The Island

If you’re looking for a suspenseful, exciting read, this new YA thriller from C.L. Taylor hits the spot. Although aimed at YA, it’s perfectly suited for adults to read too! The book opens with 5 families, who have 6 teenagers between them, having known each other since their mothers met at antenatal classes. The families, although all from different walks of life, have had many holidays together over the years and this one is all the more exciting. They’re off to Thailand, and to celebrate the 17th birthday of Jeffers, his wealthy father has bought him a week on a deserted island on a survival course with the rest of the teens. After arriving on the island, things begin to go wrong from the very start, when they become stranded on the island. There is more tension in this book than a high-wire! It flits from character to character, although is mostly narrated by Jessie and Danny. Through the following days, we learn more of the background of each character with their fears and phobias openly discussed round the campfire on the first night. But is everyone being truthful? Some must come to terms with past horrific events in their lives. With their anxieties and guilt running at full speed, one by one, their phobias are realised, each one more terrifying than the last. Clarified in horrifying details, the suspense is excruciating. The scary challenges they face are exhausting and you can really envisage their angst and fatigue. Strange happenings in and out of the camp they’ve built only cause their unease to be increased. Accusations are flying high as to who is causing this to happen, making it more difficult for the group to stay together and be supportive of each other. Lots of suspense and suspicions leading to further mistrust and unrest in the group, with each character showing their strength and weakness. The book covers clever morals too as each character is forced to make adult decisions, testing their physical and mental health. I felt the book is very powerful and openly shows us some of the many problems currently faced by today’s teens such as depression, assertiveness, gender awareness and bullying on a day to day basis. Many thanks to publishers HQ and to Cally for receipt of this advance copy as one of her VIP readers!

I'm a bit late to the party but I did finish The Island within 24hrs!! For a YA I was really into the storyline as soon as it all started to kick off on the Island, I loved the uncertainty and couldn't really guess where the plot twist was going. The characters were all really likeable albeit the names a little irritating but that's just me 😂. The story is told from 2 characters- Jessie and Danny and the chapters are short enough to stop you from getting bored yet keep you reading of you want. It really touched on some important issues come those final few chapters and praise for bringing them into the storyline, obviously I'm 31 but these are great issues to raise awareness to the YA's. I really enjoyed "The Island" by C.L Taylor and will be passing it onto my daughter in a few years time!! 5 stars from me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed it. For me, it was one of the those rare books I was thinking about even when it wasn't in my hand - 'gripping' for sure. Don't be put off by this being a YA book, I read Cally's adult books and if anything, there's just a slight increase in pace. Recommended!