The Island was Olivia Levez’s debut novel, and I’ll definitely be picking up her second book – The Circus – in the near future. It also has an open ending, which I really enjoyed but I think some people will find frustrating. It’s far more about the characters themselves than it is about survival, and for much of the book it’s just Frances on her own. That said, whilst I loved The Island, I know that it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, it was one of my favourite books of 2017 and landed a spot in my top 10. Survival is hard and so is being honest about the past. And when she is there she also thinks about the past. They offer insight essential to truly understanding Frances. It’s a raw and realistic portrayal of a misunderstood character that I found so refreshing. Frances is alone, cast away on a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. We also see flashbacks to the events leading up to the crash, which were a tiny bit confusing to start off with but you’ll soon get used to them.

I went from being disgusted by her attitude and behaviour to being awed by her bravery and strength as she fights to survive everything the island – and her own mind – throws at her. I found the way my perception of Frances changed throughout the book completely fascinating and eye-opening. The Island is a unique and thought-provoking read that had me hooked the whole way through. View on: Goodreads | Amazon | Waterstones The Island Review Frances is a survivor however, and with the help of the only other crash survivor, she sees that the future is worth fighting for. And how faith, family and friendship can forge the right path.An incredible exploration of a troubled teen’s mind as it’s put through its paces in the most unlikely of situations.įrances is alone on a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. A thought-provoking and often frightening study of what happens when you mess with Nature and Nature decides to fight back.

This is a golden eagle of a book-it grabs you in its talons and won’t let go.

Wilderness Wars slow-builds menace from its nail-biting opening to its stunning apocalyptic climax. But can Em and Zac persuade the adults to believe it before it’s too late?

Soon Em, and her friend Zac, realise that the setbacks, mishaps and accidents on the island point to something altogether more sinister: the wilderness all around them has declared war.ĭanger lurks everywhere. When her father’s construction work takes Em’s family to the uninhabited island of Skelsay, she is excited, but also a little uneasy. Still in a daze, I take it all in: the wind, the leaden skies, the churning moody sea.Īnd, far in the distance, a misty outline.

The Island by Olivia Levez