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A review by graff_fuller
Isla's Reach by Francisca Liliana
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
I usually don't like reading first books in a series, without them having sequels (if not a completed series). But, for some reason...I really wanted to read this book.
They say, "don't judge a book by its cover", but I do. Sorry.
I was attracted to this story...I had heard that it was not for the faint at heart. So, I braced myself and read.
The first part was fairly straight forward, but when I got to the second part...I felt lost, like I hadn't been paying attention (enough). So, I backed up and reread (from Chapter 11 to 21) and I am so thankful that I did that. I also wrote down all the pertinent characters, to that point) and then the story fell into place. A smarter person wouldn't have gotten lost, but what can you say?
Obviously, we love Evelyn. She's the beating heart of the story. But, wow! You've put her through the mill.
One of the things that I have been thinking about while reading this story, and now afterwards...is how do we deal with death (near to us, inflicted ON us, and when we've had to cause death). It changes a person...to have been young, and seen death. There are many examples of this, in this story (of the good and the evil). The death of someone SO close, that it seems like a little part of you...has died too. This one is such a sad piece of life. Then also, the death that the character (or us) have to deal onto another, for survival. So many layers of grief are involved.
I have suffered death of family near to me...at a young age...and also lost loved ones along the way (none were done by violent means, but still). I also have never killed anyone, but through this story...I vicariously FELT their pain...each step of the way.
Loved the "found family" trope, and how...it was hard fought. Nothing in this story comes easy. The ones we hate and the ones we love...take a toll on us.
I look forward to the sequel...and all your other stoires in the futue.
They say, "don't judge a book by its cover", but I do. Sorry.
I was attracted to this story...I had heard that it was not for the faint at heart. So, I braced myself and read.
The first part was fairly straight forward, but when I got to the second part...I felt lost, like I hadn't been paying attention (enough). So, I backed up and reread (from Chapter 11 to 21) and I am so thankful that I did that. I also wrote down all the pertinent characters, to that point) and then the story fell into place. A smarter person wouldn't have gotten lost, but what can you say?
Obviously, we love Evelyn. She's the beating heart of the story. But, wow! You've put her through the mill.
One of the things that I have been thinking about while reading this story, and now afterwards...is how do we deal with death (near to us, inflicted ON us, and when we've had to cause death). It changes a person...to have been young, and seen death. There are many examples of this, in this story (of the good and the evil). The death of someone SO close, that it seems like a little part of you...has died too. This one is such a sad piece of life. Then also, the death that the character (or us) have to deal onto another, for survival. So many layers of grief are involved.
I have suffered death of family near to me...at a young age...and also lost loved ones along the way (none were done by violent means, but still). I also have never killed anyone, but through this story...I vicariously FELT their pain...each step of the way.
Loved the "found family" trope, and how...it was hard fought. Nothing in this story comes easy. The ones we hate and the ones we love...take a toll on us.
I look forward to the sequel...and all your other stoires in the futue.