Review of Island Games

[Shaesta Parween]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Island Games" by Caleb J. Boyer.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Stranded on an island with patchy memories, uncertain about the past and the future, two best friends, Ryan and Matthew, are left to construe the meaning behind the Island Games. Ryan has a dark complexion with wavy hair and a charming personality, whereas Mathhew is fair with lots of freckles and blond hair. The story revolves around both of them trying to survive the challenges orchestrated on the island mysteriously. Provided with only a handful of essentials like a knife, rope, a watch, cups etc., they have to scavenge for food and water by accomplishing every task given to them.

Ryan and Matthew had to survive four quadrants with extremities which in the end provided them with packets of food and water, like in a video game. Every time they conquered a quest, they got it, which was the only thing motivating them on an unknown island. They had to believe in themselves and each other for every task. How frustrating it must be not only to be scared on an island but also to feel out of control of your own body and to feel manipulated?

This book makes you think about a lot of questions like, what would you do or how would you react if you were to come face to face with a life or death situation? It kept me on edge, imagining such harsh situations. When you come up against something that seems unreal but is, in fact, real and can be fatal, how do you make the circumstances turn in favour of yourself even when every aspect of it says otherwise? But the bigger question is, can you? It was amusing to see how friends would carry on with such a drastic change of events. The book teaches young adults about trust and companionship. Understanding is a really important factor in the book. It can make children appreciate all the small things in life that they take for granted.

The author, Caleb J.Boyer, was a preteen when he wrote this book, so it is only understandable that the book is not well-suited for adults. It was also not professionally well-edited. Even for young adults, the adventures and exciting tasks might be fun to read, but they certainly do not give a satisfying finale. One might find it hard to connect with the protagonists. The storyline got repetitive as every chapter ended on a cliffhanger. The story was good but lacked substance. The author could have explained more precisely to help us imagine the events. Also, it is not necessary for the characters to say what they feel every time. To make it more realistic, the author could use expressions in writing. It got bland towards the end.

I would rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. The Island Games is all about building and strengthening friendships with trust and understanding. I would recommend this book to young adults to teach them about teamwork, but it may not be as enjoyable for a mature reader to devote so much time to a story that does not end satisfactorily.

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Island Games
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