4.5 stars

Wow, what a wild ride! "The Island" by Adrian McKinty is fast-paced, and will keep you hooked until the very end!

This is the first book I've read by this author. I've had "The Chain" on my shelf for awhile now, and I am putting it at the top of my TBR list because I definitely need to read more from this author!

Whenever I read a book that's set in either Australia or the jungle, I am always weary of reading about my phobia - the terrifying danger noodle. This book got all the way to 75% without mentioning it (barely), but then I had to skim/skip chapter 38, so I wouldn't have nightmares forever. So, phobia warning: If you have a danger noodle phobia like I do (yes, I can't even say/type their actual name), SKIP CHAPTER 38!

Other than that - just fantastic!!

I loved Heather's character! What an amazing and strong female lead! I do wish the book answered the question I was wondering about during most of the book: Why did Tom re-marry so quickly? (Also, "after the year they've had" was repeated way too often. - Though this was an ARC, so it might be edited a bit in the final version.)

Definitely a well-written adventure novel that will keep you at the edge of your seat! ( )

3.5 ⭐️

24-year-old Heather Baxter marries widower Dr. Tom Baxter who is in his 40s and is the father of two children, 14-year-old Olivia and 12-year-old Owen, by his first wife. When Tom is invited to be a keynote speaker at an Orthopedics conference in Melbourne, Australia they make a family vacation out of it. Owen and Olivia are not too fond of Heather and often openly hostile in the face of her efforts to befriend them. On a day out, at the kids’ insistence on checking out the wildlife in the vicinity, the family finds themselves touring Dutch Island, which is a private island normally closed off for visitors. They are ferried across by members of the O’Neill family who ”own” and reside on the island. A car accident on the island triggers a series of events that has the family fighting for their own lives and desperately looking for a way off the island as their day trip turns into a survivalist’s nightmare.

The Island by Adrian McKinty is a fast-paced, edge of your seat thriller that is hard to put down. I enjoyed the atmospheric setting and the intense and vivid imagery of Dutch Island. Needless to say, I finished it in less than a day. Some scenes are violent and disturbing and animals are harmed, so you might need to pace yourself before attempting to read this. The main characters aren’t particularly likable, which was a bit of a problem for me and the writing was choppy in some of the scenes. However, despite a few OTT moments (which are not uncommon in most thrillers), this is a gripping read that does not disappoint as far as thrills go! Suspend your disbelief, don’t overthink it and enjoy the ride!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due for release on May 17, 2022. ( )

rounded down from 4.25 ( )

Tom, along with his new young wife, Heather, and his two children, Olivia and Owen go to Australia. Tom is due to deliver a keynote speech at an orthopedic conference, but prior to this, the children want to see some Australian wildlife. They discover Dutch Island, a remote place where they are warned not to go. But, they get on the ferry and attempt to find some wildlife. Yet, while they are there, a tragedy happens, The family living on the island capture Tom and his family and plan to extort them. However, something goes awry, and the family is in increased danger.
What follows is a harrowing tale of survival, trust, instincts, and sheer determination. It was exciting at times, but I did have to suspend disbelief in some of the situations.
Overall, a good thriller. ( )

A very generous 3 stars!
The author’s Sean Duffy series blows this book out of the water.
This book, is sometimes silly sometimes stupid, never a mystery or a thriller, and almost always a letdown.
Written for the Masses, no one in the book is likable or someone to care about.
Part Deliverance, part Hardy Boys adventure,part very weak storytelling.
No wonder why so many people have loved it. ( )