4.0
adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

So glad that Hoopla recommended this book to me!

I've heard so much about this book and was just waiting for the right time to read it. I almost forgot about it on my TBR until it showed up in my audiobook recommendations.

Linus Baker works as a case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He takes his job very seriously and has the best case reports. Because of that, Extremely Upper Management trusts him enough to send him on a very special, top secret case involving Marsyas Island Orphanage.
There he meets a group of misfit children, cast away to the island because they were too feared and dangerous.

I loved this book. I would classify it as a cozy read. It is set on an island with the main point of the story including self-improvement and found family. The caretaker, Arthur, is amazing with the kids and has a different approach  with each one, bolstering their self-worth and independence. Arthur gives them all a sense of purpose. Even Lucy, the literal antichrist, sees the good in people and is constantly choosing not to end the entire world.

This book had great character development, world building, and dialogue. I thought the author did a  fantastic job writing real characters with strengths, flaws, emotions, and personality. I will be adding the rest of the series to my TBR.