What do you think?
Rate this book
Park Service Trilogy #2
Isle of Man
From New York Times bestselling author Ryan Winfield, a thrilling tale of friendship, betrayal, and adventure.
The journey continues...
After discovering the horrific truth behind the Park Service, fifteen-year old Aubrey Van Houten has overthrown its leader with the help of his best friend, Jimmy, and his girlfriend, Hannah. But their victory has left all three parentless and alone in a world where drones still hunt humans. And while the Park Service founder might be dead, he's far from gone. Now, Aubrey's quest to free his people will lead him even farther into a world where nothing is what it seems.
Destined to become a classic, The Park Service trilogy will inspire and delight readers of all ages.
The journey continues...
After discovering the horrific truth behind the Park Service, fifteen-year old Aubrey Van Houten has overthrown its leader with the help of his best friend, Jimmy, and his girlfriend, Hannah. But their victory has left all three parentless and alone in a world where drones still hunt humans. And while the Park Service founder might be dead, he's far from gone. Now, Aubrey's quest to free his people will lead him even farther into a world where nothing is what it seems.
Destined to become a classic, The Park Service trilogy will inspire and delight readers of all ages.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2013
86 people are currently reading
1461 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Winfield
14 books1,007 followers
New York Times
bestselling author. Recreational pilot and provider of foodstuffs to one very hungry Maine Coon. Cultivator of roses, apparently to feed a mob of blacktail deer.
Find me on Substack.
If your book club or organization would like to arrange an appearance from me, either in person or via Skype, please send me a private message at Facebook with your request.
I've been asked why I write. I write because I remember.
I remember waking up to snow. I remember racing to dress, struggling with my boots – “Here, don't forget your mittens.” I remember the soft thump of that first footstep, the tracks looking back, and everything new and blanketed in quiet white. Foghorns blowing on the mist-covered bay. I feel the canvas newspaper bag on my shoulders, the weight of Sunday's headlines heavy on my mind. I remember rubber bands and ink stained hands. A car spun sideways in a ditch. Always a car. Then barking dogs, a distant chainsaw. I remember snowmen and igloos and icy trails through the white and wondrous woods. And I remember sweet Mrs. Johnson waiting at her door; the smell of Avon powder, her smile as she pressed an envelope into my palm—ten dollars and a peppermint candy cane thank you!
Evening now, running downtown. Everything passes in an excited blur. Salvation Army bells, white lights strung in sidewalk trees, bundled shoppers, hunched and hurrying, kicking up little snowdrifts scattered by the wind. And now I’m here. The heavy door, the warmth, the light, the old wood floors—the bookstore! Smells of paper and leather and ink. Walls of worlds bound and waiting for me.
Nothing has affected me as much as reading has. Dickens, Tolkien, and Lewis raised me. And while I've walked through my own hell, made my own mistakes, and found my own redemption, always there have been books. Books to help me escape, books for courage when I needed to stay and fight. Books that taught without preaching the difference between wrong and right. Books upon books to feed a boy’s feverish dreams; and the boy now grown, it’s still books that kindle the memories of those dreams on these long winter nights.
And so, I remember. And I write.
Find me on Substack.
If your book club or organization would like to arrange an appearance from me, either in person or via Skype, please send me a private message at Facebook with your request.
I've been asked why I write. I write because I remember.
I remember waking up to snow. I remember racing to dress, struggling with my boots – “Here, don't forget your mittens.” I remember the soft thump of that first footstep, the tracks looking back, and everything new and blanketed in quiet white. Foghorns blowing on the mist-covered bay. I feel the canvas newspaper bag on my shoulders, the weight of Sunday's headlines heavy on my mind. I remember rubber bands and ink stained hands. A car spun sideways in a ditch. Always a car. Then barking dogs, a distant chainsaw. I remember snowmen and igloos and icy trails through the white and wondrous woods. And I remember sweet Mrs. Johnson waiting at her door; the smell of Avon powder, her smile as she pressed an envelope into my palm—ten dollars and a peppermint candy cane thank you!
Evening now, running downtown. Everything passes in an excited blur. Salvation Army bells, white lights strung in sidewalk trees, bundled shoppers, hunched and hurrying, kicking up little snowdrifts scattered by the wind. And now I’m here. The heavy door, the warmth, the light, the old wood floors—the bookstore! Smells of paper and leather and ink. Walls of worlds bound and waiting for me.
Nothing has affected me as much as reading has. Dickens, Tolkien, and Lewis raised me. And while I've walked through my own hell, made my own mistakes, and found my own redemption, always there have been books. Books to help me escape, books for courage when I needed to stay and fight. Books that taught without preaching the difference between wrong and right. Books upon books to feed a boy’s feverish dreams; and the boy now grown, it’s still books that kindle the memories of those dreams on these long winter nights.
And so, I remember. And I write.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
April 18, 2013
Isle of Man is the second book of the Park Service Trilogy, written by Ryan Winfield. After reading book one I couldn't wait to get this sequel in my hands, and it was as great as I excepted... or even more.
After the death of Hannah's parents, Aubrey, Jimmy and Hannah are alone in a world where drones still hunt humans. Aubrey is determined to free his people, who still live deep below ground level at Holocene II. His decision leads him into a world where nothing is what it seems...it leads him, Jimmy and Junior to an island in the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man...
Ryan Winfield has a breathtaking way to write. One minute you are considering to start reading and at the next minute you just can't stop anymore. Can an author write that way? Yes, he can. And Ryan surely is one of this gifted storytellers.
The storyline is fast-paced and powerful. Ryan's writing style is compelling and exciting. He describes actions, places and things with such clarity that you can see, smell, feel and hear them. He draws you into the story and you can't break away.
Already in The Park Service I didn't like Hannah at all. And I'm so glad that my feelings haven't fooled me!
Yes, I loved Jimmy in The Park Service. But in Isle of Man I loved him even more. Strong, beautiful, vulnerable, clever Jimmy, with the heart of gold and his love for Junior, the fox pup. I was so glad that Junior is still with the boys.
And how I loved the bantering between Jimmy and Aubrey.
Jimmy throws his wet arm around me.
“You jus’ had to tell ’em they was wrong, didn’t you?”
“You mad at me?”
“No,” he says, smiling.
“Good. I don’t like it when you’re mad at me.”
“But that sure was crazy close.”
It was amazing to read how Aubrey bit by bit realizes who his true soul mate is.
"I’m on the mountain with Jimmy now. We’re sitting on the glacier, looking at the rising moon. I can see the glint of wonder in his eye, his long lashes visible even in the moonlight. It’s funny what images stick with you. Suddenly, I’m in the cove, learning to swim. I hear Jimmy laughing. He calls me buddy for the first time, and I recall how good it felt. Now, I’m standing at the shore after my trip down from the wrecked train, and I’m seeing Jimmy again for the first time, crouched on that rock, the orange sun oozing into the waves as if setting only for him. Now, I’m back underground, my father is rushing to the closing elevator, his words making it just in time: “I love you, Son.” Tree simple words—I love you. I only said them once in my life. I said them to my father on his last day alive. I should have said them more. I should have said them to..."
It's impossible to tell what happens on the Isle of Man without placing huge spoilers. Brace yourself for a roller coaster ride that takes your breath away and lets your head spin.
