Nil (Nil)

by Lynne Matson

[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.