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rosiep08's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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? No
5.0
avaquaver_12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is so heartwarming yet so heartbreaking and had me absolutely balling my eyes out :(
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I'd never heard of the Culion leper colony before picking up this book, so I found the setting very interesting. Hargrave paints a vivid picture of the island and what life was like for those who lived there, both before the government's segregation restrictions and after. The main characters are sympathetic and likable, easy to root for. Plot-wise, the book is compelling and has enough action to keep it moving along. For all these reasons, I enjoyed this middle-grade historical. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if I could; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely story about a young girl living in a leper colony in the Philippines with her mother. Based on a true story, this sees the young girl separated from her mother as the island becomes segregated and only lepers allowed to live there. All the children are taken away to an orphanage on another island. A beautiful story about love and finding you way home.
aimeesbookishlife's review against another edition
3.0
I think this book suffered from 'difficult second book' syndrome in much the same way that bands with a great debut album often disappoint their fans with their second. I didn't hate this book, but I wanted to love it the way I loved [b:The Girl of Ink and Stars|27973757|The Girl of Ink and Stars|Kiran Millwood Hargrave|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448526166s/27973757.jpg|47978235] and I just didn't.
It had a very slow start and the second protagonist wasn't introduced until over half way through the book, which made it harder to root for the two of them together. This was a real contrast from TGoIaS where the two girls' friendship was a defining part of the book and their character traits complemented each other so well. I found I was much more drawn to Kidlat than Mari, especially when he kept being cruelly sidelined by the two girls.
I did like the focus on empathy and understanding people who are different. The opening chapter, where the reader is introduced to the leper colony on Culion Island, is written in second person to really bring home the idea that the 'Touched' (as they prefer to be known) are human beings just like anyone else. Even the villain, Mr Zamora, was shown as someone worthy of compassion (mild spoiler:).
It had a very slow start and the second protagonist wasn't introduced until over half way through the book, which made it harder to root for the two of them together. This was a real contrast from TGoIaS where the two girls' friendship was a defining part of the book and their character traits complemented each other so well. I found I was much more drawn to Kidlat than Mari, especially when he kept being cruelly sidelined by the two girls.
I did like the focus on empathy and understanding people who are different. The opening chapter, where the reader is introduced to the leper colony on Culion Island, is written in second person to really bring home the idea that the 'Touched' (as they prefer to be known) are human beings just like anyone else. Even the villain, Mr Zamora, was shown as someone worthy of compassion (mild spoiler:
Spoiler
I was uneasy at first with the idea of a villain whose wrongful actions are motivated by clear mental health issues, but the characters understand that he is "trapped in a prison of his own mind" rather than thinking of him as a bad persondaniella84's review against another edition
3.5
3.5
After reading [b:Sweet Bean Paste|33376821|Sweet Bean Paste|Durian Sukegawa|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497873190l/33376821._SY75_.jpg|26402563], a strange coincidence to have picked up another book about leprosy so soon!
Similar to that book, this definitely had its sad moments, but also had a lot of hopeful ones too. Millwood Hargrave always brings nuance and complexity to her middle grade work which I really appreciate - I feel these are books that both children and older readers can enjoy.
After reading [b:Sweet Bean Paste|33376821|Sweet Bean Paste|Durian Sukegawa|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497873190l/33376821._SY75_.jpg|26402563], a strange coincidence to have picked up another book about leprosy so soon!
Similar to that book, this definitely had its sad moments, but also had a lot of hopeful ones too. Millwood Hargrave always brings nuance and complexity to her middle grade work which I really appreciate - I feel these are books that both children and older readers can enjoy.
kaywhiteley's review against another edition
5.0
CW: forced family separation, ableism, child abuse
Love
Love
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Book #104 Read in 2018
The Island at the End of Everything
This is a good historical fiction read for middle grade and high schoolers. It is about an island that is a leper colony and how the government separates the children from their "touched" parents. It is an interesting premise that most children won't know much about and it is a quick read. I borrowed this book from the public library.
The Island at the End of Everything
This is a good historical fiction read for middle grade and high schoolers. It is about an island that is a leper colony and how the government separates the children from their "touched" parents. It is an interesting premise that most children won't know much about and it is a quick read. I borrowed this book from the public library.