datewithathriller's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was my first Natasha Preston read and pleasantly found it very entertaining! Definitely fast-paced and had me on edge, especially the last half of the book. I did figure out some of the twists along the way, but not all!
That ending though…if I was reading a physical book and not on my Kindle, I would have thrown it across the room! 😂😂 Just had to leave us with a cliffhanger, huh?
All in all, it was a very enjoyable read! Definitely recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s, Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
czarfancypants's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
brittmarie0920's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really hated the ending of this book and kind of felt cheated - how dare you, Ms. Preston! 😅 The book kept my attention and was a pretty easy and fun, albeit predictable (in some ways) read. I felt like the main character jumped to certain conclusions too quickly and with no real evidence to do so, but also couldn’t piece together what would have been genuine clues as to who the killer is. The ending.. it was absolutely the best and the worst part of this book.
I probably would have loved this book as a teen, so it’s perfect that it’s marketed to that age group. As an adult, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. And I wanted it to be. SO BADLY. The entire premise was so intriguing, but overall it just fell flat.
Disclaimer: I was given this book as a digital ARC in exchange for my review. I was not compensated in any way.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the digital ARC of this book.
Cross-posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Instagram
I probably would have loved this book as a teen, so it’s perfect that it’s marketed to that age group. As an adult, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. And I wanted it to be. SO BADLY. The entire premise was so intriguing, but overall it just fell flat.
Disclaimer: I was given this book as a digital ARC in exchange for my review. I was not compensated in any way.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the digital ARC of this book.
Cross-posted to: NetGalley, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Instagram
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Violence, Death, and Injury/injury detail
mrsbarrysbookshelf's review
4.0
Scream...but for the social media obsessed.
I really enjoyed the premise of this one--social media influencers from various genres (movies, gaming, mystery podcasts, make up, and fashion) were all invited to one location a soft-opening promotion. Aside from the changes in personality based on whether or not a device was in hand, each character had some interesting personality quirks as well.
The plot did a nice job building suspense and adding some mystery. It felt like-at any point-there could have been one killer...or a band of multiple killers working together. Several failsafes were addressed and the idea of trusting strangers in the midst of a murder spree both leant credibility to the story.
I struggled to actually connect with any of the characters and to imagine the setting--an island large enough for an amusement park but small enough to "trap" everyone that couldn't figure out how to get help....
I'll tell my students about: language, death/gore/violence
**Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the free ARC prior to publication. All opinions expressed are my own.**
I really enjoyed the premise of this one--social media influencers from various genres (movies, gaming, mystery podcasts, make up, and fashion) were all invited to one location a soft-opening promotion. Aside from the changes in personality based on whether or not a device was in hand, each character had some interesting personality quirks as well.
The plot did a nice job building suspense and adding some mystery. It felt like-at any point-there could have been one killer...or a band of multiple killers working together. Several failsafes were addressed and the idea of trusting strangers in the midst of a murder spree both leant credibility to the story.
I struggled to actually connect with any of the characters and to imagine the setting--an island large enough for an amusement park but small enough to "trap" everyone that couldn't figure out how to get help....
I'll tell my students about: language, death/gore/violence
**Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the free ARC prior to publication. All opinions expressed are my own.**
courttylka's review
4.0
I received a complimentary copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just want to start off by saying, I’m actually giving this read 4.5 stars.
6 influencers get invited to go check out a new amusement park that had been built on an island 20 mins away from the mainland. What could possibly go wrong? No one knows each other, the power goes out, no internet and murder. This is a great page turning thriller that I was happy to read. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Natasha Preston for allowing me to read this.
I just want to start off by saying, I’m actually giving this read 4.5 stars.
6 influencers get invited to go check out a new amusement park that had been built on an island 20 mins away from the mainland. What could possibly go wrong? No one knows each other, the power goes out, no internet and murder. This is a great page turning thriller that I was happy to read. Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Natasha Preston for allowing me to read this.
taebereading's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm sorry, what!? Okay, Let's rewind. I've been trying to read all of Natasha Preston's books, so when I was approved for this advanced copy, I was ecstatic. I mean a group of influencers trapped on a private island with a killer sounds right up my alley. So here's my thoughts.
I really liked the main character. She was brave, smart and really into true crime—relatable. The setting was awesome. A gothic looking amusement park on an island—there was even a serial killer haunted house. Nice! Now, for the mystery. I guessed the culprit but I don't think it was obvious. Definitely not a predictable story, I'm just a seasoned mystery/thriller reader. About halfway through, I remembered how scandalous Natasha's endings are so I was naturally terrified. So to repeat my earlier exclamation, WHAT!??? In true fashion, this author has once again left me with my jaw on the floor. The Island is fun, fast-paced and exactly what I wanted from a locked-room mystery/thriller.
I really liked the main character. She was brave, smart and really into true crime—relatable. The setting was awesome. A gothic looking amusement park on an island—there was even a serial killer haunted house. Nice! Now, for the mystery. I guessed the culprit but I don't think it was obvious. Definitely not a predictable story, I'm just a seasoned mystery/thriller reader. About halfway through, I remembered how scandalous Natasha's endings are so I was naturally terrified. So to repeat my earlier exclamation, WHAT!??? In true fashion, this author has once again left me with my jaw on the floor. The Island is fun, fast-paced and exactly what I wanted from a locked-room mystery/thriller.
emanck15's review
2.0
*Note* This review contains no blatant spoilers, but does include references to some plot points.
A few months ago, I picked up Preston’s “The Fear.” I HATED the ending, and felt the main character's motivation just flawed throughout. Overall, I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. But, it just didn’t have the hook that I had when I first read “The Cellar” years ago.
When I received a preview copy of “The Island” my expectations were low, but the premise was intriguing, and because I know my students will automatically be interested in anything by Preston so I decided to give it a try. I feel like things started to go south, almost immediately. In the first few chapters, Preston wasted no time skipping past any sort of character building. The characters are just so stereotypical, and unlikable. There is zero depth to their personalities, and frankly they just feel so… generic. If authors could purchase characters from a big box store, these would be it. And, let’s talk about Paisley. Even her name seems stereotypical. I’m really frustrated in general with Preston’s female protagonists. They just seem so impulsive, unlikable, and frankly, dumb. Paisley herself, is supposed to be this well known True Crime podcaster, but when things start going bad, she immediately puts herself in a situation where she is alone with Reeve, who she barely knows. Am I supposed to believe that someone who researches and talks about True Crime day in and day out, meets this guy and instantly has a crush on him that makes her abandon all her common sense? Even when she finds out he has a potentially violent past, she just accepts what he says. Oh okay. It isn’t until much later in the book, that she even questions his involvement, and even then it’s halfheartedly. AND it isn’t just her connection to Reeve that is bothersome. Her interactions with just about every male are just cringeworthy. It’s like she’s a damsel in distress and any male she comes in contact with has an opportunity to rescue her. She’s constantly leaving the safety of the group to go off alone with different men even with a very limited pool of suspects. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if she was trying to find a killer or a date? To the point, in Chapter 22, when talking to Liam about questioning everyone left in the group she says ““I’m not looking at finding out anyone’s hidden crush” Though I wouldn’t mind knowing his.”” UGH!
The only redeeming factor of the entire novel was that I did not figure out what was going on. Up until the last 25% of the book, I was for sure I had it all figured out. It was going to be a publicity stunt that everyone except a few of the influencers were in on. I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad that I was wrong… So much of the book was filled with meaningless dialog and unmotivated stupid decisions. Ava says it best herself in Chapter 23, “We’ve only just got here, a place where we thought we’d be safest, and now you want to go back out there! You guys are all over the place!” All over the place indeed. And then, when we finally find out who the real killers are, their motivation is so bizarre! I’m going to have to just say they are complete sociopaths because the explanation given in the book just doesn’t add up any other way. Revenge? Bonnie and Clyde Aspirations? WHAT? As fun as trying to wrap my head around that was, at that point of the book I extremely was thankful I was almost to the end, and could put this mess behind me then SPLAT I’m hit in the face with a completely “unnecessary” cliffhanger ending. Ugh! What is the point? Preston did the same thing at the end of “The Fear.” Maybe she was as tired of writing as I was of reading.
Overall, this was not an enjoyable read for me. Give me some characters worth rooting for, and develop the plot in a way that actually leads to the big reveal and this could have been so good! However, I realize that I am not the target audience for this book and I’m sure my teen readers will flock to this like they do all of Preston’s novels. However, I'm starting to feel like Preston takes her audience for granted, quickly churning out lackluster “hits” without putting in the effort to give them what they deserve. A story rich with developed characters and a stimulating plot.
