Review by Beata hoff -- Island Games by Caleb J. Boyer
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Beata hoff
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Review by Beata hoff -- Island Games by Caleb J. Boyer
[Following is a volunteer review of "Island Games" by Caleb J. Boyer.]
Matthew and Ryan are best friends who find themselves alone on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere. They can’t remember anything about their families or where they come from. At least they remember each other. As they explore the island, they keep finding clothes, food and water left for them. What is going on?
The whole time they feel as if someone is watching them. To make matters worse, they keep having strange dreams of being in a laboratory. As they struggle to find a way off the island, Matthew and Ryan must solve puzzles and jump through hoops set up by their unseen captors. The island is extremely dangerous, and they face a series of trials as they search for a way back to civilization.
I find it mind-blowing that Caleb was only twelve when he wrote this book. It is a very well-written novel with rapid-fire plot development and an intriguing story line. I like the way Caleb develops his characters in Island Games. Matthew and Ryan start as rather shallow boys, but become well-rounded characters by the end of the book. Caleb has put a great deal of effort into making their friendship feel ‘real’ and growing their characters which, keeping in mind how young he is, is amazing.
I loved the easy rapport the two friends have with each other; from the good-natured ribbing to the fear fueled emotional outbursts when things go wrong. You can’t help being envious of how close they are to each other. There is a lot of action in Island Games but because there are so many puzzles and bits of intrigue it doesn't feel repetitive.
Island Games is suited for a younger, teenage audience — boys especially will love the adventurous hijinks that Matthew and Ryan get up to. I like to think of this as a ‘pure’ adventure because there aren't any sexual undertones or hints of mature content. In an adult's hand, this could have easily turned into a treatise on playing god, abduction, and human trafficking of children. The way Caleb wrote Island Games; however, you can get lost in the friendship and adventure without having to think about how aspects of the story are bigger than you. The element of mystery and puzzle-solving is what really hooked me into the story. This book reminds me a lot of The Maze Runner series by James Dashner but without the adult overtones.
I think this book deserves a standing ovation and a rating of four out of four stars. Caleb did an amazing job. I am definitely putting it on the book list for my kids.
******
Island Games
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Matthew and Ryan are best friends who find themselves alone on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere. They can’t remember anything about their families or where they come from. At least they remember each other. As they explore the island, they keep finding clothes, food and water left for them. What is going on?
The whole time they feel as if someone is watching them. To make matters worse, they keep having strange dreams of being in a laboratory. As they struggle to find a way off the island, Matthew and Ryan must solve puzzles and jump through hoops set up by their unseen captors. The island is extremely dangerous, and they face a series of trials as they search for a way back to civilization.
I find it mind-blowing that Caleb was only twelve when he wrote this book. It is a very well-written novel with rapid-fire plot development and an intriguing story line. I like the way Caleb develops his characters in Island Games. Matthew and Ryan start as rather shallow boys, but become well-rounded characters by the end of the book. Caleb has put a great deal of effort into making their friendship feel ‘real’ and growing their characters which, keeping in mind how young he is, is amazing.
I loved the easy rapport the two friends have with each other; from the good-natured ribbing to the fear fueled emotional outbursts when things go wrong. You can’t help being envious of how close they are to each other. There is a lot of action in Island Games but because there are so many puzzles and bits of intrigue it doesn't feel repetitive.
Island Games is suited for a younger, teenage audience — boys especially will love the adventurous hijinks that Matthew and Ryan get up to. I like to think of this as a ‘pure’ adventure because there aren't any sexual undertones or hints of mature content. In an adult's hand, this could have easily turned into a treatise on playing god, abduction, and human trafficking of children. The way Caleb wrote Island Games; however, you can get lost in the friendship and adventure without having to think about how aspects of the story are bigger than you. The element of mystery and puzzle-solving is what really hooked me into the story. This book reminds me a lot of The Maze Runner series by James Dashner but without the adult overtones.
I think this book deserves a standing ovation and a rating of four out of four stars. Caleb did an amazing job. I am definitely putting it on the book list for my kids.
******
Island Games
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Having a Bad Life by Lewis Kempfer
