Take a photo of a barcode or cover
beverly_h 's review for:
The Island
by Adrian McKinty
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would describe this book as a true survival thriller. I deducted two stars because I tired of the seemingly interminable hide-and-seek, catch-me-if-you-can antics that played out between the O'Neill and Baxter clans. I found myself skimming these action-packed parts of the book. I was, however, entirely there for the ancillary parts of the novel, described below.
'The Island's' setting was atmospheric and educational, appealing greatly to a lover of The Land Down Under like myself. The opening chapters offer a tour of Australia's vast and primitive beauty: Uluru Rock, Alice Springs, Melbourne and the orange dusty emptiness of the Outback. I wished the novel could have continued as it began, but alas, the Baxter clan reach 'Dutch Island' - an private, cultish island off mainland Australia - and it was here that I felt the mood of the story shift, and - for me - the plot took a nosedive. What ensued would certainly appeal to someone who enjoys plenty of cat-and-mouse action, but these 'chases' aren't my thing.
Kudos must be given to the author, however, for executing a complex family dynamic. Olivia and Owen are teenagers who are left floundering following the tragic death of their mother. Their father, Tom, has remarried a damsel-in-distress type half his age. Little does one know that this trophy wife, Heather, is to become the true hero of the story, while Tom - the esteemed doctor - is revealed to be less than doctorly (to put it mildly). (I guessed at his nature long before it was revealed due to several little 'hints' peppered throughout the book, but these were very cleverly disguised within the plot and to a psychologically-untrained eye may be easily missed.) Surprisingly, I found myself rooting for all three main characters, which rarely happens to me in novels nowadays as I often perceive characters to be entitled, spoilt or unlikable. This I found to be a testament to the author's ability to write lovable, relatable characters.
The ending of this story was unpredictable and wholesome in the best way. Some interesting quotes were also contained within, including one that struck me from page 209: 'The cure for everything is salt water: tears, sweat or the sea.'
To round up: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars) – While the relentless chase sequences weren’t for me, the emotional undercurrents, rich setting, and strong character arcs made this a worthwhile read.
'The Island's' setting was atmospheric and educational, appealing greatly to a lover of The Land Down Under like myself. The opening chapters offer a tour of Australia's vast and primitive beauty: Uluru Rock, Alice Springs, Melbourne and the orange dusty emptiness of the Outback. I wished the novel could have continued as it began, but alas, the Baxter clan reach 'Dutch Island' - an private, cultish island off mainland Australia - and it was here that I felt the mood of the story shift, and - for me - the plot took a nosedive. What ensued would certainly appeal to someone who enjoys plenty of cat-and-mouse action, but these 'chases' aren't my thing.
Kudos must be given to the author, however, for executing a complex family dynamic. Olivia and Owen are teenagers who are left floundering following the tragic death of their mother. Their father, Tom, has remarried a damsel-in-distress type half his age. Little does one know that this trophy wife, Heather, is to become the true hero of the story, while Tom - the esteemed doctor - is revealed to be less than doctorly (to put it mildly). (I guessed at his nature long before it was revealed due to several little 'hints' peppered throughout the book, but these were very cleverly disguised within the plot and to a psychologically-untrained eye may be easily missed.) Surprisingly, I found myself rooting for all three main characters, which rarely happens to me in novels nowadays as I often perceive characters to be entitled, spoilt or unlikable. This I found to be a testament to the author's ability to write lovable, relatable characters.
The ending of this story was unpredictable and wholesome in the best way. Some interesting quotes were also contained within, including one that struck me from page 209: 'The cure for everything is salt water: tears, sweat or the sea.'
To round up: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 stars) – While the relentless chase sequences weren’t for me, the emotional undercurrents, rich setting, and strong character arcs made this a worthwhile read.