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Island of Fog #1
Island of Fog
A fantasy novel for readers 9 years and up, but suitable for all ages. Atmospheric and mysterious, ISLAND OF FOG is the story of eight children living in a dismal, perpetually foggy community on an island just off the north east coast of America.
Increasing curiosity leads these 12-year-olds to question what lies "Out There" beyond the fog. Is the world really as dead as their parents insist? Are they truly the last surviving humans on the planet? Or are the children the subject of a dark scientific experiment?
When the friends begin to experience frightening physical changes, they realize that their parents are keeping secrets. And when a stranger arrives on the island, it seems clear that the world beyond the fog can't be as dead as they've been led to believe. Convinced of a conspiracy, the children resolve to find out the truth once and for all... and discover a secret far greater than they could have imagined.
Increasing curiosity leads these 12-year-olds to question what lies "Out There" beyond the fog. Is the world really as dead as their parents insist? Are they truly the last surviving humans on the planet? Or are the children the subject of a dark scientific experiment?
When the friends begin to experience frightening physical changes, they realize that their parents are keeping secrets. And when a stranger arrives on the island, it seems clear that the world beyond the fog can't be as dead as they've been led to believe. Convinced of a conspiracy, the children resolve to find out the truth once and for all... and discover a secret far greater than they could have imagined.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2009
657 people are currently reading
1725 people want to read
About the author
Keith Robinson
45 books115 followersKeith Robinson is the author of the ISLAND OF FOG fantasy shapeshifter series for all ages, featuring creatures from myth and legend. Currently 15 books.
Also available is the ISLAND OF FOG LEGACIES series, currently 5 books. This series takes place 20 years after the original adventures.
Visit the official Island of Fog page for more information. And don't forget the ISLAND OF FOG CHRONICLES, currently 3 books.
Keith is also the author of the Sleep Writer series, the spooky Darkhill Scary Stories, a standalone novel Quincy's Curse, and the co-author of two Fractured books with Brian Clopper.
By day, Keith is a self-employed website designer. Originally from England, he moved to the United States in 2001 where he now resides in the sticks of Chickamauga, Georgia.
Also available is the ISLAND OF FOG LEGACIES series, currently 5 books. This series takes place 20 years after the original adventures.
Visit the official Island of Fog page for more information. And don't forget the ISLAND OF FOG CHRONICLES, currently 3 books.
Keith is also the author of the Sleep Writer series, the spooky Darkhill Scary Stories, a standalone novel Quincy's Curse, and the co-author of two Fractured books with Brian Clopper.
By day, Keith is a self-employed website designer. Originally from England, he moved to the United States in 2001 where he now resides in the sticks of Chickamauga, Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
April 4, 2021
Hi, hello.
Are you at home with a Middle Grade reader who has run out of series to read?
Might I recommend this 11-book Middle Grade Fantasy series for your consideration?
I have only read the first book so far, but it was magical and definitely kept my attention.
It left off at a great spot for the continuation of the series. I do own the next book so will definitely be continuing at some point.
April 15, 2013
I wasn’t sure about Island of Fog to begin with. It took a few chapters, but then it really started to grow on me. By the time I got to the final chapter I didn’t want to stop reading. The world Robinson has created is intriguing and has so much possibility.
I liked the characters. The kids were fun to follow on their adventure. It was cool to see how each reacted to his or her special transformation. The best part was they actually acted like kids. For example when the one character transforms he has a debate in his head as to whether it would be worse to have his parents see him that way or to have to go home naked.
The ending is obviously a lead in to the next book in the series. But it isn’t a cliffie and I think that it was satisfying. I can’t wait to get a chance to pick up the rest of the series; hopefully they will be as good as the first.
I liked the characters. The kids were fun to follow on their adventure. It was cool to see how each reacted to his or her special transformation. The best part was they actually acted like kids. For example when the one character transforms he has a debate in his head as to whether it would be worse to have his parents see him that way or to have to go home naked.
The ending is obviously a lead in to the next book in the series. But it isn’t a cliffie and I think that it was satisfying. I can’t wait to get a chance to pick up the rest of the series; hopefully they will be as good as the first.
August 2, 2015
Island of Fog by Keith Robinson Set in a future post-apocalyptic world, 8 families live in quiet solitude on a foggy island, safe from whatever wrecked humanity. The kids are all 12 years old or close to it. While they have each been long curious about the mainland, they also knew there was no way to go exploring. Yet now things are happening to them and secrets long kept are becoming clear. The kids are changing but they don’t know why, or what they will become, or how their parents will react.
