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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I enjoyed that this was based off of a real event, even if everything else was imagined. I felt that the descriptions contrasted beautiful imagery with the harshness of the situation. The deep-grained religious/superstitious beliefs worked well with the powerlessness the characters have in their environment. There is a lot about the boredom and coldness of their everyday survival, and although I liked that this was a part of the story, it does make for a mostly dull read.
4.5***
This is YA novel set in the British Isles in the 1700's, specifically on the island of Hirta, where young boys are sent across the ocean to a small rocky land populated solely by birds. Upon arrival, it is their job to hunt and capture the birds to bring back to their people and ship to the mainland to sell for food, feathers, medicine, etc. After some time passes, the flowing party begins to realize the boat that normally comes back to bring them home is long overdue. What happens after is a devastating and heart-wrenching fight for survival amid broken bodies, souls, and hope.
I adored this novel. It was so descriptive and the setting, while dreary and hopeless, was also beautiful. I felt like I was right there with the stranded boys, feeling their pain and seeing their surroundings. The boys each had their own unique personalities and growth, and they each contributed so much to the overall tone and progression. I very much enjoyed learning about the different birds, omens, and traditions of the people on Hirta. The friendship and camaraderie laced throughout the story was heartwarming and so sweet. I also really appreciated the apparent research the author did, as this is based on real events. The illustrations that came with each chapter were very cute and a nice detail. The ending was very bittersweet and emotionally moving. I thought it was executed perfectly.
The reason for the .5 lacking came from the author's prose. There were times when I found myself not following 100% because of the terms she used. I can appreciate the historical accuracy, but having it all bunched together in places was a bit too much at times. I also had a hard time connecting emotionally to the characters until about 3/4 of the way through. The writing was so bleak and detail-oriented, which isn't a bad thing, but focused much less on the emotional triggers I need to feel connected to my protagonists.
This is YA novel set in the British Isles in the 1700's, specifically on the island of Hirta, where young boys are sent across the ocean to a small rocky land populated solely by birds. Upon arrival, it is their job to hunt and capture the birds to bring back to their people and ship to the mainland to sell for food, feathers, medicine, etc. After some time passes, the flowing party begins to realize the boat that normally comes back to bring them home is long overdue. What happens after is a devastating and heart-wrenching fight for survival amid broken bodies, souls, and hope.
I adored this novel. It was so descriptive and the setting, while dreary and hopeless, was also beautiful. I felt like I was right there with the stranded boys, feeling their pain and seeing their surroundings. The boys each had their own unique personalities and growth, and they each contributed so much to the overall tone and progression. I very much enjoyed learning about the different birds, omens, and traditions of the people on Hirta. The friendship and camaraderie laced throughout the story was heartwarming and so sweet. I also really appreciated the apparent research the author did, as this is based on real events. The illustrations that came with each chapter were very cute and a nice detail. The ending was very bittersweet and emotionally moving. I thought it was executed perfectly.
The reason for the .5 lacking came from the author's prose. There were times when I found myself not following 100% because of the terms she used. I can appreciate the historical accuracy, but having it all bunched together in places was a bit too much at times. I also had a hard time connecting emotionally to the characters until about 3/4 of the way through. The writing was so bleak and detail-oriented, which isn't a bad thing, but focused much less on the emotional triggers I need to feel connected to my protagonists.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely loved this. Writing stunning. The idea of surviving on this stac utterly unbearable. Wow. Will stay with me for a long time.
Fitting story for current situation! Interesting that it was based loosely on true story.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again post-apocalyptic stories are my jam. I enjoy watching varied characters cope with the trauma and strife and uncertainty of drastically changing circumstances. Generally that leads to ingenuity and emotional triumphs that just make for great reading.
This story turned that trope on its head for sure. It focuses on a small group of men and boys from St Kilda, a remote island off of Scotland, go on a routine hunting trip to a smaller island and become stranded. The group quickly becomes frantic and delusional when no one comes to rescue them. Their time on the island quickly transitions from trying to be rescued to trying to survive to trying to manage how their “society” will live. The writing is easy but the twists and turns and delusions created by loneliness are very interesting. Without revealing any spoilers, religion plays a strong role in how the boys cope. It’s a very interesting and unique story unlike anything I’ve read since The Lord of the Flies.
This story turned that trope on its head for sure. It focuses on a small group of men and boys from St Kilda, a remote island off of Scotland, go on a routine hunting trip to a smaller island and become stranded. The group quickly becomes frantic and delusional when no one comes to rescue them. Their time on the island quickly transitions from trying to be rescued to trying to survive to trying to manage how their “society” will live. The writing is easy but the twists and turns and delusions created by loneliness are very interesting. Without revealing any spoilers, religion plays a strong role in how the boys cope. It’s a very interesting and unique story unlike anything I’ve read since The Lord of the Flies.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I didn't really enjoy this book until 2/3 of the way through where I found it got interesting. I think the first 200 pages had me really confused in regards to the story line and I just didn't know who was who and what was what. I think some of the confusion could have been from not knowing why the boys and men were stuck on the Starc. Yet I didn't understand the madness, spirits/ghosts and demands that were put on these people.
I did really enjoy the last 100 pages of the book, where everything started making sense and became more fast paced. I am glad I pushed through to the ending and I really liked the author's afterword in regards to the story and what she had made of it.
I did really enjoy the last 100 pages of the book, where everything started making sense and became more fast paced. I am glad I pushed through to the ending and I really liked the author's afterword in regards to the story and what she had made of it.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes