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lecrockett's review
1.0
Delia McGovern is determined to find out why and how her mother escaped the unmapped Trespass Island. When she arrives, the people find her dangerous and odd, an outsider bringing death and fear into their peaceful haven. As the Revel celebration approaches, Delia discovers a frightening secret lurking in the waters -- imprisoning the inhabitants as well as keeping trespassers out.
I wanted to enjoy this. I loved the idea of some otherworldly sea creature preventing inhabitants from leaving and newcomers from entering. The ocean is a vast and alien world, a frontier not yet fully explored, so having some sort of monster there is alluring. Sure, throw in some Greek demigods as well for fun, but the mysterious, frightening aspects was what I was looking for.
Guibord failed me. First, Delia was just plain odd for a character. Her internal thoughts were intelligent and somewhat snarky, but everything that came out of her mouth was stilted. The dialogue was off -- from everyone, not just Delia -- and the actions were unjustified.
Second, this book could have been written in so many different (and better) ways. Toss out the love triangle, first of all. The horror and tension would have been much better if Jax was seen as a monster throughout. The pull to the water Delia experiences would have been more terrifying, it would make her have difficulty coming to terms with her identity. That would have been interesting. Another aspect would have been introducing the monsters later in the novel, rather than right at the beginning. Telling us immediately what makes this island odd doesn't add suspense, it kills it. The mystery of the caves no longer seems dire. If Delia were to slowly discover the caves, slowly experience how she feels in the water, slowly piece things together about the island, Trespass would become a terrifying place, and the monsters even more frightening!
Finally, the excuse of a celebration -- Revel -- could have been the conclusion. Delia's identity surrounds Revel. The book is called Revel. The plot Guibord writes, however, does not. And that's such a disappointment.
Open with weird events and history of the island, progress to enjoying the water and discovering the caves, continue into the eerie aspect of Jax and the fierce protectiveness of the caves, climax at the discovery of the monsters, and a huge action/ending with Revel and self-discovery (all the while with little doses of Sean-love). That's the book I thought I was going to read.
I wanted to enjoy this. I loved the idea of some otherworldly sea creature preventing inhabitants from leaving and newcomers from entering. The ocean is a vast and alien world, a frontier not yet fully explored, so having some sort of monster there is alluring. Sure, throw in some Greek demigods as well for fun, but the mysterious, frightening aspects was what I was looking for.
Guibord failed me. First, Delia was just plain odd for a character. Her internal thoughts were intelligent and somewhat snarky, but everything that came out of her mouth was stilted. The dialogue was off -- from everyone, not just Delia -- and the actions were unjustified.
Second, this book could have been written in so many different (and better) ways. Toss out the love triangle, first of all. The horror and tension would have been much better if Jax was seen as a monster throughout. The pull to the water Delia experiences would have been more terrifying, it would make her have difficulty coming to terms with her identity. That would have been interesting. Another aspect would have been introducing the monsters later in the novel, rather than right at the beginning. Telling us immediately what makes this island odd doesn't add suspense, it kills it. The mystery of the caves no longer seems dire. If Delia were to slowly discover the caves, slowly experience how she feels in the water, slowly piece things together about the island, Trespass would become a terrifying place, and the monsters even more frightening!
Finally, the excuse of a celebration -- Revel -- could have been the conclusion. Delia's identity surrounds Revel. The book is called Revel. The plot Guibord writes, however, does not. And that's such a disappointment.
Open with weird events and history of the island, progress to enjoying the water and discovering the caves, continue into the eerie aspect of Jax and the fierce protectiveness of the caves, climax at the discovery of the monsters, and a huge action/ending with Revel and self-discovery (all the while with little doses of Sean-love). That's the book I thought I was going to read.
delaneybull's review
3.0
This was a cute novel. I liked the setting, the lore of Trespass Island was fascinating, and the plot was pretty good. Not a very complex novel, it definitely has the teen love story plot, but didn't seem completely trivial to read, which can happen really easily with this genre. I liked Jax and Delia as characters and, though I found the ending a little unbelievable... I liked the story. I will definitely be reading Guibord in the future.
Spoiler
I mean, the island blowing up and people being totally fine with that and continuing to live there? Not really plausible.mzhyde's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book even though it was predictable at times. I liked the mystery the author created, but it was easy to guess certain things.
But ugh demigods, nomnomnom!
