Reviews

Ostrov na konci všeho by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

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lawbooks600's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Representation: Asian characters
Score: Six out of ten.

Short review: The Island at the End of Everything was underwhelming.

Long review: I didn't enjoy The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Milwood Hargrave. It was so disappointing, since it was at the same level as The Girl of Ink and Stars, written by the same author. I wanted to give this author a second chance, but she squandered it, so I'll give her one last chance to impress me with another one of her works, The Way Past Winter.

It starts with Amihan, or Ami for short, living with her mother on an island in the Philippines in 1906 in the opening pages. Nothing looks out of the ordinary until a character named Mr Zamora came along and segregated everyone, but not racially. Instead, he separated them based on leprosy, with 'clean,' as in unaffected by leprosy in one island, and 'touched,' meaning leprosy affected, on another island, Culion. That isn't segregation. That's quarantine. The premise seemed so intriguing, but the execution didn't work as well as I hoped. I'm unsure where to start, but I'll try, most of the characters are likable, but they were hard to connect or relate with. I thought the narrative would centre around fantasy, but there wasn't. Magical realism? Not there. It's more of a historical fiction. The Island at the End of Everything sends a message that people with leprosy were misunderstood and seen only as something needing containment, implying the antagonist's actions as wrong. He wanted to keep people safe, though, so I don't get that message. The pacing is slow for the first half, before it picks up steam in the second half, as Ami wants to reunite with her mother by sailing to Culion, which she does. I predicted that would happen based on the blurb, so I wasn't surprised. Why is there an epilogue with a new character, Sol, meeting Ami 30 years later? It doesn't add anything significant. I have concerns of cultural appropriation, since the characters are Filipino/a but the author is half Indian. They aren't the same. Perhaps a Filipino author would've done a better job.

Content Warnings

emmalemonnz's review against another edition

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5.0

A brilliant book! Just stunning. Could easily be in the general fiction section instead of junior fiction, but no matter where it sits in the library, I'm so glad I got to read it! One of those remarkable stories that stay with you long after you finish reading.

Some truly lovely language in there too!

natalieyanka's review

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

greensmartie's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is a treasure, the jolt of warmth one needs in the harsher spells of life.

katykelly's review against another edition

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5.0

Moving historical story based in fact for young adults

The island of Lepers (or 'Touched' as they call themselves), a hundred years ago - Ami was born here to a 'Touched' mother and has known no other home. A new system comes into force that will separate the afflicted from the 'clean', sending many children away from the island.

Ami is homesick of course, desperately missing her mother, but finds common ground with some other misfits in their hatred of the man in charge of their forced removal from Curion. A butterfly collector, he kills butterflies to study them. He makes a great villain and the inclusion of butterflies adds a lovely metaphor of beauty to the horrific situation.

A brave girl, Ami stands up for herself and takes us along with her as she refuses to give up or let anyone stop her from being where she needs to be.

The coda is particularly poignant, a really moving story. The author's note at the end discusses the historical facts of the case. A revealing story ripe for discussion on how we have treated those who are either 'different' or afflicted with conditions over time.

There is nothing unsuitable for primary readers, though it is upsetting at times. I would say the target reader would be ages 10-14.