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Island on Fire
In the lush, tropical world of Martinique where slavery is a distant memory and voodoo holds sway, Emilie Dujon discovers that her fiancé, a rich sugar planter, has been unfaithful. Desperate to leave him, she elicits the aid of a voodoo witch doctor and is lured into a shadowy world of black magic and extortion. When the volcano known as Mount Pelée begins to rumble and spew ash, she joins a scientific committee sent to investigate the crater. During the journey she meets Lt. Denis Rémy, an army officer with a mysterious past.
At the summit, the explorers discover that a second crater has formed and the volcano appears to be on the verge of eruption. But when they try to warn the governor, he orders them to bury the evidence for fear of upsetting the upcoming election. As the pressure builds, a deadly mudslide inundates Emilie’s plantation and she disappears. With ash and cinders raining down, chaos ensues. Left with no choice, Lt. Rémy deserts his post and sets off on a desperate quest to rescue Emilie. But with all roads blocked, can they escape the doomed city of St. Pierre before it’s too late?
At the summit, the explorers discover that a second crater has formed and the volcano appears to be on the verge of eruption. But when they try to warn the governor, he orders them to bury the evidence for fear of upsetting the upcoming election. As the pressure builds, a deadly mudslide inundates Emilie’s plantation and she disappears. With ash and cinders raining down, chaos ensues. Left with no choice, Lt. Rémy deserts his post and sets off on a desperate quest to rescue Emilie. But with all roads blocked, can they escape the doomed city of St. Pierre before it’s too late?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2018
13 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Schiller
17 books132 followersSophie Schiller was born in New Jersey and grew up in the West Indies. She is a novelist and a poet. She loves stories that carry the reader back in time to exotic and far-flung locations. Kirkus Reviews has called her "an accomplished thriller and historical adventure writer." Publishers Weekly called her novel, ISLAND ON FIRE, "a memorable romantic thriller", her novel RACE TO TIBET, “a thrilling yarn,” and her TRANSFER DAY, “a page-turner with emotional resonance.” Her latest novel, THE LOST DIARY OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON, was called "an engaging coming-of-age story of heartbreak, bravery, honor, and triumph" by Kirkus Reviews. Her latest novel, THE UNLIKELY SPY, is now out. She graduated from American University, Washington, DC and lives in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 28, 2018
Island on Fire by Sophie Schiller is a Kindle Scout book I got for picking it as a winner. It really is not the genre I normally read but it looked like a winner so...I was very surprised and happy that I actually enjoyed it. It is a historical fiction so that helped.
It is about a gal and a cheating low life boyfriend. The gal goes to a voodoo priestess, well why not? Right? First thing I think of when I have a cheating boyfriend..voodoo priestess under the yellow pages. I would think she would want to sacrifice him but no, she wants the to keep the fool. Mt Pelee is ready to pop, I am thinking we sacrifice him to the volcano gods and maybe we make a short story out of this novel but nope! Mt Pelee explodes and then the excitement happens. I have never been near a volcano that kills 30,000 people and have to run and survive but the book makes it sound like it might be dangerous or something. What? Anyway, I loved the book, check it out. Really, I did enjoy the thrill of what it would be like faced with the threats going on...the book was excellent.
It is about a gal and a cheating low life boyfriend. The gal goes to a voodoo priestess, well why not? Right? First thing I think of when I have a cheating boyfriend..voodoo priestess under the yellow pages. I would think she would want to sacrifice him but no, she wants the to keep the fool. Mt Pelee is ready to pop, I am thinking we sacrifice him to the volcano gods and maybe we make a short story out of this novel but nope! Mt Pelee explodes and then the excitement happens. I have never been near a volcano that kills 30,000 people and have to run and survive but the book makes it sound like it might be dangerous or something. What? Anyway, I loved the book, check it out. Really, I did enjoy the thrill of what it would be like faced with the threats going on...the book was excellent.
August 14, 2018
In Island on Fire the author creates a picture of a society where, much like the volcano, a lot is going on underneath the surface, whether that is commercial and political machinations or continued belief in voodoo practices in an age of modern science and rationality.
