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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
I don’t quite know what to say about this one. I read it in a couple of hours so it obviously kept my attention but…so many of the characters were so flat and one dimensional that it was hard to keep track of who they were. And the storyline was super bizarre. It was very much a lord of the flies or hunger games speed but with social media influencers. Toss in snake venom that makes you hallucinate, an enigmatic masked puppet master and a tragic main character who isn’t very likable at all. Love the idea - which it had been clearer or more fleshed out.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to love this book, with its original concept, the message it was trying to portray and the unconventional nature of the way it was written, but it just fell a bit flat for me.
I felt that there could have been much more character development. Even the ones that developed the most (Carrie, Cal and Kiana), still didn't develop enough, given what they went through, in my opinion.
I also felt that some aspects in the story didn't quite match up in the end. I came away with quite a few questions - How was everyone involved? What are the further links from Wonderland? What role was Kaylyn playing?
I felt there were some scenes that had me hooked and could have had a bit more. Both the first and second challenges could have been developed more and had the suspense built further, they were great dread filled scenes, but could have gone further.
It is a dark, fast paced, action packed book with a great concept, I just wanted a bit more from it. The twist was fun and the involvement of the art and underground Hollywood is intriguing. I also like that it's part of a wider collection of books that can be read together or separately.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I felt that there could have been much more character development. Even the ones that developed the most (Carrie, Cal and Kiana), still didn't develop enough, given what they went through, in my opinion.
I also felt that some aspects in the story didn't quite match up in the end. I came away with quite a few questions - How was everyone involved? What are the further links from Wonderland? What role was Kaylyn playing?
I felt there were some scenes that had me hooked and could have had a bit more. Both the first and second challenges could have been developed more and had the suspense built further, they were great dread filled scenes, but could have gone further.
It is a dark, fast paced, action packed book with a great concept, I just wanted a bit more from it. The twist was fun and the involvement of the art and underground Hollywood is intriguing. I also like that it's part of a wider collection of books that can be read together or separately.
Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Influencer Island starts off strong by introducing us to the major characters in the format of a podcast transcript which is something truly unique and gave the book a mysterious air right off the bat. I found myself getting completely invested in the events of the book and before I knew it, the cogs were turning in my head trying to connect all the pieces revealed.
At one point, I was so sure this was going to be epic that I was confused about the average rating being this low. But the last 20% or so of the book soured the whole experience tbh.
It felt like that part wasn’t written by the same author at all and it didn’t really make sense to me. I didn’t like that the author tried to absolve Wyatt and everyone involved of all guilt by trying to provide reasoning for all their actions and I feel like this would have been much better if the villains stayed just that, villains. This innate need of making everyone a hero is off putting. Also, I didn’t really get why Wyatt turning out to be a girl was significant? I mean does that make her actions any less horrible? I don’t think so.
It got so weird towards the end that I started doubting myself about whether the book was really that good at the start that I was contemplating 5 stars or I just didn’t understand it until the very end.
In any case, I am disappointed and was expecting a lot more from this book while picking it up.
Influencer Island starts off strong by introducing us to the major characters in the format of a podcast transcript which is something truly unique and gave the book a mysterious air right off the bat. I found myself getting completely invested in the events of the book and before I knew it, the cogs were turning in my head trying to connect all the pieces revealed.
At one point, I was so sure this was going to be epic that I was confused about the average rating being this low. But the last 20% or so of the book soured the whole experience tbh.
It felt like that part wasn’t written by the same author at all and it didn’t really make sense to me. I didn’t like that the author tried to absolve Wyatt and everyone involved of all guilt by trying to provide reasoning for all their actions and I feel like this would have been much better if the villains stayed just that, villains. This innate need of making everyone a hero is off putting. Also, I didn’t really get why Wyatt turning out to be a girl was significant? I mean does that make her actions any less horrible? I don’t think so.
It got so weird towards the end that I started doubting myself about whether the book was really that good at the start that I was contemplating 5 stars or I just didn’t understand it until the very end.
