarque et retrouver Shy et ses amis a été un véritable bonheur. Les coups de théâtre s'entremêlent à une vitesse folle et nous coupent le souffle d'un bout à l'autre de l'histoire. S'ajoute à cela des révélations explosives et des enjeux importants qui nous prennent tout simplement aux tripes. Néanmoins, je reste frustré et abasourdi par la conclusion de cette histoire et j'espère de tout cœur avoir des explications à l'avenir. Un roman saisissant et bouleversant malgré une fin décevante à mes yeux.
February 19, 2018
The Hunted was honestly one of the best books I have ever read. Thats exactly what I said after reading the first book in this series The Living. In this novel De La Pena answers ALL of your questions the The Living left you off with. This book even leaves you off with a few more. The Hunted is filled with action and violence and anything that would make a book a million times more interesting. Also it has lots of suspense and mystery because we as the reader just don't know where Shy is ending up on his journey. Throughout this book my mind was just going crazy because I just wanted to find out whether he would live or die, make it or not make it, or even kill or be killed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action with a lot of mystery. i'd definitely rate this book a solid 10/10.
March 30, 2018
The Hunted by Matt de la Pena is the squeal of The Living. After surviving the tsunami that sank their cruise ship in the first book and, escaping an island with deadly secret and servicing 36 days at sea, three teens and an adult reach what’s left of California a quarantined, anarchic region devastated by earthquakes and a lethal pandemic. Gangs control most of the country and have zones that you can not pass. The teens Shy, Carmen and Marcus suspect their families to be dead. The adult Shoeshine who has been guiding the teens since day one. Shy and Carmen’s mutual attraction grows, but she’s engaged to someone who is missing. There does not seem to be a clear plot to the book, just killing, and devastation everywhere. Goals are lost without resolution like author, lost interest in his story midway. I believe that it is an entertaining story and a lot of action, but does not seem that there is a point to the story, the author just has to end it. I would recommend this book to teens that just want a entertaining story and are not looking for a well writing plot and point to the characters actions.
October 16, 2024
Moins prenant que le premier, il reste très sympa à lire mais il met en exergue tous les défauts du premier, qu'il reproduit et dont on a assez dans ce tome.
Shy est un macho qui pense avec sa queue en pleine apocalypse, sa plot armor est immense (entre la rencontre avec son père et la vieille) et trop souvent (beaucoup trop pour un livre si court) on se dit "tiens comme par hasard".
En plus j'étais pour Addie...
Shy est un macho qui pense avec sa queue en pleine apocalypse, sa plot armor est immense (entre la rencontre avec son père et la vieille) et trop souvent (beaucoup trop pour un livre si court) on se dit "tiens comme par hasard".
En plus j'étais pour Addie...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2019
Review to Come
If post-apocalyptic is your thing, you'll probably like this one. I do think the first book was more original and exciting.
If post-apocalyptic is your thing, you'll probably like this one. I do think the first book was more original and exciting.
May 19, 2020
It was a great book, but I didn’t really like the ending of it.
May 14, 2024
shoeshine reminded me of Kramer from Seinfeld
December 7, 2017
The sequel was still good!! This book is all about the trip to deliver a letter to Arizona. Lots of new characters that work, and favorites that we love. A+.
September 21, 2018
The Hunted by Matt de la Pena, sequel to The Living, is a dramatic story about life during an apocalypse where gangs control most of everything and fear of disease lives strong in the hearts of survivors. Matt de la Pena keeps the readers engaged with ever present threats from the numerous gangs in the story, the journey to find the scientists, and even close calls with a few of the main characters.
The main objective in The Hunted, to deliver the duffel bag, turned into several other side quests along the way, such as finding the families of the main characters. Many of these side quests prove to be fruitless and not worth the time of the protagonists. This book, though not as thrilling of a read as its predecessor, is worth a read and maybe even a reread. Due to some more mature themes and subject matter I would not recommend this book for children, but definitely for young adults and adults alike. For anyone looking for a thriller survival/ life during a mini apocalypse story, this is the book for you, just make sure to read the first book beforehand.
Overall this book probably deserves a ⅘ stars but i am going to rate it ⅗ because I lost interest during a few parts of the book when there was not much going on, it became a burden for me to read at times whereas the first book was not as bad.
The main objective in The Hunted, to deliver the duffel bag, turned into several other side quests along the way, such as finding the families of the main characters. Many of these side quests prove to be fruitless and not worth the time of the protagonists. This book, though not as thrilling of a read as its predecessor, is worth a read and maybe even a reread. Due to some more mature themes and subject matter I would not recommend this book for children, but definitely for young adults and adults alike. For anyone looking for a thriller survival/ life during a mini apocalypse story, this is the book for you, just make sure to read the first book beforehand.
