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The Island #1
Desperation
Life isn't holding any punches...
“My skin does a little crawling thing at the way he says my name, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. He seems nice enough. He’s very polite and charismatic. Quite charming actually, to others at any rate. But just the way he says my name sends a warning tingle along my spine, and I can’t get rid of it.”
Reagan Rykehart has been sentenced to a stint on Grandy Island, a reintegration camp for at-risk youth. Problem is, she was sentenced there not because of her own deeds, but for trying to help a friend. Guess that’s what she gets for trying.
Sailing away to meet her fate, she finds fate has other plans. Mostly because Reagan is stubborn and a little crazy. At least that’s people usually call folks who jump off ships. In the middle of the ocean. In the dark.
Yep, definitely crazy. But will her new fate be even more grim than Grandy Island? Only time will tell.
This is book 1 in a utopian/dystopian trilogy with a somewhat dark theme, and elements of romance.
Desperation (The Island I)
Escalation (The Island II)- Late July 2015
Deliverance (The Island III)- Late August 2015
“My skin does a little crawling thing at the way he says my name, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. He seems nice enough. He’s very polite and charismatic. Quite charming actually, to others at any rate. But just the way he says my name sends a warning tingle along my spine, and I can’t get rid of it.”
Reagan Rykehart has been sentenced to a stint on Grandy Island, a reintegration camp for at-risk youth. Problem is, she was sentenced there not because of her own deeds, but for trying to help a friend. Guess that’s what she gets for trying.
Sailing away to meet her fate, she finds fate has other plans. Mostly because Reagan is stubborn and a little crazy. At least that’s people usually call folks who jump off ships. In the middle of the ocean. In the dark.
Yep, definitely crazy. But will her new fate be even more grim than Grandy Island? Only time will tell.
This is book 1 in a utopian/dystopian trilogy with a somewhat dark theme, and elements of romance.
Desperation (The Island I)
Escalation (The Island II)- Late July 2015
Deliverance (The Island III)- Late August 2015
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2015
267 people are currently reading
795 people want to read
About the author
C.B. Stone
28 books164 followersC.B. Stone is sometimes called author, writer, or purveyor of stories. One might even dub her a yarn spinner, if you will. It’s very possible she might be considered just a little left of normal by most, but she’s cool with that. Really, she’s too busy avoiding normal to care.
On any given day, you might find Stone pounding away at a keyboard in sunny Florida, contemplating waves, contemplating life, and dreaming up more exciting stories to share with readers. Except Sunday’s of course. Sunday’s are God’s day, so you’ll often find her making her best “joyful noise” with her local church praise team.
When not pounding poor fingers to bloody nuggets and reinventing the definition of eye strain, C.B. Stone enjoys living it up, doing the family thing, the kid thing, and the friend thing. And in her downtime, reading the minds of fans.
Also being invisible. Being invisible is fun.
On any given day, you might find Stone pounding away at a keyboard in sunny Florida, contemplating waves, contemplating life, and dreaming up more exciting stories to share with readers. Except Sunday’s of course. Sunday’s are God’s day, so you’ll often find her making her best “joyful noise” with her local church praise team.
When not pounding poor fingers to bloody nuggets and reinventing the definition of eye strain, C.B. Stone enjoys living it up, doing the family thing, the kid thing, and the friend thing. And in her downtime, reading the minds of fans.
Also being invisible. Being invisible is fun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 12, 2016
Many people liked this book. I'm sorry that I didn't enjoy it. I really do wish I could enjoy more of things.
First half I began to skim through. There's a info dump, character dump, and plot doesn't seem too interesting.
Second half is okay with some action but, I didn't care too much still.
Book tries to end on a cliff hanger. Not that interesting.
First half I began to skim through. There's a info dump, character dump, and plot doesn't seem too interesting.
Second half is okay with some action but, I didn't care too much still.
Book tries to end on a cliff hanger. Not that interesting.
September 14, 2015
Reagan is just tryin to get a friend out of a bad situation. Now she is stuck out in the middle of the ocean on Halcyon Island. She landed there after jumping from the ship taking her to a rehabilitation Island for at-risk teens. I know, none of that makes sense to you… SO READ THE BOOK :)
Once on Halcyon Island Reagan is faced with the decision to stay or take her chances back in the states, alone and on the run. Of course, she chooses to stay. She is assigned to stay in a bungalow with Andie, her newest and only friend on the island. Who also has an apparently good looking brother, Connor, that Reagan cant decide if he’s a good guy or not…
Then there’s the leader, David. He seems like a good guy trying to bring people closer to God but Reagan gets as ‘icky’ feeling from him. She just believes something is off with this whole place.
