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laelkins's review against another edition
1.0
I was annoyed that it was basically a remake of a classic, “Lord of the Flies,” down to the encounter with a wild pig and the brutal death of one of their own. No rescue here though. Which was fine - I didn’t mind the ambiguous ending. I have seen it presented as a bunch of teenage girls but that isn’t totally true, although they do drive the story and backstory. It also seemed like Prasad needed to do a bit more research. About half way through the main character notes the long toe nails of Anne Marie. Really? They haven’t been there all that long - toe nails grow very slowly and since their diet is mostly conch meat and bananas I doubt that is a recipe for accelerated growth. Other questionable aspects… 3rd degree burns? Compound fracture? poison on the conch? (she carried the syringe in her sock? on a tropical island? after diving to get the conch? )
I was also annoyed at how the back story of Sam was injected into the beginning. I kept thinking is there anything this book doesn’t touch on? In terms of the racism card, I did not get a good sense that all the people that were on the Gold team were Gold (Chester? Betty?) Maybe just pick a few issues to tackle. It is too short and too undeveloped to drop in mental illness, racism, classism, sex, bullying…
I suggest skipping it.
I was also annoyed at how the back story of Sam was injected into the beginning. I kept thinking is there anything this book doesn’t touch on? In terms of the racism card, I did not get a good sense that all the people that were on the Gold team were Gold (Chester? Betty?) Maybe just pick a few issues to tackle. It is too short and too undeveloped to drop in mental illness, racism, classism, sex, bullying…
I suggest skipping it.
amsoro's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
birdcat's review against another edition
2.0
This modern take on Lord of the Flies is an engaging read with some spooky moments. It's a quick read that kept the pages turning and the lurking threat did feel appropriately scary.
But the characters and their actions were so unrealistic. I enjoyed getting to know more about Sam's backstory - that was well done - but the rest of the characterizations were ridiculous. You're telling me that there's this teenager Mel who not only knows EVERYTHING about survival on a deserted island but has even published an academic biography at age 16? Good grief. You're telling me that all these teenagers are incredibly skilled at weaving and construction without any prior experience? And that they're all totally chill about being on this island and not completely freaking out about the things they've witnessed? I don't buy any of it. It made it really hard to take this book seriously.
But the characters and their actions were so unrealistic. I enjoyed getting to know more about Sam's backstory - that was well done - but the rest of the characterizations were ridiculous. You're telling me that there's this teenager Mel who not only knows EVERYTHING about survival on a deserted island but has even published an academic biography at age 16? Good grief. You're telling me that all these teenagers are incredibly skilled at weaving and construction without any prior experience? And that they're all totally chill about being on this island and not completely freaking out about the things they've witnessed? I don't buy any of it. It made it really hard to take this book seriously.
indigo_chase's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
You wake up in a tropical island with a human eyeball in your hand...
I mean, seriously, you start it there?!?
SUCH a good hook.
I loved the concept of this book - a boarding school fencing team's plane crashes on an island, and they have to survive. If it sounds familiar, yes, it's a remix of [b: Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512]. I loved the update, the characters, the action, and suspense. I love the cover, and the fact that it's ownvoices.
I took this out to local middle schools in 2019.
Great stuff.
I mean, seriously, you start it there?!?
SUCH a good hook.
I loved the concept of this book - a boarding school fencing team's plane crashes on an island, and they have to survive. If it sounds familiar, yes, it's a remix of [b: Lord of the Flies|7624|Lord of the Flies|William Golding|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327869409s/7624.jpg|2766512]. I loved the update, the characters, the action, and suspense. I love the cover, and the fact that it's ownvoices.
I took this out to local middle schools in 2019.
Great stuff.
kelly80's review against another edition
1.0
Modern “Lord of the Flies” this is not. Definitely one of the dumber teen books I’ve read. Looking for an exciting story of survival? Keep looking, because this bore of a book won’t cut it.
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Child death, Blood, Murder, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Torture, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Incest, and Sexual content
chandranolynne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Funny that I was just discussing how I want to re-read Lord of the Flies, and then the next day while hunting for a book written by an author with my name, I find this. Honestly, though, I would have rather I just re-read Lord of the Flies.
This is the mashup of Gossip Girl and The Lord of the Flies that we never knew we didn't need. It started off okay. It was mysterious and fairly exciting. Then it devolved into stereotypes being stereotypical as the author attempted to touch on racial and social-class issues with far too one-dimensional characters. I could see what she was going for, but unfortunately this one didn't quite make the grade for me.
This is the mashup of Gossip Girl and The Lord of the Flies that we never knew we didn't need. It started off okay. It was mysterious and fairly exciting. Then it devolved into stereotypes being stereotypical as the author attempted to touch on racial and social-class issues with far too one-dimensional characters. I could see what she was going for, but unfortunately this one didn't quite make the grade for me.