Lies (2010) (edit title/settings)

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Summary edit see section history

Characters/People edit see section history

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• Antoine: A stoner who folows zil's human crew, addicted to many types of drugs.
• Mother Mary: A young teenage girl who takes care of the younger children at the day care center, who is anorexic and bullimic. Has trouble handling the pressure or the FAYZ.
• Howard: orc's wingman, always in it for something
• Sam Temple "(aka School Bus Sam)": The main protagonist, a fifteen-year-old boy. Like others, Sam has developed a mutant ability that allows him to create as well as shoot beams of green light from his hands. He plays a big hero role in the FAYZ.
• Astrid Ellison: Sam's Temple's girlfriend. She is a blonde, blue-eyed fourteen-year-old. Astrid created the town council in hopes of relieving Sam from some of his duties, as well as creating a democracy for the FAYZ. Also known as "Astrid the Genius".
• Peter Ellsion: Astrid's severely autistic, six year old brother. His powers are not quite known, although he is an extremely (perhaps the most powerful) powerful mutant (rated Four Bar or above). Little Pete is usually completely unresponsive and focuses mainly on his Gameboy Game. He is also known as Little Pete.
• Quinn Gaither: Sam's best friend. He leads the fishing industry in the FAYZ.
• Edilio Escobar: The honorable and well respected sheriff of Perdido Beach, as well as the main source of transportation through motorized vehicles. Edilio leads a small army, helping enforce what people can and can't do in the FAYZ. He also digs the graves in the plaza, damaging his mental health. Edilio has no known mutant abilities.
• Caine Soren: one of the main antagonist. Leader of Coates Academy group.
• Diana Ladris: Caine's closest ally. Diana's mutant ability is the power to read another person's mutant ability levels. Caine is in love with her. She has been with Caine throughout all of his adventures in the FAYZ
• Drake Merwin: Thanks to the help of the Darkness and Lana's healing hands in previous books, Drake's arm grew into a long red, snake-like whip. He is a phychopath without mercy, willingly causing chaos under the influence of the Darkness. Drake was killed, but there have been rumors that Drake has supposedly come back from the dead.
• Lana Lazar "(aka The Healer)": With just the touch of her hand, Lana has the ability to heal almost any bodily injury. She used to be (possibly still is) under the influence of the Darkness. Her interactions with the Darkness are deeply affecting her mental health.
• Dekka Talent: An African American girl from Coates Academy. She has the mutant ability to remove gravity from a limited space. Dekka is a lesbian, and is in love with Brianna, who appears to not be aware of Dekka's feelings. Once her parents found her kissing a girl, and punished her. Dekka is loyal to Sam.
• Zil Sperry: Zil despises all of the mutants. He believes that they don't belong in the FAYZ, and that the "normals" should be running the show. Zil thinks that the mutants get special treatment, including more food. In attempt to cause utter chaos and take control over Perdido Beach, Zil creates the "Human Crew."
• Charles Merriman "(aka Orc)": Orc's body is covered in a rocky, gravel-like substance that gives him super human strength, as well as more of a defense towards physical attacks. He is addicted to alcohol, and refuses to do any jobs unless his payment involves beer. Howard, in a way, helps guide Orc in life througout the FAYZ.
• Brittney Donegal: Originally part of Edilio's army. Brittney had the mutant ability to regenerate.
• The Darkness: a enemy that sends shivers up your spine. Also known as Gaiaphage.
• Brianna: A 12-year-old mutant from Coates Academy with the ability to run at impossibly fast levels of speed. She enjoys being powerful, and takes pride in her speed. Also known as "Breeze".
• Computer Jack: Jack handles Perdido Beach's more "technical" problems. His mutant ability is super human strength. He came from Coates Academy. Jack often lacks confidence within himself, and can be easily manipulated and persuaded by other people
• Albert Hillsborough: Albert created Perdido Beach's currency. 'bertos Albert helps provide a lot of food for kids in the FAYZ. In town, he is a highly respected businessman.
• Taylor: She can "bounce" from one place to the next within seconds (teleportation).
• Sanjit: An adopted child who lives on an island within the FAYZ.
• Jill: she sings and everyone stops what there doing and listens. Also known as "Siren".
• Hank: One of zils guys
• Francis: one of the first to be fooled by the darknesses new plan
• John: Mother Marys sister and is on the council
• Turk: one of zils guys
• Justin: Add a description of this character.
• Tanner: Brittaney's brother
• Lance: one of zils guys
• Bowie: one of the brothers on the island
• Derek
• Roger
• Hunter: A boy who hunts for food. He sells his catch to Albert. He has a mental condition that happened after the Fayz started, also why he lives alone. Serves Sam.
• Lisa
• Virtue (A.k.a Choo): One of the older brothers on the island. Takes life very seriously, almost too seriously.
• Tyrell
• Patrick: Lana the healers dog
• Emily
• Katrina
• Zane
• Sheridan
• Todd

Quotes edit see section history

• “Don't worry, I won't let you fall off.”

