Link's parents have moved him from America to England; from homeschooling to a prestigious school - Osney school with a passion for sports.
On his first day, he has to perform the initiation - a run around the courtyard before the clock strikes twelve. He makes it. Just. He is the slowest in the school and is now known as a '12'. The lowest of the low, ordered around by everyone above him. He spends his days carrying bags, writing essays, getting supplies for his classmates, making friends with teachers.
When his school days are finally up, he tells his parents he doesn't want to go back for sixth form. He is done.
They compromise by asking him to go on the Summer camp trip he signed up for - Preparation for life. He gets on the plane with 6 of his tormentors, safe in the knowledge that it would soon be over.
Only they never make it to Summer camp.
They wake up on an island, having survived a plane crash. And suddenly they need to work together to provide fire, shelter, food and rescue.
But can they work together in harmony, after so long of the Osney school hierarchy? And how will their new colony develop when they have no idea how long it will take to be rescued?
I absolutely love this modern castaway tale. I constantly felt on edge, and was storing up questions in my mind racing ahead to find the answers. I was sure I knew what was going to happen towards the end, then when it did happen I still felt surprised. The ending did seem to wrap up quite quickly but gave enough information to end the book nicely.
I do wish the author had included one part of the story that was missed out, between Disc Six and Seven. I was looking forward to that part and it jumped ahead.
I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of mystery or castaway stories. It had me hooked, to the point where I stayed up until 5am to finish it. Very well written, and filled with interesting facts and references. A modern Lord of the flies.
On his first day, he has to perform the initiation - a run around the courtyard before the clock strikes twelve. He makes it. Just. He is the slowest in the school and is now known as a '12'. The lowest of the low, ordered around by everyone above him. He spends his days carrying bags, writing essays, getting supplies for his classmates, making friends with teachers.
When his school days are finally up, he tells his parents he doesn't want to go back for sixth form. He is done.
They compromise by asking him to go on the Summer camp trip he signed up for - Preparation for life. He gets on the plane with 6 of his tormentors, safe in the knowledge that it would soon be over.
Only they never make it to Summer camp.
They wake up on an island, having survived a plane crash. And suddenly they need to work together to provide fire, shelter, food and rescue.
But can they work together in harmony, after so long of the Osney school hierarchy? And how will their new colony develop when they have no idea how long it will take to be rescued?
I absolutely love this modern castaway tale. I constantly felt on edge, and was storing up questions in my mind racing ahead to find the answers. I was sure I knew what was going to happen towards the end, then when it did happen I still felt surprised. The ending did seem to wrap up quite quickly but gave enough information to end the book nicely.
I do wish the author had included one part of the story that was missed out, between Disc Six and Seven. I was looking forward to that part and it jumped ahead.
I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of mystery or castaway stories. It had me hooked, to the point where I stayed up until 5am to finish it. Very well written, and filled with interesting facts and references. A modern Lord of the flies.