These 8 kids, Hal, Robbie, Abigail, Darcy, Dewey, Emily, Fenton, and Lauren, have grown up on this island with their parents, some hogs, cows, a dog, & a cat. There’s no electricity, no indoor plumbing, and no majestic views. The island is perpetually foggy. The kids have never seen a clear night with twinkling stars. The author does a pretty good job setting the stage and giving the reader the feel of the place. The foggy island has shaped these kids as much as their schooling or their parents’ house rules. I really liked the foggy atmosphere because it gave the whole book a mysterious quality.
The families have worked out a communal way to live on the island. One woman is the school teacher, another one the doctor, and yet another bakes weekly bread for all the households. Most of the men work the communal farm. I was surprised that the kids never had farm chores. In fact, they seem to have very few responsibilities other than homework and keeping their rooms clean. I would have liked to see the kids a little more involved in the day to day chores as such a little community probably couldn’t let the kids off to play so often. But that is a tiny quibble compared to how much enjoyment I got out of this book.
So these kids are in for an adventure and things start off a bit slowly. We learn about them, the island, and a few hints as to why they are on the island. Then things pick up with Abigail, who is the first to change and she shares this info with a chosen few. Each kid has a different reaction to these changes and I really liked this aspect. After all, they are all different people.
Meanwhile, there are these sad little remembrances of a family that lost their son many years ago and the couple left the island. Well, Hal & Robbie went adventuring on the island and they ran into something completely unexpected. It was Thomas, the long lost boy, but he’s a manticore. I have no qualms telling you this since he is on the cover art. Thomas is not a well-adjusted kid and doesn’t play well with others, so Hal & Robbie have to flee. To me, Thomas is a rather interesting side character and we learn more about him later in the book. He changed years earlier than the other kids and has been managing on his own for years in the depths of the woods.
Once the adults become aware that at least one of the kids is changing, a specialist, Miss Simone, is called in. This is the first person from off the island the kids have met. They obviously have lots of questions. Yet Simone is evasive and prying at the same time. The kids don’t trust her. They take it upon themselves to do some actions that inadvertently endanger some of the islands inhabitants.
The story lagged in places for me. I felt certain arguments were repeated and repeated. Also, I felt the kids were rather slow to get to the boiling point. After all, their parents kept the biggest secret of their young lives from them, plus all the secrecy about the world off the island. Then this stranger, Miss Simone, comes and wants them to divulge all their secrets and she wants to irrevocably change their lives, all without telling them anything. So I kept waiting for one of the kids to explode in anger, or at least, in indignation. It was really slow in coming and then was a pretty mild rebuke. That aspect watered down the kids’ characters for me.
The last quarter of the book had the most action and was the most well written. Things are moving along and the kids’ personalities are well-fleshed out. Also, we see more of the adults who were largely these shadowy characters in the background up to this point. Plus Miss Simone gets some depth to her mysterious character. It was a pretty good read and I want to know what happens next to these kids.
I received this book free of charge from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: I have listened to several books narrated by Fred Wolinsky and this may be the best performance yet. Each kid was distinct and sounded like a kid. He also had really good female voices, which I appreciated as I haven’t always liked his female voices. As always, he is great at imbuing the characters with emotions and by the end of the book, there were plenty of emotions to be had!
These 8 kids, Hal, Robbie, Abigail, Darcy, Dewey, Emily, Fenton, and Lauren, have grown up on this island with their parents, some hogs, cows, a dog, & a cat. There’s no electricity, no indoor plumbing, and no majestic views. The island is perpetually foggy. The kids have never seen a clear night with twinkling stars. The author does a pretty good job setting the stage and giving the reader the feel of the place. The foggy island has shaped these kids as much as their schooling or their parents’ house rules. I really liked the foggy atmosphere because it gave the whole book a mysterious quality.
The families have worked out a communal way to live on the island. One woman is the school teacher, another one the doctor, and yet another bakes weekly bread for all the households. Most of the men work the communal farm. I was surprised that the kids never had farm chores. In fact, they seem to have very few responsibilities other than homework and keeping their rooms clean. I would have liked to see the kids a little more involved in the day to day chores as such a little community probably couldn’t let the kids off to play so often. But that is a tiny quibble compared to how much enjoyment I got out of this book.
So these kids are in for an adventure and things start off a bit slowly. We learn about them, the island, and a few hints as to why they are on the island. Then things pick up with Abigail, who is the first to change and she shares this info with a chosen few. Each kid has a different reaction to these changes and I really liked this aspect. After all, they are all different people.