She gets to choose while calling (chore) she wants to do and decides upon being a Shepard. Pretty much a guard making sure everyone is where they’re suppose to be and doing everything right. Elder Allen is the leader over the Shepard’s and is completely setting off warning bells in Reagans head.
Lets just be honest… I really like this book. I already knew CB Stone was a great author, she just proves it again with Desperation: The Island I. While reading I was laying on a beach with a cool breeze blowing all day long. While actually I was at home, sweating when you walk out the door. Then taking 20mins to cool down when going back inside… But that’s what a good book is for me. One that lets ne travel to wherever the characters are and forgetting where I am for a while.
I have a feeling Reagan an Andie are going to get extremely close and can not wait to see what happens with Connor and the Secs (yup, I intentionally left that part out) in book 2 of this series, Escalation: The Island II. You can look for that review in a couple of days. If you haven’t checked out CB Stone from my first three reviews of her books, please give her look. You will not be disappointed!
I received a complementary copy of this book from CB Stone in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and opinions are all my own.
http://ljonesedition.wordpress.com
Once on Halcyon Island Reagan is faced with the decision to stay or take her chances back in the states, alone and on the run. Of course, she chooses to stay. She is assigned to stay in a bungalow with Andie, her newest and only friend on the island. Who also has an apparently good looking brother, Connor, that Reagan cant decide if he’s a good guy or not…
Then there’s the leader, David. He seems like a good guy trying to bring people closer to God but Reagan gets as ‘icky’ feeling from him. She just believes something is off with this whole place.
She gets to choose while calling (chore) she wants to do and decides upon being a Shepard. Pretty much a guard making sure everyone is where they’re suppose to be and doing everything right. Elder Allen is the leader over the Shepard’s and is completely setting off warning bells in Reagans head.
Lets just be honest… I really like this book. I already knew CB Stone was a great author, she just proves it again with Desperation: The Island I. While reading I was laying on a beach with a cool breeze blowing all day long. While actually I was at home, sweating when you walk out the door. Then taking 20mins to cool down when going back inside… But that’s what a good book is for me. One that lets ne travel to wherever the characters are and forgetting where I am for a while.
I have a feeling Reagan an Andie are going to get extremely close and can not wait to see what happens with Connor and the Secs (yup, I intentionally left that part out) in book 2 of this series, Escalation: The Island II. You can look for that review in a couple of days. If you haven’t checked out CB Stone from my first three reviews of her books, please give her look. You will not be disappointed!
I received a complementary copy of this book from CB Stone in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and opinions are all my own.
http://ljonesedition.wordpress.com
April 20, 2016
*** 2.5 Stars ***
I had no idea what this book was about before I started reading it. I actually downloaded it by accident, looking for a different book with the same name. But, as it was free, I decided to read it anyways.
Reagan is sentenced for a crime she didn't do and gets sent to a reintegration camp for youths, which for some reason is set on an island far out to sea. But on the way there she decides to jump off the boat and swims to a different island where there is a group of people living a seemingly perfect life. But everything is not as it seems...
Something that bothered me was that all through her stay on the island Reagan keeps saying that something feels off, but she still decides to stay on the island. She also decides to trust the people there, even though she has a bad feeling.
Also, I'm not a huge fan of every single book written recently having to be part of a trilogy. This book is about 150 pages, book 2 and 3 each has around 130 pages. So technically, combined they are one single book. And the ending of this one is a cliffhanger, clearly meant for you to read the next one. The first book being free makes it less annoying, but it's still frustrating.
All in all an ok read, if you think the blurb sounds interesting I would try it out as it is free on Amazon. Well, the first books is anyways...
I had no idea what this book was about before I started reading it. I actually downloaded it by accident, looking for a different book with the same name. But, as it was free, I decided to read it anyways.
Reagan is sentenced for a crime she didn't do and gets sent to a reintegration camp for youths, which for some reason is set on an island far out to sea. But on the way there she decides to jump off the boat and swims to a different island where there is a group of people living a seemingly perfect life. But everything is not as it seems...
Something that bothered me was that all through her stay on the island Reagan keeps saying that something feels off, but she still decides to stay on the island. She also decides to trust the people there, even though she has a bad feeling.