In any case, I am disappointed and was expecting a lot more from this book while picking it up.
“They are going to kill us... They are going to kill us all. Please. I beg you. Don’t come to the island. It’s a trap.”
Right from the very start, Influencer Island hooks its readers into devouring the pages as various characters recap their experience on the island, which is told in a podcast format. Opposed to most novels, the aftermath of the contest is revealed almost immediately. Now it’s a matter of finding out what lead up to this chilling conclusion and how each of the characters are involved.
The concept of Influencer Island is truly innovative – think Hunger Games meets Squid Games with a dash of Fyre Festival sprinkled in. In a generation centered around fame, social media and influencers, the story has themes most readers can relate to.
The podcast format will definitely be a “love it or hate it” vibe with the reader. The simplicity of the format makes it easy to read through the story quickly, but it shifts back and forth from past to present which at times can be confusing. Ironically, the story’s main premise is character growth but I found it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level (and there are many characters to keep track of!)
Enjoyment of this book is going to be entirely dependent on what each individual values in their reading. If you love a fast paced thriller with an interesting villain and an abundance of plot twists, this story is for you!
I give this book 3.5/5 stars ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Greater Path LLC and Kyle Rutkin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Right from the very start, Influencer Island hooks its readers into devouring the pages as various characters recap their experience on the island, which is told in a podcast format. Opposed to most novels, the aftermath of the contest is revealed almost immediately. Now it’s a matter of finding out what lead up to this chilling conclusion and how each of the characters are involved.
The concept of Influencer Island is truly innovative – think Hunger Games meets Squid Games with a dash of Fyre Festival sprinkled in. In a generation centered around fame, social media and influencers, the story has themes most readers can relate to.
The podcast format will definitely be a “love it or hate it” vibe with the reader. The simplicity of the format makes it easy to read through the story quickly, but it shifts back and forth from past to present which at times can be confusing. Ironically, the story’s main premise is character growth but I found it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level (and there are many characters to keep track of!)
Enjoyment of this book is going to be entirely dependent on what each individual values in their reading. If you love a fast paced thriller with an interesting villain and an abundance of plot twists, this story is for you!
I give this book 3.5/5 stars ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Greater Path LLC and Kyle Rutkin for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A solid thriller, really loved the style as it's like a modern spin on an oral history book. At times the scene cuts did not seem realistic for a podcast though it was still easy to follow. I'm also not big on the trope of a big villain monologue. Regardless I enjoyed myself. Thanks Netgalley and Greater Path for an opportunity to review this title!
Thanks to NetGalley I was able to get an ARC copy and found it to be really interesting. The format was far different than what I normally see and the challenges were definitely eye catching but one of the twists seemed really cliché and overused. There were some spelling and grammar errors I found as well. Overall I really enjoyed it but would have preferred to give it 3.5 stars.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a strange but good read - I don’t normally read thrillers but this was gripping and I read it in one sitting. I found the twists and turns to be a bit in believable but in all honesty I think that adds to the story, the majority of people wouldn’t dream of doing some of the acts in this book so for us it’s not realistic 😂 I liked that the book was written as a podcast transcript although it read more like a character narrating their experience. Overall a solid 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to netgalley and the author!
Thank you to netgalley and the author!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really loved the premise of this book, and it had real potential. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the style of story-telling, which was presented as a podcast transcript. It felt like the narrative was very surface-level and lacked the atmosphere that could have been generated given the setting and characters involved.
I liked some of the twists and turns throughout the story, and it certainly shed a light on the celebrity culture we're currently experiencing. However, much like the influencers this book was depicting, I felt it was missing depth and made it hard for me to really care about any of them.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
I liked some of the twists and turns throughout the story, and it certainly shed a light on the celebrity culture we're currently experiencing. However, much like the influencers this book was depicting, I felt it was missing depth and made it hard for me to really care about any of them.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.