Malcolm Rose - Forbidden Island - Book Review
| Mr Ripley's Book Review This book worked really well - taking a child like vision of a secret, undiscovered island and the enchanted magic that it brings. The children embark on a great adventure until it all goes horribly wrong. They set sail in a small boat, finding a small island off the Scottish coast that doesn't appear to exist on any map. The story trail then leads to amazing findings, giving the story a severe and realistic feel. Emotions run high as the stakes increase uncovering more underlying plot themes. The dialogue flows really well and the story uses real-life facts to enhance the narrative. It's a gripping novel in a world of conspiracy and cover-ups. The ending is unexpected and leaves an everlasting impression on the reader. A great quick read, I look forward to reading more of his books. I give this book three out of five,I found the story lacking in detail and the book could of used alot more pages to do this story justice. Book published by Usborne publishing Ltd - 29 May 2009 |
About the book
Mike and his four friends ignore the clear warning sign. They decide to explore the mysterious island that doesn’t appear on any map. Not realizing how dangerous it will turn out to be, they stumble across a deadly secret. Alone and stranded on the island, they become the next victims of its terrible history.
It’s a world of conspiracies and cover-ups, twists and turns, revelations, and some shocking science.
‘This compact, tense and gripping story begins like an adventure for readers of eleven or so, but its serious political themes, moral dilemmas and physical outcomes make it best suited to a teenage readership. Although the cause of the danger lies 70 years ago, it is the behaviour of present-day security services and the government which drives the story, and makes it highly topical in a society where the balance between national security and individual rights and freedoms is a living issue. Forbidden Island is a very good thriller, fast-moving and highly readable. It is also a thoughtful and effective parable of modern Britain.’ Books for Keeps.
‘What starts as a traditional adventure story - four wealthy kids go out on their boat and discover an island unmarked on their maps - soon develops into a much more complex and chilling thriller. The island where the teenagers become stranded after a helicopter destroys their boat is contaminated - and if they don't escape they will die. Based on the true story of Gruinard island off Scotland, this pacy read asks uncomfortable questions.
About the author
I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.
About the author
I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.
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