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A review by chemistreadingonthejob
The Island by Adrian McKinty
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An Exhilarating, Tense, and Spine-chilling Page Turner
The Island is the newest heart pounding thriller by Adrian McKinty, and it does not disappoint. Heather, a massage therapist and underappreciated stepmom, is on a family vacation in Austrailia with her new doctor husband and his bratty teenage kids. Heather doesn't have a proper education, but she has her head on her shoulders with plenty of survival skills. The kids are entitled and resent their new mom, while the father ignores their behavior. This changes as they become trapped on a private island inhabited by the sketchy O'Neil family, and Heather's parenting and survival abilities are put to the test.
"Perhaps they are worse than evil—they are bored"
This novel was filled with vivid imagery and dynamic characters brimming with depth. It is impossible not to root for Heather. I was on the edge of my seat with an increasing heart rate everytime the odds were against her. This was a wild ride from beginning to end. Everything about this story was unique and compelling. It's not everyday that I come across a genuinely original thriller that rocks me this hard. It's action packed and graphic with a surprisingly heartfelt end. There's one twist that was a bit predictable, but the reaction was not. The plot has an engaging design and is incredibly well written. It was interesting to learn that this book's setting is based on a real island. I also enjoyed learning a few pieces of Austrailian history, geography, and slang. For example, I learned about the bunyip, an aboriginal mythological man-eating monster. Somehow this part of the story makes Heather seem even more of a badass. Tired of your typical popcorn thrillers? Look no further because The Island is not your average B rated thriller. I for one, can't wait for The Island adaptation. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a unique and heart racing thriller.
Thank you Little, Brown and Company and Adrian McKinty for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Island is the newest heart pounding thriller by Adrian McKinty, and it does not disappoint. Heather, a massage therapist and underappreciated stepmom, is on a family vacation in Austrailia with her new doctor husband and his bratty teenage kids. Heather doesn't have a proper education, but she has her head on her shoulders with plenty of survival skills. The kids are entitled and resent their new mom, while the father ignores their behavior. This changes as they become trapped on a private island inhabited by the sketchy O'Neil family, and Heather's parenting and survival abilities are put to the test.
"Perhaps they are worse than evil—they are bored"
This novel was filled with vivid imagery and dynamic characters brimming with depth. It is impossible not to root for Heather. I was on the edge of my seat with an increasing heart rate everytime the odds were against her. This was a wild ride from beginning to end. Everything about this story was unique and compelling. It's not everyday that I come across a genuinely original thriller that rocks me this hard. It's action packed and graphic with a surprisingly heartfelt end. There's one twist that was a bit predictable, but the reaction was not. The plot has an engaging design and is incredibly well written. It was interesting to learn that this book's setting is based on a real island. I also enjoyed learning a few pieces of Austrailian history, geography, and slang. For example, I learned about the bunyip, an aboriginal mythological man-eating monster. Somehow this part of the story makes Heather seem even more of a badass. Tired of your typical popcorn thrillers? Look no further because The Island is not your average B rated thriller. I for one, can't wait for The Island adaptation. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a unique and heart racing thriller.
Thank you Little, Brown and Company and Adrian McKinty for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, and Sexual harassment