Overall this book probably deserves a ⅘ stars but i am going to rate it ⅗ because I lost interest during a few parts of the book when there was not much going on, it became a burden for me to read at times whereas the first book was not as bad.
November 1, 2019
This book is very interesting and has a lot of action but the ending is pretty bad if you read it so enjoy the book while it is interesting
November 1, 2016
Ésta es la segunda y última parte de la bilogía de "Los Vivientes" el cual tuve la oportunidad de leer el año pasado, y que tuve la suerte de disfrutar muchísimo. Pero debido a que tengo una memoria de teflón a la que nada se le pega, tenía mucho miedo de haber olvidado cosas importantes de la historia, y que eso me arruinara la experiencia de leer la segunda parte, así que estaba un poco indecisa de comenzar a leerlo. Pero qué bueno que al final me animé.
Seguimos a Sky, Carmen, Marcus y Limpiabotas después de que dejaron la isla y llegaron a la costa de California, donde todo era caos y destrucción. El caos digno de un terremoto que destruyó todo a su paso, y además, la muerte de miles de personas de una forma horrible debido a una epidemia que se contagiaba con el más mínimo contacto. Es por eso, que las pocas personas que quedaban sanas, estaban tomando sus propias precauciones para que la enfermedad dejara de propagarse, así que había mucha gente acribillada y dejada pudriendo por las calles. La ciudad se había dividido en zonas y cada zona tenía sus propias reglas, y muchos de ellos no tenían piedad alguna, y preferían disparar primero y preguntar después.
Sky, Carmen, Marcus y Limpiabotas tienen una misión muy importante que cumplir y tendrán que pasar por muchos inconvenientes para lograrlo.
Si el primer libro me gustó, éste me ENCANTÓ. Ya que todo el libro estuvo lleno de acción y sucesos completamente inesperados. Es normal que los primeros libros sean un poco lentos por la introducción a los personajes y a la historia, y que en los segundos todo sea mucho más rápido porque toda esa explicación ya no existe, es por eso que desde las primeras páginas podemos verlos pasar por el primer problema y su esfuerzo por sobrevivir.
Es un libro post-apocalíptico que nos pinta un escenario precario y triste, con gente muerta al rededor, muy al estilo The Walking Dead, pero sin los zombies (sólo una enfermedad flotando por los aires que te puede matar de una forma brutal y dolorosa) y toda esa combinación me gustó muchísimo. Creo me gusta éste género literario (o de cine y televisión, siempre disfruto mucho ver ciudades en pedazos jajaja).
Recomiendo mucho ambos libros, que aunque se pueden tomar como juveniles porque los protagonistas son adolescentes, pero siento que la temática y la trama no es sólo para adolescentes, ya que cualquier aficionado a la acción y a lo apocalípitico podrían encontrar ésta historia muy divertida.
A mi en lo personal me gustaron ambos, pero éste siento lo leí más rápido porque como ya dije, siempre está pasando algo y cuesta mucho esfuerzo dejarlo a un lado, porque el lector se queda con la intriga de cómo acabarán las cosas. Además que los capítulos son bastante cortos, y eso le da aún más agilidad a la historia.
Le dí 4 estrellas por el hecho de que en muchas ocasiones las cosas resultaban muy convenientes para los personajes. Como que no importaba que tan complicadas estuvieran las cosas, pasaba algo que las arreglaba, y eso a veces me irritaba un poco. Pero nada más, es mi única queja con respecto al libro. De resto, altamente recomendable.
July 22, 2020
Left a lot of questions at the end which I really didn’t like. Felt as if he kind of got tired of writing and ended the book before he really should have. Still, worth the read and super creepy considering today’s pandemic.
May 9, 2015
Review copy: ARC from publisher
Sometimes series books can be read out of order. I would not recommend that in this case. A reader would likely understand most of the book, but there would be way too much backstory missing without the first book. If you haven’t read The Living yet, it’s probably best you stop reading this review and go do that first. It was one of my favorite books of 2013 (review here).
This second book picks up right where the first left off. Shy and his companions are on the run. They’re trying to get away from some people, but they are also running for another purpose. Because of the intrigue, it’s difficult to talk about plot without giving things away, but there are many life-threatening events and stressful circumstances that have to be faced as they move closer and closer to their intended destination.
The Hunted moves at an even faster pace than The Living. Chase scenes and violence are sprinkled throughout. This is definitely an action book, but the characters begin to gain more depth too. We find out that Shy’s friend Marcus isn’t what he seemed to be back on the cruise ship. Shy learns about himself and sees he’s capable of more than he expected. The characters also get a small glimpse into Shoeshine’s past.
