Book Review #224 - The Raft by S.A. Bodeen

Robie is an experienced traveler. She’s taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute. She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there’s a new co-pilot named Max. All systems are go until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn’t panic until the engine suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket. They are over miles of Pacific Ocean. She sees Max struggle with a raft.

And then . . . she’s in the water. Fighting for her life. Max pulls her onto the raft, and that’s when the real terror begins. They have no water. Their only food is a bag of Skittles. There are sharks. There is an island. But there’s no sign of help on the way.

My Rating: 4.5/5

Being a fan of the movie Cast Away, I was looking forward to reading this book. It definitely met my expectations.

 

 

I read this book in a few hours, the size of the chapters contributed heavily to that fact. The chapters were almost always only two or three pages long.

 

 

There was never a dull moment in this book, and I found it incredibly fast paced and a very thrilling read.

 

 

The protagonist, Robie was interesting and unique but there wasn't anything really special about her.

 

 

I suspected something about Max from the start, but was still surprised when it was revealed.  

Book Review #223 - Enclave (Razorland #1) by Ann Aguirre

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20s. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

 

 

 

My Rating: 4/5

 

 

It took me quite a long time to read this book. Whilst I did enjoy it when reading, I found that I was constantly putting the book down.

 

 

The characters develop slowly, but they were by far my favourite thing about this book. I liked Deuce and Fade, but didn't care for Tegan at all.

 

 

The world didn't seem developed enough. This was probably the reason why I had a hard time getting sucked into the story.

 

 

Also, I'm not sure why the blurb said "For fans of the Hunger Games" as the only thing these two books have in common is the genre.

Book Review #222 - The Amber Amulet by Craig Silvey

Meet a new generation of superhero in this moving novella from an acclaimed author.

Dear Sir/Ma’am, Please find enclosed this Amber Amulet. That must sound unusual to a citizen, but you will have to trust me on this count because the science is too detailed for me to outline here. All you need to know is that the Amber Amulet will eliminate your unhappiness by counteracting it with Positive Energy. This should see you straight. Fear not, you’re in safe hands now. Take care. The Masked Avenger.

Meet twelve-year-old Liam McKenzie, who patrols his suburban neighbourhood as the Masked Avenger - a superhero with powers so potent not even he can fully comprehend their extent. Along with his sidekick, Richie the Powerbeagle, he protects the people of Franklin Street from chaos, mayhem, evil and low tyre pressure - but can he save them from sadness?

My Rating: 4/5

I don't really have that much to say about this book as it was incredibly short.

The protagonist was likeable, from what I learnt about him. He was surprisingly well developed for such a short story. The addition of the dog was a great idea.

I liked the whole idea about the Masked Avenger getting his energy from gems and would have liked this to have been a full length novel.

The book on its own was really well put together. It has glossy pages and alot of interesting diagrams and maps. It reminded me of a scrapbook.