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

Dusamae · Post by **Dusamae** » 09 Aug 2018, 17:55

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

4 out of 4 stars

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The friendship of two boys, Matthew and Ryan, will be tested on their amazing journey as they try to find their way off the island and to get back home.

Island Games: Mystery of the Four Quadrants has 242 pages and it is the first book by this young author, 12-year-old, Caleb J. Boyer. If he continues to write like this, then I suspect this won't be the last time we see his name.

Island Games: Mystery of the Four Quadrants is about two boys that wake up on an island, with no memory of how they got there or anything from the past. Over the next several days they are challenged in many ways like surviving a long dangerous swim among other things. When they complete a challenge, they are rewarded with food and water. Through trial and error, they come to understand what to look for in each challenge, and what they need to do to succeed in each test. Their journey is difficult and puts their friendship to the test as they try to understand what they need to do to find their way home.

The author builds the personalities of these characters well, which brings them to life as the reader struggles beside Matthew and Ryan as they are running from or to the next ordeal. The reader also feels the thirst and hunger of the boys, and then the satisfaction of filling those needs. The temperature changes from one adventure to the next, but the cold especially gave me shivers.

Some of my favorite parts are the banter and silliness of the boys that made me laugh. For instance, when they are startled awake by growling. They jumped up looking around and Ryan says, “get the knife.” Matthew, terrified and shaking finally gets the knife and starts waving it around almost cutting Ryan. “Hey, dude! Watch where you are swinging that thing!” Ryan whispered angrily. They continue their banter back and forth like teenaged boys do, but they are so tired they finally drift back to sleep.

Another favorite was when Matthew must jump from a rock to a platform, but he doesn’t quite make it. “the lower half of his body dangling like fresh bait in the free air.” This sentence also made me laugh.

My rating for Island Games: Mystery of the Four Quadrants is 4 out of 4 stars. This book seemed to be professionally edited as I saw no noticeable errors. I would recommend this book to people who love action-packed adventure and fiction. This book would be perfect for young adults as it is fast-paced, and the action keeps going from the beginning to the end. The moral of the story is encouraging for a young reader who feels like they can’t compete in some events or activities.

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Island Games
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jcoad · Post by **jcoad** » 10 Aug 2018, 08:23

Wow, a book by a 12-year old author. Even if it gets 1-star that would be amazing. To see 4 stars with a glowing review is amazing. I always like to throw in a younger focused book to my reading this and this one sounds like a great candidate. Appreciate your review.

Dusamae · Post by **Dusamae** » 10 Aug 2018, 13:21

jcoad wrote: ↑10 Aug 2018, 08:23 Wow, a book by a 12-year old author. Even if it gets 1-star that would be amazing. To see 4 stars with a glowing review is amazing. I always like to throw in a younger focused book to my reading this and this one sounds like a great candidate. Appreciate your review.

I think you will enjoy it. It is action-packed almost from the beginning. Thought you can tell it was written by someone young the plot of the story is great.

Nma26 · Post by **Nma26** » 24 Aug 2018, 05:51

From your review, it seems someone gave them those challenges.Who was it? Also, I like books that are professionally edited.Thanks for the review.

Dusamae · Post by **Dusamae** » 28 Aug 2018, 08:18

Nma26 wrote: ↑24 Aug 2018, 05:51 From your review, it seems someone gave them those challenges.Who was it? Also, I like books that are professionally edited.Thanks for the review.

Yes, it does seem someone gave the challenges but the question is who. The boys go on quite an adventure and face their fears.

C-Extra22 · Post by **C-Extra22** » 01 Sep 2018, 09:40

This book looks like one with a lot of encouragement for friends.I would love to read this book.

Dusamae · Post by **Dusamae** » 02 Sep 2018, 09:05

C-Extra22 wrote: ↑01 Sep 2018, 09:40 This book looks like one with a lot of encouragement for friends.I would love to read this book.

Yes, it's all about friendship and working together. I was surprised that it was written by a twelve-year-old, though some of the language used is that of a child, the book is about young boys so it is normal banter for them.