The Island

by C.L. Taylor

WINNER OF THE PORTSMOUTH BOOK AWARD FOR LONGER NOVELS 2022
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CRIMEFEST AWARD FOR BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR YOUNG ADULTS 2021
WINNER OF THE WARWICKSHIRE YEAR 9 BOOK AWARDS 2021
SHORTLISTED FOR THE DUDLEY CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD 2021

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Lost meets The Hunger Games in this thrilling young adult novel from C.L. Taylor, the Sunday Times and million-copy bestselling author.

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Welcome to The Island.

Where your worst fears are about to come true…

It was supposed to be the perfect holiday: a week-long trip for six teenage friends on a remote tropical island.

But when their guide dies of a stroke leaving them stranded, the trip of a lifetime turns into a nightmare.

Because someone on the island knows each of the group’s worst fears. And one by one, they’re becoming a reality.

Seven days in paradise. A deadly secret.

Who will make it off the island alive?

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Readers love C. L. Taylor’s gripping YA novels:

'What a fabulous storyline. A heart-popping, fast-paced page-turner from start to finish.'

'A cracking, well-informed and interesting storyline. Simply excellent. C.L. Taylor has done it again!'

'A brilliant step into the YA world.'

'From the beginning I was hooked. Twists and turns really pull you in and you find yourself on a roller coaster ride of emotions.'

'I was gripped from start to finish!'

'The concept was brilliant; I really loved the twist turns and tension. Brilliantly written and a delight to read.'

• ISBN13: 9780008240592
• Publish Date: 21 January 2021
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: HQ Young Adult
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[zooloo1983]

This book enticed me with the tagline, Seven Teenagers, Six Days and One Deadly Secret. I mean what more could you want, plus it is a Young Adult book just to add an extra feel. When reading this it made me think of the TV show Lost, although without the dramatics of the plane crash. It did, however, have the sense that something is not quite right with the Island. When your fears start to come true then seriously you need to get outta there. But then where is the fun in that for a reader!

We do have a group of characters where you are suspicious from the start. I didn’t like everyone but you definitely were rooting for everyone. These friendships are life long, their parents were friends in the NCT group and so the yearly holidays are the norm. This time it’s Jeffers’ birthday and the gang go to a remote island to celebrate, yet it all goes a bit Pete tong from the off. All the excitement made for an addictive read.

The story is told from the point of view of Jessie, where something in her past has moulded her present day. It made her aloof to everyone, her friends aren’t quite sure of her anymore since the “incident.”

The other story is told by Danny, Danny is fiercely protective of his girlfriend Honor and the rest of the gang. When things start to go wrong, the fear Danny feels we feel. He tries everything in his power to keep everyone safe as he tries to figure out what the heck is going on.

I enjoyed the pacing between glimpses to the past but with the majority of the story being told on that Island. Your worst fears start to come alive, you doubt what is real and you need to figure out what to do to survive. The isolation of the island amplifies the dire strait of the situation, not able to get off the island, the jungle not offering a sanctuary as you would hope. I think I would root myself on the beach and not move, I mean have they not watched Lost! When the gang did traipse through the jungle, I felt like you could imagine the noises of the jungle come alive, the heat from the sun and the sounds of the sea. I loved all of that, until, well until their fears started to come alive…I mean Spiders!! Enough said.

It was an enjoyable read, one that was hard to put down and a great hit for a YA book and I am glad I got the chance to read it!