Meanwhile, there are these sad little remembrances of a family that lost their son many years ago and the couple left the island. Well, Hal & Robbie went adventuring on the island and they ran into something completely unexpected. It was Thomas, the long lost boy, but he’s a manticore. I have no qualms telling you this since he is on the cover art. Thomas is not a well-adjusted kid and doesn’t play well with others, so Hal & Robbie have to flee. To me, Thomas is a rather interesting side character and we learn more about him later in the book. He changed years earlier than the other kids and has been managing on his own for years in the depths of the woods.
Once the adults become aware that at least one of the kids is changing, a specialist, Miss Simone, is called in. This is the first person from off the island the kids have met. They obviously have lots of questions. Yet Simone is evasive and prying at the same time. The kids don’t trust her. They take it upon themselves to do some actions that inadvertently endanger some of the islands inhabitants.
The story lagged in places for me. I felt certain arguments were repeated and repeated. Also, I felt the kids were rather slow to get to the boiling point. After all, their parents kept the biggest secret of their young lives from them, plus all the secrecy about the world off the island. Then this stranger, Miss Simone, comes and wants them to divulge all their secrets and she wants to irrevocably change their lives, all without telling them anything. So I kept waiting for one of the kids to explode in anger, or at least, in indignation. It was really slow in coming and then was a pretty mild rebuke. That aspect watered down the kids’ characters for me.
The last quarter of the book had the most action and was the most well written. Things are moving along and the kids’ personalities are well-fleshed out. Also, we see more of the adults who were largely these shadowy characters in the background up to this point. Plus Miss Simone gets some depth to her mysterious character. It was a pretty good read and I want to know what happens next to these kids.
I received this book free of charge from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: I have listened to several books narrated by Fred Wolinsky and this may be the best performance yet. Each kid was distinct and sounded like a kid. He also had really good female voices, which I appreciated as I haven’t always liked his female voices. As always, he is great at imbuing the characters with emotions and by the end of the book, there were plenty of emotions to be had!
January 12, 2012
Interesting characters, compelling story, and a unique setting all add up to a very positive reader experience with "Island of Fog". Technically "written for kids", as an adult aficionado of YA/middle-grade literature, I found this book to be perfectly satisfying -- in the same way I've enjoyed the Harry Potter books or similarly targeted works by Neil Gaiman. In short, it's a perfect pass-along sf/f read for your kid after you're finished with it. I'll be downloading the next two books in this series very soon.
July 24, 2016
Best kid fiction I've read since the Harry Potter series.
Especially like the mixture of science fiction and fantasy. The characters are well developed so the reader cares about them and their fates. The writing is exciting with plenty of adventure and the girls are just as involved in the action as the boys.
Especially like the mixture of science fiction and fantasy. The characters are well developed so the reader cares about them and their fates. The writing is exciting with plenty of adventure and the girls are just as involved in the action as the boys.
July 21, 2013
I see a lot of reviews stating that Island of the Fog: Book 1 is a great children's book and it is but it's so much more than that. I'm nearly 40 and enjoyed the book very much. Not only is the book kid friendly but you will also find yourself loving it just as much as your children do. The world is hauntingly familiar yet contains many elements of fantasy and lore. Most of the time I don't really enjoy reading a book about children. Only a handful of very good authors seem to do books with kids as the main characters justice. They're able to get inside the kids complex mind or they are able to recall what it was like to be younger and treat them with the intelligence and respect that they deserve without making them too cliché. Books like Harry Potter or His Dark Materials are great examples. And of course on the other end you have YA books where the authors put way too much emphasis on action instead of characters or story and manage to only paint a mere shadow of the complexity of young adults. Bad examples like The Maze Runner which while a fun read did not manage to capture any depth with the children it portrays. So Island of the Fog was a welcome treat and is very character driven. The characters are complex and vivid and the storyline keeps you hooked until the very last page. The action is used to enhance the story and it does so nicely. For everyone who's ever dreamed of Dragons, unicorns, large sea serpents, centaurs, fairies and Ogre's then this is the book for you. It manages to capture the child within us all and I am greatly looking forward to the next one.
June 30, 2013
Somewhere, beyond the fog is another world, full of mystery, sunshine, and a deadly virus, but is that all? Eight children have lived their lives on a tiny island with their families, isolated from the outside world, learning of it only through books. Can you imagine not having electricity? No cellphones? For these children, even indoor plumbing with hot water is only something they’ve “heard” about! Island of Fog by Keith Robinson is a fantasy adventure that begins when Hal and his buddy Robbie make a discovery that causes them to question everything they have ever known about their lives! And then, there is the island bully, what’s going on with him? One by one these children each begin to notice that they are changing, no just growing up, but REALLY changing-into monsters, or really, into creatures out of fairytales and fantasy! True to form for a group of twelve-year-old kids, they (almost) fearlessly set out to solve the mystery of their freakish abilities! Can they trust anyone over twelve? Who is this stranger who has come into their midst? Should they hide what they are learning about themselves from the adults? Are they freaks meant for a laboratory? What would happen if they could stop the fog? Each and every question they raise adds fuel to their burning desire to ferret out the answers and sends them on the beginnings of an adventure they could never have dreamed of!