Despite evidence to the contrary, those in authority choose to believe that there is no threat from the volcano, having more regard to the consequences of panic by the population than the possible risk to life and property. This will prove to have disastrous consequences.
The book’s heroine, Emilie, whilst in all other respects an intelligent, independent-minded young woman, reflects the dichotomy in Martinique society. As a result she acts in a way that seems out of character but which reflects the desperation she feels at the situation in which she finds herself.
Whilst the book description reveals much of the story (a little too much to my mind), the author creates a credible sense of melodrama as events unfold in dramatic fashion.
I really enjoyed the evocative portrayal of the island’s lush landscape, vegetation and wildlife. ‘Everywhere he looked, the island was teeming with life. Mango trees, sprawling bougainvillea, flaming flamboyant, majestic palm trees, and endless plantations dotting the hillsides like a patchwork quilt of sumptuous beauty.’ Plus, as regular followers of this blog will know, I can’t resist delicious descriptions of food and there are plenty of the local cuisine in the book.
Island on Fire reveals a fascinating aspect of the history of Martinique that was new to me as well as being an entertaining, if slightly melodramatic, story of betrayal, honour and love
I received a review copy courtesy of the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Despite evidence to the contrary, those in authority choose to believe that there is no threat from the volcano, having more regard to the consequences of panic by the population than the possible risk to life and property. This will prove to have disastrous consequences.
The book’s heroine, Emilie, whilst in all other respects an intelligent, independent-minded young woman, reflects the dichotomy in Martinique society. As a result she acts in a way that seems out of character but which reflects the desperation she feels at the situation in which she finds herself.
Whilst the book description reveals much of the story (a little too much to my mind), the author creates a credible sense of melodrama as events unfold in dramatic fashion.
I really enjoyed the evocative portrayal of the island’s lush landscape, vegetation and wildlife. ‘Everywhere he looked, the island was teeming with life. Mango trees, sprawling bougainvillea, flaming flamboyant, majestic palm trees, and endless plantations dotting the hillsides like a patchwork quilt of sumptuous beauty.’ Plus, as regular followers of this blog will know, I can’t resist delicious descriptions of food and there are plenty of the local cuisine in the book.
Island on Fire reveals a fascinating aspect of the history of Martinique that was new to me as well as being an entertaining, if slightly melodramatic, story of betrayal, honour and love
I received a review copy courtesy of the author and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
July 22, 2018
In 1902 the island Martinique, a French protectorate in the Caribbean was devastated by an eruption of Mt. Pelée, scorching its largest city Saint-Pierre and killing 30,000 people. The story is set during the two weeks leading up to the volcano's main eruption on May 8. Several themes begin to play out: Emilie, beautiful daughter of a struggling cocoa planter ardently desires to end her engagement to wealthy but despicable sugar plantation owner Lucien, she seeks aid from a notorious voodoo doctor, relations become strained in Emilie's family, the island's governor strives to calm the population as the volcano smokes and rumbles, and newly assigned Lieutenant Denis Rémy hopes to redeem his questionable status. The turn-of-century society, plantation operations, and penchant for political obsessions are shown through dialogue and description. The plot has promise and the characters are interesting, but the execution leaves something to be desired.
Many scene descriptions and lines of dialogue are repeated several times. Frequent phrases include "impending sense of doom," "things deteriorating quickly," "refugees crowding cathedrals to baptize children," "people resigned themselves to their fate," with repeated descriptions of sweat pouring from foreheads and pounding hearts. Scenes in the voodoo doctor's office with its eerie altar often seem word-for-word. The fearful and desperate people who are blocked from leaving Saint-Pierre by the governor are always reacting the same.
Dialogue seems unnatural at times. In the middle of action scenes the characters have propensity for lengthy expository discussions. Emilie and Denis repeat lines to each other. The voodoo doctor goes into defensive monologues when Denis attacks him. While Emilie was repeatedly called "innocent," naive and short-sighted would better describe her. Anyone living with the voodoo culture, and raised by a "native" nanny would know the risks of seeking black magic to accomplish their goals.
The volcano makes perfect backdrop for tension and suspense, but from the outset it seems in serious eruption, though officials deny it. There was not enough building of tension, progressing from milder to more intense descriptions. Readers could become jaded by the time the final major eruption takes place. It is a dramatic story, and readers will want to stay with it to find out what happens. It could have been more tightly written.
