The final battle between good and evil for the teenagers trapped in Perdido Beach has begun as Sam Temple and his friends must unite to defeat the alien virus which has take human form. It has been almost a year since everyone over the age of fifteen disappeared from the coastal town of Perdido Beach, CA and an invisible barrier cut them off from the outside world. Since then the children and teenagers left behind have had to deal with food shortages, a fire that almost wiped out the town, warring factions, a plague that threatened to kill them all and a battle that found them all preparing for war. Beyond that, the children have all begun to exhibit special powers that relate back to an event at the local nuclear power plant 15 years before. These powers have created tensions among those left behind with some using their gifts for good and others for evil.
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It's been only a week since the battle between Caine and Sam (twin brothers with special abilities) and Gaia (the daughter of one the youth who has been possessed by an alien force) and Drake (a murderous youth who has become an outcast). The groups are divided the youth preparing for the final battle with Gaia who is currently recovering in the desert with her mother Dianna and Drake. As the time draws near, Sam finds himself at odds with the children at Lake Tramonto as order has disintegrated due to the fact the barrier keeping them in Perdido Beach has become clear and they can now see their families on the other side.
Meanwhile, Caine is losing his power and realizes that he is at risk of being overthrown as a leader. The media also begin to try and communicate with the children inside the barrier and begin to see how terrified they all are and the insane darkness that has fallen over them all. As the battle preparations begin Edilio, a good friend of Sam's asks him to try and attempt a truce with Caine. Sam agrees and they propose a plan to Caine where they unite in an attempt to overthrow Gaia. Caine reluctantly agrees and he and Sam head off into the desert to find Gaia while Edilio remains behind to keep things in control.
Back in the desert, one of Sam's friends Brianna is on the trail of hunting Gaia and finds Drake. She fights him and is able to cut him into tons of small pieces and scatter him around the area so he cannot reform. She ends with placing his head in a container and sinking it to the bottom of Lake Tramonto. Meanwhile, Diana and Gaia are slowly starving to death and with Drake gone they cannot fend for themselves. Gaia reveals to her mother Diana she plans to destroy everyone within the barrier to kill those who have mutated and acquired powers as well as bring an end to her own self.
Gaia demands that they leave for the barrier so she can assess the situation. While there a young man attempts to get through the wall and using her powers, Gaia opens a hole and he falls through. She kills him and eats his arm in an attempt to strengthen her weakened body. She then turns her attention on Lake Tramonto with the plans of beginning her killing spree.
Outside of the barrier, trouble is brewing as the adults, media and children see the violence and evil on the inside. Realizing the youth and children have become savages they feel they should destroy Perdido Beach with a nuclear bomb. As the adults begin to fight among themselves, inside the war has begun.
In Perdido Beach, Gaia begins her slaughter of the residents who are completely defenseless. As the death toll mounts, Brianna arrives and attacks Gaia wounding her. She retreats and is attacked by Sam and Caine who are quickly dispatched as she overpowers them. Sam is nearly twisted into pieces and Caine is driven to madness as Gaia uses everything she has to destroy them.
After more die at the hands of Gaia, Brianna finds Sam and brings him to Lana who heals him. Realizing it must all come down to him and Gaia, Sam decides to confront her himself and end it. Meanwhile, Caine heads out to an island where missiles have been stored. He makes the decision to head back to the mainland and wipe out Gaia as well. Back in Perdido Beach, Gaia continues to kill everyone, turning her sights on the barrier where many children have fled. Parents watch in horror as Gaia kills them, even managing to shoot beams of light through the barrier and killing adults on the other side.
As things grow dire, Little Pete the young boy who lost his body months before and became a threat to Gaia attacks her. They battle and end up destroying each other with the help of Caine who sacrifices himself. The barrier comes down and the children and teens flee Perdido Beach and reunite with their families.
Months later, a letter written by Caine is revealed where he takes all responsibility for the deaths and wrong doing the year they were trapped in the barrier. The youth and children are acquitted of all crimes and Sam, Astrid and Diana move in together to start a new life. A life without powers and the horror they endured for the past year.
Best part of story, including ending:
This story was an action thrilled ride as people were massacred right and left and no character was considered safe. I love the fast pace it was written in and you really get a satisfying conclusion.
Best scene in story:
I loved the scene where Little Pete faces off with the evil threat, Gaia and destroys her. Even though he ultimately kills himself, he saves everyone who's left in Perdido Beach.
