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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Lord of The Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky was an interesting retelling of the classic novel by William Golding. I loved the modern twist where they end up on the island due to a musical festival gone wrong. I felt like some details could have been added to make the story a little more robust, but ultimately, Lord of The Flies is a pretty thin novel as it is. I wasn’t a huge fan of Lord of The Flies as far as classics go, but this version was certainly refreshing and fun to read. I liked that I was able to pick out the similarities between some of the characters and their classic counterparts, but the characters were allowed to go deeper and push more limits. I think the added details certainly added to the overall story in terms of entertainment value, but I do think that some of the changes made take away from the overall message the classic novel is known for. All in all, I’d certainly rather see more retellings of classics like this than another fairytale retelling (not that there is anything wrong with fairytale retellings but sometimes it just feels overdone). The characters in this are fun, there is plenty of comedy, and I think this is an enjoyable read whether or not you’ve read the classic it’s based on.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
I loved the modern twist on a lord of the flies-esqe storyline. Integrating the music festival aspect made it relatable and relevant to the current demographic. However, I could definitely tell it was a YA novel, but I still enjoyed it.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nothing special but interesting. Kind funny how outrageous and snobby everyone is. But I feel like the stakes wasn't that high. It could have been great if there was more about the survival and a more thrilling maby scarier mystery. It needed more attention.
adventurous
funny
medium-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
Imaginative 're-imagining' for a contemporary world and audience - incisive and cutting commentary.
And that's before you even start on the comparisons and homages to the original.
This was great, I picked up on the references as I went along, even though it's been over two decades since I read the book. If you have never read Lord of the Flies (er - read it?! It's amazing and important) you'll still take away some rather pivotal points about modern living and priorities.
Influencers the world over have all paid their fees and descended upon an island for a much-hyped music festival: Fly Fest. They've brought their clothes, their makeup and their promises for first class treatment and luxury all the way. Rafi stands out (and not just because she doesn't use bronzer) - she's scraped together enough for the festival to get close to a young musician she wants to interview for her podcast - Musical Mysteries - a gorgeous songwriter who went stratospheric after his girlfriend 'disappeared'. This is the chance to get close to him and take her podcast into the big time.
Imagine the surprise of everyone then when they arrive on this tropical island to.... nothing. No staff. No accommodation. No luxury food. Well, aside from some cheese sandwiches.
Events go as you might expect with wifi-addicted adolescents with few real-world skills and a penchant for drama. It goes a little 'Lord of the Flies' (oh you haven't read it? You really should!).
I just loved spotting the references, both characters (and names) and the scenes and set-pieces from the book, there's some absolute howlers involving DIY makeup, bananas and the fight for internet service. Rafi is our 'sane' narrator, who sees herself as a step apart from the others, who both wants rescuing but also needs more time to crack River and find out if he's actually a murderer... especially when another festival-goer goes missing.
This was a fabulous audiobook, very well read to give characters suitably entitled/vocally fried/youthful/smart/less than smart voices and personas. The format suits this book perfectly.
It's also made me want to read the original again. Very cleverly done, makes its points well while giving a fantastic new version of a 20th century classic.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
And that's before you even start on the comparisons and homages to the original.
This was great, I picked up on the references as I went along, even though it's been over two decades since I read the book. If you have never read Lord of the Flies (er - read it?! It's amazing and important) you'll still take away some rather pivotal points about modern living and priorities.
Influencers the world over have all paid their fees and descended upon an island for a much-hyped music festival: Fly Fest. They've brought their clothes, their makeup and their promises for first class treatment and luxury all the way. Rafi stands out (and not just because she doesn't use bronzer) - she's scraped together enough for the festival to get close to a young musician she wants to interview for her podcast - Musical Mysteries - a gorgeous songwriter who went stratospheric after his girlfriend 'disappeared'. This is the chance to get close to him and take her podcast into the big time.
Imagine the surprise of everyone then when they arrive on this tropical island to.... nothing. No staff. No accommodation. No luxury food. Well, aside from some cheese sandwiches.
Events go as you might expect with wifi-addicted adolescents with few real-world skills and a penchant for drama. It goes a little 'Lord of the Flies' (oh you haven't read it? You really should!).
I just loved spotting the references, both characters (and names) and the scenes and set-pieces from the book, there's some absolute howlers involving DIY makeup, bananas and the fight for internet service. Rafi is our 'sane' narrator, who sees herself as a step apart from the others, who both wants rescuing but also needs more time to crack River and find out if he's actually a murderer... especially when another festival-goer goes missing.
This was a fabulous audiobook, very well read to give characters suitably entitled/vocally fried/youthful/smart/less than smart voices and personas. The format suits this book perfectly.
It's also made me want to read the original again. Very cleverly done, makes its points well while giving a fantastic new version of a 20th century classic.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio copy.
Lord of the Fly Fest is highly entertaining, true to the original text in all the ways that matter, but is WONDERFULLY updated to reflect the issues plaguing our current era.
Teens will love it for the “exclusive access to influencers-turned-nightmare scenario” while adults and those familiar with Lord of the Flies will have the best time seeking out allusions and parallels.
This is so well done, and I definitely recommend adding this to your personal library as well as classroom!
Teens will love it for the “exclusive access to influencers-turned-nightmare scenario” while adults and those familiar with Lord of the Flies will have the best time seeking out allusions and parallels.
This is so well done, and I definitely recommend adding this to your personal library as well as classroom!
Lord of the Fly Fest is highly entertaining, true to the original text in all the ways that matter, but is WONDERFULLY updated to reflect the issues plaguing our current era.
Teens will love it for the “exclusive access to influencers-turned-nightmare scenario” while adults and those familiar with Lord of the Flies will have the best time seeking out allusions and parallels.
This is so well done, and I definitely recommend adding this to your personal library as well as classroom!
Teens will love it for the “exclusive access to influencers-turned-nightmare scenario” while adults and those familiar with Lord of the Flies will have the best time seeking out allusions and parallels.
This is so well done, and I definitely recommend adding this to your personal library as well as classroom!
3.5 rounded down.
It's ironic that this book is about the influence of social media when my entire view of this book was tainted from the beginning because I saw it had an abysmal 3.1 rating on Goodreads. Would I have liked this better if I didn't know that? Would I have potentially rounded the 3.5 up? Hard to say, but it's impossible to deny that social media does influence us all and this book did hammer that fact home quite clearly even if it was very over the top.
It's ironic that this book is about the influence of social media when my entire view of this book was tainted from the beginning because I saw it had an abysmal 3.1 rating on Goodreads. Would I have liked this better if I didn't know that? Would I have potentially rounded the 3.5 up? Hard to say, but it's impossible to deny that social media does influence us all and this book did hammer that fact home quite clearly even if it was very over the top.
2.5 ⭐️ but I rounded up for goodreads.
I was drawn in for the survivalist aspects. It was obviously Satire, lots of exaggerated and stupidity. The influencers were so annoying, it drove me crazy. It went unhinged very fast.
It wasnt for me!
I was drawn in for the survivalist aspects. It was obviously Satire, lots of exaggerated and stupidity. The influencers were so annoying, it drove me crazy. It went unhinged very fast.
It wasnt for me!
funny
mysterious
medium-paced