Jackel Island

by Amy Benevento

Why would 21 closely bonded people on a small island turn against each other? When a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company sends employees to an uninhabited island near India to work on a biological research project, life is like a paradise, at first. Then the team discovers that they've been cut off from the outside world, and they begin to suspect that they've become bio-chemical human test subjects. Uncertain whom to trust, they suspect someone on the island is behind it all, and one by one, they begin to turn against each other.
BOOK TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE91v...

Genres: Thriller

422 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Amy L. Benevento was born in Syracuse, New York. She graduated from Oswego State University of New York with honors, majoring in English and art. She is a fifth degree black belt and has owned Red Sun Academy of Martial Arts for 24 years, teaching Jo Kwon Chi and Tai Chi. Amy Benevento lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and her dog, Pony.

Reviews

[Audreyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fun to read - the characters in it are so well developed that I feel I know them inside and out. The descriptions of the island are vivid and real. And, of course, the story: its central theme brings all the characters together into a web of dynamics, twists and turns, humor, and darkness. An altogether enjoyable book that I highly recommend.

[James North · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on this little gem due to its intriguing cover, having heard little about it. I loved it! It starts off where a girl not too far out of college steps off a ship and onto a remote island, meeting about 12 people who she'll be working with for the next year. The company that hires her and the others who were sent to the island is a large American Pharmaceutical firm that sent about 20 people on a one-year research project on a island near India. They're researching and testing a drug. The employees are in cabins on one side of the island where there's a cook, a two-man cleaning crew, a computer worker and his son, administration people, security guards, and a doctor. On the other side of the island the researchers work in better conditions, in upscale chalets rather that cabins. The two sides of the three-mile island get feud with each other, two mini-societies, the "haves" and the "have-nots". After a few months, they learn that the outside world thinks they all died in a tropical storm, then before they can communicate otherwise, their computers go dead. They have weekly supply ships coming to the island bring them necessities, and the ships stop coming. They're cut off from the outside world, and they start to go a little crazy, and point fingers at each other. A security guard goes off in the jungle to live and becomes almost savage. They hunt. They blame the head research guy and almost kill him. The young girl tries to save him, and kind of falls in love with him, until she learns he's behind it all and is probably using them as test subjects for some human experiment. But there's a twist at the end. (don't worry, I didn't ruin it).

The writing was excellent, and characters were very well developed. It read like a movie. You could see the action. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was that I wish the author went more into the science part of the book, because that was fascinating but too much was left to the imagination. The end shocked me.

[Alicen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book. Unpredictable. I looked forward to reading it every night. Loved the sketches of the characters. It was nice putting a face with the names. I referred back to the sketches and description often. I am looking forward to the next book.

[Brian Deegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 really .. it started really well and hooked me right in. I found it a bit rambling in the mid/end (was heading for a 4 at that point) but it was all put together and wrapped up nicely at the end..

168/1st/78

[Charles B · Rating 5 out of 5]

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How primal! It starts off where these normal average people get sent by their research company to an island off Indonesia. It moves slowly at first, defining the characters and showing how they live, but then it moves really quickly where I was dying to see what would happen next. After I got to the second half of the book, I couldn’t put it down. I don’t think I’m giving spoilers (because it's written on the cover) when I say that these people get stranded on the island when the government announces all their deaths. The supply ship that imports their food, medical supplies, and other essential items simply stops coming, and they can no longer communicate with their families or the outside world. I can’t tell you why the gov’t cuts them off… that is revealed at the end. What’s interesting is that the characters were so realistic and normal, like you or me, and then they have to resort to their primal selves to survive. Some of them bond more with the others, while some turn rather savage, and there’s kind of a murder thing (but not quite) (don’t want to spoil). The end shocked me. I usually can guess an ending, but not with this novel. I always have a hard time keeping track of all the characters in any book, so I loved how this author drew thumbnails of all the characters with their titles, and you could refer to this while reading. It was VERY helpful. I wish every book had this feature!

[Barbara Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern day classic perfect for book clubs and literary groups, classes, etc. with discussion questions included. I could not part with the characters of this book after the first read and was compelled to do an immediate second read as one watches a compelling movie again to catch more details in the plot as a mystery unfolds! This novel displays classic creative imagery and writing techniques at their finest to carefully develop the scenes, the character, and plot. I felt that I was living with these people on this island, not just reading about them, as even the most subtle of behaviors were described.

The author carefully and purposefully builds characters and relationships with deliberate detail, all the while foreshadowing the paradise lost that is to descend upon them in a plot with twists and turns, shadows and clearings that make this book a page turner that I could not put down. This is no lightweight novel...it gives the reader the timeless stuff of our humanity to contemplate and appeals to every sense, including the sixth one! I appreciate ALL of the excellence that this novel exhibits and it has the staying power of a classic movie, which I would love to see someday!

[SteveH · Rating 3 out of 5]

JACKAL ISLAND by Amy Benevento was a book with an interesting premise which really didn’t live up to the promise. 21 people trapped on an island when strange things start to happen? It begs for a supernatural presence but the ending seemed unsatisfying and limp and too logical.

