I really enjoyed this book , that's essentially a locked room mystery - a group of teenage childhood friend take a survivalist trip to a Thai island , and things start going terribly wrong resulting in a bunch of stranded teenager fighting for survival in more than one way. I really enjoyed the dual perspective Voices in the book as well as the intertwined relationships. However I didnt feel particularly invested in the story, no matter how engaging it was , and I think that maybe due to complete lack of world building. However , I did fly through the book in a day. The storyline was engaging, with multiple mysteries to solve and a constant seance of impending doom and intrigue, it kept me hooked from page one. As far as YA mysteries go this was one of the best I have read however overall I dont think I was the correct reader.

Wow what an amazing and gripping story and with some brilliant narration! Jessie and Danny are part of a group of six teenagers who meet every year, with their parents, on a mass group holiday. They’ve been doing this ever since they were kids and this year they are in Thailand. Although the hotel they are staying at is more than enough of a holiday, Jefferson’s dad has hired a small remote island for the six teens to spend several days on as a special birthday present. But after just one day on the island, their guide suffers a stroke and the teens are left alone and stranded. Waiting a few days until their parents notice they are missing shouldn’t be a problem, but the group soon realise that one by one, everybody’s worst fears are coming true, someone must be taunting and torturing them, but who? And why?

This is such an amazing and gripping thriller, I just couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook as soon as I started it! I’ve always loved the idea of the remote island setting, loving the idea of castaway or the tv series ‘Lost’. So when I first heard about this book I was eager to get hold of a copy and when I realised there was an audiobook available to review, I jumped at the chance to listen to it. The story unfolds quickly, beginning at the hotel in Thailand the day before the teens set off to the island. The first chapter begins from Jessie’s point of view, in the first person perspective and we begin to find out a little bit about each of the teenagers and how Jessie feels separated from the others. An incident at the pool ends in a dramatic way, I actually gasped it was that shocking and good, and it sets up the rest of the story as a fast-paced and exciting thriller.

The chapters alternate between Jessie and Danny throughout most of the novel. Danny’s chapters are told in the third person perspective and are equally interesting and exciting as the story moves on. We find out more about the teens and it isn’t long before their guide dies and they are left stranded on the remote island. At first the story seems simple with the teens struggling to collect the neccessary things for surviving more nights on the island, but soon their fears and phobias start coming true and I just love how this story went and how it kept me guessing throughout!

There’s so much that happens with the different characters and I love how we don’t know who is behind anything. The author kept me wondering who was behind the fears and why, was it one of the teens or was it someone else? Even though at some point I did notice something about one of the characters, I still didn’t trust my own thoughts and kept changing my mind as to who was behind all the things that happened. I like the development of some of the relationships and what happens as the story gets more tense. It gets so dramatic near the end and has a brilliant climax with an ending which I liked and hadn’t guessed at all. I love how all the clues were there but I still didn’t guess what happened at the end and the story wraps up nicely with some big revelations and a good last couple of chapters.

The narration is brilliant and I really liked all three voice actors. The drama, fear and shock can be heard in their voices and I like the way their voices changed a little when reading out the speech of different characters. The audiobook really does make you feel like you’re on the edge of your seat all the time and I have to admit I had a few moments when I simply gasped out of shock of what had happened, and I like how there were even a few extra seconds of pauses at the end of some of the more exciting chapters to give me time to process something shocking that I had just heard. All three narrators did a billiant job of making me feel the drama of what was happening, especially when there was fear in the voices of some characters, and I do think that their voices really did make this more enjoyable than it would have been if I’d simply read the book.

The story does has some mild swearing but not very often and there are a few shocking things described like injury, death and blood, but it’s not too graphic, though it’s something to be aware of if you’re sensitive to such things. But overall it just felt perfect, a great thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and gripped with excitment and shock.

This really is an amazing story and I am so pleased that I got the chance to listen to this audiobook! I want to listen to it again already, even though I’ve just finished it! The story is so gripping and exciting and it has such brilliant twists especially near the end. The story is so compelling throughout and at around seven and a half hours long it’s a great book that you can listen to in one day (if you’re so engrossed in the tale like I was!). I can’t wait to read more from C. L. Taylor and I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller, a remote island setting and a great story about people’s fears coming true!

The Island by C L Taylor is a young adult thriller. Set in Thailand where 6, 17 year old friends who holiday together go on a bush survival week to an uninhabited island with a single guide. When the guide dies, and their only way off the island has been deliberately sabotaged they have to survive the rest of the week before rescue.

