Review of Island Games

[Emilia Sieminska]

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

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3 out of 4 stars

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Island Games: Mystery of the Four Quadrants by Caleb J. Boyer is an action-packed novel classified as Young Adult fiction. Written by a teenager, it speaks the language of the youth and targets their sense of humour. It is an exciting story, encouraging the reader to get lost in the world created and finish reading in one sitting.

Island Games follows the story of two teenage friends, Matthew and Ryan, who suddenly wake up on a beach without remembering where they came from or how they got there. They soon realise that they are stranded on a mysterious island where food and water are rewarded for facing dangerous challenges. They have to keep fighting and exploring the island to find a way out, get their memories back and survive...

The novel is full of mystery and adventure. It is a light, very enjoyable read. The language used is straightforward and conversational, which makes it suitable for teenagers. Apart from pure entertainment, the novel teaches the importance of friendship and teamwork. The boys have to rely on each other, and they soon learn that working together brings the best results. Also, the story stresses the crucial role of staying calm in stressful situations and not giving in. Another advantage of this book is character development, as the boys change during their adventures on the island, becoming more confident and mature. Their friendship is also well-written, with fights and banter characteristic for the age intertwined with support in the face of danger. The text is very well edited, has no inappropriate scenes or language, and the violence related to some of the challenges is never presented in a graphic way.

The biggest drawback of Island Games is the improbable character of the plot. Some of the challenges seem to be too hard for two teenagers, and they happen too often. Also, the fighting scenes are described in an exciting but highly unrealistic way. Some readers might consider the plot as too far-fetched. Another flaw can be found in the language, which is very simple and quite repetitive. On the other hand, those are minor failings and should not spoil the pleasure of reading for someone expecting not a great classic but a thrilling novel.

Overall, I rate this book at 3 out of 4 stars because of the unrealistic character of the plot. I would recommend this novel to preteens aged 10-14 who enjoy adventure books. It could also be appreciated by older teenagers looking for a simple but entertaining story.

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Island Games
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[Priya_Singh]

This book seems like an interesting read for the teenagers. Thank you for the through review!

[Khalisa Masuku]

Yes! I totally agree with this review. It really seem a bit unbelievable and so underdeveloped. It really needed work to reach its full potential. And it is definetly for pre-teens because it had that voice that could speak to kids at that age.