Gone

Astrid the genius is a highly intelligent, clever girl who is another leader in the novel and Sam’s love interest. She’s often described as a brainiac and looked up to by other characters, even cruel Diana and violent Orc. She is intellectual and analytical, with a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to help others. In the FAYZ society, Astrid is essential due to her ability to think critically and strategically. She can also think quickly and adapt to changing circumstances, such as when Drake appears at the resort. She supports Sam and instills the same sense of moral responsibility in him, ultimately inspiring him to become the leader they’ve been awaiting.

Perhaps because of her innate sense of duty, she is committed to finding her brother, Pete, and caring for him. Astrid is extremely protective of Pete, even when frustrated by him. In the high-tension resort scene, when Astrid begs Pete to be quiet so Drake won’t shoot them and then pleads for him to teleport them, she still can’t be angry with Pete. She sympathizes with his autism, though it sometimes bothers her that he cannot relate to the outer world or use his powers on demand. When Sam explains that Pete saved the nuclear plant workers’ lives, Astrid realizes that even with her intelligence, she still misses important information, showing that her strength can also be her weakness.

Since she’s more rational and logical than emotional, Astrid’s abstract power of seeing others’ souls is an interesting contrast to the rest of her character. Her creative, intuition-based power is hard for her to understand, but she learns to value and trust her power. Likewise, she must deal with her emotional side, as she’s deeply affected by Pete going missing, the disappearance of her parents, and her love for Sam. Her multifacetedness makes her a complex, interesting character.

Though a secondary character, Quinn plays an important role as Sam’s best friend. More than any other character, his trajectory is filled with internal conflicts, loyalty shifts, and fluctuation between action and inaction. Friendly and outgoing, Quinn is a surfer dude and a slacker at the novel’s start.

He often acts as an observer and commentator on the FAYZ’s events. Highly emotional, Quinn struggles with the significant stress of losing his parents, as shown when he sobs at his house. Quinn also releases his stress and pent-up emotions of frustration, fear, and loss when he throws the chair against the barrier multiple times. Though afraid of many other things, such as the superpowers and Caine’s violence, Quinn doesn’t shy away from his emotions.

Despite being Sam’s friend for years, Quinn feels shocked, jealous, and scared of Sam’s powers. He often states he wants to be in charge over Sam, growing resentful of his sidekick status. After Sam reveals his powers, Quinn views him as an “other” rather than his old companion. Deep down, Quinn may want to have a superpower and to be seen as special, as his main fear is to be “nothing,” but he pushes Sam away and betrays him, telling Caine’s men about Sam’s location. Quinn didn’t realize Caine would come after Sam, showing he isn’t a logical thinker and is naïve.

Quinn’s character develops as he faces challenges, but his loyalties return to Sam. He redeems himself and earns Sam’s respect. Quinn releases his fear, becoming more responsible, serious, and mature. Though he and Sam don’t want to hurt others, he fires at Drake to save Sam. After he runs away from the final battle, Quinn changes his mind again and returns with gusto.

Lana is a “troubled” young girl who was sent to live with her grandfather to straighten her out. She made mistakes by trying to buy alcohol and steal things for her crush. Throughout the story, Lana changes into a more caring, level-headed girl. However, she keeps the same defiance, which helps her survive against the Darkness’s consumption, and she has an invaluable superpower: healing. She is determined, resilient, strong of will and body, and compassionate. Lana shows resilience when she endures her life-threatening injuries from the car accident and tough times in the desert. She is also mentally and emotionally strong, as she is the only one who can blatantly defy the Darkness when it tries to control her. Though she is traumatized for a bit after the second encounter with the Darkness, which changes Drake into a monster, Lana re-centers and cures people after the battle.

When Lana finally connects with Sam and the others, she is an inspiring, priceless asset. Because she is the only one who can heal others, she is highly sought after, leading Caine to kidnap her. Often called upon to use her powers to heal the sick and injured, Lana takes pride in helping others. Like Sam, she’s initially uncomfortable with her power and praise, but she grows to honor her gift. Lana’s powers and ability to heal others symbolize hope and healing, representing the possibility of overcoming any pain or trauma.