Book Review - The Island by Adrian McKinty

Title: The Island
Series: -
Author: Adrian McKinty
 
Description: After moving from a small country town to Seattle, Heather Baxter marries Tom, a widowed doctor with a young son and teenage daughter. A working vacation overseas seems like the perfect way to bring the new family together, but once they’re deep in the Australian outback, the jet-lagged and exhausted kids are so over their new mom.
 
When they discover the remote Dutch Island, off limits to outside visitors, the family talks their way onto the ferry, taking a chance on an adventure far from the reach of iPhones and Instagram.
 
But as soon as they set foot on the island, which is by a tightly knit clan of locals, everything feels wrong. When a shocking accident propels the Baxters from an unsettling situation into an absolute nightmare.
 
When Heather and the kids are separated from Tom, they are forced to escape alone, seconds ahead of their pursuers. Now it’s up to Heather to save herself and the kids, even though they don’t trust her, the harsh bushland is filled with danger, and the locals want her dead.
 
Review: For newlywed Heather, a trip to Australia with her husband Tom and his two kids Olivia and Owen is a dream come true. Heater has never traveled outside the U.S. before, and she hopes for better contact with her stepchildren. But as with any family vacation, little goes as planned: it’s too hot, the kids are bored and the promised koalas are nowhere to be seen.
 
When a chance meeting with another couple yields and invitation to Dutch Island, a private enclave where you can spot wildlife, it seems like the answer: isn’t that the adventure they all need? Dutch Island, however, is private for a reason. When their visit leads to a horrific accident, Heather must make a decision that changes everything. And they must run for their lives.
 
For newlywed Heather Baxter, a trip to Australia with her husband Tom and his two teenagers Olivia and Owen is a dream come true. Heather has never traveled outside the U.S. before, and she hopes for better contact with her new stepchildren. But as with any family vacation, little goes as planned: it's too hot, the kids are bored and the promised koalas are nowhere to be seen.
 
If you want an action-packed, thrilling and exciting read, “The Island” might just be book for you. I was hooked from the first page and it was a real page-turner. The plot is well-developed and the tension is well built. The characters are strong, especially Heather is a great character to read about. And the setting is amazing. A must-read thriller if you like them with non-stop action.
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Scarlett Johansson Movies

Scarlett Johansson is one of my favorites, she is unique. I can’t wait to see her in “Don Jon”, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. But for now, I made a list of my five favorite Scarlett Johansson movies.

5. The Island
I never tought a Michael Bay movie would make any top 5, but it did. I really like “The Island”. Clever concept, very well executed.

4. The Other Boleyn Girl
I know the book is better, but I saw the film before reading the novel. I loved it, great performances by Scarlett and Natalie. I’m always fascinated by this time period, with all the beautiful costumes.

3. The Avengers
I didn’t think I would love this movie so much. It’s fantastic! Off course great visuals, but the whole thing is just put together very well. And Scarlett is kick-ass!

2. The Prestige
A great, intriguing story with a nice twist at the end. I always like that. Great cast.

1. Lost in Translation
This is actually also one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s beautiful because of its simplicity, great acting by both Scarlett and Bill Murray.

They Almost Made the Top 5: Ghostworld, Match Point, Scoop, Vicky Cristina Barcelona