Shoeshine is an interesting part of both books. He is inscrutable and also has amazing strength, wisdom and prescience. Even in seemingly impossible situations, he is likely to save the day often at great risk to himself. The phrase magical negro kept popping into my mind. Usually that trope has the character subordinate to a white person, but here Shoeshine is saving and guiding a Latino protagonist so it’s not exactly the same.
Lest you think it is all seriousness, there are still moments of lightness. Shy, Marcus and Carmen joke and jab at each other once in a while and there is good news on occasion. Readers get to smile sometimes. I especially liked the scenes with a young brother and sister they meet along the way. The playful wrestling and teasing were a lot of fun.
I enjoyed both of the books in this series, but they had quite different textures. This first book was more about the intrigue and the second felt like a race. Thankfully, the second one wasn’t just a revamping of the first. It was something new. I don’t know when the next book is scheduled to be published, but I’m eager to get it into my hands.
Recommendation: Buy it soon if you enjoyed the first installment. This second book is another wild ride. If you haven’t read The Living, get it now.
Sometimes series books can be read out of order. I would not recommend that in this case. A reader would likely understand most of the book, but there would be way too much backstory missing without the first book. If you haven’t read The Living yet, it’s probably best you stop reading this review and go do that first. It was one of my favorite books of 2013 (review here).
This second book picks up right where the first left off. Shy and his companions are on the run. They’re trying to get away from some people, but they are also running for another purpose. Because of the intrigue, it’s difficult to talk about plot without giving things away, but there are many life-threatening events and stressful circumstances that have to be faced as they move closer and closer to their intended destination.
The Hunted moves at an even faster pace than The Living. Chase scenes and violence are sprinkled throughout. This is definitely an action book, but the characters begin to gain more depth too. We find out that Shy’s friend Marcus isn’t what he seemed to be back on the cruise ship. Shy learns about himself and sees he’s capable of more than he expected. The characters also get a small glimpse into Shoeshine’s past.
Shoeshine is an interesting part of both books. He is inscrutable and also has amazing strength, wisdom and prescience. Even in seemingly impossible situations, he is likely to save the day often at great risk to himself. The phrase magical negro kept popping into my mind. Usually that trope has the character subordinate to a white person, but here Shoeshine is saving and guiding a Latino protagonist so it’s not exactly the same.
Lest you think it is all seriousness, there are still moments of lightness. Shy, Marcus and Carmen joke and jab at each other once in a while and there is good news on occasion. Readers get to smile sometimes. I especially liked the scenes with a young brother and sister they meet along the way. The playful wrestling and teasing were a lot of fun.
I enjoyed both of the books in this series, but they had quite different textures. This first book was more about the intrigue and the second felt like a race. Thankfully, the second one wasn’t just a revamping of the first. It was something new. I don’t know when the next book is scheduled to be published, but I’m eager to get it into my hands.
Recommendation: Buy it soon if you enjoyed the first installment. This second book is another wild ride. If you haven’t read The Living, get it now.
February 9, 2016
LES PROIES a été une lecture très prenante et jouissif. Nous retrouvons Shy et ses camarades à l'endroit où nous les avions laissé dans le premier tome. De cette manière on est très rapidement propulsé dans cette nouvelle aventure post-apocalyptique qui, cette fois, ne se déroule plus en plein océan Pacifique mais sur la côte ouest Américaine. Un nouvel environnement, de nouveaux dangers, et que de dangers !!!
Outre ces personnages extrêmement attachants, très vrais, parfois très matures et d'autres fois plus naïfs, l'atout majeur de cette saga repose sur son réalisme. Ici pas d'extra-terrestres, pas de monstres, juste l'homme et son atrocité. Personnellement je n'ai pas arrêté de m'imaginer que tout cela pourrait se réaliser, surtout vu le contexte actuel. Ce qui donne une profondeur encore plus importante au récit.
Même si elle est un peu trop rapide et abrupte, j'ai plutôt bien aimé la fin. La plupart de nos questions y trouvent enfin leur réponse. Certains personnages nous restent, volontairement, complètement mystérieux, ce qui permet à cette saga de nous hanter après notre lecture, et c'est relativement agréable.
La suite sur le blog: http://summariesbooks.weebly.com/accu...
Outre ces personnages extrêmement attachants, très vrais, parfois très matures et d'autres fois plus naïfs, l'atout majeur de cette saga repose sur son réalisme. Ici pas d'extra-terrestres, pas de monstres, juste l'homme et son atrocité. Personnellement je n'ai pas arrêté de m'imaginer que tout cela pourrait se réaliser, surtout vu le contexte actuel. Ce qui donne une profondeur encore plus importante au récit.
Même si elle est un peu trop rapide et abrupte, j'ai plutôt bien aimé la fin. La plupart de nos questions y trouvent enfin leur réponse. Certains personnages nous restent, volontairement, complètement mystérieux, ce qui permet à cette saga de nous hanter après notre lecture, et c'est relativement agréable.
La suite sur le blog: http://summariesbooks.weebly.com/accu...
June 30, 2015
I love disaster stories and Matt de la Pena. When I read The Living, I didn't want to like the book but before I knew it, I couldn't put it down, and I decided I would read the sequel (which is something I don't usually do). The Hunted is not nearly as engaging as The Living. It did eventually hook me, but it took a while. I was amazed at the beginning when Shy and his group landed on the earthquake-devastated coast of California, and as they see the destruction and the bodies from the many who died from a rampant plague, Shy seemed more concerned whether Carmen liked him or really liked him. Really? But then I was watching The Day After Tomorrow (one of my favorite disaster movies), I saw the main character do the same thing. After getting over that, the tale is a fun ride, and at the end the story wrapped up . . . no third book in the works. Teens will like these two books. I wonder what Matt's next book will be about? Can't wait.
April 28, 2016
Trop linéaire. Ça manque un peu de tension également.
http://www.nyx-shadow.com/2016/04/les...
I'm not a great fan of this saga. I mean, the plot is interesting with a human-made apocalypse, but I don't like the events or the characters. Particularly Shy.
A Made-in-Humanity virus is not a very original idea but, hey, why not! We can make great stories with common plot. But this one is so much simple...
I mean Shy and his companions go through hard tests, but this tests, just happen one by one... With luck more than intelligence, Shy go to his goal.
I don't understand the other characters' minds: Abby, her father...
Shy is the boy-next-door: not very smart, but nice, but even in the catastrophic situations he isn't a leader. Or even a charismatic boy. And he is the main character...
The end is strange... There are no-answer questions and I think the events are too quick and incredible. But, this is the end.
http://www.nyx-shadow.com/2016/04/les...
I'm not a great fan of this saga. I mean, the plot is interesting with a human-made apocalypse, but I don't like the events or the characters. Particularly Shy.
A Made-in-Humanity virus is not a very original idea but, hey, why not! We can make great stories with common plot. But this one is so much simple...
I mean Shy and his companions go through hard tests, but this tests, just happen one by one... With luck more than intelligence, Shy go to his goal.
I don't understand the other characters' minds: Abby, her father...
Shy is the boy-next-door: not very smart, but nice, but even in the catastrophic situations he isn't a leader. Or even a charismatic boy. And he is the main character...
The end is strange... There are no-answer questions and I think the events are too quick and incredible. But, this is the end.
September 1, 2015
This is the 2nd book in The Living series and I was not disappointed. Matt de la Pena knows how to grab the reader with many issues (survival, deceit, adventure)and genuine fully fleshed teens and adults in a world that has been totally destroyed by a tsunami and an evil company that creates and spreads a deadly virus, Romero virus. Shy comes through as a reluctant hero (dragged by Shoeshine, their guide) and continues to grow in bravery and anger as he and his friends are hunted everywhere they go. Will Shy be able to deliver the duffel bag to the proper authorities? Hang on to your seat for his wild ride- a real nail biter! I can't wait for the 3rd book!!!
May 26, 2015
After the awesome action and suspense of The Living, I was all over this when it came out!
My verdict: I applaud the edge-of-your-seat action and the lively dialog. Less enthused about the ending and some parts of Shy's emotional journey. Also (spoilers) the weird underuse of Addie's character. Also also, (big spoilers), the deaths of the only two prominent black characters (both of whom were awesome). Marcus, nooo!
My verdict: I applaud the edge-of-your-seat action and the lively dialog. Less enthused about the ending and some parts of Shy's emotional journey. Also (spoilers) the weird underuse of Addie's character. Also also, (big spoilers), the deaths of the only two prominent black characters (both of whom were awesome). Marcus, nooo!
February 18, 2016
http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...
17/20 - En bref, un second tome palpitant, qui fait petit à petit monter la pression sur les épaules de Shy et ceux qui l'accompagnent. Ils sont obligés de prendre de dures décisions, doivent faire face à leurs choix et surtout ne veulent qu'une chose, sauver ce qui peut encore l'être. J'ai adoré certaines rencontres qu'ils font, la manière dont ils réagissent et si la fin est un peu rapide pour moi, elle apporte tout de même toutes les réponses et nous laisse avec le sentiment du devoir accompli.
17/20 - En bref, un second tome palpitant, qui fait petit à petit monter la pression sur les épaules de Shy et ceux qui l'accompagnent. Ils sont obligés de prendre de dures décisions, doivent faire face à leurs choix et surtout ne veulent qu'une chose, sauver ce qui peut encore l'être. J'ai adoré certaines rencontres qu'ils font, la manière dont ils réagissent et si la fin est un peu rapide pour moi, elle apporte tout de même toutes les réponses et nous laisse avec le sentiment du devoir accompli.
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