Also, I'm not a huge fan of every single book written recently having to be part of a trilogy. This book is about 150 pages, book 2 and 3 each has around 130 pages. So technically, combined they are one single book. And the ending of this one is a cliffhanger, clearly meant for you to read the next one. The first book being free makes it less annoying, but it's still frustrating.
All in all an ok read, if you think the blurb sounds interesting I would try it out as it is free on Amazon. Well, the first books is anyways...
November 19, 2023
Desperation
The Island #1
Dystopian
C.B. Stone
⭐️⭐️.5
This was a disappointing read. There was a lot of potential but unfortunately it just fell short.
The FMC, Reagan, is immature and doesn't think of the consequences of her actions. She's also very spontaneous.
It was frustrating that Reagan kept feeling like something was off and yet she was constantly distracted by a guy and his "beautiful eyes".
The pacing was quite slow and there were a few info dumps. I felt like I didn't get to know any of the characters organically, it was just a list of their personality traits.
The ending was disappointing and some parts didn't make sense. If Connor thought Reagan was there to spy on them, then why was he so harsh to her? Surely he'd make sure to be nice to her in order to avoid suspicion.
I don't think I'll continue this series
The Island #1
Dystopian
C.B. Stone
⭐️⭐️.5
This was a disappointing read. There was a lot of potential but unfortunately it just fell short.
The FMC, Reagan, is immature and doesn't think of the consequences of her actions. She's also very spontaneous.
It was frustrating that Reagan kept feeling like something was off and yet she was constantly distracted by a guy and his "beautiful eyes".
The pacing was quite slow and there were a few info dumps. I felt like I didn't get to know any of the characters organically, it was just a list of their personality traits.
The ending was disappointing and some parts didn't make sense. If Connor thought Reagan was there to spy on them, then why was he so harsh to her? Surely he'd make sure to be nice to her in order to avoid suspicion.
I don't think I'll continue this series
October 26, 2016
This was an interesting first part of a three part story. It made me wonder if there was any connection between the two islands detailed in the story, something that might get revealed in the following instalments. Once again, though, my complaint is that, as this isn’t aimed at very young children, it is quite short and could have easily been one single novel with all three parts included.
July 26, 2020
I had such high hopes for this book. Reagan Rykehart was caught with drugs, not hers, and sent to the Grady Island Reintegration camp, but she does not make it there. She jumps off the boat and swims to the nearest shore, finding herself on Halcyon Island instead, run by David, a religious leader…
Reagan is suspicious early on, wondering whether this island is too good to be true. With all the people obliviously happy, following the rules and doing their part for the community, things seem fine on the surface.
“My skin does a little crawling thing at the way he says my name, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why.”
Reagan is a consistent character, with a bit of a temper and great intuition. Connor is a bit of an enigma, but I didn’t learn nearly enough about him to form a descent opinion yet.
But this was just a waste of time in my opinion. Just when things started to get interesting, the story ends, prompting you to get the second book. The only problem is that I’m not even invested in the story or the characters yet, so why would I want to? Even if there was potential, which there is, I wouldn’t yet be interested in finding out at all.
Reagan is suspicious early on, wondering whether this island is too good to be true. With all the people obliviously happy, following the rules and doing their part for the community, things seem fine on the surface.
“My skin does a little crawling thing at the way he says my name, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why.”
Reagan is a consistent character, with a bit of a temper and great intuition. Connor is a bit of an enigma, but I didn’t learn nearly enough about him to form a descent opinion yet.
But this was just a waste of time in my opinion. Just when things started to get interesting, the story ends, prompting you to get the second book. The only problem is that I’m not even invested in the story or the characters yet, so why would I want to? Even if there was potential, which there is, I wouldn’t yet be interested in finding out at all.
March 31, 2019
I had a hard time with this book. Yes there are Christian themes and I'm not very religious. However, I'm fine with religious themes in a book. What I had an issue with was the writing and how the "cult" was portrayed. It was quite simplified and didn't have a lot of development. Now this is the first installment of a series and it leaves off with a cliff-hanger. But even the small portion I read didn't ring true and felt almost lazy, as if the author didn't do a lot of research on this topic. Granted, it might not be fair for me to analyze as I have a PhD and used to teach about this...but I was hoping for a little more nuance and character development.
Unfortunately, I won't be reading the remainder of the series. For me, a two-star really is ok. Not horrible as some people see 2 star ratings.