If you are reading the ebook it may come the point that you'll consider throwing your reader against the wall. If you are reading the paperback just do it. It's surely relieving and the book wouldn't mind, but perhaps your neighbors? :D Or choose another way to relieve the tension:
The story excites, captivates and sets the stage for the next chapter in the journey. I am looking forward to the next installment – to see what Aubrey decides, to hopefully watch the love bloom between him and his one true love, how they both cope with their enemies and if they are able to free the people of Holocene II and not only them... the survival of the whole humankind is on the line...
---
Ryan, you have done a wonderful job with the second book of your Park Service Trilogy. I truly look forward to the third and last book State of Nature. There's only one thing I won't forgive you, never ever!
How will you ever make it up to your readers? I highly recommend the Park Service Trilogy to all my GR friends as a „must read“. Sometimes the seemingly unusual books are the best.
April 28, 2013
"Fantastic Story and Adventure I Could Not Put Down"
I'm the 25th reviewer of this second story of "The Park Service." I certainly agree with ALL the previous reviewers who gave it FIVE stars! Woo hoo, great job, Author Ryan Winfield! This a continuing saga of Aubrey Van Houten who's nearly 16 years old and has escaped from the underground cavern in Holocene II where his train wrecks. He has discovered the outer world of earth is intact and thus there is no reason to have the people of Holocene II be held deep in the confines of caverns. He and his now friend, Jimmy (with his fox puppy, 'Junior'), have survived a major drone attack that took the lives of Jimmy's parents. And as they travel they meet up with Hannah whose parents are killed in a massive flood. Her father being a scientist has worked with vaccines which can extend life to 1,000 years. Will these three teens opt to use this vaccine? They are camped near a lake and together form an agreement to return to Holocene and free the people. But Hannah fears the people may not believe them and will only believe the lies they've been fed for generations. As they stare out at the lake, they see a capsized boat floating and recover it. It's big enough for them to use in accessing the locks to take them back to the underground. And, so, the adventure begins. And what an adventure it is! Author Ryan Winfield has written his very best book so far. His creativity is amazing. His writing style is superb, the pace of the story is vigorous and suspenseful. I highly recommend this story to adventurers of all ages to take this thrill ride!
I'm the 25th reviewer of this second story of "The Park Service." I certainly agree with ALL the previous reviewers who gave it FIVE stars! Woo hoo, great job, Author Ryan Winfield! This a continuing saga of Aubrey Van Houten who's nearly 16 years old and has escaped from the underground cavern in Holocene II where his train wrecks. He has discovered the outer world of earth is intact and thus there is no reason to have the people of Holocene II be held deep in the confines of caverns. He and his now friend, Jimmy (with his fox puppy, 'Junior'), have survived a major drone attack that took the lives of Jimmy's parents. And as they travel they meet up with Hannah whose parents are killed in a massive flood. Her father being a scientist has worked with vaccines which can extend life to 1,000 years. Will these three teens opt to use this vaccine? They are camped near a lake and together form an agreement to return to Holocene and free the people. But Hannah fears the people may not believe them and will only believe the lies they've been fed for generations. As they stare out at the lake, they see a capsized boat floating and recover it. It's big enough for them to use in accessing the locks to take them back to the underground. And, so, the adventure begins. And what an adventure it is! Author Ryan Winfield has written his very best book so far. His creativity is amazing. His writing style is superb, the pace of the story is vigorous and suspenseful. I highly recommend this story to adventurers of all ages to take this thrill ride!
December 10, 2013
Wonderful second book in the trilogy!! I bought the Kindle version and will definitely buy the paperback version so I can have the set when the final book is released!! Ryan has written a future movie blockbuster!!
April 23, 2013
I have to say that I think I liked this second book of The Park Service Trilogy more that the first one! I have no doubt that the conclusion of this series will be even better.
I have to keep this relatively brief because there is really no way to reveal the full scope of my feelings without dropping major spoilers and you know how much I hate to do that. I will warn you that while I won't post spoilers for this book, there will be spoilers from book one.
This book takes these characters into places that I never expected both emotionally and logistically. The bulk of book one takes place on what appears to be a new planet. It's actually Earth 900 years in the future where the "Park Service" has all but destroyed humankind on the surface allowing it to return to an "eden-like" state. What humans managed to survive are continually hunted by drones programmed to kill them. Aubrey discovers all of this when he essentially escapes from the underground world where he grew up. Now Aubrey, Jimmy and Hannah are on a mission to de-program the drones so they can free the people underground without fear of them being hunted on the surface.
This book takes them halfway across the globe in search of what they need to free Aubrey's people. On The Isle of Man nothing is what it seems, but it's all so very interesting! It's like stepping back into medieval Ireland complete with a castle and tournament games. The imagery is so vivid that you feel like you are right there roaming the castle with Aubrey and competing in the tournament with Jimmy.
There are some definite "hold your breath" moments in this book. You hit a point where the action just keeps coming at you and then things take a turn that I totally wasn't expecting. I have to say that I have a whole new respect for Ryan Winfield after reading the last 1/4 of this book. I would imagine that it takes a lot out of a writer to put his characters through this, not to mention what they are sure to face in the next book.
There are some pretty tense moments between Aubrey and Jimmy in this book and it makes you wonder just what exactly is between these two. At times they are the best of friends, but there are times when they seem to be more although it's never quite clear. While it may not be intentional, there is definitely some tension between them. It will be interesting to see where this leads, if anywhere. It's clear that Aubrey has grown throughout the course of these books. He is truly well on his way to becoming the man he will need to be in order to lead his people once they are freed. He is starting to see people for what they really are instead of how they portray themselves to others.
Maybe humans are the problem. Some humans, anyway. At least a person can see a shark's teeth. They don't hide their intentions. And they don't kill because they can kill, they kill because they need to survive.
So, I loved this book! I had a couple minor issues with the first book, but there was nothing like that in this one. It's a great YA read and really I think my daughter is going to love this series if I can ever part with my Kindle Fire long enough to let her read it!
I have to keep this relatively brief because there is really no way to reveal the full scope of my feelings without dropping major spoilers and you know how much I hate to do that. I will warn you that while I won't post spoilers for this book, there will be spoilers from book one.
This book takes these characters into places that I never expected both emotionally and logistically. The bulk of book one takes place on what appears to be a new planet. It's actually Earth 900 years in the future where the "Park Service" has all but destroyed humankind on the surface allowing it to return to an "eden-like" state. What humans managed to survive are continually hunted by drones programmed to kill them. Aubrey discovers all of this when he essentially escapes from the underground world where he grew up. Now Aubrey, Jimmy and Hannah are on a mission to de-program the drones so they can free the people underground without fear of them being hunted on the surface.
This book takes them halfway across the globe in search of what they need to free Aubrey's people. On The Isle of Man nothing is what it seems, but it's all so very interesting! It's like stepping back into medieval Ireland complete with a castle and tournament games. The imagery is so vivid that you feel like you are right there roaming the castle with Aubrey and competing in the tournament with Jimmy.
There are some definite "hold your breath" moments in this book. You hit a point where the action just keeps coming at you and then things take a turn that I totally wasn't expecting. I have to say that I have a whole new respect for Ryan Winfield after reading the last 1/4 of this book. I would imagine that it takes a lot out of a writer to put his characters through this, not to mention what they are sure to face in the next book.
There are some pretty tense moments between Aubrey and Jimmy in this book and it makes you wonder just what exactly is between these two. At times they are the best of friends, but there are times when they seem to be more although it's never quite clear. While it may not be intentional, there is definitely some tension between them. It will be interesting to see where this leads, if anywhere. It's clear that Aubrey has grown throughout the course of these books. He is truly well on his way to becoming the man he will need to be in order to lead his people once they are freed. He is starting to see people for what they really are instead of how they portray themselves to others.
Maybe humans are the problem. Some humans, anyway. At least a person can see a shark's teeth. They don't hide their intentions. And they don't kill because they can kill, they kill because they need to survive.
So, I loved this book! I had a couple minor issues with the first book, but there was nothing like that in this one. It's a great YA read and really I think my daughter is going to love this series if I can ever part with my Kindle Fire long enough to let her read it!
April 17, 2013
Exciting Page Turner Part 2!!
When we left Aubrey, Jimmy and Hannah in Book One, The Park Service, they discovered the horrific evil realities behind The Park Service and were instrumental in the destruction of a key location as well as the demise of its creator and leader. After a momentary victory, this trio is now alone facing a world suffering from the continuing execution of the master plan and its consequences.
In Book Two, Isle of Man, Aubrey is determined, with the help of his friends, to crack the code with hope to cease further annihilation of what’s left of the world population. Now knowing what is real and what pure fabrication was in his previous life, Aubrey’s underlying wish is to free the people living in a web of deception from the world he came from.
Aubrey and his friends will experience a whole spectrum of emotion in this journey to seek answers. He will encounter characters that test his loyalties, trust, friendships and beliefs. Choices will need to be made that require him to dig deep into his heart and soul to determine the right path to take. He will need to decide who he can trust or believe in. Many obstacles will threaten to hinder any progress he makes along the way to find what he seeks.
As always, Ryan Winfield is brilliant in creating the imagery in this story, a true artist of the written word. The reader will be swept back into this world very quickly and will be immersed and involved completely until the last page. We feel the emotions of the characters and truly share the joys and laughter, the angst and fears, the emotional breakdowns and the terrors. This book is definitely a “must read”. It will be a long and anxious wait for the release of the conclusion to the story in Book 3, State of Nature. Once again, Ryan, you totally rock!!!
When we left Aubrey, Jimmy and Hannah in Book One, The Park Service, they discovered the horrific evil realities behind The Park Service and were instrumental in the destruction of a key location as well as the demise of its creator and leader. After a momentary victory, this trio is now alone facing a world suffering from the continuing execution of the master plan and its consequences.
In Book Two, Isle of Man, Aubrey is determined, with the help of his friends, to crack the code with hope to cease further annihilation of what’s left of the world population. Now knowing what is real and what pure fabrication was in his previous life, Aubrey’s underlying wish is to free the people living in a web of deception from the world he came from.
Aubrey and his friends will experience a whole spectrum of emotion in this journey to seek answers. He will encounter characters that test his loyalties, trust, friendships and beliefs. Choices will need to be made that require him to dig deep into his heart and soul to determine the right path to take. He will need to decide who he can trust or believe in. Many obstacles will threaten to hinder any progress he makes along the way to find what he seeks.
As always, Ryan Winfield is brilliant in creating the imagery in this story, a true artist of the written word. The reader will be swept back into this world very quickly and will be immersed and involved completely until the last page. We feel the emotions of the characters and truly share the joys and laughter, the angst and fears, the emotional breakdowns and the terrors. This book is definitely a “must read”. It will be a long and anxious wait for the release of the conclusion to the story in Book 3, State of Nature. Once again, Ryan, you totally rock!!!
April 22, 2013
I was pleasantly surprised to find book two picked up right where book one left off. The reader is thrown right back into the action of the quest that Aubrey and his new friends are on.
At times, Aubrey seems a little wise beyond his years. There’s no doubt having the responsibility of freeing an entire civilization as his burden to bear helped to shape the mental state he is in. Having been introduced to a whole new world and dealing with grief at such a young age has made him more responsible than the average teen his age. Somewhere in there, you can feel him trying balance and process all that he’s learned all the while determining what he has to do next. The dilemmas they were faced with kept me wondering what I would do given the same situation. At the same time, I loved that the “typical teenage boy” came out of him at times. Whether it was trying to figure out his fast paced romance with Hannah or his jealousy over Jimmy being number one and not him we were reminded he’s just a kid after all. These moments come up often and always put a smile on my face.
This installment of The Park Service Trilogy has just as much, maybe more adventure than the first book. The imagination and creativity, once again had me stunned as I read along. It was original and fun, the whole way through. I love that this series is appealing to teens, young-adults and the young at heart adult.
At times, Aubrey seems a little wise beyond his years. There’s no doubt having the responsibility of freeing an entire civilization as his burden to bear helped to shape the mental state he is in. Having been introduced to a whole new world and dealing with grief at such a young age has made him more responsible than the average teen his age. Somewhere in there, you can feel him trying balance and process all that he’s learned all the while determining what he has to do next. The dilemmas they were faced with kept me wondering what I would do given the same situation. At the same time, I loved that the “typical teenage boy” came out of him at times. Whether it was trying to figure out his fast paced romance with Hannah or his jealousy over Jimmy being number one and not him we were reminded he’s just a kid after all. These moments come up often and always put a smile on my face.
This installment of The Park Service Trilogy has just as much, maybe more adventure than the first book. The imagination and creativity, once again had me stunned as I read along. It was original and fun, the whole way through. I love that this series is appealing to teens, young-adults and the young at heart adult.
April 19, 2013
Emotional and AWESOME READ! I read the Isle of Man in one, long, very intense sitting! Book two takes Jimmy, Aubrey, and Junior on a most amazing, thrilling, scary, and surprising journey to try to stop the Park Service. Over land and sea, I was constantly surprised with what happened next. The way the scenery was described, I felt like I could see, smell, and hear everything as it happened. I loved how the relationship between the boys grew deeper and it not only made me realize in my own life what a true best friend should be, but the book's overall themes and showing humans from both good and bad sides made me question if sometimes I could see the Park Service's side of the coin more than I'd like to admit. There are so many layers of the writing and underlying subjects that make you question how you think and feel about life, about people, about religion. The end of this book was shocking and left me crying and angry and feeling like I wanted revenge for the characters! I cannot wait to see how the series ends and just hoping the final book will have another early release date so I can see what they do next! I absolutely LOVED it!
August 5, 2016
Wow....Ryan has done it again. Another excellent book with characters so real (if I was an older teen, I would be so in love with Aubry and Jimmy!) and rich, vivid descriptions, plot twists and situations I never saw coming! Ryan also gifts us with some physics, anthropology, philosophy and religion...okay...I can throw astronomy in there too! If you read The Park Service you will not be disappointed- Ryan has a gift for taking the most tangled situations and distilling them down to a pure essence so we don't get bogged down with the details, but still have a full understanding of the situation. Ryan Winfield is, in my opinion, the best new author out there
April 19, 2013
Oh Ryan, why did I say 6 months in between before the next book comes out in the trilogy??? I have no idea where he will be taking us, but holy Hannah it's been a good ride so far! I can't wait to see what will happen when Jimmy, Aubrey and the Professor get back... Hannah's going to have some explaining to do!!! I loved Finn for doing the right thing, I just never saw the Professor turning on them, and don't even get me started on Hannah, she's got it coming to her! All I can say is Ryan, you've done it again! I await book three! I hope I can make it till October!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2013
Again, another good read from Ryan.
Although some of the action is slower than I am used to in Winfield's books, there was exposition needed and it took time to get that done.
Without letting any of the plot out, I can't help but say that Aubrey and Jimmey are moving closer and closer in my mind to being more than friends.
I am anxious for the release of the final book of the series.
Although some of the action is slower than I am used to in Winfield's books, there was exposition needed and it took time to get that done.
Without letting any of the plot out, I can't help but say that Aubrey and Jimmey are moving closer and closer in my mind to being more than friends.
I am anxious for the release of the final book of the series.
April 28, 2013
Loved it! I can't wait to see what happens to Hannah, I believe she's a lot older
than she pretends to be. Maybe she has already taken a dose of serum. I believe that
she wants to take over!! Poor Aubrey, I hope he gets to Free his people. I really
can't wait for the last book. Thanks Ryan!!!!!
April 19, 2013
Let me start by saying that I've been waiting so long for this book and it was well worth the wait! If I only had one word to describe this book, it would be FANTASTIC! Thank goodness I have a lot more than one word though ;)
So many times, sequels fall short of the first book. That is NOT the case here. If anything, book two is miles better than book one.
I was hooked from page one--and not because I'd been waiting so long for this, but because of the opening line: "I never meant to kill Hannah's family." (Is anyone else's jaw hanging open like mine is?) I absolutely love it when an opening line jumps off the page and punches you in the gut. What a way to come out swinging, Ryan. Nicely done.
And it only gets better.
This second installment of The Park Service Trilogy takes us on a roller coaster ride full of plot twists, secrets, betrayals, and emotions. There was only one scene in the entire book that I guessed what was happening before it actually happened. (The scene in the cave with Aubrey & Hannah & the serum.) All the others--totally shocked. I did not see any of it coming, which just made it so much more enjoyable.
In the first book, Hannah's character was portrayed as a sweet, innocent, slightly naive girl who was Aubrey's potential love interest. I liked her, but I was a bit skeptical of her. Now I know why. Hannah did a complete 180 in this book, and by the end, I despised her. She's a lying, manipulative, sneaky little traitor who doesn't deserve Aubrey's affections. At this point, I'm not sure she's reedemable. She's going to have to do something really remarkable to change my opinion of her and even then I'm not sure I will be swayed--especially after that little stunt her and the professor pulled on the Isle of Man.
I'm still a little weirded out by the relationship between Aubrey and his best friend, Jimmy. There has never been any outward sexual attraction or any implication that there is any, but I can't help but feel as though it's brewing just under the surface. I get that they've been through a lot together, and that they've saved each others lives more than once, but...I don't know...I get the feeling there is a little something more than just friendship between these two. I could be completely wrong. Then again, I had a feeling about Hannah, which turned out to be spot on. Regardless of how this friendship plays outs, I'll be happy as long as neither of them die.
As usual, Ryan's descriptions are vivid (still a bit too long for my liking in certain spots), often times gruesome, but always handled tactfully and in a way that wasn't offensive. I still have an issue with the whole animal theme in these books, but that is just my own personal hang-up. I don't think I'll ever get over it, but I'll tolerate it for the sake of these books because they really are that good.
And, O.M.G.! I was left speechless with this ending. All I can say is, "I can't believe they did that!"
I have very high expectations for the final book.
So many times, sequels fall short of the first book. That is NOT the case here. If anything, book two is miles better than book one.
I was hooked from page one--and not because I'd been waiting so long for this, but because of the opening line: "I never meant to kill Hannah's family." (Is anyone else's jaw hanging open like mine is?) I absolutely love it when an opening line jumps off the page and punches you in the gut. What a way to come out swinging, Ryan. Nicely done.
And it only gets better.
This second installment of The Park Service Trilogy takes us on a roller coaster ride full of plot twists, secrets, betrayals, and emotions. There was only one scene in the entire book that I guessed what was happening before it actually happened. (The scene in the cave with Aubrey & Hannah & the serum.) All the others--totally shocked. I did not see any of it coming, which just made it so much more enjoyable.
In the first book, Hannah's character was portrayed as a sweet, innocent, slightly naive girl who was Aubrey's potential love interest. I liked her, but I was a bit skeptical of her. Now I know why. Hannah did a complete 180 in this book, and by the end, I despised her. She's a lying, manipulative, sneaky little traitor who doesn't deserve Aubrey's affections. At this point, I'm not sure she's reedemable. She's going to have to do something really remarkable to change my opinion of her and even then I'm not sure I will be swayed--especially after that little stunt her and the professor pulled on the Isle of Man.
I'm still a little weirded out by the relationship between Aubrey and his best friend, Jimmy. There has never been any outward sexual attraction or any implication that there is any, but I can't help but feel as though it's brewing just under the surface. I get that they've been through a lot together, and that they've saved each others lives more than once, but...I don't know...I get the feeling there is a little something more than just friendship between these two. I could be completely wrong. Then again, I had a feeling about Hannah, which turned out to be spot on. Regardless of how this friendship plays outs, I'll be happy as long as neither of them die.
As usual, Ryan's descriptions are vivid (still a bit too long for my liking in certain spots), often times gruesome, but always handled tactfully and in a way that wasn't offensive. I still have an issue with the whole animal theme in these books, but that is just my own personal hang-up. I don't think I'll ever get over it, but I'll tolerate it for the sake of these books because they really are that good.
And, O.M.G.! I was left speechless with this ending. All I can say is, "I can't believe they did that!"
I have very high expectations for the final book.
October 15, 2014
The second book in the series is just as engaging and dynamic as the first. There are so many levels to this story. Just when you think you have things figured out, there will be a sharp turn that takes it to a whole other place! warning, if you are an emotional sort, you will need tissues at one point, maybe two!
Once again was are all first person coming from Aubrey's POV. It is tough to really get a feel for other character's motivations without being told. It does add an element of surprise to the story, as you find out when he does. That aspect really keeps you on your toes.
Aubrey has always been likeable, if a touch of a know it all, and loyal to a fault. He is also far too trusting, by now you think some of the shine would have come off of him. So often he is stuck playing mediator between his friends. It is a tough place to be. I do really enjoy how tight he and Jimmy are and the connection they share. Hannah, is another story, I think she inherited more than a little of her father's sketchy ideals.
The journey they take in this book is fascinating because we see more of what has become of the Earth. How other species had evolved and some humans de-evolved. There are many surprises when they reach the Isle of Man. I wish we could have spent more time there and had more about the relationships that were formed. This would have been a great place to have some narrative from Jimmy. I suspect that would have made later events even more heartbreaking.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Braun, who is wonderful. I really enjoy the distinction between the men's voices, he keeps them consistent throughout. His women's voices are light without trying to be overly feminine. He doesn't go to the whiny upper range, so many male narrators fall into that trap. He has a great pace throughout the read. He adds plenty of energy and emotion to the read. Really a terrific fit, he blend story and narration beautifully.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and the rare male protagonist in a young adult read. While the story has romantic elements, they are not the driving force of the story. I really wish more YA would take that approach.
What is going to happen next! While we are not at a true cliffhanger, things are far from settled at the end. I can not wait to jump strait into the next book! Thank goodness the whole series is out and there is no waiting!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
Once again was are all first person coming from Aubrey's POV. It is tough to really get a feel for other character's motivations without being told. It does add an element of surprise to the story, as you find out when he does. That aspect really keeps you on your toes.
Aubrey has always been likeable, if a touch of a know it all, and loyal to a fault. He is also far too trusting, by now you think some of the shine would have come off of him. So often he is stuck playing mediator between his friends. It is a tough place to be. I do really enjoy how tight he and Jimmy are and the connection they share. Hannah, is another story, I think she inherited more than a little of her father's sketchy ideals.
The journey they take in this book is fascinating because we see more of what has become of the Earth. How other species had evolved and some humans de-evolved. There are many surprises when they reach the Isle of Man. I wish we could have spent more time there and had more about the relationships that were formed. This would have been a great place to have some narrative from Jimmy. I suspect that would have made later events even more heartbreaking.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Braun, who is wonderful. I really enjoy the distinction between the men's voices, he keeps them consistent throughout. His women's voices are light without trying to be overly feminine. He doesn't go to the whiny upper range, so many male narrators fall into that trap. He has a great pace throughout the read. He adds plenty of energy and emotion to the read. Really a terrific fit, he blend story and narration beautifully.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and the rare male protagonist in a young adult read. While the story has romantic elements, they are not the driving force of the story. I really wish more YA would take that approach.
What is going to happen next! While we are not at a true cliffhanger, things are far from settled at the end. I can not wait to jump strait into the next book! Thank goodness the whole series is out and there is no waiting!
Disclosure - I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
May 1, 2015
This second book in the Park Service Trilogy picks up where the first book left off. The main character, Aubrey, is pursuing the obvious course of action that one would have expected at the end of the first book. However, that objective proves not to be nearly as straight-forward as it initially seemed.
I enjoyed this book’s plot more than the first one, mainly because it seemed less derivative. I wasn’t constantly drawing parallels between the story I was reading and other stories I was familiar with. Another thing I enjoyed about it was that there were several twists in the story. I guessed some of them from the beginning, but there were others that caught me completely by surprise. I’m still feeling somewhat traumatized by one of the twists near the end! In retrospect, I probably should have seen it coming because there were definitely clues.
As before, the story is told from the first-person perspective of Aubrey. His best friend Jimmy is still with him as well, and their friendship is one of the other things that makes this series so enjoyable. It’s hard to say much about the other characters that show up in the book without spoiling anything.
This second book didn’t exactly end on a cliff hanger, but the main objective of the book is not resolved by the end and there’s great uncertainty about what will happen next. I’m looking forward to finishing up the trilogy.
I enjoyed this book’s plot more than the first one, mainly because it seemed less derivative. I wasn’t constantly drawing parallels between the story I was reading and other stories I was familiar with. Another thing I enjoyed about it was that there were several twists in the story. I guessed some of them from the beginning, but there were others that caught me completely by surprise. I’m still feeling somewhat traumatized by one of the twists near the end! In retrospect, I probably should have seen it coming because there were definitely clues.
As before, the story is told from the first-person perspective of Aubrey. His best friend Jimmy is still with him as well, and their friendship is one of the other things that makes this series so enjoyable. It’s hard to say much about the other characters that show up in the book without spoiling anything.
This second book didn’t exactly end on a cliff hanger, but the main objective of the book is not resolved by the end and there’s great uncertainty about what will happen next. I’m looking forward to finishing up the trilogy.
May 3, 2013
Not often does the second book of a trilogy live up to the hype of the first one, and in some ways even surpass its original greatness. That is EXACTLY what happens in Isle of Man, Book 2 in The Park Service Trilogy.
Isle of Man starts off right where book one ended with our favorite trio Aubrey, Jimmy, and Hannah. And of course the lovable Junior is right there with them!! Where the Park Service was laced with a new found sense of adventure and awe, Isle of man is full of action and suspense. At times, the tension and suspense is so high, you can feel it oozing from the pages, and into the very room you are reading in. We are introduced to some new characters in book two, and even (gasp) reunited with some familiar faces from Book One- Betcha didn't see THAT coming!! There is a new sense of adventure as Aubrey and Jimmy strike out on their most dangerous quest to date: to find the encryption code to stop the drones. They will see breathtaking views, meet some interesting people, and even find some joy in the world again. But along the way they will learn some terrible secrets, and their friendship and trust in one another will be tested to it's very limits. This is only the beginning to what betrayal and secrets will be revealed in the final installment and I can not WAIT to pick up on the journey and find out the truth once and for all about The Park Service!!!!
Isle of Man starts off right where book one ended with our favorite trio Aubrey, Jimmy, and Hannah. And of course the lovable Junior is right there with them!! Where the Park Service was laced with a new found sense of adventure and awe, Isle of man is full of action and suspense. At times, the tension and suspense is so high, you can feel it oozing from the pages, and into the very room you are reading in. We are introduced to some new characters in book two, and even (gasp) reunited with some familiar faces from Book One- Betcha didn't see THAT coming!! There is a new sense of adventure as Aubrey and Jimmy strike out on their most dangerous quest to date: to find the encryption code to stop the drones. They will see breathtaking views, meet some interesting people, and even find some joy in the world again. But along the way they will learn some terrible secrets, and their friendship and trust in one another will be tested to it's very limits. This is only the beginning to what betrayal and secrets will be revealed in the final installment and I can not WAIT to pick up on the journey and find out the truth once and for all about The Park Service!!!!
April 22, 2013
After waiting what seemed liked very long months for this title to come out, Wow, I am glad it finally has.
I love how the author can write in styles that you are picturing the words as the movie in your head as you are reading it.
I find and feel as if the book has 'in depth" moments. It can really make you think and question the here and now, the future, the past and the present..as well as what could be, what was, and was is.
The first book had me thinking wow what a life for kids (teenagers) to have to deal with, the second book Isle Of Man, had me thinking as I was reading the story of how I felt these kids were much older than they were cause of the life they were dealt.(just as in real life).
Aubrey has quite a mind, and I know in the end (the third book) it will all work out for the best.. but the last chapter in Isle Of Man.. I one, did not see coming what so ever.. and was full of so many twists and turns.. my heart started to race.
Set off to find the Isle of Man and learning what they did of the professor and Hannah will only make book 3 highly anticipated.
Thank you Ryan, for showing what is in your mind to us, and it is a way to show what is in your soul. :)
I love how the author can write in styles that you are picturing the words as the movie in your head as you are reading it.
I find and feel as if the book has 'in depth" moments. It can really make you think and question the here and now, the future, the past and the present..as well as what could be, what was, and was is.
The first book had me thinking wow what a life for kids (teenagers) to have to deal with, the second book Isle Of Man, had me thinking as I was reading the story of how I felt these kids were much older than they were cause of the life they were dealt.(just as in real life).
Aubrey has quite a mind, and I know in the end (the third book) it will all work out for the best.. but the last chapter in Isle Of Man.. I one, did not see coming what so ever.. and was full of so many twists and turns.. my heart started to race.
Set off to find the Isle of Man and learning what they did of the professor and Hannah will only make book 3 highly anticipated.
Thank you Ryan, for showing what is in your mind to us, and it is a way to show what is in your soul. :)
April 22, 2013
OMG!! I loved the opening book in this trilogy but this one truly pulled me in and took me on a journey with the characters. I experienced every thrill, every disappointment, every fright and every betrayal...which was rife in this episode. I truly loved this book. Cannot. Wait. For. Book. Three!!
I am obligated to say though that I am a bit depressed by reading these "futuristic" stories...The Hunger Games, the Insurgent trilogy, and now The Park Service. Is it possible that no matter what state we find our planet in, no matter what we've suffered through...that there will still be people concerned only with their own ideas of what is best, their own superiority, their own survival? I hope not!
In any case, congratulations Ryan....absolutely excellent work...a true pleasure...an amazing adventure not to be missed!!!
I am obligated to say though that I am a bit depressed by reading these "futuristic" stories...The Hunger Games, the Insurgent trilogy, and now The Park Service. Is it possible that no matter what state we find our planet in, no matter what we've suffered through...that there will still be people concerned only with their own ideas of what is best, their own superiority, their own survival? I hope not!
In any case, congratulations Ryan....absolutely excellent work...a true pleasure...an amazing adventure not to be missed!!!
October 18, 2014
I really liked this book a lot. There was a lot more going on in this story, and a lot more going on behind the scenes as well. I think I hate Hannah though, at least at this point I do. This had some elements of other stories to it, and I liked the similarities there. Overall, a good book, and a good addition to the series. I'll be reading the third one for sure.
December 20, 2013
A great follow up to the Park Service, now I have to get my hands on the third one!
May 23, 2013
The Isle of Man was breathtaking. The descriptions allowed me to see what the characters were seeing. My heart broke at the end. I can't wait for the third book. Very well done.
February 18, 2014
another very entertaning book better than book 1 same action/suspense & sorrow damnthat professor for doing what he did to junior
June 18, 2015
Enjoyed the characters, sense of foreboding and elaborate adventure. Recommending this series to my YA kids.
May 29, 2013
When can I get the next one? I'm waiting......
July 8, 2017
In the wake of Mrs Radcliffe's destruction, Aubrey tries to shut down the Park Service drones. He finds he needs an encryption key to do so, and is given the following clue "Where man rises from the sea, in the right hand of David you will find the key". Aubrey, Jimmy, Junior and a Foundation scientist board a submarine to the Isle of Man to find this key, while Hannah stays back at the Foundation with a newly rescued Red.
Before Jimmy and Aubrey make it to the Isle of Man, they're captured and nearly killed by an island of pig people! They manage to get away though and escape to the Isle of Man, off the coast of Ireland. The island is ruled by a seemingly immortal man called Finn, and Aubrey is certain that he'll find the key within the statue of David erected in the hall.
While Aubrey hunts for the key, Jimmy enters a handball tournament to become "Protector of the Island". Unfortunately for Jimmy, he doesn't realise that winner protects the island from the afterlife, having been sacrificed to the ravenous sharks surrounding the island. Aubrey and Jimmy narrowly escape by calling upon their submarine, which the islanders take for an "iron shark".
They talk with Finn and learn that he's the illegitimate son of Doctor Radcliffe, and was injected with the serum as a child without his knowledge. While Finn refuses to leave the island with Jimmy and Aubrey, he nevertheless makes a massive sacrifice, amputating his arm so that they can sequence his DNA to find the encryption code.
Unfortunately the Professor they'd left in the submarine isn't the doddering old fool that Jimmy and Aubrey took him for, and he unleashes an antimatter bomb on the island as they sail away. This completely wipes out the island's inhabits - including Junior the fox who had elected to stay on the island! The Professor then reveals that Hannah and him had planned it all, and she never intended to shut down the Park Service.
---
I was so shocked when I read Hannah was in cahoots with the Professor! I knew something was up with her constantly skulking off to work in the labs, but I never dreamed that she was trying to carry on her father's work by eradicating humanity from the face of the Earth! Hannah fills me with loathing and rage, and I hope to hell that Aubrey is forced to kill her off in the final book. I hope that Hannah and Professor have their brains ripped from their skulls and are subjected to a life of torture in the soup of Eden.
I was also shocked to find out that the key to the Park Service encryption code lay in Finn's DNA. While I guessed from the beginning that Aubrey was taking the clue too literally in chopping off statue!David's hand, I thought that the key would be found in some hidden chamber of the castle. Then when Finn was revealed to be David, I theorised that David's right hand man Riley had been trusted with the key. I was expecting a secret brotherhood to be revealed, tasked with keeping the key safe and hidden throughout the years until messengers came from the sea to retrieve it. Then we learned that the key was in David's DNA and I mentally facepalmed - with a story so heavily based in science, of course Radcliffe would've hidden the key in his DNA!
I figured that Junior would be killed off at some point in this trilogy, because it's like an unwritten rule that the animal companion will die at some point in the story. Thankfully Ryan Winfield doesn't rip the reader's heart out when he does so, avoiding the Lion King or I Am Legend-esque ending which I had been bracing for since the first book. We're assured that Junior died quickly and painlessly, and are saved from seeing it happen up close.
Though I'm glad that Aubrey managed to convince Jimmy to get off the island, I wasn't impressed with how he pressured him to do so. While I understand that living through 9 centuries and seeing your loved ones die would be painful, I don't feel that Aubrey respects Jimmy's right to a normal life and lifespan. He acts as if Jimmy is this neanderthal who can't make his own decisions and he needs to be shown the light of ~*Science*~! While they've been through hell together and saved each other's lives at various points, the relationship is becoming really one-sided. Aubrey takes and takes and Jimmy gives and gives, but receives nothing in return. Aubrey is incredibly selfish and yet Jimmy can't help but love him. I'm really finding it hard to like Aubrey at this point.
I would really like to find out more about the pig people that Aubrey and Jimmy encountered. While it was a campy scene that would look positively laughable if it were ever translated to film or TV, it did provide some food for thought. Are there other tribes scattered across the planet that take after their local fauna? Or are the pig people just a horrific example of the human race doing anything it can to survive?
I mentioned in my review of the previous novel that I wasn't a fan of the writing style. Winfield used too many similes to describe items as simple as rocks, and it was so damn flowery. I also wasn't a fan of how the dialogue read between characters: there were rarely any descriptions of how the speech was delivered, i.e. he said incredulously/replied/asked/murmured/shouted. There was just line after line of dialogue, so that even the most benign conversations read more like interrogations or heated arguments. I'm happy to say that Isle of Man is a massive improvement on both fronts! There are fewer similes and more descriptors.
Overall: The second installment in the Park Service trilogy is a fun, quick and easy read that you can knock over in a couple of hours. It doesn't suffer from the overuse of similes and poor dialogue of the previous novel, though I'm bummed to see that the protagonist is becoming a selfish, unlikable brat. I'm glad that Ryan Winfield saved us from a horrifically depressing animal death scene, and I'm interested to see Hannah get her just desserts in the next novel.
Before Jimmy and Aubrey make it to the Isle of Man, they're captured and nearly killed by an island of pig people! They manage to get away though and escape to the Isle of Man, off the coast of Ireland. The island is ruled by a seemingly immortal man called Finn, and Aubrey is certain that he'll find the key within the statue of David erected in the hall.
While Aubrey hunts for the key, Jimmy enters a handball tournament to become "Protector of the Island". Unfortunately for Jimmy, he doesn't realise that winner protects the island from the afterlife, having been sacrificed to the ravenous sharks surrounding the island. Aubrey and Jimmy narrowly escape by calling upon their submarine, which the islanders take for an "iron shark".
They talk with Finn and learn that he's the illegitimate son of Doctor Radcliffe, and was injected with the serum as a child without his knowledge. While Finn refuses to leave the island with Jimmy and Aubrey, he nevertheless makes a massive sacrifice, amputating his arm so that they can sequence his DNA to find the encryption code.
Unfortunately the Professor they'd left in the submarine isn't the doddering old fool that Jimmy and Aubrey took him for, and he unleashes an antimatter bomb on the island as they sail away. This completely wipes out the island's inhabits - including Junior the fox who had elected to stay on the island! The Professor then reveals that Hannah and him had planned it all, and she never intended to shut down the Park Service.
---
I was so shocked when I read Hannah was in cahoots with the Professor! I knew something was up with her constantly skulking off to work in the labs, but I never dreamed that she was trying to carry on her father's work by eradicating humanity from the face of the Earth! Hannah fills me with loathing and rage, and I hope to hell that Aubrey is forced to kill her off in the final book. I hope that Hannah and Professor have their brains ripped from their skulls and are subjected to a life of torture in the soup of Eden.
I was also shocked to find out that the key to the Park Service encryption code lay in Finn's DNA. While I guessed from the beginning that Aubrey was taking the clue too literally in chopping off statue!David's hand, I thought that the key would be found in some hidden chamber of the castle. Then when Finn was revealed to be David, I theorised that David's right hand man Riley had been trusted with the key. I was expecting a secret brotherhood to be revealed, tasked with keeping the key safe and hidden throughout the years until messengers came from the sea to retrieve it. Then we learned that the key was in David's DNA and I mentally facepalmed - with a story so heavily based in science, of course Radcliffe would've hidden the key in his DNA!
I figured that Junior would be killed off at some point in this trilogy, because it's like an unwritten rule that the animal companion will die at some point in the story. Thankfully Ryan Winfield doesn't rip the reader's heart out when he does so, avoiding the Lion King or I Am Legend-esque ending which I had been bracing for since the first book. We're assured that Junior died quickly and painlessly, and are saved from seeing it happen up close.
Though I'm glad that Aubrey managed to convince Jimmy to get off the island, I wasn't impressed with how he pressured him to do so. While I understand that living through 9 centuries and seeing your loved ones die would be painful, I don't feel that Aubrey respects Jimmy's right to a normal life and lifespan. He acts as if Jimmy is this neanderthal who can't make his own decisions and he needs to be shown the light of ~*Science*~! While they've been through hell together and saved each other's lives at various points, the relationship is becoming really one-sided. Aubrey takes and takes and Jimmy gives and gives, but receives nothing in return. Aubrey is incredibly selfish and yet Jimmy can't help but love him. I'm really finding it hard to like Aubrey at this point.
I would really like to find out more about the pig people that Aubrey and Jimmy encountered. While it was a campy scene that would look positively laughable if it were ever translated to film or TV, it did provide some food for thought. Are there other tribes scattered across the planet that take after their local fauna? Or are the pig people just a horrific example of the human race doing anything it can to survive?
I mentioned in my review of the previous novel that I wasn't a fan of the writing style. Winfield used too many similes to describe items as simple as rocks, and it was so damn flowery. I also wasn't a fan of how the dialogue read between characters: there were rarely any descriptions of how the speech was delivered, i.e. he said incredulously/replied/asked/murmured/shouted. There was just line after line of dialogue, so that even the most benign conversations read more like interrogations or heated arguments. I'm happy to say that Isle of Man is a massive improvement on both fronts! There are fewer similes and more descriptors.
Overall: The second installment in the Park Service trilogy is a fun, quick and easy read that you can knock over in a couple of hours. It doesn't suffer from the overuse of similes and poor dialogue of the previous novel, though I'm bummed to see that the protagonist is becoming a selfish, unlikable brat. I'm glad that Ryan Winfield saved us from a horrifically depressing animal death scene, and I'm interested to see Hannah get her just desserts in the next novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2017
With the founder and most of the Foundation seemingly destroyed, Aubrey finds that there is more going on than he realized. In order to gain control of the drones and other devices that are programmed to kill all humans, he has to journey to a faraway land. Those he thought he could trust may turn out to be those that try to destroy his plans to save humanity.
Winfield’s second novel in The Park Service Trilogy, Isle of Man, expands the relationship between Aubrey and his best friend, Jimmy. We learn more about the mission of the Foundation and what they have been trying to achieve. And, we watch Aubrey’s innocence and wonder shine through as he explores more of the world above ground.
The cruise in the submarine to the Isle of Man was almost as boring as the occupants claimed to be themselves. The betrayal at the end was heart wrenching.
4 out of 5 stars.
January 8, 2025
Plot twist, after plot twist after plot twist! The adventures of Jimmy and Aubrey are wild! Their friendship is so beautiful and the definition of ride or die. On another note, Pig People are what my sleep paralysis demon look like.
August 29, 2020
Wonderful continuation of this YA trilogy.
March 15, 2014
After I finished The Park Service, I immediately opened up Isle Of Man. Lucky me, I had already bought all 3 and had them ready to read one after another should I want to.
I wanted to.
I started Isle Of Man in the evening and I believe I posted on Facebook at 1:42 that I had to get up at 6:30 the next morning but I didn’t want to put it down. I eventually did and got 3 1/2 hours of sleep. I picked it back up as soon as I could the next day.
In Isle of Man Aubrey has so much resting on his shoulders, he is having to grow up so fast. There are times when he has to navigate between his girlfriend Hannah and his best friend Jimmy when one is pulling him to make one decision and the other wants him to go the other way. That’s hard enough at 15 without the future of the world on your shoulders.
Isle of Man was just as fascinating, if not even more so if that is possible, as The Park Service. I don’t know how but there is even more action in this book. Now we are following Aubrey, Jimmy, and Junior around the world as they attempt to set the people of Holoscene II free. There were times that I was holding my breath wondering if a character I had come to love was going to make it through something, there were times I was literally sick to my stomach, I had tears in my eyes in some moments, and a big grin in others.
Ryan Winfield has this amazing talent. I have experienced the same thing with every book I have read of his, The Park Service, Jane’s Melody, South Of Bixby Bridge, he writes in such a way that the world is real. You can see the characters, you can feel the emotion, every bit of it, the sadness, the disappointment, those happy moments, the moments of pure horror, you feel as if you are living in this world when you are reading something written by him. There is this jolt back to reality when you shut the cover or swipe that last page over. That’s what the great authors do. They are able to distort your reality as you are reading their work, they make you feel what their characters are feeling, it’s as if you are one of the characters. I don’t know if that makes sense. I have said it in a different way before, it’s as if you are part of the story verses seeing it from afar. That’s what a journey through Ryan’s books are for me. I loved Isle of Man. As with The Park Service, this is one I would let my 15 year old son read. This is a series that I think anyone from teenage years up to adult would enjoy.
Amazing read!
I wanted to.
I started Isle Of Man in the evening and I believe I posted on Facebook at 1:42 that I had to get up at 6:30 the next morning but I didn’t want to put it down. I eventually did and got 3 1/2 hours of sleep. I picked it back up as soon as I could the next day.
In Isle of Man Aubrey has so much resting on his shoulders, he is having to grow up so fast. There are times when he has to navigate between his girlfriend Hannah and his best friend Jimmy when one is pulling him to make one decision and the other wants him to go the other way. That’s hard enough at 15 without the future of the world on your shoulders.
Isle of Man was just as fascinating, if not even more so if that is possible, as The Park Service. I don’t know how but there is even more action in this book. Now we are following Aubrey, Jimmy, and Junior around the world as they attempt to set the people of Holoscene II free. There were times that I was holding my breath wondering if a character I had come to love was going to make it through something, there were times I was literally sick to my stomach, I had tears in my eyes in some moments, and a big grin in others.
Ryan Winfield has this amazing talent. I have experienced the same thing with every book I have read of his, The Park Service, Jane’s Melody, South Of Bixby Bridge, he writes in such a way that the world is real. You can see the characters, you can feel the emotion, every bit of it, the sadness, the disappointment, those happy moments, the moments of pure horror, you feel as if you are living in this world when you are reading something written by him. There is this jolt back to reality when you shut the cover or swipe that last page over. That’s what the great authors do. They are able to distort your reality as you are reading their work, they make you feel what their characters are feeling, it’s as if you are one of the characters. I don’t know if that makes sense. I have said it in a different way before, it’s as if you are part of the story verses seeing it from afar. That’s what a journey through Ryan’s books are for me. I loved Isle of Man. As with The Park Service, this is one I would let my 15 year old son read. This is a series that I think anyone from teenage years up to adult would enjoy.
Amazing read!
July 26, 2013
Kitty‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 STARS
Book Two of The Park Service Trilogy did not disappoint me in the least. I was looking forward to atruegemawardseeing how Aubrey, Hannah and Jimmy would accomplish their goal of freeing the people from Holecene II and explaining to them that the world was not as they were told. What I didn’t figure on was what they were going to need to do to move forward.
The journey to bring Aubrey’s people up was going to be a long and tedious one. A lot of questions would need to be asked and answered and trust, above all, was needed between the survivors after the flood. Book 2 brings us on a journey across the sea to find the secret of controlling the drones and stopping them from killing humans.
Aubrey places his trust in Hannah and Professor Benjamin Beckenbauer to bring him and Jimmy safely to The Isle of Man and to help him find “key”. But what he finds when he gets there is nothing as he would have imagined. Again, he has to question himself and those around him as to how far he will go to free his people. Between the “hunt” and the “games”, Aubrey finds himself in some very difficult situations and having to make decisions that will bring him either life or death. His feelings for Jimmy truly come through and he risks his life just to save him when he finds out what the winner of the “games” is expected to do.
So, you ask, what is it that draws me to this series and loving it the way that I do? The questions, the suspense, the superior writing of the scenes. I love knowing that Mr. Winfield traveled across the ocean to visit the places he was going to write about. In doing that, he brought the Isle of Man to life in vivid color and made you feel like you were part of the games. Everything is so detailed, fresh and clean that you can’t help but lose yourself in his writing and descriptions. Am I waiting for the final book in this trilogy? Most definitely! It should be very interesting to see what happens when they return home and what surprises Hannah and the Professor have in store for them. I am still undecided if Hannah is friend or foe and am looking forward to her showing her true colors in the final installment of The Park Service Trilogy.
5 STARS
Book Two of The Park Service Trilogy did not disappoint me in the least. I was looking forward to atruegemawardseeing how Aubrey, Hannah and Jimmy would accomplish their goal of freeing the people from Holecene II and explaining to them that the world was not as they were told. What I didn’t figure on was what they were going to need to do to move forward.
The journey to bring Aubrey’s people up was going to be a long and tedious one. A lot of questions would need to be asked and answered and trust, above all, was needed between the survivors after the flood. Book 2 brings us on a journey across the sea to find the secret of controlling the drones and stopping them from killing humans.
Aubrey places his trust in Hannah and Professor Benjamin Beckenbauer to bring him and Jimmy safely to The Isle of Man and to help him find “key”. But what he finds when he gets there is nothing as he would have imagined. Again, he has to question himself and those around him as to how far he will go to free his people. Between the “hunt” and the “games”, Aubrey finds himself in some very difficult situations and having to make decisions that will bring him either life or death. His feelings for Jimmy truly come through and he risks his life just to save him when he finds out what the winner of the “games” is expected to do.
So, you ask, what is it that draws me to this series and loving it the way that I do? The questions, the suspense, the superior writing of the scenes. I love knowing that Mr. Winfield traveled across the ocean to visit the places he was going to write about. In doing that, he brought the Isle of Man to life in vivid color and made you feel like you were part of the games. Everything is so detailed, fresh and clean that you can’t help but lose yourself in his writing and descriptions. Am I waiting for the final book in this trilogy? Most definitely! It should be very interesting to see what happens when they return home and what surprises Hannah and the Professor have in store for them. I am still undecided if Hannah is friend or foe and am looking forward to her showing her true colors in the final installment of The Park Service Trilogy.
June 5, 2014
God, I hate doing reviews for the 2nd book in trilogies. THey are always short on my part because I can't spoil too much, and most of the analyzing has already been done like the characters.
I think I was given the wrong impression about this trilogy. I thought this was in the category of romance as well. Especially with the ads of the super gorgeous redhead. But the trilogy is indeed about betrayal. And Ryan really knows how to jab the knife into your heart and twist.
After becoming attached to characters, It hurts so much to see some of them die. YES SOMEONE IMPORTANT DIES. But this is not a spoiler because I haven't said who ;P THe point is, Ryan is so CRUEL to make me so attached to characters and then tear them away from me. And that makes Ryan a damn good writer.
The bond between Aubrey and Jimmy is so strong, that it makes my eyes brim. I wish i had a brother like that :'( Luckily, Isle of Man picks up where THe Park Service left off, so I was instantly hooked onto reading.
AND OMG the ending. That would have been a brutal cliffhanger if this trilogy hasn't yet been finished. TO wait for so long would have been absolute torture. Luckily, I don't have to ;) But the ending was masterfully written to keep a firm grasp on your interest. I can see Ryan knows how to keep a reader entertained and very interested.
There were some formatting errors like missing punctuation, but much less than there was in book 1. So it's not too bad.
Ryan Winfield, you are a damn good writer and I think you are now one of my favorites. Makes me want to aspire to catch up to you and be a bestseller as well. And congrats on a damn good book. FIVE STARS!!!!
I think I was given the wrong impression about this trilogy. I thought this was in the category of romance as well. Especially with the ads of the super gorgeous redhead. But the trilogy is indeed about betrayal. And Ryan really knows how to jab the knife into your heart and twist.
After becoming attached to characters, It hurts so much to see some of them die. YES SOMEONE IMPORTANT DIES. But this is not a spoiler because I haven't said who ;P THe point is, Ryan is so CRUEL to make me so attached to characters and then tear them away from me. And that makes Ryan a damn good writer.
The bond between Aubrey and Jimmy is so strong, that it makes my eyes brim. I wish i had a brother like that :'( Luckily, Isle of Man picks up where THe Park Service left off, so I was instantly hooked onto reading.
AND OMG the ending. That would have been a brutal cliffhanger if this trilogy hasn't yet been finished. TO wait for so long would have been absolute torture. Luckily, I don't have to ;) But the ending was masterfully written to keep a firm grasp on your interest. I can see Ryan knows how to keep a reader entertained and very interested.
There were some formatting errors like missing punctuation, but much less than there was in book 1. So it's not too bad.
Ryan Winfield, you are a damn good writer and I think you are now one of my favorites. Makes me want to aspire to catch up to you and be a bestseller as well. And congrats on a damn good book. FIVE STARS!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews