Review by othusitse -- Island Games by Caleb J. Boyer

[othusitse]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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First of all i have to say that this is my first time having read a young adult genre novel and without a doubt the encounter did not disappoint. The book relays the truth about friendship and the trust that builds it through a journey of seasons in challenges and obstacles that bring a drag of frustration and confusion in the land unknown. The author Caleb J. Boyer connects the readers to this journey through the lives of two young boys who find nothing in recognition but themselves. Having to build on this Island Games is not just an obstacle course but rather a lesson to be inscribed in the hearts of its readers.


This twenty three chapter book connects us with the lives of two young boys Matthew and Ryan who find themselves in a mysterious island without their much of their childhood memories but the fact that they are best friends. The author takes the young boys through challenges or a rather a series of games to test their friendship, series through four places of the island, a jungle, prairie, desert and a highland. With nothing to survive on but food packets, water and friendship Matthew and Ryan find themselves faced with an atmosphere of coldness, high humidity with an extra heat to spare while having to fight off the treacherous beasts of the island. The two boys learn to groom their friendship and keep their trust for one another intact with having to deal with the frustration of not knowing a way out of the jungle. While discovering four keys of wood, stone, sandstone and ice the author takes these two characters on a journey of learning to appreciate one another and protect each other from the dangers lurking within the deep.


Confessions of love begin to kick in when quick sands try to devour the boys. Ryan " the goofy one" learns with every challenge to grow be mature and try hi best to help his friend, while Matthew "the practical one" learns the art of bravery. With time the boys begin to change their concept of survival to winning within the Island Games, and with each courage the author gives them they find themselves overcoming snow storms and piranha like crocodiles. The boys learn to trust and defend each other through the obstacle, and at the end of it all a lesson of wisdom is set for the readers with a mystery to spare.


I have found myself speechless at the site of reading this book, amazed with how the author took a lesson of trust and friendship and inscribed in words filled with adventure to keep the reader learning while enjoying the fun of it. Island Games is not just a memorable book but also and instructive book. Memorable because it is filled with so much adventure and mysteries. Instructive because it connects the reader with what friendship truly means and why trust is a strong bong of such a relationship. Like how Matthew and Ryan had to deal with frustrations of the game while having to keep their calm and help each other. Not just that but to overcome fear, like when Matthew remembered his parent's teachings about being fearless.


The author does not only let the boys struggle on their own but rather brings back little by little their childhood memories to strengthen them. Friendship is indeed not just about what people have in common but also about the difference that make us appreciate one another. I thereby rate this book a 4 out of 4 because it is simply original and an encounter with the author's life during the time he spent on the road passing time through reading many books. It is not just a book for young adults but everyone who my think friendship is a stepping stone towards their own goal,though it remains not true.

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Island Games
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[AbbyGNelson]

I read and reviewed this book too, and I was disappointed by the ending. Did you wish you knew more about why they were on the island?