And the several errors (either misspelling or editing issues) were distracting to the reader. And not to mention the gaggle of characters that weren’t properly introduced made it hard to keep up with everybody even with a guide at the beginning of the book. 3 and ½ stars.

[John Wilkerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. I don't usually go for books with an abundance of character building, but in this case, it was fun to read and learn about the inner workings of the female protagonist.

Secluded on an island with lots of crazies chasing me; it’s a lot like home in Florida. I could relate way too much.

[Caryl Bahnerguhin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read!

Loved the twists and turns in this story. It caught me from the beginning and the ending was not even close to what I imagined. Well worth the read! Hoping for more from this author.

[Debra Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting for a new author.

[Raymond Dettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just completed my read of Jackel Island by Amy L. Benevento. I do not usually read fiction books, but this novel peaked my interest and so I read it. I was impressed with Amy's slow and detailed development of each character in her book. Each character represented a human puzzle to solve as the plot went on. The novel kept you guessing what sort of secrets or personality flaws each character contributed to the misfortunes of all the people who were marooned on an isolated Indonesian island.

Her novel spoke to the miscommunications, mistrust, misunderstandings, deceptions, jealousies, group politics, corruption, greed and evilness that get in the way of people who only wish to live in peace and harmony. Her novel really spoke to the humanity in all of us, both good and bad, no matter if we live in a small group or in a large community. People always bring with them the same human frailties (either learned or born with) wherever they go. Throw in some threat to their survival, and every human sense and behavior becomes enhanced and intensifies, leading to desperate acts of self survival which her characters display as time goes on.

It is a novel that describes how a normal situation can deteriorate into one of horror when deception, manipulation and fear are injected into people's lives and they do not know why and how to stop it. In the process of finding answers, all the human frailties show up, making things difficult or even worse than they already are.

The author slowly builds up the characters and the suspense until the climatic answer to their questions are revealed but paid for by the blood of friends.

The last several chapters had me very emotionally involved and attached to each character within the plot of the book. They were made to feel real to me. I actually felt very saddened at the end where everything was revealed and how people had to deal with the sad aftermath of the horror they endured while on the island.

The book reminded me as a being a more sophisticated version of the Lord of the Flies novel.

A good read. Kind of makes you think that this sort of story could happen in real life.

[Chris Wiloby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads like a classic, but I am unfamiliar with the author. The theme seemed to be how isolated people are from one another when we all seek to be close, and how delicate and fragile they are if placed in a tragic situation.

Slow and careful to develop, this story quietly builds, and keeps building, then roars quickly forward. I couldn't put it down from the middle until the end (and the end sure threw me for a loop).

Over a dozen people live on a remote island for a period of two years, forming their own mini-community or society. They work under a large U.S. pharmaceutical company. They form close ties, until they learn that one who lives among them is evil and wishes them harm. The interesting part is how they suspect one another, how they try to survive when they're cut off from the outside world, and how some of them turn savage, while others keep their kind spirit. The end surprised me because at first you think, "no, that's too obvious," then... "wait a minute..." I wasn't even sure if one of the characters was real in the end. I had to re-read it. Kind of like "I see dead people."

I like how the author developed each character very vividly, and set the foundation so the reader could clearly see it in their mind. The story moved slowly and uncannily realistically, until the action and suspense overtook and the story raced away. I was up until almost dawn on a Sunday morning finishing this book. I can honestly say it's one of the best book I've read this year.

[Bill Dantini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Jackel Island is the quintessential tale that explores appearance versus reality. In fact, it taunts you to figure it out. Is the island benign (appearance) or is it sinister (reality)? Are the heroine's island-mates friends (appearance) or are they foes (reality)? Is the thematic stream that propels the story about good science or bad? Is this paradise or paradox? You need to read Amy Benevento's novel and tackle the riddle for yourself. As her title hints, there's another side to the island and another side to the story.

Jackel Island is also about a quest, but not in the typical sense. There's no pot of gold at the end of the story, no golden fleece. Benevento's heroine seeks self-awareness and spiritual fulfillment. So, while the novel is packed with drama and physical exertion, the real story is a psychological journey that weaves the past and present into a solution for the future. Twenty-three characters participate in the heroine's journey. Benevento deftly makes all of them work - quite a feat to say the least. In fact, she's found a way to make each of these players memorable and distinctive.

And finally, this is a visual novel written by someone who has a keen eye for the natural world in all its detail. Benevento doesn't just tell you a story. She makes you see it.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The development of the characters was well done and I liked the sketches by the author in the front of the book. Nice touch! I was unable to put it down. Well written and mostly unpredictable, twists and turns to pique interest. Can't wait for the next one by this author!

[Jeff Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy has developed the plot and the characters in a way that make this book most enjoyable

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable. Amy brings the characters to life with a touch of humor and holds you in suspense until the very end. I couldn't put it down.

[Bernie Ventre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book! Couldn't put it down. Illustrations of characters allow readers to know them better. No disappointment with ending.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book filled with mystery and intrigue. Amy has great character development and very descriptive. Book has some great twists. A very enjoyable read.

[TheWhistler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the complete book, the idea was interesting. However, could have been better if it had been half the length. A good editing can work wonders.

[Cathy Mcdermott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book. Hard to put down. Has interesting twists and turns throughout the book.