  Brianna

• “Then what's the helmet for?”

  Sam

• “In case you fall off”

  Brianna

• “Edilio snored softly. Something about the sound made Astrid want to weep.”

• “Astrid sighed. “Why am I with you?” “Because I’m incredibly attractive?” “You are mildly attractive, actually,” Astrid teased. “So, I’m a kind of really hot dictator?” “I don’t recall saying ‘really hot.’” Sam smiled. “You didn’t have to. It’s in your eyes.” They kissed. Not a big passionate kiss, but nice like it was always nice. Someone hooted derisively. Someone else yelled, “Get a room.” Sam and Astrid ignored all that. They were both aware that they were the “first couple” of the FAYZ, and their relationship was a sign of stability to kids. Like seeing Mom and Dad kissing: kind of gross, but kind of reassuring.”

  Astrid and Sam

• ““You’re really a jerk, you know that?” “Jerk?” Sam shrilled. “That’s all you’ve got? I was sure you’d have something with more syllables.” “I have plenty of syllables for you,” Astrid said, “but I’m trying not to use language I shouldn’t.””

  Astrid and Sam

• “Not one person making all the important decisions and then enforcing his will by shooting killer light beams at anyone who annoys him.”

  Astrid

• Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers

• Brianna dropped the skateboard in front of Sam. “Don’t worry: I won’t let you fall off.” “Yeah? Then why did you bring the helmet?” Brianna tossed it to him. “In case you fall off.”

  Highlighted by 194 Kindle customers

• there comes a time when the world no longer needs heroes. And then the true hero knows to walk away.”

  Highlighted by 162 Kindle customers

• and sometimes we need Sam to just come along and kick some ass.”

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• Sam smiled. “You know, a real genius would have known I wouldn’t get it. Ergo, you are not a real genius. Hah. That’s right: I threw down an ‘ergo.’”

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• “I felt it when my penis fell off, but it didn’t hurt that bad,” the one called Choo said.

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• Today the sign read “WTF?” and in smaller letters, “What the Food?”

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• Brianna rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Sam, you’re still necessary. You’re like a god to us mere mortals. We can’t live without you. Later we’re going to build you a temple. Satisfied?”

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• “I mean, no offense,” Quinn said quickly. “But it’s like Astrid’s yapping away about how we need some kind of system, and you’re counting your money, and Sam’s acting like we should all just shut up and get out of his way and let him fry whoever messes with him.

  Highlighted by 96 Kindle customers

• “And Caine? Let’s face it: he’s kind of the Prince of Wales of freaks.” Albert cocked an eyebrow. “You know, Sammy being the king,” Howard explained. “Okay, the joke’s no good if I have to explain it.”

  Highlighted by 91 Kindle customers

• They kissed. Not a big passionate kiss, but nice like it was always nice. Someone hooted derisively. Someone else yelled, “Get a room.”

  Highlighted by 71 Kindle customers

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Perido Beach
• Coates Academy: A school for the "troubled youth" of Perido Beach
• The Power Plant: The center of the FAYZ
• Perdido Beach
• The middle of the ocean: The place where Quinn runs his fishing operation.

Organizations edit see section history

• the Human Crew: Zil's "regular" group of kids that want to take Perido Beach from the kids with powers.
• Perdido Beach Council: Group of leaders composed of Sam,Astrid, John, Alberto, Howard and Edilio. They vote on important decisions and make up a set of rules.

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Chud: Mutant/Freak/kid with special powers.
• Moof: Mutant/Freak/kid with special powers.
• 'Berto: A form of money, also called Albertos

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

• HC: Stands for Human Crew
• FAYZ: Stands for "Fallout Alley Youth Zone"
• TL: The Leader, in other words. What the Human Crew calls Zil

Series & Lists edit see section history

Preceded by Hunger, and followed by Plague.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Michael Grant (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Notes for Parents edit see section history

This book has some intense scenes in it. If you read Lord of the Flies as a teen, you would understand. Grim and disturbing scenes of violence. Not for YAs that frighten easily. As an adult I enjoyed it, and my 13 yr old is enjoying the series too, but agrees, it is not for the faint of heart.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Teens › Literature & Fiction › Adventure & Thrillers
• Books › Teens › Social Issues › Being a Teen
• Books › Children's Books › Literature › Action & Adventure

More Books Like This edit see section history

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history