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Wicked Luck #1
Wicked Luck
How can Ava Starr’s worst nightmare be Dax Miller’s dream come true?
For the past three years, Dax has been stranded on Lamarai Island with his stepsister and two tribes of cannibals. But now a beautiful girl named Ava has washed up on shore. After secretly reading her journal, he believes she is a perfect match to the girl of his dreams. He’s determined not only to keep her alive, but also to win over her heart by convincing her to forget about her past and the secrets that continue to haunt her.
Ava Starr has always been the epitome of bad luck, but she never imagined she would wake up and find herself on a cannibal-infested island with no memory of how she got there. The last thing she remembers is boarding a plane with her pilot boyfriend, Preston. But now he and his crew are missing, and she must find him before a tribe of hungry cannibals finds him first. But Ava’s troubles have followed her to Lamarai, where once again she’s surrounded by danger and people who want her dead. She finds herself caught in a web of deceit and soon discovers the answers to her mysterious past can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that no one is actually who they seem to be.
For the past three years, Dax has been stranded on Lamarai Island with his stepsister and two tribes of cannibals. But now a beautiful girl named Ava has washed up on shore. After secretly reading her journal, he believes she is a perfect match to the girl of his dreams. He’s determined not only to keep her alive, but also to win over her heart by convincing her to forget about her past and the secrets that continue to haunt her.
Ava Starr has always been the epitome of bad luck, but she never imagined she would wake up and find herself on a cannibal-infested island with no memory of how she got there. The last thing she remembers is boarding a plane with her pilot boyfriend, Preston. But now he and his crew are missing, and she must find him before a tribe of hungry cannibals finds him first. But Ava’s troubles have followed her to Lamarai, where once again she’s surrounded by danger and people who want her dead. She finds herself caught in a web of deceit and soon discovers the answers to her mysterious past can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that no one is actually who they seem to be.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2015
146 people are currently reading
911 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Maynard
3 books84 followersShannon L. Maynard lives in Colorado with her five girls and a boxer named Lucky. When she's not working, writing, or reading she can be found driving kids to soccer, folding mountains of pink laundry, or eating her weight in chocolate. Other addictions include shoe shopping, reading YA, and Australian and British accents (which may be partly to blame for her massive crush on Thor). If she had one wish it would be for more hours in the day to spend enjoying all of the above. Okay, everything except the laundry.
Shannon studied art and criminology before getting a license in cosmetology, but eventually wound up an expert daydreamer; a skill that occasionally leads to getting lost while driving, but has been a huge asset to her love for writing. WICKED LUCK and WICKED FATE are the first two book in the Wicked Luck Trilogy.
Shannon studied art and criminology before getting a license in cosmetology, but eventually wound up an expert daydreamer; a skill that occasionally leads to getting lost while driving, but has been a huge asset to her love for writing. WICKED LUCK and WICKED FATE are the first two book in the Wicked Luck Trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 25, 2018
I was hoping there would be an actual story, but instead anything potentially interesting is buried beneath angsty and badly written YA romance. The dialogue and characters come across as cheesy and lacking any subtle build-up or tension in both relationship and plot.
It starts off right away with romance, making it clear that's the focus point. Unfortunately the two main characters are more obnoxious than anything else, especially Ava with limited common sense who focuses more on a 'lost love' when she crashes on a cannibal filled island without a chance for escape. Yeah, because that's the realistic thing to focus on... She needs everything spelled out for her, can't catch on to simple concepts, isn't an appreciative sort, and ruled by weak hormones. Oh, and of course she has a sketchbook and is a talented artist - how cliche is that becoming?
A major obstacle with the book that sunk it another star is that the lead-up story for Ava is told in her journal, which Dax sneak reads. That's not a bad thing in itself, but it's completely ruined considering the journal is written in italics, and I can't stand reading pages of italics. Italics are meant to be an occasional short-term paragraph, not half the book!
Throw in unrealistic dialogue like "Noooooo" spread around too much, more akin to children's Goosebump thrillers than a YA novel.
You'd think cannibals would be scary but the book makes them... silly. I figured the point would be the life on the island after getting stranded, but the book focuses on this highly unrealistic scenario that led her to the island in the first place. Think of weird soap opera instead of something that makes sense for a teen's life, it almost starts entering YA James Bond territory.