There are only 6 characters, which allows us to learn more about them. The rich, bossy organiser, the squabbling brother and sister , the sensitive singleton are all there. Told mainly from the perspective of 2 of the characters Jessie the quiet friend who didn’t come on last year’s trip, who has her own issues she doesn’t want to talk about; and Danny the overprotective boyfriend of honour who is also on the trip.

The plot is well thought out and structured well, during a drunken party the friends start talking about their greatest fears, snakes, spiders and heights all brought up. As the days pass by, the fears start coming true but it can’t be a coincidence, so who’s behind the tricks? As the in fighting begins and the group splits the danger increases. Action packed, with a quick moving storyline this is a page turner for sure.

Having listened to this story I would also recommend the audiobook, the narrators were good at creating tension and sympathy and brought the action to life.

A light exciting, thriller, covering multiple teenage issues. Fast moving plot with believable characters. A quick easy read suitable for young adults. 4*
Thanks to HQ Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC and Audio ARC

I found this book to be a bit of a rollercoaster to read.
It started off getting straight into getting to know the characters and how they end up on the island but then platoes for a few chapters then gets good again then platoes for several chapters then feels like it comes to a quick end explaining why the character did what he did.

his is the book I wish Lord of the Flies had been. A wonderfully gripping twisty tale of loss and survival - this may be CL Taylor’s best book yet.

6 teenagers are stranded on a private island in Thailand and no one will be coming to find them for 7 days. Slowly one by one they witness their worst fears coming true and no one can stop it.

What I loved about this book is the sense that anything could happen - from the moment the group arrived on the island the tension was palpable and I read with eager anticipation to find out what would come next. There was something in the writing that made the twists unpredictable and although the seeds of the climax were sewn early in the book, I didn’t predict just how far this would change.

The dual narrative of Danny and Jessie kept the pace and provided multiple perspectives on what was happening, making the sense of the unreliable narrator increase two fold and heightening the tension even further.

It was thrilling to watch the teens lives unravel and it was a pleasure to read until the very end.

Specific to the audiobook - the use of two narrators who gave every character a distinct voice was a brilliant addition to the audiobook. It meant that unlike in other audiobooks you could always be sure which character was speaking.

C.L Taylor does not disappoint. Well to say this young adult novel kept me guessing is an understatement, I thought I was clever, I thought I had it all worked out, I thought wrong!!
The story of a group of teenagers stranded on an exotic but remote island was certainly twist filled. I felt a real emotional connection with the characters, I really cared about their outcome and escape from the island and the threat following them there.
I really enjoyed the narration of this audiobook, the different voices made the book easy to follow and therefore it was easier to concentrate on the plot without having to work out who was who.
A sure success, this YA book stands tall with the author’s other novels and it’s easy to see why she is such a popular writer.

The Island is a fun YA thriller and has a very interesting concept.

I've heard a lot of things about C.L. Taylor's books being well written and incredibly engaging. This one is no different. It was excellently written and engaged me well.

I enjoyed the narration of this audiobook and it kept me interested throughout. I will be recommend this audiobook and the book itself to a lot of people. Especially those who are fans of C.L. Taylor!

Six teenagers have been around each other since their parents met at NCT (National Childbirth Trust) classes. Over the years they have all hung out together and gone on holiday and, as different familial relationships change, the nature of the group has changed too. Some of the parents have accompanied the group to Thailand.

After a day or two to acclimatise, the young people set off for a private island with their guide for a seven night stint of survival training. The first night they sit around their cobbled together shelter by the fire (which is essential for wild living) and they share their worst phobias... snakes, spiders, spilling of blood, vomit....

The next day their guide keels over and dies of an apparent stroke and they are now left to fend for themselves. They examine the boat in which they arrived and are dismayed to find the starter cord has been severed. As the hours drag by, the group dynamics start to shift, relationships change and horrifically, it seems, each teenager is having to face demons and each is confronted by his/her specific phobia, shared in the group on the first night.  Is it one of them targeting each individual or is there perhaps someone else on the island who intends to harm them? "One of you will die" is a chilling message in the sand - spotted by one of the group - before the waves came rolling in and washed the scary message away.

A couple of the youngsters - Jessie for one - have already had life changing and traumatic experiences in their earlier years, and the harsh conditions and dynamics on the island now certainly test their psychological stamina and health.

