Nil (Nil)

by Lynne Matson

Transported through a "gate" to the mysterious island of Nil, seventeen-year-old Charley has 365 days to escape--or she will die.

Transported through a "gate" to the mysterious island of Nil, seventeen-year-old Charley has 365 days to escape or she will die. The plot contains mild profanity and graphic violence. Book #1

• ISBN10: 0805097716
• ISBN13: 9780805097719
• Publish Date: 4 March 2014
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 17 November 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Henry Holt & Company
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

This book sounds like all the other lost on an island or fighting for my life book, but it has enough things in it to feel different.

It has scenarios or rules that I've never seen before. It was an easy read and I read it in two days.

I really loved most characters and that's what made it an easy read. I love the character Charley.

My three star rating is because I didn't like how it ended. It could of easily been a 4 or 5 with a better ending. Books to me are suppose to end big or if not big than to go for wow factor or reveal something. I don't want to spoil anything but to me, there was nothing towards what the Author was building up to on the Island. Charley was making discoveries and figuring out clues about the Island. To have the book end, without even giving us something or anything about the Island is a let down.

I thought what Thad did was really stupid at the end. In some ways I get it, but Charley had plenty of time to get off that island. There was no guarantee he could of gotten another gate. I didn't like that the Author took Charley out of the book early, especially when she was getting closer to figuring out the island.

Another selfish move by Thad was he didn't communicate with Charley for 50 days. I understand that he landed in a bad part of the world, but he eventually got out of it. It would of taken him time to find a plane and buy tickets, so he had to of had some kind of internet connections. It sounds like they gave each other all there contact info, that he could of sent her an email, instead of letting her sit in pain for over 50 days.

I liked That throughout the book, but in the end, he made two selfish moves, that Charley has a right to be angry over.

I noticed there was a second book out, but with different characters. I see it has a great rating, that I'm considering reading it. I sincerely hope the Author continues on what Charley was working towards in that book. If I find out that we get nothing, I'm going to be disappointed.

I won this on goodreads giveaway for an honest review.

[cornerfolds]

Nil is the kind of book that should be right up my alley. I am totally in love with the survival genre (is that a genre?) in general and when I read that blurb and saw the bit about the island that didn't exist, I knew this was the book for me! When I saw a copy at a great price on BookOutlet.com I grabbed it up immediately and dug in when it got here.

The main characters on Nil are Charlie and Thad. Thad has been there for quite awhile with not much time left and Charlie is the noob. Both characters were likable and their romance seemed believable, if a little rushed. Thad was a fantastic leader and Charlie really jumped right into the island dynamic and made herself immediately useful. I also really enjoyed the rest of the cast of characters (except for Bart - what a jerk)!

The action begins at the beginning of the book and continues while these two get to know each other. There is constantly something going on, whether it's crazy animal attacks or crazy conspiracy theories. Unfortunately, this book just didn't hold my attention.

I think my problem with Nil was that it dragged on and on and on. While the idea was interesting, I just don't think it was executed well - or at least well enough to keep me reading. I really did try! I trudged through this book for two whole weeks before I finally gave up with 100 pages left (yes, it took me two weeks to make it just over 250 pages). While there is always something happening in the book, it really gets repetitive quickly: new people come, old people search for escape, they eat pineapple, Thad and Charlie kiss, repeat.

I feel like if I'd stuck it out I might have liked the ending - maybe. But there comes a point when you just have to cut your losses and move on. Better luck next time!

[shannonmiz]

I liked this one a lot. The mystery and plot drew me in immediately. I needed to know what happened, why they were on this island, I wanted to know all the answers. Now, please. Oh wait, no? I shan't have the answers now? Maybe in May, you say? Well... I see how it is.

The action begins immediately, when Charley is whisked away from Target (which, we all know is a shame, because Target is so fun) and onto Nil. I kind of loved that we were thrown right into it, just as Charley was. It makes it a much more exciting adventure.

Anyway. So it takes her some time to find the others, and figure out what is going on, but as the pieces unfold, she learns all about Nil (or, at least the stuff everyone there knows about Nil, which is frighteningly little). The concept of having to find a way out in only 365 days scares the absolute hell out of me. I would probably spend a good 300 days in the fetal position rocking back and forth, 30 days panicking, and then the rest crying about my impending doom.

But no, these are some survivors. They have very intricate plans in the works about how they may get off this island. I loved the multitude of characters. Sometimes in books with a lot of characters, I find it very confusing and unnecessary, but in this book it was quite the opposite. The characters complimented each other so well, and they were so diverse, from all over the world, with different outlooks and viewpoints. I loved that no one was sure who to trust, and really that no one was sure of anything on Nil. I think that the mental component of the story was so believable, the varied emotions and reactions made perfect sense in such a dire and unheard of situation.

I also loved that the mystery was such a great mystery. I still haven't a clue what is going on! Some questions are answered in the end, but a lot are not, and I cannot wait to find out more. This book keeps you guessing, which I found to be really refreshing. I find lately that I am guessing outcomes to books left and right, but not this one! When you think you might have a clue as to what will happen next, Matson throws in a curve ball you never saw coming. To say I am excited for the next book would be an understatement.

The only minor complaint I had with the book was Charley and Thad. I know, that seems like a big complaint because they're the main characters, but bear with me. I liked Thad a lot. I felt connected to him, and I felt like i kind of understood a bit what made him tick. Charley was a little different for me. I didn't really connect with her quite as much, and as such I think I questioned her choices. She did grow on me though, and I liked her as a character even though I didn't quite relate to her. As for the romance, at first, it bugged me. I didn't get it, and I didn't like it. But Matson wrote about their emotions and feelings so well, that by the end of the book, I was cheering for the relationship too. She convinced me!

Bottom Line: The book overall was really great. It isn't non-stop action, but it all is really relevant, and never felt slow or forced. I really couldn't put it down- I read it faster than I've read any book in a long, long time. Basically, I need more Nil, and I need it now.

[Amber]

The premise of Nil is what initially intrigued me. I have been searching high and low for decent survival novels, with particular interest for ones set on deserted islands. I don’t know what it is, but TV shows like Shipwrecked (RIP), Lost, Survivor and the like really appeal to me. Maybe I lived in the jungle in a past life, or maybe I’m subconsciously preparing myself for a future plane crash. I don’t know.

Read the full review on Books of Amber!