Author Keith Robinson must have channeled his inner child when he sat down to create Island of Fog! The world he’s built is like a kid magnet, full of imagination and endless possibilities for a young mind to latch on to. His characters? You’ll find them all wherever middle grade kids are gathered! Their personalities are as diverse as the forms they take, but they learn to work together and utilize the strengths of each child. Even the island bully isn’t as tough as he pretends and gets called upon to be part of their “gang.”
Island of Fog is fun, its adventurous, its creative, its wonderful reading for ALL ages and, as Book One of the Island of Fog series, it’s the start to something fantastic! A Great Chapter Book for Summer Reading! My ONLY complaint? How come kids get all the cool creatures to shift into?
Publication Date: July 27, 2009 (3rd edition)
Publisher: Unearthly Tales
ISBN: 098439060X
Series: Island of Fog, Book 1
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: Children’s Fantasy/Adventure
My Rating: 5 Stars
Available at: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Author Keith Robinson must have channeled his inner child when he sat down to create Island of Fog! The world he’s built is like a kid magnet, full of imagination and endless possibilities for a young mind to latch on to. His characters? You’ll find them all wherever middle grade kids are gathered! Their personalities are as diverse as the forms they take, but they learn to work together and utilize the strengths of each child. Even the island bully isn’t as tough as he pretends and gets called upon to be part of their “gang.”
Island of Fog is fun, its adventurous, its creative, its wonderful reading for ALL ages and, as Book One of the Island of Fog series, it’s the start to something fantastic! A Great Chapter Book for Summer Reading! My ONLY complaint? How come kids get all the cool creatures to shift into?
Publication Date: July 27, 2009 (3rd edition)
Publisher: Unearthly Tales
ISBN: 098439060X
Series: Island of Fog, Book 1
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: Children’s Fantasy/Adventure
My Rating: 5 Stars
Available at: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
March 26, 2012
Review brought to you by OBS staff member Dawn
You’re thrust into the suspense right away; I mean the edge-of-your-seat kind of suspense. There is not a dull moment throughout the story. I liked how Keith Robinson weaved in their history throughout the action-packed story telling.
At first, I wasn’t sure I’d like the book as it’s told from a boy’s point of view. Within 15 minutes, it didn’t matter. Island of Fog was just way too fun to read.
The story is told from Hal’s point of view. As he struggles to find answers, he is awed by the things going on around him.
Even on an island they have to deal with a bully, an important issue in our current time. I like the way it was handled and that the group didn’t ostracize the bully.
The group, consisting of 8 kids, is tired of having no answers. They decide to take control of the situation and band together to force their parents and Miss Simone (their teacher) to be honest with them. Speaking of the engaging but creepy Miss Simone – one minute I liked her, the next I wanted to protect the kids from her. I had difficulty getting a read on her.
As they come to realize who they are, they each struggle with revealing themselves to their parents. The kids are forced to mature quickly to handle each new obstacle.
I found myself assuming they were stuck on the island for nefarious reasons. Because of that, I was shocked at the ending.
You’re thrust into the suspense right away; I mean the edge-of-your-seat kind of suspense. There is not a dull moment throughout the story. I liked how Keith Robinson weaved in their history throughout the action-packed story telling.
At first, I wasn’t sure I’d like the book as it’s told from a boy’s point of view. Within 15 minutes, it didn’t matter. Island of Fog was just way too fun to read.
The story is told from Hal’s point of view. As he struggles to find answers, he is awed by the things going on around him.
Even on an island they have to deal with a bully, an important issue in our current time. I like the way it was handled and that the group didn’t ostracize the bully.
The group, consisting of 8 kids, is tired of having no answers. They decide to take control of the situation and band together to force their parents and Miss Simone (their teacher) to be honest with them. Speaking of the engaging but creepy Miss Simone – one minute I liked her, the next I wanted to protect the kids from her. I had difficulty getting a read on her.
As they come to realize who they are, they each struggle with revealing themselves to their parents. The kids are forced to mature quickly to handle each new obstacle.
I found myself assuming they were stuck on the island for nefarious reasons. Because of that, I was shocked at the ending.