Many scene descriptions and lines of dialogue are repeated several times. Frequent phrases include "impending sense of doom," "things deteriorating quickly," "refugees crowding cathedrals to baptize children," "people resigned themselves to their fate," with repeated descriptions of sweat pouring from foreheads and pounding hearts. Scenes in the voodoo doctor's office with its eerie altar often seem word-for-word. The fearful and desperate people who are blocked from leaving Saint-Pierre by the governor are always reacting the same.
Dialogue seems unnatural at times. In the middle of action scenes the characters have propensity for lengthy expository discussions. Emilie and Denis repeat lines to each other. The voodoo doctor goes into defensive monologues when Denis attacks him. While Emilie was repeatedly called "innocent," naive and short-sighted would better describe her. Anyone living with the voodoo culture, and raised by a "native" nanny would know the risks of seeking black magic to accomplish their goals.
The volcano makes perfect backdrop for tension and suspense, but from the outset it seems in serious eruption, though officials deny it. There was not enough building of tension, progressing from milder to more intense descriptions. Readers could become jaded by the time the final major eruption takes place. It is a dramatic story, and readers will want to stay with it to find out what happens. It could have been more tightly written.
June 18, 2018
The thriller tale of Emile, the naive young plantation woman, caught in the trap of an arranged marriage she thought she wanted, keeps you wondering right to the end - does she make it? Sophie Schiller builds the suspense and keeps you guessing. Historical fiction often has to combat the fact that historically, we know in a broad sense how the story ends - the eruption of Mt. Pelee in Martinique destroys the town, and practically everyone with it. Schiller structures it so that you are rooting for Emile and her soldier love Remy to survive, against all odds.
The writing reads like you are there, and paints vivid pictures of panic, jungle, a volcano, and the passions of Lucien, Emilie, and Remy. The historical details are true to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tale. It held my interest throughout.
The writing reads like you are there, and paints vivid pictures of panic, jungle, a volcano, and the passions of Lucien, Emilie, and Remy. The historical details are true to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tale. It held my interest throughout.
May 29, 2018
An exciting piece of fiction based on the eruption of Mount Pelée on the exotic island of Martinique in 1902. The lives of the two main characters are skillfully interwoven in the events leading up to the horrors of the eruption. Emilie Dujon, a feisty plantation owner's daughter, realizes her engagement to another plantation owner is a mistake, as he is not the man she thought he was. Lt. Denis Rémy, a dedicated soldier, is trying to distance himself from a dubious past. The story, with a good mix of history, action, romance, superstition, voodoo and politics, will appeal to most readers. And in the background is the rumbling Mount Pelée no one wants to believe will actually erupt until it is too late. Set in colourful Martinique, at a time when women and soldiers are expected to do as they are told, even if it costs them their lives.
May 22, 2018
A fantastically gripping tale of love, loss, bravery, and redemption. Mixed in with some voodoo, assholery, and greed. Island on fire by Sophie Schiller, is a must-read book, by all accounts
March 28, 2018
Historical Thriller
The author does a magnificent job of weaving facts with fictional characters to tell the true story of the eruption of Mount Pelee at the turn of the century. Sophie Schiller weaves visual impressions with her prose that are among the best I've ever read. I can see, smell and taste the story as it unfolds. There are no questions in my mind as to why this novel was chosen by Amazon Press for publication, it also gives me quality insight as to why my novel, Evolution of a Killer wasn't. This, is a well crafted story. Congratulations Ms. Schiller!
The author does a magnificent job of weaving facts with fictional characters to tell the true story of the eruption of Mount Pelee at the turn of the century. Sophie Schiller weaves visual impressions with her prose that are among the best I've ever read. I can see, smell and taste the story as it unfolds. There are no questions in my mind as to why this novel was chosen by Amazon Press for publication, it also gives me quality insight as to why my novel, Evolution of a Killer wasn't. This, is a well crafted story. Congratulations Ms. Schiller!
September 18, 2018
I have to admit that when I began reading this book, I did not think I would enjoy it. I found it a bit slow to start and it was difficult to follow along. I wasn’t sure where the storyline was going, or even what the point of the story was. I am so glad that I pressed on and kept reading. What I found was that I could not stop turning pages.
