Are you a fan of adventure, fiction, sci-fi books then this book is for you. I bought this book in a discount sale without knowing much about it. Once I started to read I was quite happy that I haven’t wasted my money. Then I looked on the web about Jules Varne and found that he is famous with his books Around the World in 80 Days & 20000 Leagues Under the Sea. Coming to the book (this is a english translation from French by Jordan Stump who did a great job of translation), the story starts with 5 prisoners & a dog in a hot-air balloon got caught in a storm which has driven them to a unknown deserted island in Pacific ocean. Then story moves with the problems they have faced on the island and their quest to look for answers to the problems scientifically and the mysterious things which are happening on the island. Does the castaways quest to survive and escape from mysterious island succeed? You have to read this brilliantly written master piece of work by Verne. The modern readers may find the old style of Vernes narration bit awkward, but for serious readers it is not much of a problem as you will get used to it. I am looking forward to read his other books.