Another fantastic story from M.A. Bennett! Having loved her previous novel S.T.A.G.S. I was eager to get my hands on The Island, and I’m happy to report that I was not disappointed. The characters and their journey of survival is an absolute page turner and gives a truly well-rounded story with plenty of development from both its heroes and villains. When it comes to desert island stories the fear is that the pace begins to lull or the plot becomes boring, but this is not a problem for The Island - every moment is packed with a new dilemma or quest.
I found this story to be much darker than S.T.A.G.S. but I still enjoyed the themes present and the decisions the characters are faced with emotionally and physically. It’s been a long time since I’ve read about characters whose personal journeys feel so authentic, which I believe is one of Bennett’s biggest strengths as a writer.
While S.T.A.G.S. still has to be my favourite of Bennett’s two novels so far, The Island is an incredibly solid read that will have you on the edge of your seat. I may have predicted the big plot twist in the story but it did not take away from the shock and excitement of the conclusion. If you’re looking for a story packed with drama, intensity and intrigue this is definitely the book for you. Highly recommend!
I found this story to be much darker than S.T.A.G.S. but I still enjoyed the themes present and the decisions the characters are faced with emotionally and physically. It’s been a long time since I’ve read about characters whose personal journeys feel so authentic, which I believe is one of Bennett’s biggest strengths as a writer.
While S.T.A.G.S. still has to be my favourite of Bennett’s two novels so far, The Island is an incredibly solid read that will have you on the edge of your seat. I may have predicted the big plot twist in the story but it did not take away from the shock and excitement of the conclusion. If you’re looking for a story packed with drama, intensity and intrigue this is definitely the book for you. Highly recommend!