Unfortunately, I won't be reading the remainder of the series. For me, a two-star really is ok. Not horrible as some people see 2 star ratings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2019
There is nothing terribly wrong with this book (besides a few typos here and there), but there also isn't really anything that drew me into the story. In theory, I liked the idea of the girl stumbling upon a religious cult, but there just didn't seem to be much more going on than that. Plus, the book was over when my Kindle said 74% (the rest was an excerpt from another book?), so it felt more like an unfinished story than part of a series, to be honest. I don't think I will be reading more of the series, though, just because I didn't really care for the main character, or anyone else, for that matter.
November 4, 2025
It’s a short read and somewhat leaves you on a cliff hanger and now I’m itching for the second two books! I didn’t expect the book plot to be what it is. It’s the first time I read a book like this and it was a little unnerving in some chapters but in a good way. It adds to the mystery of the story. It helped me get out of a reading slump! Can’t wait to see what the story turns into in the next couple of books.
November 17, 2023
It definitely caught my attention and I quickly add the next two books to my TBR. This is a very fast short story that is part of a trilogy, but I assume the trilogy is actually the equivalent of one book. The author did a great job of getting the reader to care just enough about the characters to become invested!
December 27, 2023
Tbh chose to read this book to finish up my 2023 reading challenge and woof.... I should've known it wouldn't be my kind of book when the first two pages were religious excerpts and quotes from the author 🤦🏼♀️ No interest in continuing with the series. So. Much. Eye rolling. Kinda feels like it was written by a teenager.
September 23, 2024
Great title
I liked the title of this book because it describes how the main character feels at the beginning of this story. I liked how the author weaves the different characters in the story to accomplish the plot. I wanted to find out what this island was about and at the very end, the reader finds out. This story kept my attention the whole way through.
I liked the title of this book because it describes how the main character feels at the beginning of this story. I liked how the author weaves the different characters in the story to accomplish the plot. I wanted to find out what this island was about and at the very end, the reader finds out. This story kept my attention the whole way through.
March 20, 2018
Interesting and quick read
I'm not a fan of short stories (especially when the next two can probably be put into the first) but I will be checking out the author's work. I am digging the story on this one.
I'm not a fan of short stories (especially when the next two can probably be put into the first) but I will be checking out the author's work. I am digging the story on this one.
March 30, 2020
Island paradise or prison?
I really could not get into this book. It was
OKay. Lots of conversation little action. Not very believable that she could just jump off a prison ship.
I really could not get into this book. It was
OKay. Lots of conversation little action. Not very believable that she could just jump off a prison ship.
October 4, 2023
I liked this book, but it was way too short. I know it's a trilogy but I'm wondering if all three books should have been turned into just one. I'll probably read the next one eventually, but it was just too short to want to jump immediately into the next one. Not invested enough.
January 20, 2018
Absolutely loved this book. This book had so many twists and turns I had no idea what was going to happen next. Would definitely recommend this book and author.
March 28, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
October 1, 2023
It's a dystopian novel, with some Christian themes, but that's not a reason to not like this book. The story is very good.
Going to read the whole trilogy. Loved it.
Going to read the whole trilogy. Loved it.
November 15, 2023
Such a great book! That clifhanger at the end... you gave me everything I wanted and a little bit more. I love the way you write and I would really like to read more from you.
February 1, 2024
Exciting opening story for a thrilling series!
April 23, 2024
interesting twists.
An interesting, rather unique story. The characters are a wide variety and very individual. But beware the twists! Reagan has a lot to learn…
An interesting, rather unique story. The characters are a wide variety and very individual. But beware the twists! Reagan has a lot to learn…
April 26, 2024
Rated it 3.5 stars on storygraph.
Idk why this was on the stuff your kindle day romance reads 😭but it was actually pretty solid. It’s giving like Joel Osteen being Jim jones type of vibez.
Idk why this was on the stuff your kindle day romance reads 😭but it was actually pretty solid. It’s giving like Joel Osteen being Jim jones type of vibez.
June 22, 2024
All I have to say is cult cult cult.
July 16, 2024
Felt like propaganda and the romance is incredibly forced
July 8, 2025
This book was just not for me, unfortunately.
June 14, 2024
This was pretty decent for a freebie on “stuff your kindle” day. Bummed because I know I def won’t spend $3.99 to read the second book so byeeee characters 👋🏼👋🏼
March 2, 2017
It's got suspense and mystery.