Island on Fire takes place in Saint-Pierre, Martinique, at the foot of the “extinct” volcanoes, Mount Pelee. Emilie Dujour is the daughter of a plantation owner. I would not go so far as to say she is pampered; however, she has lived a life of privilege.
Emilie is fascinated by the unexplainable activity taking place on Mount Pelee, and spends quite a bit of time observing and journaling what she sees. The governor appoints a scientific committee to journey up to the summit and report back on their findings, and Emilie convinced them to allow her to join them. Here she meets Lieutenant Denis Remy, a soldier attached to the local garrison. What they find at the summit is terrifying; however due to the impending elections, the governor demands that they not create hysteria and assure the locals that the volcano is settling, knowing just the opposite is true.
I found the descriptions of the scenery both captivating and horrifying and the characters very well developed. I found myself imagining that I could smell the acrid smoke and sulfur from the volcano. It was easy to picture the terrifying scenes as they played out, and to imagine the desperation that the locals and the refugees must have felt.
The author clearly has a good grasp on the mystical voodoo practices, and if that is not true, I was convinced anyhow. I imagine that while this is a work of fiction, it was rich with historical accuracy, which was the most fascinating part for me.
This book was truly a gripping story that had me on the edge of my seat, and turning page after page to find out what happened next.
June 30, 2018
Following up on 2015's Race to Tibet, Sophie Schiller has produced another well-crafted and thoroughly researched historical adventure, this time shifting the action from the frozen Himalaya to tropical Martinique. As with Tibet, she brings to vivid life another actual historical event with which I was totally unfamiliar - I can't wait now to see where she goes next!
The book is especially effective in it's scenes covering the volcano itself - the early hike up the Mount Pelée and startling discoveries on the mountain's peak; and the actual eruption and its devastating effects on the capital city. I was less involved with the side story of Emilie's dabblings in voodoo - as a strong and independent heroine, I thought she made a lot of bad choices here. But then I am also currently reading Karen Cleveland's thriller Need to Know, whose plot is also driven by a female CIA analyst's spiral of bad decisions, so...maybe that's just what women do? (Just kidding, Sophie!)
Altogether, Island on Fire is a solid follow-up, although overall I have to say I preferred Tibet. I've always been more a "frozen mountain" than "tropical paradise" kind of guy, and have had a personal interest in Tibet for over 40 years. Plus, I found Island more of a traditional historical romance, which just isn't my genre. But those are totally personal preferences, and no fault of the author.
I also found it interesting that both books - along with her earlier World War I-set Spy Island - take place between 1880-1920. It would be great if she could somehow tie them (and future stories) together into a James Cavell sort of multi-generational family epic!
The book is especially effective in it's scenes covering the volcano itself - the early hike up the Mount Pelée and startling discoveries on the mountain's peak; and the actual eruption and its devastating effects on the capital city. I was less involved with the side story of Emilie's dabblings in voodoo - as a strong and independent heroine, I thought she made a lot of bad choices here. But then I am also currently reading Karen Cleveland's thriller Need to Know, whose plot is also driven by a female CIA analyst's spiral of bad decisions, so...maybe that's just what women do? (Just kidding, Sophie!)
Altogether, Island on Fire is a solid follow-up, although overall I have to say I preferred Tibet. I've always been more a "frozen mountain" than "tropical paradise" kind of guy, and have had a personal interest in Tibet for over 40 years. Plus, I found Island more of a traditional historical romance, which just isn't my genre. But those are totally personal preferences, and no fault of the author.
I also found it interesting that both books - along with her earlier World War I-set Spy Island - take place between 1880-1920. It would be great if she could somehow tie them (and future stories) together into a James Cavell sort of multi-generational family epic!
August 28, 2018
Island On Fire is a little different from the type of historical that I usually read, mostly because of the setting, but there was something about this book that really grabbed my attention
Volcanoes, Voodoo and cheating fiances give this book a little something, something.
The setting is Martinique in 1902 and the story figures around the eruption of the volcano that devastated that island with 30,000 people dying as a result. The geologists at the time believe that volcano to be extinct. Hmm wonder what all the smoke is about then?
