The science fiction novel, Gone, by Michael Grant, captivates readers through its thrilling storyline and multifaceted character development. The overarching plot of the novel is that everyone is going about their regular day at Perdido beach, when suddenly everyone over 15 disappears. With problems including hunger, caring for babies and children and the slow but steady decline of unrenewable resources, the future of these kids' survival is looking dim. However, upon discovering that an invisible dome has isolated them from the outside world, and the rapid evolution of people and animals endangers their very existence, chaos seems inevitable. The book follows many characters, with the perspective you get the most being that of Sam Temple. With leadership chasing him and the clock to his fifteenth birthday ticking down, you will feel that you are unable to take your eyes off the pages as this incredible story unravels itself.  

The cover to this book is what really jumped out at me, with its bright colours and ominous feel, I was honestly expecting to be disappointed and didn’t think the story would match it. However, I was more than satisfied with this story.  The characters are well developed and interesting, with a wide range of them so you relate to at least one. While certain aspects of the book were predictable, its overall narrative held suspense well. The book was written very well overall, and I would definitely recommend it to people who really enjoy books of the sci-fi genre. However, individuals sensitive to dark themes should be advised, as the book explores some dark subjects.