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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Listened to this through audible with my kids and REALLY enjoyed it - much more than I initially expected! Jack black is the perfect narrator and the messages are so great. My Minecraft obsessed kids loooved it.
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was fucking hilarious and i never would’ve thought a minecraft novel would be on my top survival books list but there it is. the MC has a thought process about the new minecraft environment that makes a lot of sense and was interesting to read even as someone who knows like everything about the game. it wasn’t boring to read about someone learning the game. it was also heart wrenching when tragedy struck the MC, which again i wouldn’t expect a minecraft novel to tug the heart strings like that
If you like playing Minecraft, I wager you will like The Island. Here, a man wakes up in what we recognize as the Minecraft world - unfortunately for him, he does not. Poor guy doesn't know what is happening, or why he can't pick anything up, or why all these monsters seem bent on killing him.
I really enjoyed this one! I found myself laughing at several points, and at the end wanting to read more about this narrator!
I really enjoyed this one! I found myself laughing at several points, and at the end wanting to read more about this narrator!
4 Stars! This was actually a really good book. I bought it for a friend’s kid who I knew was into Minecraft so I thought he might enjoy it. It seemed kind of interesting and had a good rating and I recognized the author from World War Z, so I figured I would give it a shot first before gifting it, and I actually really enjoyed it. I realize it’s more for kids but who cares? It was good and full of tons of lessons that are great for everyone to learn. Highly recommend for kids of all ages. Including 34-year-old-kids like myself. Lol. I should probably also mention that I was unfamiliar with the Minecraft game. Maybe that made it more enjoyable? I don’t know.
Never Give Up
A fun guide to Minecraft with life lessons along the way. Thoroughly enjoyable and a quick read. Rule #1 in Minecraft and in life: Never give up.
A fun guide to Minecraft with life lessons along the way. Thoroughly enjoyable and a quick read. Rule #1 in Minecraft and in life: Never give up.
I read this novel to my son, he loves minecraft so it was neat to bring that world he loves to our reading time
A lightheart novel about lessons in life and making do with what you have. Very good for children.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to the audiobook read by Jack Black, his voice combined with audio effects taken straight from the game made it so much fun to listen to. The plot is pretty basic, following the general path of discovery that new Minecraft players would. At times it really read like a simplified self-help book, with each chapter containing lessons that were summed up in simple sentences. Some examples of my favorite lessons; panic drowns thought, take life in steps and it's not failure that matters but how you recover.
This was a pleasantly surprising read.
I read this on my son’s recommendation, the first time he’s done so. I’m glad I took him up on it.
The basic plot is a classic Robinson Crusoe, with a twist of Minecraft, a twist that’s been used very imaginatively and satisfyingly by the author. The protagonist- the only talking character in the story - is sincere and honest, though at times you feel he just takes too much and wish he’d just get in with doing instead of talking about doing.
But ultimately, the story succeeds because of his naïveté and sincerity. He faces numerous obstacles, life-threatening dangers and fights off ghouls, giant spiders, skeletons, zombies, giant squid and hunger. His spirit is indomitable, his enthusiasm contagious and his pithy self deprecating humor amusing - to say the least.
All in all, by the end the story morphs into more than just a survivor tale, into a coming of age story, an origin story, a parable - all rolled into one.
It’s addressed to younger readers and I’m happy my son read it. It must be extremely uplifting and encouraging, and almost inspiring to read the tale of this - actually now that I think of it - nameless hero, who overcomes extreme odds to discover the meaning of his universe, and along the way also discovers his purpose.
Makes me wish I was a child again, and had gotten to discover this story free of my biases and experiences.
The only drawback I could see through all this is - and I’m no writer, so this is just my opinion for my son - I wish there were more words and more explanations at times when he sees new things, or discovers some new tool or technique or aspect of there island. Children read for the experience of novel discovery and showing them a more well detailed island, with more colorful details may have made it more memorable.
Despite that, a crackling and easy read. A fantastic achievement. I will definitely read the next one in the series, even though that’s by a different author.
I’ll take my chances.
The book taught me that.
I read this on my son’s recommendation, the first time he’s done so. I’m glad I took him up on it.
The basic plot is a classic Robinson Crusoe, with a twist of Minecraft, a twist that’s been used very imaginatively and satisfyingly by the author. The protagonist- the only talking character in the story - is sincere and honest, though at times you feel he just takes too much and wish he’d just get in with doing instead of talking about doing.
But ultimately, the story succeeds because of his naïveté and sincerity. He faces numerous obstacles, life-threatening dangers and fights off ghouls, giant spiders, skeletons, zombies, giant squid and hunger. His spirit is indomitable, his enthusiasm contagious and his pithy self deprecating humor amusing - to say the least.
All in all, by the end the story morphs into more than just a survivor tale, into a coming of age story, an origin story, a parable - all rolled into one.
It’s addressed to younger readers and I’m happy my son read it. It must be extremely uplifting and encouraging, and almost inspiring to read the tale of this - actually now that I think of it - nameless hero, who overcomes extreme odds to discover the meaning of his universe, and along the way also discovers his purpose.
Makes me wish I was a child again, and had gotten to discover this story free of my biases and experiences.
The only drawback I could see through all this is - and I’m no writer, so this is just my opinion for my son - I wish there were more words and more explanations at times when he sees new things, or discovers some new tool or technique or aspect of there island. Children read for the experience of novel discovery and showing them a more well detailed island, with more colorful details may have made it more memorable.
Despite that, a crackling and easy read. A fantastic achievement. I will definitely read the next one in the series, even though that’s by a different author.
I’ll take my chances.
The book taught me that.