As you read there are a lot of geologists and politicians that you'll want to shake, especially as most readers know going into the book that the eruption of Mt. Pelee causes a great loss of life.
Emilie discovers early on in the book that her soon to be husband isn't faithful and breaking the engagement is not something that is looked favorably upon at the time. Her family's finances are part of the reason she must marry well. She goes the route of voodoo, while falling for a soldier.
Emilie is a contradiction. She's a smart women. She understands that the volcano is not dormant. She also knows she doesn't want to be married to Lucien. Then she manages to get involved with a man who practices voodoo in order to rid herself of Lucien. She also does some foolish things with Denis that don't help her cause.
There are a lot of tense moments towards the end, but I wouldn't consider this book a thriller.
This is a wonderful historical novel with a touch of action and romance to add to its appeal. It is a well researched novel that will leave you wanting to learn more about what happened in Martinique on May 8, 1902. This is a must read!
Volcanoes, Voodoo and cheating fiances give this book a little something, something.
The setting is Martinique in 1902 and the story figures around the eruption of the volcano that devastated that island with 30,000 people dying as a result. The geologists at the time believe that volcano to be extinct. Hmm wonder what all the smoke is about then?
As you read there are a lot of geologists and politicians that you'll want to shake, especially as most readers know going into the book that the eruption of Mt. Pelee causes a great loss of life.
Emilie discovers early on in the book that her soon to be husband isn't faithful and breaking the engagement is not something that is looked favorably upon at the time. Her family's finances are part of the reason she must marry well. She goes the route of voodoo, while falling for a soldier.
Emilie is a contradiction. She's a smart women. She understands that the volcano is not dormant. She also knows she doesn't want to be married to Lucien. Then she manages to get involved with a man who practices voodoo in order to rid herself of Lucien. She also does some foolish things with Denis that don't help her cause.
There are a lot of tense moments towards the end, but I wouldn't consider this book a thriller.
This is a wonderful historical novel with a touch of action and romance to add to its appeal. It is a well researched novel that will leave you wanting to learn more about what happened in Martinique on May 8, 1902. This is a must read!
October 1, 2018
- I received this book free though Xpresso Book Tours.
Oh man, where to even begin? This books was at times exciting, at times suspenseful, and also aggravating. (I mean government can be aggravating anyway, but a government who refuses to see the impending doom of a volcano in full eruption is a special kind of aggravation. I managed to keep from throwing my Kindle across the room, even if I did want to try to shake some sense into a few government officials in the book.)
I was completely unfamiliar with the island of Martinique before reading this book. The author does such a good job of describing the setting and the historical time period that I really felt like I had a feel for 1902 Martinique and the island’s geography by the end. And it was written in a way that didn’t take away from the action. It sounds like an absolutely beautiful place to visit.
There are 3 unique conflicts going on at the same time. The heroine Emilie has a lot on her hands. It starts out seemingly simple enough with her discovery of her fiancé cheating, then it adds the mystery of the volcano, and a new love interest in Rémy. As more and more is revealed about Lucien and Emilie becomes more desperate to escape from his controlling and abusive behavior she turns to Voodoo. By the end Emilie is dealing with multiple enemies her crazed fiancé Lucien, the Voodoo Grand Mamy and the erupting volcano.
By the last quarter of the book I was conflicted… I HAD to know how it all ended, but I was almost scared to finish it, being totally unsure of how it was going to end. As I sped through those last chapters I was almost breathless. The action and the drama was absolutely intense. You could practically feel the force of the volcano. The danger that Emilie and Rémy faced on all side was palpable.
I’ll end as I began… oh man!
Bottom Line:
In a word, intense! A great read with a strong heroine a fantastic setting and lots of action.
Oh man, where to even begin? This books was at times exciting, at times suspenseful, and also aggravating. (I mean government can be aggravating anyway, but a government who refuses to see the impending doom of a volcano in full eruption is a special kind of aggravation. I managed to keep from throwing my Kindle across the room, even if I did want to try to shake some sense into a few government officials in the book.)