I listened to this as an audiobook and as I ambled through the English countryside on my Covid walks, I felt transported to a hot, menacing and exotic location. The animal noises, the snapping wood and the sun beating down all created a creepy backdrop to the story. As the days passed, the story got darker and I was interested to see where the story would lead.

They say you're only as old as you feel, and this YA book made this old grannie feel like a teenager again! Like all of Ms Taylor's books it is well written with a great storyline which moves quickly and hooks you in straight away.

The story involves a group of six teenagers who end up being marooned on a remote island. It reminded me a bit of the Bear Grylls TV show, The Island. The book is full of twists. The characters were interesting, though some were not really likeable. I totally didn't see that ending coming.

The narration by Olivia Dowd, Sam Newton and Sarah Ovens was great.

A bit of a departure from this authors usual writing and this was definitely aimed at a YA audience.
A group of 6 teenage friends, who have known each other forever, get stranded on an isolated island and have to fend for themselves when strange, unexplained things start to happen.
With lots of secrets and teen angst, this was an easy read that would make a really good holiday book.

On the whole, a really enjoyable audiobook, although I struggled a little with the narration of Danny (I found his character quite whiney and repetitive) and I didn't really gel with any of the characters. The tropical setting was the ideal escape during these cold months and I was kept guessing up until the big reveal towards the end. A solid, gripping thriller that I will be recommending to genre fans.

I like C.L Taylor’s books but this story wasn’t the best, I was lucky enough to receive a advance copy of the audiobook but I found my attention wasn’t kept, but I plodded on and I’m glad I did as the ending did surprise me.

An exciting trip to a secluded island for an adventure turns into a nightmare as each character's phobia comes true. Who knows their deepest fears? Is there someone stalking the group?
An exciting story for young adults told by two of the main characters, this book is quite addictive and I kept on listening to the audiobook far longer than I had intended. Although it seemed like I'd solved the 'whodunnit' early on, the twists and turns made me suspicious of other characters and then of the whole plot. The final outcome was unexpected. Great to be kept guessing.
Some bits are unbelievable - like teenagers forgoing their phones for several days or not bringing any supplies with them at all! There is also interaction with two boys that just doesn't sit well in the book, is over-the-top and seems to be an unnecessary aside that adds no real value. But this is a book for young adults - something I've not been for many decades - so perhaps I am just out of touch!

Overall I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you for this advanced copy. I tried reading this book previously but couldn’t get into it. So I tried listening to it and nothing about the first three chapters gripped my interest so I stopped. The covers always draw me in but I just can’t get into the books.

I love all of C L Taylors books and I have to admit the title and the cover totally sold this to me. It screams out read me or in my case listen to me. I certainly wasn't disappointed. The Island kept me thoroughly entertaining while taking some very long walks.

There I am out walking on a cold winter morning I soon find myself transported to a tropical Island. Where we meet six teenagersand what is meant to be a perfect sun filled holiday. Turns into their worst nightmare!

Has the story unfolds and the plot thickens the characterization builds up and the fight for survival begins.

The Island is an entertaining read for any age so don't let the YA category but you off. I love how more than one narrator so you get a whole different feel for the story with alternate narrators for the characters. Who have done an awesome job of bringing this story to life.


Not forgetting all the twists and turns. It would make a brilliant movie I highly recommend it

I've come to know and love a well thought out and expertly crafted novel from C.L.Taylor and this was no exception.
A stranded island tale, with nods towards Lord of the flies as the inhabitants become increasingly unhappy and unhinged as time goes on.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK Audio for providing me with this audio copy of the Island by C L Taylor

Description
Lost meets The Hunger Games in the thrilling new young adult novel from C.L. Taylor, the Sunday Times and million-copy bestselling author.

***
Welcome to The Island.
Where your worst fears are about to come true…
It was supposed to be the perfect holiday: a week-long trip for six teenage friends on a remote tropical island.
But when their guide dies of a stroke leaving them stranded, the trip of a lifetime turns into a nightmare.
Because someone on the island knows each of the group’s worst fears. And one by one, they’re becoming a reality.

Seven days in paradise. A deadly secret.

Who will make it off the island alive?

Review

The premise of this is 6 teenagers who have been childhood friends since their parents met at a NCT group, they have been attending annual vacations together and now at 17 they are in Thailand spending 7 days on a remote island testing their survival skills. Some knows their fears and is going to use them against them.

I found the story kept a good pace, a lot of suspense and kept me guessing, It kept me in the dark and I enjoyed being wrong!
The book cover lots of teenage issues with sexuality, bullying, self esteem, relationships and especially childhood trauma in I felt a very sensitive way.
I also found the audio very good switching between Jessie and Danny, the actors did a good job in portraying the emotion and building the tension in the story.

