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A review by orionmerlin
Plague by Michael Grant
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Characters – 8/10
This book is packed with some seriously memorable characters. Sam, Astrid, Caine, and Diana continue to steal the show, and I actually cared about what happened to them (which is more than I can say for a lot of YA casts). Drake is still a raging psychopath, which is fantastic in the most horrifying way. The secondary characters added some depth, though let’s be real—there were so many of them that a few felt more like placeholders than actual people. I could describe their personalities to a friend, but I might need a flowchart to keep track of them all.
This book is packed with some seriously memorable characters. Sam, Astrid, Caine, and Diana continue to steal the show, and I actually cared about what happened to them (which is more than I can say for a lot of YA casts). Drake is still a raging psychopath, which is fantastic in the most horrifying way. The secondary characters added some depth, though let’s be real—there were so many of them that a few felt more like placeholders than actual people. I could describe their personalities to a friend, but I might need a flowchart to keep track of them all.
Atmosphere/Setting – 9/10
Welcome back to the nightmare that is the FAYZ, where every day is a new flavor of how much worse can things possibly get? Spoiler: A lot worse. The suffocating isolation, the sheer desperation, the absolutely disgusting plague elements—I felt all of it. The new body horror additions were especially vivid, to the point where I genuinely questioned whether I was about to lose my lunch. The only reason I’m not giving this a 10 is because I don’t want to encourage whatever twisted inspiration Grant was working with here.
Welcome back to the nightmare that is the FAYZ, where every day is a new flavor of how much worse can things possibly get? Spoiler: A lot worse. The suffocating isolation, the sheer desperation, the absolutely disgusting plague elements—I felt all of it. The new body horror additions were especially vivid, to the point where I genuinely questioned whether I was about to lose my lunch. The only reason I’m not giving this a 10 is because I don’t want to encourage whatever twisted inspiration Grant was working with here.
Writing Style – 7/10
Grant’s writing is like a high-speed car chase—fast, exciting, and just chaotic enough to make you wonder if the driver is about to crash. His prose is sharp and cinematic, which works most of the time. However, the sheer number of POV jumps made my head spin, and occasionally I just wanted a little more introspection. But let’s be honest, with this level of non-stop trauma, who even has time for deep thoughts?
Grant’s writing is like a high-speed car chase—fast, exciting, and just chaotic enough to make you wonder if the driver is about to crash. His prose is sharp and cinematic, which works most of the time. However, the sheer number of POV jumps made my head spin, and occasionally I just wanted a little more introspection. But let’s be honest, with this level of non-stop trauma, who even has time for deep thoughts?
Plot – 8/10
The pacing? Breakneck. The stakes? Through the roof. The amount of time I had to breathe between horrible things happening? Basically zero. The coughing-up-your-own-lungs plague was one of the most grotesquely fascinating things I’ve read in YA, and I was hooked. That said, certain parts wrapped up a little too neatly, and some plotlines felt like they could have used a bit more development. Still, I was never bored—mostly because I was too busy wondering who was about to die next.
The pacing? Breakneck. The stakes? Through the roof. The amount of time I had to breathe between horrible things happening? Basically zero. The coughing-up-your-own-lungs plague was one of the most grotesquely fascinating things I’ve read in YA, and I was hooked. That said, certain parts wrapped up a little too neatly, and some plotlines felt like they could have used a bit more development. Still, I was never bored—mostly because I was too busy wondering who was about to die next.
Intrigue – 9/10
I picked this book up and forgot basic human needs like eating and sleeping. It had me so on edge that I was ready to start stockpiling supplies in case Grant’s version of reality somehow leaked into my own. The unpredictability of the FAYZ meant that I was always bracing myself for the next horrifying twist, and Plague delivered. The only reason it’s not a perfect 10 is because sometimes I needed a break, and the book did not care.
I picked this book up and forgot basic human needs like eating and sleeping. It had me so on edge that I was ready to start stockpiling supplies in case Grant’s version of reality somehow leaked into my own. The unpredictability of the FAYZ meant that I was always bracing myself for the next horrifying twist, and Plague delivered. The only reason it’s not a perfect 10 is because sometimes I needed a break, and the book did not care.
Logic/Relationships – 7/10
For the most part, character motivations made sense—except when they didn’t. Sam and Astrid’s relationship felt frustratingly real (which is both a compliment and a complaint). Caine and Diana’s dynamic continued to be an absolute trainwreck, but an entertaining one. Some of the newer side characters felt more like filler than actual people, and the FAYZ’s rules, while generally solid, occasionally bent in ways that felt suspiciously convenient. But hey, consistency is overrated when you’re busy trying not to die, right?
For the most part, character motivations made sense—except when they didn’t. Sam and Astrid’s relationship felt frustratingly real (which is both a compliment and a complaint). Caine and Diana’s dynamic continued to be an absolute trainwreck, but an entertaining one. Some of the newer side characters felt more like filler than actual people, and the FAYZ’s rules, while generally solid, occasionally bent in ways that felt suspiciously convenient. But hey, consistency is overrated when you’re busy trying not to die, right?
Enjoyment – 8/10
Did I enjoy this book? Well, if you consider nonstop anxiety, mild nausea, and a general sense of impending doom “enjoyment,” then yes, I had a fantastic time. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and while I have some complaints, they’re the kind of complaints that come from being too invested. Would I recommend it? Absolutely—but only to people with strong stomachs and a tolerance for relentless suffering.
Did I enjoy this book? Well, if you consider nonstop anxiety, mild nausea, and a general sense of impending doom “enjoyment,” then yes, I had a fantastic time. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and while I have some complaints, they’re the kind of complaints that come from being too invested. Would I recommend it? Absolutely—but only to people with strong stomachs and a tolerance for relentless suffering.
Final Score: 8/10
Plague is a gripping, intense, and deeply unsettling addition to the Gone series. It kept me hooked, made me gag, and had me questioning my life choices—all signs of a solid read. Some pacing and character issues held it back from perfection, but it’s still one of the most horrifyingly entertaining books I’ve read in a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Torture, Grief, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Cursing, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
The book is extremely dark and intense, with horrific body mutations and violent deaths being central to the plot.
While it’s classified as YA, the graphic horror elements push the boundaries of the genre.
Themes of power, control, and survival ethics are explored, making it more disturbing than a typical dystopian story.
If you have a sensitivity to medical trauma or disease, this book could be particularly unsettling.