I was completely unfamiliar with the island of Martinique before reading this book. The author does such a good job of describing the setting and the historical time period that I really felt like I had a feel for 1902 Martinique and the island’s geography by the end. And it was written in a way that didn’t take away from the action. It sounds like an absolutely beautiful place to visit.
There are 3 unique conflicts going on at the same time. The heroine Emilie has a lot on her hands. It starts out seemingly simple enough with her discovery of her fiancé cheating, then it adds the mystery of the volcano, and a new love interest in Rémy. As more and more is revealed about Lucien and Emilie becomes more desperate to escape from his controlling and abusive behavior she turns to Voodoo. By the end Emilie is dealing with multiple enemies her crazed fiancé Lucien, the Voodoo Grand Mamy and the erupting volcano.
By the last quarter of the book I was conflicted… I HAD to know how it all ended, but I was almost scared to finish it, being totally unsure of how it was going to end. As I sped through those last chapters I was almost breathless. The action and the drama was absolutely intense. You could practically feel the force of the volcano. The danger that Emilie and Rémy faced on all side was palpable.
I’ll end as I began… oh man!
Bottom Line:
In a word, intense! A great read with a strong heroine a fantastic setting and lots of action.
September 26, 2018
This story ended up not being quite what I had expected, but was actually packed with a lot more amazing story telling than I was prepared for. When I first got wind of this book, I was expecting a classic historical romance novel but what I got was way more thrilling and exciting!
Imagine living on a tropical island, plantations abound with workers, gorgeous fruit and crops growing all around you. Emilie is a young woman living in this paradise and her family has owned their plantation for generations. She is engaged to one of the wealthiest plantation bachelor's on the island but quickly finds out that his temper is no match for his sumptuous interest in all local women. While Emilie is trying to decide how she can end her engagement without drudging her family through a scandal of ending a very profitable engagement, she is whisked into an adventure.
Emilie is naturally curious about her environment and when the local volcano starts to have a lot of unexpected activity, Emelie jumps at the chance to join a scientific expedition to the crater to investigate. This is how she meets Remy, a new officer on the island and one that is strongly attracted to Emilie, and she to him.
Their adventure is only the beginning as the volcano continues near eruption and the chemistry between Remy and Emilie is building as well. Enjoy this thrilling historical fiction and find yourself caught in the action!
Imagine living on a tropical island, plantations abound with workers, gorgeous fruit and crops growing all around you. Emilie is a young woman living in this paradise and her family has owned their plantation for generations. She is engaged to one of the wealthiest plantation bachelor's on the island but quickly finds out that his temper is no match for his sumptuous interest in all local women. While Emilie is trying to decide how she can end her engagement without drudging her family through a scandal of ending a very profitable engagement, she is whisked into an adventure.
Emilie is naturally curious about her environment and when the local volcano starts to have a lot of unexpected activity, Emelie jumps at the chance to join a scientific expedition to the crater to investigate. This is how she meets Remy, a new officer on the island and one that is strongly attracted to Emilie, and she to him.
Their adventure is only the beginning as the volcano continues near eruption and the chemistry between Remy and Emilie is building as well. Enjoy this thrilling historical fiction and find yourself caught in the action!
May 30, 2021
Island on Fire is an historical reimagining that is both fascinating and suspenseful!
ISLAND ON FIRE is a historical fiction novel based on the 1902 eruption of Martinique’s Mount Pelée, the most deadly volcanic eruption of the 20th century. The heat, ash, and flying debris destroyed the port city of Saint-Pierre and took the lives of approximately 30,000 individuals in only minutes. The story is a fascinating reimagining that is both suspenseful and absorbing. The romantic side plot of Emilie, Lucien, and Denis Rémy was well incorporated, well-told, and ultimately, very satisfying. The voodoo subplot was thrilling and horrifying; I couldn’t stop reading. By the end, I was thoroughly entertained, had learned a lot about Martinique’s history, culture, and geography, and found myself checking out travel options to the interesting island. I recommend ISLAND ON FIRE to readers of historical fiction, those interested in tales set in the West Indies, and armchair travelers to the French Antilles.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a copy of the work from the author through France Book Tours.
August 20, 2018
Definitely my favorite book this year! I LOVED this novel. Filled with suspense and danger, set on a beautiful, exotic island with a cast of characters that I loved (or hated) this book has everything in it that I enjoy most in my chosen reading selections.