Stranded island themes are usually interesting because a person has to learn to survive and beat the odds - in this case the heroine doesn't need to learn anything since Dax is already an expert hunter and bowsman who is kept alive for his superior skills with the local tribe. The places are already built up so she comes into housing he nicknames 'his castle' with little hardship other than figuring out what happened to her before the island. The island is such a background setting that the story could almost stay the same if you placed the characters in a different location entirely.
The best thing the novel has going for it is the cover, but we've all learned the lesson that you can't always judge a book by its cover.
It starts off right away with romance, making it clear that's the focus point. Unfortunately the two main characters are more obnoxious than anything else, especially Ava with limited common sense who focuses more on a 'lost love' when she crashes on a cannibal filled island without a chance for escape. Yeah, because that's the realistic thing to focus on... She needs everything spelled out for her, can't catch on to simple concepts, isn't an appreciative sort, and ruled by weak hormones. Oh, and of course she has a sketchbook and is a talented artist - how cliche is that becoming?
A major obstacle with the book that sunk it another star is that the lead-up story for Ava is told in her journal, which Dax sneak reads. That's not a bad thing in itself, but it's completely ruined considering the journal is written in italics, and I can't stand reading pages of italics. Italics are meant to be an occasional short-term paragraph, not half the book!
Throw in unrealistic dialogue like "Noooooo" spread around too much, more akin to children's Goosebump thrillers than a YA novel.
You'd think cannibals would be scary but the book makes them... silly. I figured the point would be the life on the island after getting stranded, but the book focuses on this highly unrealistic scenario that led her to the island in the first place. Think of weird soap opera instead of something that makes sense for a teen's life, it almost starts entering YA James Bond territory.
Stranded island themes are usually interesting because a person has to learn to survive and beat the odds - in this case the heroine doesn't need to learn anything since Dax is already an expert hunter and bowsman who is kept alive for his superior skills with the local tribe. The places are already built up so she comes into housing he nicknames 'his castle' with little hardship other than figuring out what happened to her before the island. The island is such a background setting that the story could almost stay the same if you placed the characters in a different location entirely.
The best thing the novel has going for it is the cover, but we've all learned the lesson that you can't always judge a book by its cover.
January 23, 2020
This story started off with so much potential but it went quickly downhill. I read stranded on a desert island with cannibals and I was sold. Sadly the story doesn’t focus on that and only briefly mentions the cannibals and their situation on the island. What we get instead is an angsty, terribly boring and annoying love story..... About 90% of the book focused on that. And not only was it a crap love story but it was a bloody love triangle on top of it, UGH.
July 15, 2015
Trapped on an island for years could make anyone crazy. Imagine being a young teenage boy, stranded on an island with only your stepsister for semi-normal company. Add in the fact that the island’s inhabitants are widely that of cannibals as well and you have yourself one heck of a nightmare. It is only natural that one would seek the solace of a dream, any dream, in order to survive.
For Dex, this is the best solution to the absolute worst case scenario. Each night for the last 3 years, Dex has lulled himself to sleep in this dungeon of danger with one dream, the dream of the girl who got away. Ava was the girl that had captivated his attention and by extension his heart at the mere age of nine. However he was never able to hold on to her and their brief encounter was all he had left of her. That is until an interesting twist of fate seems to have possibly delivered some stroke of luck to poor Dex at the moment he had seemingly lost all hope.
In the distance, Dex believes he sees a figure gliding along in the water. After discovering that this was not a figment of his imagination, he is able to rescue the girl who was adrift in the surf, and brings her back to consciousness before any of the more unseemly residents of the island had their chance to get to her. When he is searching her person, and eventually discovers her things along the shore to discover her identity, he is all but floored at his discovery. The girl whom he had just rescued shared the same name with his dream girl. She also had the same features as he imagined she would as a grown up and she is also the same age. Could this be the Ava of his dreams? This story explores these ideas, juxtaposing what is, and what is imagined with great fluidity and dexterity.
