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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was a middle of the road thriller for me. Full of unlikeable characters (including the FMC and the kids. Let’s not even mention the dad!!! I didn’t like any of them to be honest! )
Heather was such an unbelievable character to me on top of that! She went from being a young massage therapist with military parents to someone who knew how to operate every weapon, had top sniper skills and never cracked under pressure .
I don’t know. I just find it hard to believe and I want to believe and root for the people I’m reading about.
It seemed like just about every thriller movie I’ve watched set in Australia.
The fact that it was fast paced and I listened to this via audio saved this one from being a DNF.
Although it’s only “just another book I’ve read” I’m glad I did as it’s another one off my physical TBR.
Started out slow, but then punched the gas and wouldn't let up. Going to make a great TV series.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would describe this book as a true survival thriller. I deducted two stars because I tired of the seemingly interminable hide-and-seek, catch-me-if-you-can antics that played out between the O'Neill and Baxter clans. I found myself skimming these action-packed parts of the book. I was, however, entirely there for the ancillary parts of the novel, described below.
'The Island's' setting was atmospheric and educational, appealing greatly to a lover of The Land Down Under like myself. The opening chapters offer a tour of Australia's vast and primitive beauty: Uluru Rock, Alice Springs, Melbourne and the orange dusty emptiness of the Outback. I wished the novel could have continued as it began, but alas, the Baxter clan reach 'Dutch Island' - an private, cultish island off mainland Australia - and it was here that I felt the mood of the story shift, and - for me - the plot took a nosedive. What ensued would certainly appeal to someone who enjoys plenty of cat-and-mouse action, but these 'chases' aren't my thing.
Kudos must be given to the author, however, for executing a complex family dynamic. Olivia and Owen are teenagers who are left floundering following the tragic death of their mother. Their father, Tom, has remarried a damsel-in-distress type half his age. Little does one know that this trophy wife, Heather, is to become the true hero of the story, while Tom - the esteemed doctor - is revealed to be less than doctorly (to put it mildly). (I guessed at his nature long before it was revealed due to several little 'hints' peppered throughout the book, but these were very cleverly disguised within the plot and to a psychologically-untrained eye may be easily missed.) Surprisingly, I found myself rooting for all three main characters, which rarely happens to me in novels nowadays as I often perceive characters to be entitled, spoilt or unlikable. This I found to be a testament to the author's ability to write lovable, relatable characters.
The ending of this story was unpredictable and wholesome in the best way. Some interesting quotes were also contained within, including one that struck me from page 209: 'The cure for everything is salt water: tears, sweat or the sea.'
To round up: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars) – While the relentless chase sequences weren’t for me, the emotional undercurrents, rich setting, and strong character arcs made this a worthwhile read.
'The Island's' setting was atmospheric and educational, appealing greatly to a lover of The Land Down Under like myself. The opening chapters offer a tour of Australia's vast and primitive beauty: Uluru Rock, Alice Springs, Melbourne and the orange dusty emptiness of the Outback. I wished the novel could have continued as it began, but alas, the Baxter clan reach 'Dutch Island' - an private, cultish island off mainland Australia - and it was here that I felt the mood of the story shift, and - for me - the plot took a nosedive. What ensued would certainly appeal to someone who enjoys plenty of cat-and-mouse action, but these 'chases' aren't my thing.
Kudos must be given to the author, however, for executing a complex family dynamic. Olivia and Owen are teenagers who are left floundering following the tragic death of their mother. Their father, Tom, has remarried a damsel-in-distress type half his age. Little does one know that this trophy wife, Heather, is to become the true hero of the story, while Tom - the esteemed doctor - is revealed to be less than doctorly (to put it mildly). (I guessed at his nature long before it was revealed due to several little 'hints' peppered throughout the book, but these were very cleverly disguised within the plot and to a psychologically-untrained eye may be easily missed.) Surprisingly, I found myself rooting for all three main characters, which rarely happens to me in novels nowadays as I often perceive characters to be entitled, spoilt or unlikable. This I found to be a testament to the author's ability to write lovable, relatable characters.
The ending of this story was unpredictable and wholesome in the best way. Some interesting quotes were also contained within, including one that struck me from page 209: 'The cure for everything is salt water: tears, sweat or the sea.'
To round up: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars) – While the relentless chase sequences weren’t for me, the emotional undercurrents, rich setting, and strong character arcs made this a worthwhile read.
medium-paced
adventurous
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars rounded down.
I liked the premise of the story but there were a couple of things that kept it from being great:
Biggest peeve was the kids in the book were 12 & 14, however they were constantly referred to as “little kids” “little girl” “children”. The 12-yo boy cussed, the dad said a masturbation joke and the 14-yo was given alcohol and they also asked for a cigarette. In American culture, which they are from, 14 is high school or 8th grade and a teenager. They were so misrepresented like the Adrian needs a reality check on what those ages looks like.
Also Heather was so annoying, the first part half the book she was immature, mouthy and causing trouble. The second half she was suddenly some kind of superhero able to do every single thing without much effort. I didn’t feel the character was a very realistic profile for someone her age. We’re at the very least not consistent.
The author did a good job of describing everything so I could imagine the lay of the land and what they were going through.
I liked the premise of the story but there were a couple of things that kept it from being great:
Biggest peeve was the kids in the book were 12 & 14, however they were constantly referred to as “little kids” “little girl” “children”. The 12-yo boy cussed, the dad said a masturbation joke and the 14-yo was given alcohol and they also asked for a cigarette. In American culture, which they are from, 14 is high school or 8th grade and a teenager. They were so misrepresented like the Adrian needs a reality check on what those ages looks like.
Also Heather was so annoying, the first part half the book she was immature, mouthy and causing trouble. The second half she was suddenly some kind of superhero able to do every single thing without much effort. I didn’t feel the character was a very realistic profile for someone her age. We’re at the very least not consistent.
The author did a good job of describing everything so I could imagine the lay of the land and what they were going through.