Emilie is a strong character engaged to an unscrupulous, greedy man. She discovers his unsavory character and decides that somehow she must find a way out of the arranged travesty. Her parents are appalled and their plantation may be lost. Meanwhile, a volcano thought to be extinct is waking up but the political leaders refuse to believe the evidence and are more concerned with the pending hotly contested elections.
All of Emilie’s well-meaning attempts to end her unwanted engagement backfire and she gets sucked deeper and deeper into an untenable situation.
Packed with adventure this historical fiction novel kept me entertained and immersed in its magic.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
Emilie is a strong character engaged to an unscrupulous, greedy man. She discovers his unsavory character and decides that somehow she must find a way out of the arranged travesty. Her parents are appalled and their plantation may be lost. Meanwhile, a volcano thought to be extinct is waking up but the political leaders refuse to believe the evidence and are more concerned with the pending hotly contested elections.
All of Emilie’s well-meaning attempts to end her unwanted engagement backfire and she gets sucked deeper and deeper into an untenable situation.
Packed with adventure this historical fiction novel kept me entertained and immersed in its magic.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
August 14, 2018
I grew up in the Caribbean, so much of this was like visiting home. The author describes the heat, the island, the vegetation and the people so well, you think you are there! Emily is a likeable character. As the book opens, she learns, to her great dismay, that her fiancé is unfaithful. In those times, men can do as they like, and Emily has no way to break off her engagement. If she does, she will be ruined in the eyes of society, and her family will suffer. Her family has suffered enough - her beloved brother, the person she is closest to, is dying of consumption. And the volcanic mountain, Pélée, is rumbling ominously. The author definitely knows her history, and her account of the volcani eruption and the story are tied together seamlessly. You feel as if you are there, and you realize that you are helpless to escape. An real pager-turner of a story - highly recommended!
August 8, 2018
In 1902 Mount Pelée a volcano erupted causing the death of thousands of people. Island on Fire is based on Mount Pelée’s eruption. In Island of Fire the volcano is spewing up black smoke and boiling water leaving the town covered in a thick layer of ash.
The governor has been informed of Mount Pelée’s possible eruption and that the town needs to be evacuated but the governor is worried about the upcoming election and losing so he orders everyone to keep quiet about the volcano. No one is to be evacuated under the governor’s order. Winning an election is more important to him than the lives of these people.
Emilie Dujon is engaged to a rich sugar plantation owner Lucien. Emilie cared for Lucien very much until the day she caught him in the arms of another woman. When she tried to call off the wedding neither Lucien nor her parents would allow it. Emilie tried explaining to her family what kind of man Lucien was but they would not listen to her as they needed her to marry Lucien because the plantation was in trouble. Lucien knows this and wants to marry Emilie to get his hands on the plantation himself.
Emilie’s parents made me so mad I was like how could they make her do that? If they loved her how could they force her to do something she didn’t want to do? How could they make her life miserable for a plantation or a piece of land?
Emilie learns that a group of people are going to the volcano to find out if it may erupt or not and talks them into letting her join them on their adventurer up the mountain. On her journey she meets an army officer, Lt. Denis Rémy, an army officer whom she gets to know fairly well.
Emilie decides to go see a voodoo witch doctor hoping that he could help her out of her dire situation with Lucien. Going to see a witch doctor ends up costing her more than she wants or can pay.
When the volcano erupts and Emilie goes missing Rémy deserts his post to find her. With the volcano spitting out fire and ash will Rémy find her in time? Can they make it out before the volcano erupts or will it lead them in a fiery death?
Island of Fire is filled with action from beginning to end that is promised to keep you entertained. It also promises a rainbow of emotion that will take you on the ride of your life running from black smoke, fire, ash, a voodoo witch doctor and a ruthless, controlling and dangerous fiancé hot on your tail.
I would like to recommend Island on Fire to historical fiction fans. If you like fiction stories that are based on fiction then you are definitely going to fall in love with Island on Fire.
The governor has been informed of Mount Pelée’s possible eruption and that the town needs to be evacuated but the governor is worried about the upcoming election and losing so he orders everyone to keep quiet about the volcano. No one is to be evacuated under the governor’s order. Winning an election is more important to him than the lives of these people.
