Review of Sebastian and the Invisible Island
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Riley Aldrich
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Review of Sebastian and the Invisible Island
[Following is a volunteer review of "Sebastian and the Invisible Island" by Michael William Hogan.]
Sebastian and the Invisible Island by Michael William Hogan follows the story of eleven-year-old Sebastian as he becomes stranded at sea on an invisible island. Sebastian is originally traveling with his parents, but he becomes separated from them after a storm hits while Sebastian is fishing. After spending several days drifting at sea, Sebastian discovers an invisible island full of strange creatures. Filled with aliens, spaceships, and an epic battle, this book will keep readers on their toes and rooting for Sebastian as he navigates life on the invisible island.
One unique aspect of this book is the short chapter length. Most chapters are not any longer than two pages, presenting both advantages and disadvantages. First, reading a book in this style allows for readers to develop a sense of accomplishment because they can progress through chapters quite quickly. For younger audiences, this is a great way to build confidence in reading abilities and foster engagement. On the flip side, the story feels fragmented in places because such little material is covered in a chapter. This can be jarring and frustrating at times because the abrupt end to a chapter does not provide closure to the scenario being described.
One critique that I have of this book is the lack of exposition. The three characters involved, Sebastian and his parents, are not described well at the beginning of the book. This makes it difficult for readers to connect with these characters, even when character development occurs later in the book. Without the initial presentation of the characters, especially Sebastian, it is difficult to understand the setting and dynamic of the story at large.
However, this book is filled with beautiful imagery and tells an engaging story. Readers will be able to experience adventure along with Sebastian due to the author’s descriptive vocabulary. I especially liked the whimsical nature of this book. Because most chapters are told from Sebastian’s perspective, readers get to experience the world through the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy. There are no errors in this book, leading me to believe that it is professionally edited, so it is even easier for readers to follow along with.
I have a hard time recommending this book to a particular audience. The story seems geared towards a younger audience who is beginning to read chapter books, but the vocabulary is quite advanced. There are certainly some words that a younger audience would have to look up, and it may be difficult for young readers to remain engaged in a story that is difficult to read regardless of how short the chapters are. However, younger readers would certainly enjoy the whimsical story of this book. Older readers who enjoy science fiction tales would also like this book because it provides a quick story full of fantasy and adventure. Overall, I rate this book four out of five stars. The chapter length may be annoying in some places, but overall, this does not take away from the overall amazing story in this book.
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Sebastian and the Invisible Island
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Sebastian and the Invisible Island by Michael William Hogan follows the story of eleven-year-old Sebastian as he becomes stranded at sea on an invisible island. Sebastian is originally traveling with his parents, but he becomes separated from them after a storm hits while Sebastian is fishing. After spending several days drifting at sea, Sebastian discovers an invisible island full of strange creatures. Filled with aliens, spaceships, and an epic battle, this book will keep readers on their toes and rooting for Sebastian as he navigates life on the invisible island.
One unique aspect of this book is the short chapter length. Most chapters are not any longer than two pages, presenting both advantages and disadvantages. First, reading a book in this style allows for readers to develop a sense of accomplishment because they can progress through chapters quite quickly. For younger audiences, this is a great way to build confidence in reading abilities and foster engagement. On the flip side, the story feels fragmented in places because such little material is covered in a chapter. This can be jarring and frustrating at times because the abrupt end to a chapter does not provide closure to the scenario being described.
One critique that I have of this book is the lack of exposition. The three characters involved, Sebastian and his parents, are not described well at the beginning of the book. This makes it difficult for readers to connect with these characters, even when character development occurs later in the book. Without the initial presentation of the characters, especially Sebastian, it is difficult to understand the setting and dynamic of the story at large.
However, this book is filled with beautiful imagery and tells an engaging story. Readers will be able to experience adventure along with Sebastian due to the author’s descriptive vocabulary. I especially liked the whimsical nature of this book. Because most chapters are told from Sebastian’s perspective, readers get to experience the world through the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy. There are no errors in this book, leading me to believe that it is professionally edited, so it is even easier for readers to follow along with.
I have a hard time recommending this book to a particular audience. The story seems geared towards a younger audience who is beginning to read chapter books, but the vocabulary is quite advanced. There are certainly some words that a younger audience would have to look up, and it may be difficult for young readers to remain engaged in a story that is difficult to read regardless of how short the chapters are. However, younger readers would certainly enjoy the whimsical story of this book. Older readers who enjoy science fiction tales would also like this book because it provides a quick story full of fantasy and adventure. Overall, I rate this book four out of five stars. The chapter length may be annoying in some places, but overall, this does not take away from the overall amazing story in this book.
******
Sebastian and the Invisible Island
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: And Then I Met Margaret by Rob White
