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A review by katykelly
Phoenix Island by John Dixon
4.0
A bit of a thriller, some action and violence thrown in, global conspiracy and military sadism. For teenagers.
Pretty good stuff. Carl is an orphan and forever in trouble. He can't stop himself sticking up for victims against the bullies, using his impressive boxing prowess to turn the tables. But finally the justice system sends him for rehabilitation on Phoenix Island, designed as a boot camp for teenagers who've not responded to other punishments.
But it all it seems?
As I said at the start, there is boot camp action, but the plot twists to something else, and does get pretty violent and dark at times. There's a little bit of a Lord of the Flies similarity, but it's mostly a different beast.
I enjoyed it, was impressed that though a few of the usual 'lucky coincidences' happen, Dixon isn't afraid to kill characters off and move on.
The story moves along quickly and will make a great read for teenage boys. There's only one female character and she plays a small but important role.
It's a book about a young man trying to work out who he really wants to be, and is well enough written to hold interest and sound like real young people talking and thinking.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy
Pretty good stuff. Carl is an orphan and forever in trouble. He can't stop himself sticking up for victims against the bullies, using his impressive boxing prowess to turn the tables. But finally the justice system sends him for rehabilitation on Phoenix Island, designed as a boot camp for teenagers who've not responded to other punishments.
But it all it seems?
As I said at the start, there is boot camp action, but the plot twists to something else, and does get pretty violent and dark at times. There's a little bit of a Lord of the Flies similarity, but it's mostly a different beast.
I enjoyed it, was impressed that though a few of the usual 'lucky coincidences' happen, Dixon isn't afraid to kill characters off and move on.
The story moves along quickly and will make a great read for teenage boys. There's only one female character and she plays a small but important role.
It's a book about a young man trying to work out who he really wants to be, and is well enough written to hold interest and sound like real young people talking and thinking.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy