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A review by djc16
The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle
4.0
We first meet Fionn as he comes to Arranmore with his older sister Tara and he’s already terrified to be anywhere near the sea,
‘…his arms tucked into his sides and his chin tucked into his chest.’
Despite being only two years older, Tara passes herself off as much more mature and confident:
‘Tara stood at the bow of the ship … Her dark hair whipped through the air, loose and tangled …’
Along with these main characters, we then meet their grandfather, the mysterious Storm-Keeper. Fionn soon starts to learn about the labelled candles of all kinds that are dotted around his grandfather’s cottage, candles which contain storms that tell stories of the island and its history. The candles have such fantastical names as ‘Flaming Sunrise, February 1997,’ and ‘Suaimhneas,’ meaning peace in Irish.
The other character which shares equal billing in The Storm Keeper’s Island is the island itself. It constantly responds to Fionn as he traverses it through country lanes, along the cliff faces and the beaches. Arranmore sighs and groans and shudders, its magic beautifully wrought through the writing of Catherine Doyle.
‘Magic rose from the ground like steam and hummed in the air like wind chimes.’
This story retains that magical element throughout, as Fionn’s grandfather tells him tales of a world threatened by ancient beings from Irish folklore, how the island has a role in keeping the more malevolent threats at bay. Meanwhile, other visitors come to the island to try to uncover the darker elements which have been buried for centuries, leaving Fionn to protect the island and its inhabitants from threats new and old.
Another facet of the story which was wonderfully weaved in is the layers of the island’s history that are explored through the magic of the candles. A story based on a real-life perilous rescue operation off the coast of Arranmore is told with the reader right there in the boat with the men of Arranmore during WWII. These stories add to the mystique of the island and give the whole story a sense of timelessness.
As the Storm Keeper’s Island races on towards a climax, there are plenty of threads to explore, from the identity of the next Storm-Keeper after Fionn’s grandfather, to the imminent threat to the island’s existence.
The Storm Keeper’s Island is a fantastic middle-grade fantasy adventure and is the first part in a series, it has its own self-contained story and still leaves you wanting more. There is a note from the author included, which explains how Catherine Doyle came to write this series and her own personal connection to the island. This comes across in the narrative, the island itself pulling you in to its spell.
‘…his arms tucked into his sides and his chin tucked into his chest.’
Despite being only two years older, Tara passes herself off as much more mature and confident:
‘Tara stood at the bow of the ship … Her dark hair whipped through the air, loose and tangled …’
Along with these main characters, we then meet their grandfather, the mysterious Storm-Keeper. Fionn soon starts to learn about the labelled candles of all kinds that are dotted around his grandfather’s cottage, candles which contain storms that tell stories of the island and its history. The candles have such fantastical names as ‘Flaming Sunrise, February 1997,’ and ‘Suaimhneas,’ meaning peace in Irish.
The other character which shares equal billing in The Storm Keeper’s Island is the island itself. It constantly responds to Fionn as he traverses it through country lanes, along the cliff faces and the beaches. Arranmore sighs and groans and shudders, its magic beautifully wrought through the writing of Catherine Doyle.
‘Magic rose from the ground like steam and hummed in the air like wind chimes.’
This story retains that magical element throughout, as Fionn’s grandfather tells him tales of a world threatened by ancient beings from Irish folklore, how the island has a role in keeping the more malevolent threats at bay. Meanwhile, other visitors come to the island to try to uncover the darker elements which have been buried for centuries, leaving Fionn to protect the island and its inhabitants from threats new and old.
Another facet of the story which was wonderfully weaved in is the layers of the island’s history that are explored through the magic of the candles. A story based on a real-life perilous rescue operation off the coast of Arranmore is told with the reader right there in the boat with the men of Arranmore during WWII. These stories add to the mystique of the island and give the whole story a sense of timelessness.
As the Storm Keeper’s Island races on towards a climax, there are plenty of threads to explore, from the identity of the next Storm-Keeper after Fionn’s grandfather, to the imminent threat to the island’s existence.
The Storm Keeper’s Island is a fantastic middle-grade fantasy adventure and is the first part in a series, it has its own self-contained story and still leaves you wanting more. There is a note from the author included, which explains how Catherine Doyle came to write this series and her own personal connection to the island. This comes across in the narrative, the island itself pulling you in to its spell.