Thank You to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Delacorte Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
A few months ago, I picked up Preston’s “The Fear.” I HATED the ending, and felt the main character's motivation just flawed throughout. Overall, I didn’t love it, I didn’t hate it. But, it just didn’t have the hook that I had when I first read “The Cellar” years ago.
When I received a preview copy of “The Island” my expectations were low, but the premise was intriguing, and because I know my students will automatically be interested in anything by Preston so I decided to give it a try. I feel like things started to go south, almost immediately. In the first few chapters, Preston wasted no time skipping past any sort of character building. The characters are just so stereotypical, and unlikable. There is zero depth to their personalities, and frankly they just feel so… generic. If authors could purchase characters from a big box store, these would be it. And, let’s talk about Paisley. Even her name seems stereotypical. I’m really frustrated in general with Preston’s female protagonists. They just seem so impulsive, unlikable, and frankly, dumb. Paisley herself, is supposed to be this well known True Crime podcaster, but when things start going bad, she immediately puts herself in a situation where she is alone with Reeve, who she barely knows. Am I supposed to believe that someone who researches and talks about True Crime day in and day out, meets this guy and instantly has a crush on him that makes her abandon all her common sense? Even when she finds out he has a potentially violent past, she just accepts what he says. Oh okay. It isn’t until much later in the book, that she even questions his involvement, and even then it’s halfheartedly. AND it isn’t just her connection to Reeve that is bothersome. Her interactions with just about every male are just cringeworthy. It’s like she’s a damsel in distress and any male she comes in contact with has an opportunity to rescue her. She’s constantly leaving the safety of the group to go off alone with different men even with a very limited pool of suspects. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if she was trying to find a killer or a date? To the point, in Chapter 22, when talking to Liam about questioning everyone left in the group she says ““I’m not looking at finding out anyone’s hidden crush” Though I wouldn’t mind knowing his.”” UGH!
The only redeeming factor of the entire novel was that I did not figure out what was going on. Up until the last 25% of the book, I was for sure I had it all figured out. It was going to be a publicity stunt that everyone except a few of the influencers were in on. I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad that I was wrong… So much of the book was filled with meaningless dialog and unmotivated stupid decisions. Ava says it best herself in Chapter 23, “We’ve only just got here, a place where we thought we’d be safest, and now you want to go back out there! You guys are all over the place!” All over the place indeed. And then, when we finally find out who the real killers are, their motivation is so bizarre! I’m going to have to just say they are complete sociopaths because the explanation given in the book just doesn’t add up any other way. Revenge? Bonnie and Clyde Aspirations? WHAT? As fun as trying to wrap my head around that was, at that point of the book I extremely was thankful I was almost to the end, and could put this mess behind me then SPLAT I’m hit in the face with a completely “unnecessary” cliffhanger ending. Ugh! What is the point? Preston did the same thing at the end of “The Fear.” Maybe she was as tired of writing as I was of reading.
Overall, this was not an enjoyable read for me. Give me some characters worth rooting for, and develop the plot in a way that actually leads to the big reveal and this could have been so good! However, I realize that I am not the target audience for this book and I’m sure my teen readers will flock to this like they do all of Preston’s novels. However, I'm starting to feel like Preston takes her audience for granted, quickly churning out lackluster “hits” without putting in the effort to give them what they deserve. A story rich with developed characters and a stimulating plot.
Thank You to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/ Delacorte Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
quirkylitlover's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jessicanb93's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a book!! This was such a fast read and is so atmospheric.
The Island follows six influencers who are invited to an exclusive weekend on an island that is opening an amusement park soon. There are only eleven people on the island who one by one start to go missing. With their way off the island gone and no communication available, it’s up to our main character, Paisley, who happens to be a true crime vlogger, to figure out what’s going on and figure out a way off the island.
I flew through this book because I HAD to know what happened next! I did guess half of the twist but not fully. The ending literally had me yell “what!” And I looked back and forth on my e-reader to see if I missed a page.
The Island follows six influencers who are invited to an exclusive weekend on an island that is opening an amusement park soon. There are only eleven people on the island who one by one start to go missing. With their way off the island gone and no communication available, it’s up to our main character, Paisley, who happens to be a true crime vlogger, to figure out what’s going on and figure out a way off the island.
I flew through this book because I HAD to know what happened next! I did guess half of the twist but not fully. The ending literally had me yell “what!” And I looked back and forth on my e-reader to see if I missed a page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Medical content, and Blood