Island of Silence by Lisa McMann
The Unwanteds #2
Aladdin – September
4, 2012
414pages –Children’s
Fiction, fantasy
Facebook: yes
Twitter: @lisa_mcmann
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
A digital galley of this title was given to me, free, in exchange for
my honest review.
How
could you do this to me Ms. McMann??!!!How could you weave sucha magical and wonderful story, force me on a
stomach-clenching emotional rollercoaster and then just leave me hanging? That
is cruel, cruel punishment and extremely unfair! The
Unwanteds was a nice read with a pretty satisfying ending; the story was
complete on its own but left you wanting more. I was even curious about what
was going to happen. But not so with Island
of Silence! I was left with so many questions and so many unresolved
feelings. I wonder if it would have been better to waited for book 3 to come
out. I am not a fan of cliffhangers at all!!! That is why my rule, in general,
is to wait until most of a series is out before I start it.
This is
not to say that IOS is not worth
picking up, because it so totally is.
Putting aside the cliffhanger ending, I really enjoyed reading this.
There is so much to love with this book. First, being the tremendous growth and
development with the characters. Then there’s the plot- it literally pulls you in
with little nuggets at a time. The deception, misplaced trust, and other
unknowns keep you at the edge of your seat. There’s the main question of what
is becoming of Alex and Aaron, the twins who remain on opposing side. But other
issues keep popping up.
The
Unwanteds who once faced the purge, now have the opportunity to go back to
Quill and reunite with their families. Some of them have been welcomed back
while others have been met with open rejection. The friendship between Lani, Samheed, Meghan
and Alex has grown as has their responsibility in Artime. This time it was so
much easier to connect with the characters and rally on the side of Artime (and
not just because they were the good guys). Atrtime is something that I believe
in and could stand by. Alex was a bit of a whiner in the first book, but now he
is maturing. I can understand why Mr. Today has chosen him for the position he
wants to give Alex. Even though Alex
doesn’t see himself as the leader Mr. Today sees him as, when the time comes
Alex steps into that role smoothly and without consciously deciding to do so. He
does what he does because it is the right thing to do. He really does become the leader he was meant
to be.
Amidst
the mess and struggle of blending the two worlds together, Aaron finds himself
lost and far from where he wants to be. But that doesn’t stop him. After a
brief period of wandering around, he comes up with a plan and starts recruiting
disgruntled Wanteds. It is only the beginning of his twisted plans to destroy
Artime and his twin Alex.
Then
there is the issue of the silent; the pair of kids with thorns around their
necks that washed up on the shores of Artime. No one knows where they came
from and they’re unconscious. There is
so much going on in the sequel and it’s wonderful! There is a little bit of
something for everyone. IOS wasa an engaging and magical read. Alex Stowe, the
good twin, is flawed and growing. Aaron Stowe, the evil twin, is manipulative
with some redeeming qualities.
Recommendation: This
was a magical read and I think all readers will enjoy it despite the teasing
ending. Great for young readers!
What’s Next? So
far, I have not heard mention of Book 3 anywhere on the web. That may be
because IOS literally just came out.
(Per twitter conversation with Lisa McMann, she is already working on Book 3!)
5 Stars *****
Cliffhanger Ending Forgiven
Always Shine,
Starr K
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