Emilie Dujon is engaged to a rich sugar plantation owner Lucien. Emilie cared for Lucien very much until the day she caught him in the arms of another woman. When she tried to call off the wedding neither Lucien nor her parents would allow it. Emilie tried explaining to her family what kind of man Lucien was but they would not listen to her as they needed her to marry Lucien because the plantation was in trouble. Lucien knows this and wants to marry Emilie to get his hands on the plantation himself.
Emilie’s parents made me so mad I was like how could they make her do that? If they loved her how could they force her to do something she didn’t want to do? How could they make her life miserable for a plantation or a piece of land?
Emilie learns that a group of people are going to the volcano to find out if it may erupt or not and talks them into letting her join them on their adventurer up the mountain. On her journey she meets an army officer, Lt. Denis Rémy, an army officer whom she gets to know fairly well.
Emilie decides to go see a voodoo witch doctor hoping that he could help her out of her dire situation with Lucien. Going to see a witch doctor ends up costing her more than she wants or can pay.
When the volcano erupts and Emilie goes missing Rémy deserts his post to find her. With the volcano spitting out fire and ash will Rémy find her in time? Can they make it out before the volcano erupts or will it lead them in a fiery death?
Island of Fire is filled with action from beginning to end that is promised to keep you entertained. It also promises a rainbow of emotion that will take you on the ride of your life running from black smoke, fire, ash, a voodoo witch doctor and a ruthless, controlling and dangerous fiancé hot on your tail.
I would like to recommend Island on Fire to historical fiction fans. If you like fiction stories that are based on fiction then you are definitely going to fall in love with Island on Fire.
July 30, 2018
Im not sure how I find time to read lately with everything going on but Anyway, I loved the book, check it out. Really, I did enjoy the thrill of what it would be like faced with the threats going on...the book was excellent with drama building steadily with assorted interesting characters and author Sophie Schiller makes the reader want to sit down next to some of these endearing characters. Not to mention the desire to beat a few annoying ones over the head.
August 14, 2018
A historical romance that has a background focused on the rumbling Mount Pelée and whether it’s about to erupt. The story set in 1902 during a time when women were expected to do as they were told. We get to meet Emile Dujon who is not only sassy but she knows what she wants and Lt. Denis Rémy who has a sketchy past. There is everything from voodoo to politics to have you intrigued the entire time.
March 25, 2018
This is Schiller's best effort yet, and her two previous offerings were also excellent. What sets this book apart is that Schiller cuts to the chase. As the background event unfolds, so does the story. It ties in together beautifully.
June 10, 2018
Loooooved it!!!
Great book; kept my interest the entire book. The author kept very true to the real story of Mt. Pelée! The stir of Emilie & Remy was very sweet. Always love second chances!!!!
Great book; kept my interest the entire book. The author kept very true to the real story of Mt. Pelée! The stir of Emilie & Remy was very sweet. Always love second chances!!!!
February 11, 2020
From an adventurous Historical Fiction point of view this story of Mt. Pelee erupting is entertaining. The only thing which spoils the story is how annoying the lead lady behaves and the way the author sneezed out a romance between the lead lady and the military personnel.
September 29, 2024
Nice story around a real event, Mt. Pelee eruption in 1902 on Martinique. A pretty plantation owners daughter betrothed to a cad sugar planter. A mystery soldier that saves the day after the pretty daughter gets mixed up in island voodoo.
May 17, 2021
Island on Fire is a fascinating story. It is a perfect combination of love, action, horror, survival, suspense and history. With the eruption of the volcano, I had to find out what would happen next with the main characters. I stayed on the edge of my seat until the end. Even though the book is based on actual events, I had no way of predicting what would transpire on the following pages. I had to keep reading on until I was completely finished with the book.
I am going to give Island on Fire four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction based on real events. I would love to read more like this from Sophie Schiller in the future. She has earned herself a new fan.
I received Island on Fire from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion
I am going to give Island on Fire four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical fiction based on real events. I would love to read more like this from Sophie Schiller in the future. She has earned herself a new fan.
I received Island on Fire from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion
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