A solid YA Thriller and I will be recommending to others

A tense and terrifying tale. can you imagine being trapped on an island with six of your “friends“? No way to get off the island, no way to communicate with the outside world, and someone is up to no good. Who is making these teens phobias come true? Is there a stranger on the island, and if so how do they know the friends deepest fears? this is what happens when paradise becomes a nightmare.

What a book! I was so caught up in this addictive story I listened to the audio well past my bedtime. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of two of the teens, Jesse and Dani. C. L. Taylor did a great job of apprising the reader of each of these characters backstories. It was nice with such a large cast of characters to never be confused as to who was who. I was suspicious of each character at one time or another. My focus seriously shifted from chapter to chapter as more and more was revealed. The audiobook was narrated by Olivia Dowd and Sam Newton I think they both did a wonderful job of giving Dani and Jesse a voice. I also always appreciate when a story told from multiple perspectives is also narrated by multiple narrators. this was a well done young adult thriller that will appeal to readers/listeners of all ages!

this book in emojis 🏕 🏝 🐍 🕷 🛥 🥥

*** Big thank you to Harper Audio UK for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

This YA (Young Adult), focuses on 6 teenage friends who are stranded on an island in Thailand...whilst their parents sun up by the pool! A lot of strange things are happening on the island and people’s worst fears are coming a reality...can they escape?

I loved the ease of this book it was really easy to listen to and had me wanting more throughout. The two narrators of the book were fab and I thought really helped capture the nature of the characters. It was nice listening to a book with alternative character chapters and I think that helped with the easy listening of the book.

I gave the book 4 stars as I enjoyed the storyline and enjoyed guessing what was going on. Whilst I did predict what was happening it was still great going along for the ride. It had a nice element of suspense and can only imagine young adults really enjoying this aspect of the book. I can honestly say I was gripped from start to finish and very addicted to the audio book! I wanted more very much a page turner.

As always continue to enjoy reading what C.L.Taylor has to offer and look forward to reading more from her.

I've enjoyed both her YA and adult books in the past, so I simply couldn't resist requesting an audio ARC of her newest YA story The Island as soon as I first heard about it... And the tropical setting on a Thai island sounded like the perfect backdrop too. I definitely ended up having a great time with this audiobook! Part psychological thriller and part survival story, The Island turned out to be an excellent listen.

I know that I'm basically still an audiobook newbie, but The Island has once again proven to me that I can really enjoy an audiobook when the timing is right... During an ongoing heatwave for example as I've discovered. This book has three different POVs and is therefore narrated by three different persons: Olivia Dowd, Sam Newton and Sarah Ovens. Having three different narrators made it really easy to keep the different characters and POVs apart, and I think that all three did a great job giving the characters a voice. Their voices were easy to listen to and I liked the flow of the story; some of the emotions were a bit over the top/acted to my taste, but that might just have been me. As a whole this audiobook is a great option if you want to get the full The Island experience!

The Island is one of her YA thrillers, but don't let that younger target group put you off if you enjoy a well written psychological thriller with a survivor twist. The Thailand setting makes for the perfect tropical backdrop and the island definitely gives you those summer vibes as well as an ominous feel... Imagine being alone on a Thai island with a small group of friends and a guide; whether that is heaven or hell for you personally, you can't deny it's a very promising backdrop for a story! It's also one of the reasons I enjoyed The Island this much. Why? Well, the whole remote island setting is key in getting the survival part of the story in the spotlight, and it's this survival element that took the story to the next level for me. This isn't just another psychological thriller where strange things happen to the cast of characters, as they also need to fight against nature to try and survive too... Talk about plot twist potential!

As for the characters... I can't say I actually liked them, as all of them seemed to have at least one annoying character trait, but thankfully the story switches quite a lot between three of the friends so it's not too hard to ignore those feelings. I feel some characters could have been developed more, although I do understand why we are being left in the dark about certain facts/behavior as it would spoil the final reveals... I have to be honest here and say I did feel a bit underwhelmed by those final twists though. After everything that was happening, it felt a bit too much like the easy way out? As a whole, I still think this was a solid read though.

In short, both the tropical setting, the engaging writing, the solid narrating and the survival element, I ended up having a great time with this audiobook despite a few setbacks. The Island is a great choice if you are looking for your next YA thriller with a little something extra!