Reviews

The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle

ameliameabh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness

carrotex's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The protagonist is a 10-year-old kid, I hate him so much, he's whiny and stupid, I know he's a kid but it just ruined the whole story. The story's pretty basic too.

say's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

vuosisadantarina's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

starshine1's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Very descriptive, imaginative writing and fantastic metaphors. It's even funny at times and clearly well-written. 

We learn about the ancient sorceress who will sometime return to the island and the battle between good and evil. Despite the main character, Fionn's fears, he will have to be brave and find the 4 sources of power/magic, which include a whispering tree and a flying horse. Through the candles his grandfather makes, he can travel through memories and layers of time, which I absolutely *love* the idea of. Some candles are named after people, or things such as 'sunset'. It's so imaginative and the imagery presented is fantastic. The characters are great and loveable, too. 

Despite the brilliant writing and ideas, this is obviously just the first book in the series and we are only really introduced to the magic of the island and the characters involved and the beginning of the adventure. It does immerse you, but it didn't feel like all that much happened until near the end. 

bexcapades's review against another edition

5.0

This is so good! I wish I’d had these books when I was 10 because I got sucked in straight away with the magic, the angst and the introverted main character who just wants to enjoy their time on the island and not be bullied by their sibling and friends! Wow!

bookedbyhannah's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

coolgirlthatreads's review against another edition

4.0

very cute and heartwarming story. i enjoyed it so much and i don't have some BIG objections, i only missed some good plot twist. anyways it is a child book so yeah. still enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to reading sequels

imfullybooked's review against another edition

5.0

I have started this book when it first came out back in 2018 and, for some reason unknown to me, put it down and never picked it back up again. Until now. And it was everything I love about middle grade books.

The Storm Keeper's Island is set in Ireland and follows Fionn as he goes to visit his grandfather, who lives on the island of Arranmore, for the first time with his older sister, Tara. As she abandons him for the friends she made the previous summer, Fionn spends a lot of his time with his grandad and learns the island is magical and his grandfather is the Storm Keeper - the protector of Arranmore.

This book was absolutely delightful. The story was really fun and magical. I loved the setting - books set in Ireland and written by Irish authors feel strangely familiar and close to my heart, even though I'm not Irish (I have been living here for 12 years, though).

Fionn was a likeable main character. Very unsure about himself and the trip to the island at the beginning, he develops greatly and finds his purpose. I loved the way his realtionship with his sister was tackled. Constant bickering and teasing is definetly something many can relate to, but it was also visible they both cared about each other. I enjoy the trope of an old grandad-like figure as a mentor (e.g. Dumbledore), and the relationship Fionn had with his grandad was incredible.

The Storm Keeper's Island was such a quick read. Granted, it's only 300 oages long, but it took me on a wild adventure and out of the current bleak reality. It was never dull or boring. I especially loved the magic in it, where memories can be trapped in candles.

I can't wait to continue with the series and follow Fionn on his adventures. I honestly think book was amazing and more people, especially kids, should read it. It's a story worth growing up with.

littlemelly's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

If I had this book at the age of 11, I would have adored it. An exciting, mysterious adventure laced with folk motives and images that has blown me away. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.
Also, the typography is stunning: the cover art, the lettering, the font, the feel of the paper... A+ job!