This is the first work that I have read by Shannon Maynard and I was immediately intrigued by the premise. I really liked the idea of a love gone by, even at such a young age, and then rediscovered. I am a romantic sap as a reader, so I am instantly drawn in by anything with a romantic thread to it. However I was even more excited by the horrendous circumstances surrounding this thread, which weaved and incomparable tapestry of storytelling that I very much enjoyed. The relationship the Dex yearns for and the relationship that unfolds within the beautifully unrealistic reality of this universe is colored with so many different shades and undertones. Dex covers his true feelings well and with great charisma with his endearing sense of humor and self-confidence. The way he is able to slightly manipulate Ava in her times of frustration are incredibly realistic and humorous. I very much enjoyed his character and the way his demeanor shaped the entire book. Ava is also an interesting character but I was far more captivated by Dex. His character was much more akin to the unique aspects of the book on the whole. The originality of the work is its greatest strength.
The book itself began at a rather slow pace and I had some difficulty finding motivation to continue on with it, but once I broke past that crest, it was well worth it. Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The plot was well worth the read and I would recommend this book to those who enjoy and adventurous read with a unique plot drive.
For Dex, this is the best solution to the absolute worst case scenario. Each night for the last 3 years, Dex has lulled himself to sleep in this dungeon of danger with one dream, the dream of the girl who got away. Ava was the girl that had captivated his attention and by extension his heart at the mere age of nine. However he was never able to hold on to her and their brief encounter was all he had left of her. That is until an interesting twist of fate seems to have possibly delivered some stroke of luck to poor Dex at the moment he had seemingly lost all hope.
In the distance, Dex believes he sees a figure gliding along in the water. After discovering that this was not a figment of his imagination, he is able to rescue the girl who was adrift in the surf, and brings her back to consciousness before any of the more unseemly residents of the island had their chance to get to her. When he is searching her person, and eventually discovers her things along the shore to discover her identity, he is all but floored at his discovery. The girl whom he had just rescued shared the same name with his dream girl. She also had the same features as he imagined she would as a grown up and she is also the same age. Could this be the Ava of his dreams? This story explores these ideas, juxtaposing what is, and what is imagined with great fluidity and dexterity.
This is the first work that I have read by Shannon Maynard and I was immediately intrigued by the premise. I really liked the idea of a love gone by, even at such a young age, and then rediscovered. I am a romantic sap as a reader, so I am instantly drawn in by anything with a romantic thread to it. However I was even more excited by the horrendous circumstances surrounding this thread, which weaved and incomparable tapestry of storytelling that I very much enjoyed. The relationship the Dex yearns for and the relationship that unfolds within the beautifully unrealistic reality of this universe is colored with so many different shades and undertones. Dex covers his true feelings well and with great charisma with his endearing sense of humor and self-confidence. The way he is able to slightly manipulate Ava in her times of frustration are incredibly realistic and humorous. I very much enjoyed his character and the way his demeanor shaped the entire book. Ava is also an interesting character but I was far more captivated by Dex. His character was much more akin to the unique aspects of the book on the whole. The originality of the work is its greatest strength.
The book itself began at a rather slow pace and I had some difficulty finding motivation to continue on with it, but once I broke past that crest, it was well worth it. Overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The plot was well worth the read and I would recommend this book to those who enjoy and adventurous read with a unique plot drive.
January 13, 2016
***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
I have to say this book pleasantly surprised me when I started reading it. We jump right into the story with Dax as he rescues a girl who has washed up on the shore. I'm instantly curious as to how he seems to know her and this helps me become deeply invested in the story.
This book holds many secrets and mysteries, and while I became frustrated with myself in trying to solve and understand the tangles and web of lies, it excited me because it has been a while since I last read something where something was not blatantly obvious. I enjoy trying to understand what motivates the characters and why there is deceit and lies. I like getting to the bottom of things.
The author was creative in creating her flashbacks of the past, having Ava either remembering something or having Dax read it in the entries of Ava's journal. The information gained from these flashbacks was crucial to understanding the mysteries of Ava's past.
Although I have to say that Ava's character exasperated me to no end. She's weak and fragile, but I think with Dax's help she will become stronger and won't settle for less than what she deserves. This story is intricately woven and I give Wicked Luck 5/5 Platypires!
I have to say this book pleasantly surprised me when I started reading it. We jump right into the story with Dax as he rescues a girl who has washed up on the shore. I'm instantly curious as to how he seems to know her and this helps me become deeply invested in the story.
This book holds many secrets and mysteries, and while I became frustrated with myself in trying to solve and understand the tangles and web of lies, it excited me because it has been a while since I last read something where something was not blatantly obvious. I enjoy trying to understand what motivates the characters and why there is deceit and lies. I like getting to the bottom of things.
The author was creative in creating her flashbacks of the past, having Ava either remembering something or having Dax read it in the entries of Ava's journal. The information gained from these flashbacks was crucial to understanding the mysteries of Ava's past.
Although I have to say that Ava's character exasperated me to no end. She's weak and fragile, but I think with Dax's help she will become stronger and won't settle for less than what she deserves. This story is intricately woven and I give Wicked Luck 5/5 Platypires!
November 25, 2014
This book is great! You can't beat a deserted island, a mysterious stranger and a wickedly enticing plot. I can't wait until this releases to hear what everyone thinks of it. This is New Adult due to college aged characters. It has a sweet romance in it, not steamy if that's what you are hoping for, but for me that's what I like. I loved the mystery and the journal entries that show you some of her background about what happened before she landed on the island.
August 12, 2015
Anyone who follows my reviews knows that YA Paranormal is my genre and from time to time, I step out of my comfort zone to give other books a try, and I must say that I am glad that I did!!
I was extremely intrigued when I read the synopsis for this book and I thought I would give it a shot. When I first started reading, I had lots of unanswered questions and I felt as if it started off slow, but once I got over that hump, the book started to pick up and my questions were of course answered. The story has a great flow to it and I am just as curious about Ava and her past as Dax is and I can't help but want to dig my nose into her journal too. Plus, find out she is his long time lost friend from the younger years, just stopped me dead in my reading. Who knew?
It's a very fast paced and very well written story and I love how the author adds some comedy and some strange and peculiar twists and turns throughout the plot. I mean....Seriously, who would wanna be stuck on an island with a bunch of cannibals? Definitely not me......There is so much excitement and fun throughout this book, I had trouble actually putting it down and I could here the story calling my name to come back and read more. I love how the author also left us hanging to keep us wanting to read more. I give applause to this author for her work, even with the slow beginning. I felt as if I was not just a reader but actually part of the story and to me is what draws people in to want to read her work.
I am so looking forward to reading Wicked Fate and go on another, what I assume to be, adventure that is well worth it.
Clean Teen Publishing provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
I was extremely intrigued when I read the synopsis for this book and I thought I would give it a shot. When I first started reading, I had lots of unanswered questions and I felt as if it started off slow, but once I got over that hump, the book started to pick up and my questions were of course answered. The story has a great flow to it and I am just as curious about Ava and her past as Dax is and I can't help but want to dig my nose into her journal too. Plus, find out she is his long time lost friend from the younger years, just stopped me dead in my reading. Who knew?
It's a very fast paced and very well written story and I love how the author adds some comedy and some strange and peculiar twists and turns throughout the plot. I mean....Seriously, who would wanna be stuck on an island with a bunch of cannibals? Definitely not me......There is so much excitement and fun throughout this book, I had trouble actually putting it down and I could here the story calling my name to come back and read more. I love how the author also left us hanging to keep us wanting to read more. I give applause to this author for her work, even with the slow beginning. I felt as if I was not just a reader but actually part of the story and to me is what draws people in to want to read her work.
I am so looking forward to reading Wicked Fate and go on another, what I assume to be, adventure that is well worth it.
Clean Teen Publishing provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.
March 2, 2017
I loved this book, reading the whole thing in several hours.
I loved the character of Dax, especially the fact that he names everything after himself. I hope that he finds a way to get off of the island and that he can build himself a good life. I think that he would become a woodworker if he could get away from the island.
I don't like Roxy. Or Preston. I don't like Roxy because she is really annoying and won't stop moaning and i just don't like Preston's character. I don't understand the character of Preston. He wanted to kill Ava one minute and then the next he wanted to propose to her.
Nevertheless, i'm glad that Ava ended up trusting Dax and I Highly Recommend this book.
I loved the character of Dax, especially the fact that he names everything after himself. I hope that he finds a way to get off of the island and that he can build himself a good life. I think that he would become a woodworker if he could get away from the island.
I don't like Roxy. Or Preston. I don't like Roxy because she is really annoying and won't stop moaning and i just don't like Preston's character. I don't understand the character of Preston. He wanted to kill Ava one minute and then the next he wanted to propose to her.
Nevertheless, i'm glad that Ava ended up trusting Dax and I Highly Recommend this book.
January 21, 2024
Female main character who is far TSTL literally running around an island full of cannibals. She is constantly in need of rescue by the male lead, whose warnings she constantly ignores. I am hard-pressed to think of a more irritating main character.
May 31, 2017
DNF at 15%
Ava's an idiot who needs to get her priorities straight. Dax is an idiot who needs to stop being creepy. I hate them both.
If the story was more about them being stranded on an island, I'd enjoy it a lot more. Instead, Dax is snooping through her things, and every other sentence Ava thinks or says involves Preston. The story is written well enough, but it's stupid and so are the characters.
Ava's an idiot who needs to get her priorities straight. Dax is an idiot who needs to stop being creepy. I hate them both.
If the story was more about them being stranded on an island, I'd enjoy it a lot more. Instead, Dax is snooping through her things, and every other sentence Ava thinks or says involves Preston. The story is written well enough, but it's stupid and so are the characters.
June 18, 2018
That can't be the ending! No it just can't. That's... no! I refuse to let that be the freaking ending. I need the next one now! I loved this book a lot more than I expected! I can't with the ending! How she just jumps and that's the ending! That's it Preston comes and she jumps off the cliff with Dax. I'm so pissed that this is the ending! That is the biggest cliff hanger ever! I cannot deal with anything anymore. I'm going to be in a reading slump now until I get the next book. I need the next book! I loved Roxy's sas and how she's badass with her jewelry. I mean one of jewelry is a bat bone. I mean that's freaking awesome! Also how Preston betrayed her I mean what the hell! I knew he was too perfect!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2016
This book is absolutely retarded. It starts off with a girl that's high in the looks department, but extremely shallow in the personality department.
And I mean, really shallow. She has a "past", and by past I mean bad luck that the author likes to dance around without elucidating too much on. It's not even in the mysterious, tantalising way, but the annoying, I-don't-know-what-to-write-so-fuck-it way.
Within the first few chapters, I was annoyed by both characters. They were stock stereotypical tropes with absolutely nothing to offer an island with cannibals. The boy, Dax, was a typical bumbling idiot teen boy... but he just so happened to be on an isolated, forgotten island with tribes of cannibals and an insane sister. No indication of anything, not even how they ended there. Just shallow stuff that even the teen I was reading this with thought it was retarded.
And, then, you get Ava, the chick. She's the spoilt brat, acting out a tantrum, even though any normal human would be asking questions and trying to piece together things. Not acting like a petulant drama queen.
And the storyline?
WHAT storyline? It's just a bunch of rambled crap smashed together in a trite way.
And I mean, really shallow. She has a "past", and by past I mean bad luck that the author likes to dance around without elucidating too much on. It's not even in the mysterious, tantalising way, but the annoying, I-don't-know-what-to-write-so-fuck-it way.
Within the first few chapters, I was annoyed by both characters. They were stock stereotypical tropes with absolutely nothing to offer an island with cannibals. The boy, Dax, was a typical bumbling idiot teen boy... but he just so happened to be on an isolated, forgotten island with tribes of cannibals and an insane sister. No indication of anything, not even how they ended there. Just shallow stuff that even the teen I was reading this with thought it was retarded.
And, then, you get Ava, the chick. She's the spoilt brat, acting out a tantrum, even though any normal human would be asking questions and trying to piece together things. Not acting like a petulant drama queen.
And the storyline?
WHAT storyline? It's just a bunch of rambled crap smashed together in a trite way.
July 13, 2015
A Captivating Read!
I highly enjoyed this book, it draws you in right from the beginning and keeps you entranced throughout the entire story. I had a very difficult time putting it down and had it with me at all times so I could sneak in reads while waiting in line, waiting for my son's school bus etc. I loved the plot, it was unique, suspenseful and had great mystery and a sweet touch of romance. The writing is superb, it was like being in the story and experiencing it along with the characters, who are also very well created and really come to life. I can't wait for the next in the series! I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I highly enjoyed this book, it draws you in right from the beginning and keeps you entranced throughout the entire story. I had a very difficult time putting it down and had it with me at all times so I could sneak in reads while waiting in line, waiting for my son's school bus etc. I loved the plot, it was unique, suspenseful and had great mystery and a sweet touch of romance. The writing is superb, it was like being in the story and experiencing it along with the characters, who are also very well created and really come to life. I can't wait for the next in the series! I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2015
I liked this a lot! I found myself thinking about it & wanting to know what was going to happen when I wasn't reading, so I kept coming back to it even though I had a really busy week. I liked the switching of perspectives & times between the narrators. I liked the pace & the plot & it kept me guessing & interested. Ava's naïveté bothered me a little, but she was self-proclaimed naïve & gullible, so it was acceptable rather than annoying.
Good, clean YA fiction & I'm excited to be starting the next book immediately! Good job, Shannon!!
Good, clean YA fiction & I'm excited to be starting the next book immediately! Good job, Shannon!!
July 4, 2015
This read was a summer vacation. I felt like I was having their experiences with them. The characters click. The plots move.
In some cases I felt Ava's problems were from poor choices, not just from a coincidence of bad luck. {But, guys can cloud your judgment. (lol)}
I highly recommend this story. You will not be disappointed, it is wickedly twisted. I can't wait for the next installment. Enjoy!
In some cases I felt Ava's problems were from poor choices, not just from a coincidence of bad luck. {But, guys can cloud your judgment. (lol)}
I highly recommend this story. You will not be disappointed, it is wickedly twisted. I can't wait for the next installment. Enjoy!
August 8, 2015
Hooked
I'm hooked. Before I even finished a third of the book I was recommending it to my friends. The cover draws you in, the synopsis gives you chills and the story keeps you captivated. I didn't know it was a trilogy but was scared where it might end and was thankful for getting 2 more books out of this. The storyline is one I hadn't read before. Very suspenseful, tragedy, humor and adventure rolled up in a great clean read.
I'm hooked. Before I even finished a third of the book I was recommending it to my friends. The cover draws you in, the synopsis gives you chills and the story keeps you captivated. I didn't know it was a trilogy but was scared where it might end and was thankful for getting 2 more books out of this. The storyline is one I hadn't read before. Very suspenseful, tragedy, humor and adventure rolled up in a great clean read.
March 10, 2017
unrealistic teen drama. niave and gullible are words that describe Ava and I would add dumb, brainless and helpless. there was no growth in this character at all. it seemed like she was tryi g to start her life over but then guy enters picture and she becomes a hopeless dumb girl who can't survive without said guy. then another guy enters picture and she ends up doing the same thing with him. it was sad. I actually felt sorry for both of these guys because she was so pathetic...
December 12, 2016
What an ending! This book was captivating from the beginning! Ava ends up on a island full of cannibals with a mysterious boy. She has a questionable past and mystery surrounds much of her life and I could not wait to get through this book to find out all the secrets. I found out some but this book left me hanging and I cannot wait to start on book two.
August 16, 2015
I wasn't ready for this book to end. And I'm most definitely NOT prepared to wait 10 more days for book 2. I may be fiending for the rest of this story a lil (read: totally jonesing, definitely a junkie for this).
January 22, 2018
While at the beach, on a cannibal filled island, Dax finds a girl floating in the ocean. After years of being stranded on the island with only his stepsister, Roxy, and the two cannibal tribes for company, he couldn't be happier. Of course the fact that she's his dream girl doesn't hurt either. But the only thing Ava wants to know is where's Preston?
Ava irritated the hell out of me, it was always "Preston this" and "Preston that." I got so tired of hearing about Preston that I was kind of hoping the cannibals got him. Plus, she was whiny and needy. And why, in all that is holy, would you run away, multiple times, after the guy told you that the island is full of Cannibals? If you're that dumb then you deserve to get eaten. However, Dax is no less irritating. His biggest thrill seemed to be reading that goofy girls journal. And speaking of journals, who the hell writes journal entries that way? They were more like flashbacks. This book would have been so much better if it focused more on what life is like on a cannibal island and struggles of being stranded. But instead it focuses on Ava's journal and her past. Oh, and of course her obsession with Preston.
The book cover is very well done and is what drew me to the book in the first place.
Ava irritated the hell out of me, it was always "Preston this" and "Preston that." I got so tired of hearing about Preston that I was kind of hoping the cannibals got him. Plus, she was whiny and needy. And why, in all that is holy, would you run away, multiple times, after the guy told you that the island is full of Cannibals? If you're that dumb then you deserve to get eaten. However, Dax is no less irritating. His biggest thrill seemed to be reading that goofy girls journal. And speaking of journals, who the hell writes journal entries that way? They were more like flashbacks. This book would have been so much better if it focused more on what life is like on a cannibal island and struggles of being stranded. But instead it focuses on Ava's journal and her past. Oh, and of course her obsession with Preston.
The book cover is very well done and is what drew me to the book in the first place.
January 28, 2019
So Ava and Dax are both annoying. I mean he tells her they're on an island of cannibals. So of course she takes this as I must keep wondering off. And Dax! I don't care what your history is, the girl was just in a plane crash that she believes killed her boyfriend, give her some space! It's really no wonder she keeps trying to run away from you ya creep.
Not to mention the constant inconsistencies in the story. Such as the whole story it says she's 18 but then there's the journal entry describing her 19th birthday.
Then there's Roxy and her hate against the world. I wanted to smack her myself. And that whole plot twist? Pllleeease. All it did was add unnecessary and unbelievable drama. And how did Dax not recognize it?
I've been wanting to read this forever. The description sounded great and that cover is absolutely amazing.
I'm going to read the sequel because I already have it and I hope it gets better.
Not to mention the constant inconsistencies in the story. Such as the whole story it says she's 18 but then there's the journal entry describing her 19th birthday.
Then there's Roxy and her hate against the world. I wanted to smack her myself. And that whole plot twist? Pllleeease. All it did was add unnecessary and unbelievable drama. And how did Dax not recognize it?
I've been wanting to read this forever. The description sounded great and that cover is absolutely amazing.
I'm going to read the sequel because I already have it and I hope it gets better.
February 8, 2018
Aside from the setting, I'm not really seeing much that separates this from every other teen romance novel I've read in the past year. Ava is, by far, the stupidest protagonist I've read in a long time. A lot of the things she does in this book, ten-year-olds would know better than to do. Maynard would have had a much more interesting story on her hands if she'd just let Preston die, too. There's really no sense in throwing a love triangle on top of a potentially original plot to make it less original. If there weren't so much stuff going on, this could have easily become a 2 or a 3, but between cannibals, a long-lost sister, basic survival, and a love triangle, this book is a mess. Avoid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2017
Wicked luck
I thought this was a good read. It grabbed your attention from the get go and kept you interested until the cliffhanger ending. I just wish that Ava was less of a victim "woe is me" character.
I thought this was a good read. It grabbed your attention from the get go and kept you interested until the cliffhanger ending. I just wish that Ava was less of a victim "woe is me" character.
January 15, 2018
The idea of this book is good but what ruined it for me was the female protagonist. She is.... just.... uninspiring. Several times throughout the book I thought she was stupid. Not naive (which is what they try to play her off as) but stupid.
March 1, 2020
Frustrating characters
Maybe I'm too old for this book & teenage girls might like it? I found all the characters ditzy & annoying but especially Ava who seems to have no mind of her own & wants to marry every guy that's nice to her
Maybe I'm too old for this book & teenage girls might like it? I found all the characters ditzy & annoying but especially Ava who seems to have no mind of her own & wants to marry every guy that's nice to her
November 22, 2016
I enjoyed this short book, though I felt annoyed with the young female lead at times, it was interesting enough to keep me hooked and I definitely want to continue reading.
May 26, 2017
If Ava said the name Preston one more time I thought I'd scream. How could she be so stupid. Also, I did not like the ending and there is no way I will read another continuation of this book.
October 9, 2017
I have no idea why I wasted my time on this book... so predictable and cliche.
November 20, 2017
I actually liked the plot of this book and enjoyed reading it mostly. What prompted me to give it a two was the abrupt ending and the weak, dependent main female character.
August 6, 2018
Fantastic book, can't wait to read the next one
November 16, 2018
A compelling read. Just enough twists and turns to make you think.
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