The Island
C.L. Taylor
HQ, January 2021
Paperback, 288 pages, £7.99
ISBN 9780008240592
The Island is a thrilling psychological suspense action-packed novel that has you at the edge of your seat, unable to put the book down until you have devoured every page bit by bit. The Island tells the story of six teenagers who go on holiday to Thailand with their families as they have done since they were babies. The six get a Bear Grylls survival-type experience on a deserted island. What could possibly go wrong?
With each day that goes by, everyone gets on everyone’s nerves, secrets are unfolded, lies are told, trust is fractured beyond repair and no one is who they really say they are. Alone on an island, the six must look after themselves after a tragedy occurs to their former guide. The only dilemma I faced when reading this book was it was slightly complex
to remember who was whom but as the story progressed it was easier to identify them. I feel as though the author could have given everyone’s point of view at least once, but it’s certainly not the end of the world.
The writing style of the author is impeccable, with clues and details beautifully maneuvered into the storyline. This story is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None and Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games trilogy. The Island features important topics such as death, mental illness, and obsession. Perhaps this book might not work for younger teens or people suffering from mental illness, as it could potentially be a trigger. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to cosy up to a good mystery.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Jefna Shaijo, teen reviewer
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