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This is a slightly self-conscious novel as it relies upon the reader's acquaintance with other well-known 'castaway narrative' stories or 'Robinsonade', a genre I hadn't really noticed before but certainly exists. However, it is not derivative of Robinson Crusoe or Lord of the Flies. Instead, it is set firmly in the 21st century and the author also spends a major part of his writing in explaining the back-story which shows the school where the protagonists have demonstrated their personalities and relationships for three years prior to their isolation upon the island.

The seven teenagers all reveal hidden depths, develop and mature, learn to interact in more meaningful ways. We see this entirely through the eyes of one of the boys, Link, who has as much to learn as anyone else.

There are some plot niggles which may only strike you afterward if you read 'The Island' at the page-turning pace I did. This is a pretty good YA novel which I found to be highly original and a gripping read.