But ugh demigods, nomnomnom!
sanderle's review
3.0
like:
- mythology
- the world building of Trespass Island & the circumstances around it
- Delia was pretty cool for most of it
dislike:
- so many cliches ugh
- little to no character development
- the ending was super shoddy and terribly put together and seemed way to rushed
- mythology
- the world building of Trespass Island & the circumstances around it
- Delia was pretty cool for most of it
dislike:
- so many cliches ugh
- little to no character development
- the ending was super shoddy and terribly put together and seemed way to rushed
suzyhps's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really did enjoy reading this book, it moved fast and had some great worldbuilding. I think my only issue is that it felt too much like the start of a much longer story. I was left with lots of questions, which of course is great because it means it was interesting, but also that it felt unfinished.
onclout99's review
4.0
I really, really liked Revel. The idea of this island shrouded in mystery being the last place for Delia to go after her mother dies really intrigued me, and I enjoyed every part of it. The writing was really good and descriptive in an entertaining way. I love the fact that Sean is actually and that Delia is actually . I also warmed up to Jax, even though he had a bit of the cocky, stalkerish, rude love interest thing going on.
All in all, I'd give it a respectable 4.5/5, my only complaints being a) LOVE TRIANGLE, EW, I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES WHY, MAURISSA, WHY; b) WHAT WERE YOU THINKING WITH SEAN'S CREEPY ACTIONS NEAR THE END NO NO NO MY BABY; and c) ZUZU I LIKED YOU WHAT'S WITH THE SUDDEN COLD SHOULDER YOU JUST HAD A BAD REVEL COME ON THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR AND UGH.
I really, really want a sequel to this story (*o*)~
Spoiler
turning into a GlaukosSpoiler
a sirenAll in all, I'd give it a respectable 4.5/5, my only complaints being a) LOVE TRIANGLE, EW, I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES WHY, MAURISSA, WHY; b) WHAT WERE YOU THINKING WITH SEAN'S CREEPY ACTIONS NEAR THE END NO NO NO MY BABY; and c) ZUZU I LIKED YOU WHAT'S WITH THE SUDDEN COLD SHOULDER YOU JUST HAD A BAD REVEL COME ON THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR AND UGH.
I really, really want a sequel to this story (*o*)~
tesch18's review
4.0
This book was WAY better than I thought it'd be. I'm not usually one to like paranormal romances & the like, but this one was quite different. Though there was romance, it seemed the focus was on the personal growth of the main character, not her relationship. This made the story much more enjoyable and believable for me. I was very plesantly surprised by Revel, and I would recommend it to paranormal lovers and fantasy lovers alike.
sylviamariereads's review
3.0
I actually don't know how I feel about this book. On one hand, it was creative, full of twists, and well-written. I loved the songs that ended up having more meaning than I expected.
On the other hand, certain parts dragged out way too long, there was an awkward(unnecessary) love triangle, and the ending was very rushed and left a bit open.
The characters:
Delia.....good lord, girl, just follow directions from time to time. You don't need to constantly rebel.
Jax.....came off as a jerk, never had much personality, but really was a decent fella. He was just dull, though. There wasn't much to him.
Sean..... Poor Sean. Personally, I felt he went through the most inner conflict of anyone in the story. He had a lot on his plate, and it didn't help that Delia was constantly nagging at him for his choices, then getting upset with him because he was just nervous about her. It also bothered me that we don't really find out what happens to him....or others....at the very end. It just ends.
The other characters have their places. Though I felt that Sophia and her story should have been explained more than with a simple sentence.
There were just some gaps in the story that frustrated me. I felt like the water was constantly being described, but the people and their pasts and realities were just...mentioned. It got to be frustrating, if you ask me.
On the other hand, certain parts dragged out way too long, there was an awkward(unnecessary) love triangle, and the ending was very rushed and left a bit open.
The characters:
Delia.....good lord, girl, just follow directions from time to time. You don't need to constantly rebel.
Jax.....came off as a jerk, never had much personality, but really was a decent fella. He was just dull, though. There wasn't much to him.
Sean..... Poor Sean. Personally, I felt he went through the most inner conflict of anyone in the story. He had a lot on his plate, and it didn't help that Delia was constantly nagging at him for his choices, then getting upset with him because he was just nervous about her. It also bothered me that we don't really find out what happens to him....or others....at the very end. It just ends.
The other characters have their places. Though I felt that Sophia and her story should have been explained more than with a simple sentence.
There were just some gaps in the story that frustrated me. I felt like the water was constantly being described, but the people and their pasts and realities were just...mentioned. It got to be frustrating, if you ask me.