Found a copy of this in the cave. It’s been on my list of books to read for some time after a string of recommends by people who know their books. They were right. This book is an awesome read … but strictly for older readers. There is a warning on the back of the book that should be taken seriously. The content in this book is for 12+. It contains some scenes of cruelty and grisly mutilation (one of which particularly turned my stomach) that will stay with me for some time. Don’t read this if you are in any way squeamish!

It’s hard to categorize Michael Grant’s creation. Some might call it fantasy and some, science fiction. I think speculative fiction is probably a better description.

Sam Temple is sat in his classroom daydreaming about surfing when it happens: the teacher vanishes. At first the children think it’s some sort of joke. Then they begin to realise the teacher is not the only one missing. Everyone aged 15 and older has gone. Vanished. Seemingly evapourated into thin air. There is initially something of a holiday atmosphere as the kids realise there’s no more school, but it doesn’t take long for the bullies to make their mark and begin taking over the town with disastrous consequences. Worse, it’s only a few days until Sam’s fifteenth birthday. What will happen then? Will he disappear, too?

One of the reviews in the front of the book summed this book up very well in a single sentence. ‘If Stephen King had written Lord of the Flies, this is how it might have turned out.’

Gone is a gripping, compelling, mind-blowing, stomach churning rollercoaster ride of a novel. Utterlly brilliant stuff. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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