Reagan is sentenced to a rehabilitation program on an island for a crime she did not commit. She jumps ship only to find her way to another island. Things here are just as crazy and jail like to her. You'll have to get the sequels to this book to get any resolution.
Reagan is sentenced to a rehabilitation program on an island for a crime she did not commit. She jumps ship only to find her way to another island. Things here are just as crazy and jail like to her. You'll have to get the sequels to this book to get any resolution.
April 2, 2016
"No good deed goes unpunished"
Unfortunately for Reagan Rykehart, this is a lesson she learns all too well. Covering for a friend, Reagan ends up in court and sentenced to 16 months at the Grandy Island Reintegration Camp. A facility for the treatment and rehabilitation of at risk youths. She's never heard of it and is pretty sure she won't like it. Once on the ship headed to the island, another passenger (who's spent time at the facility) tells her a little about the "Rehabilitation" center. When Reagan sees lights coming from land nearby, she decides she'd rather risk jumping from the ship and swimming to land, rather than going to Grandy Island. Once on shore she learns she's on Halcyon Island. Will her situation on this island be better than her court ordered destination?
Once she makes it to shore, she is led to a village by Drake. There she meets David, the leader of Halcyon Island. She learns that the island is a spiritual community and is offered food and lodging for the night. So she won't be uncomfortable, David also offers her a bit of company, as well as someone who can tell her about the island and the ways of the community. Reagan immediately feels a kinship with Andie. But the more time Reagan spends on Halcyon, the more she wonders if things would've been better if she had just stayed on the ship.
The story line was incredibly fascinating to me and the story was action packed and never dull. It was written with such colorful descriptions that I felt immersed in Reagan's world. My only con for this book was that I feel like I never really got to know the characters. It was a short story and so full of adventure and suspense, that I feel the characters themselves were kind of left out. I want to know more about this characters, their thoughts, feelings, background. I need more, lol.
Unfortunately for Reagan Rykehart, this is a lesson she learns all too well. Covering for a friend, Reagan ends up in court and sentenced to 16 months at the Grandy Island Reintegration Camp. A facility for the treatment and rehabilitation of at risk youths. She's never heard of it and is pretty sure she won't like it. Once on the ship headed to the island, another passenger (who's spent time at the facility) tells her a little about the "Rehabilitation" center. When Reagan sees lights coming from land nearby, she decides she'd rather risk jumping from the ship and swimming to land, rather than going to Grandy Island. Once on shore she learns she's on Halcyon Island. Will her situation on this island be better than her court ordered destination?
Once she makes it to shore, she is led to a village by Drake. There she meets David, the leader of Halcyon Island. She learns that the island is a spiritual community and is offered food and lodging for the night. So she won't be uncomfortable, David also offers her a bit of company, as well as someone who can tell her about the island and the ways of the community. Reagan immediately feels a kinship with Andie. But the more time Reagan spends on Halcyon, the more she wonders if things would've been better if she had just stayed on the ship.
The story line was incredibly fascinating to me and the story was action packed and never dull. It was written with such colorful descriptions that I felt immersed in Reagan's world. My only con for this book was that I feel like I never really got to know the characters. It was a short story and so full of adventure and suspense, that I feel the characters themselves were kind of left out. I want to know more about this characters, their thoughts, feelings, background. I need more, lol.
February 14, 2017
Ok
Kinda blad, despite the intrigue. The characters were well formed, the plot is interesting. Just didn't manage to capture and hold my interest.
Kinda blad, despite the intrigue. The characters were well formed, the plot is interesting. Just didn't manage to capture and hold my interest.
July 19, 2015
Reagan is a stubborn, caring and outspoken young woman with convictions. Those caring convictions (helping a friend), lands her in court; ending with a conviction and being sentenced to a camp for at-risk youth, on an island. Reagan also has good instincts and intuition. She decides she can't go to the camp, after hearing horror stories on the ship. Halfway to the camp, Reagan spies land and dives into the ocean, swimming with all her might to reach the island. What awaits her on this strange land? Will her fate be better or worse?
Fascinating and compelling original adventure! C.B Stone brings the characters to life and captivates with ingenious stories and plots! First of a series. Enjoy!
Received book free for honest review.
Fascinating and compelling original adventure! C.B Stone brings the characters to life and captivates with ingenious stories and plots! First of a series. Enjoy!
Received book free for honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews