Scan barcode
celticraven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
krotzenburg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
becky_97's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
It pains me to write a review like this because I truly try to see the good in every book I pick up, and had it had been tackled differently, then maybe I would be singing The Island's praises right now. But alas, this has probably become my least favourite read of 2024, which is a shame.
Heather, her new husband Tom and her two step-children, Owen and Oliva have arrived in Australia for a conference with little time for fun. So, when they're invited to an exclusive island filled with Australian wildlife, they leap at the chance. Only once they're on the island, things go from bad to worse, and Heather not only has to protect herself, but also her two step-children.
I don't know where to start with the things I disliked about The Island because hardly a page went by where I wasn't rolling my eyes at the unbelievable plotline, amateurish writing, or characters who I had no empathy for at all. There are also a lot of inconsistencies in this book including one very early on where Tom wants to hire a Porsche Cayenne at a rental but is told they have none... but somehow ends up in a Porsche Cayenne the next chapter anyway. Then there's the rushed and unrealistic way the families agree to go to a strange island, and the fact that the main character Heather is sof course a well-trained specialist perfect for the situation she's in. There's nothing I love more than a flawed character, and that depth was missing here.
I've come off the back of reading some very beautifully written novels recently so phrases like 'she's a millennial, what does she know?' 'four dog voices,' 'the pounding of sixteen doggy legs behind her,' and 'it was a photo of a bird. A parrot. Heather sure liked birds,' just irked me and made me so disinterested in the book.
This wasn't for me, but it seems like my review is in the minority for most readers, so pick it up if the blurb sounds good. But I think this will be my one and only Adrian McKinty book.
Heather, her new husband Tom and her two step-children, Owen and Oliva have arrived in Australia for a conference with little time for fun. So, when they're invited to an exclusive island filled with Australian wildlife, they leap at the chance. Only once they're on the island, things go from bad to worse, and Heather not only has to protect herself, but also her two step-children.
I don't know where to start with the things I disliked about The Island because hardly a page went by where I wasn't rolling my eyes at the unbelievable plotline, amateurish writing, or characters who I had no empathy for at all. There are also a lot of inconsistencies in this book including one very early on where Tom wants to hire a Porsche Cayenne at a rental but is told they have none... but somehow ends up in a Porsche Cayenne the next chapter anyway. Then there's the rushed and unrealistic way the families agree to go to a strange island, and the fact that the main character Heather is sof course a well-trained specialist perfect for the situation she's in. There's nothing I love more than a flawed character, and that depth was missing here.
I've come off the back of reading some very beautifully written novels recently so phrases like 'she's a millennial, what does she know?' 'four dog voices,' 'the pounding of sixteen doggy legs behind her,' and 'it was a photo of a bird. A parrot. Heather sure liked birds,' just irked me and made me so disinterested in the book.
This wasn't for me, but it seems like my review is in the minority for most readers, so pick it up if the blurb sounds good. But I think this will be my one and only Adrian McKinty book.
sunnysettoon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
joos030's review against another edition
3.0
it was okayish :p it was super exciting in at the start and end but in the middle it fell flat..
katsdaysarebooked's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
melisbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Fun thriller! I enjoyed how fast paced it was.
3.5 ⭐
3.5 ⭐
whooopsydaisies's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars. A gripping survival thriller. My heart definitely palpitated several times while reading.
Reminder to self: No to remote island vacations. Ever.
Reminder to self: No to remote island vacations. Ever.
acidtears66's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75