December 30, 2014
This book is kind of like if the City of Ember met Lost. It's a small community of parents and kids on a foggy island with no contact with the outside world. Food supplies are running out. Nobody is allowed to visit the mainland. And the kids are starting to turn into monsters.
I read the whole book in a mad frenzy of intrigued-ness. It wasn't so much that the kids were turning into creatures, as to curiosity about what each one would be. Most of them were really interesting creatures I've rarely seen, and some I've never heard of. And the uses for them are really interesting.
I felt at the end, though, that too much was explained. There's no magic, there's only SCIENCE. I wished it hadn't all been explained so much, because it kind of took the mystery out of it.
Aside from that, my only (very small complaint) was that certain questions weren't wrapped up. Then I realized that there's at least ten more books in this series. So I'll be reading this series to the kids for a while!
I read the whole book in a mad frenzy of intrigued-ness. It wasn't so much that the kids were turning into creatures, as to curiosity about what each one would be. Most of them were really interesting creatures I've rarely seen, and some I've never heard of. And the uses for them are really interesting.
I felt at the end, though, that too much was explained. There's no magic, there's only SCIENCE. I wished it hadn't all been explained so much, because it kind of took the mystery out of it.
Aside from that, my only (very small complaint) was that certain questions weren't wrapped up. Then I realized that there's at least ten more books in this series. So I'll be reading this series to the kids for a while!
July 11, 2013
My goodness, now this is an excellent book! What a complete and compelling story! I could not put this book down!
I felt the pacing was spot on. Being introduced to the characters and watching them grow was wonderful and everyone felt unique and had their own voice. The world that Keith Robinson creates and builds upon is delightful and leaves the readers wanting to know more. The story felt well developed and I was pleased that it covered questions or curiosities I had while reading it. The only slight "negative" I could say is some of the reactions seemed a little off. I wanted to reach through the book and shake a few characters around for being so dense. I have that in quotes since I was obviously quite engrossed in the story!
I highly recommend this book for all age groups. It is one that I would be pleased to read again!
I felt the pacing was spot on. Being introduced to the characters and watching them grow was wonderful and everyone felt unique and had their own voice. The world that Keith Robinson creates and builds upon is delightful and leaves the readers wanting to know more. The story felt well developed and I was pleased that it covered questions or curiosities I had while reading it. The only slight "negative" I could say is some of the reactions seemed a little off. I wanted to reach through the book and shake a few characters around for being so dense. I have that in quotes since I was obviously quite engrossed in the story!
I highly recommend this book for all age groups. It is one that I would be pleased to read again!
March 24, 2015
I know this is marked for young adults, but I still enjoyed the story as an adult. It is a fun listen and would be great for the whole family to listen to on a trip or by yourself. It is filled with adventure, a little mystery and an interesting story behind it all. I thought that the author did a great job with character development and describing everything in great detail without going overboard. My only complaint is that the ending felt a little rushed.
Fred, the narrator, did a fabulous job!! I've listened to him before and have always enjoyed listening to him. He had quite a few different characters this time and did an excellent job of making sure they all had their own unique voices. Wonderful job!!
Fred, the narrator, did a fabulous job!! I've listened to him before and have always enjoyed listening to him. He had quite a few different characters this time and did an excellent job of making sure they all had their own unique voices. Wonderful job!!
May 28, 2015
I remember my mom bringing home this book when I was younger. Back then I was quick to judge (which is bad) and decided to not read it. A few years later though I have it a try and this book is amazing. It is so unique adventurous and I'm very happy to now know about the rest of the series!
December 19, 2014
Wow! I downloaded this as a freebie, but I like it so much, I am going to purchase the next book in the series!
May 9, 2014
This is the first volume in a lengthy series: ten books now?
Although I was slow to warm up to this book, by the end I was engrossed in this middle grade fantasy with an intriguing premise that is kind of like a cross between M. Night Shymalan’s “The Village” and the Animorphs.
The premise is fascinating—to explain it would give too much away—though I think I can safely say that it is set in a dystopian near-future after a virus wipes out most of the population. A group of seven children and their parents escaped to an island just off the mainland and have spent the past twelve years there, living an idyllic, bucolic life: until the children start to experience some unsettling changes that make puberty look tame.
The plot takes some unexpected turns, which is good. The author’s prose style is polished, a pleasure to read. Although this book was written in the first decade of the 21st century, it has an old-fashioned feel: as if it had been written in the 50s. The seven young characters at times express themselves in a way that seems oddly formal: or maybe it just seems that way to an American reader. [The author was raised in the UK, I believe, and although he doesn’t come out and say so, I wondered if the story was set on an island off the coast of England.]
The author uses a meandering POV, unlike the tight focus of single viewpoint more commonly seen today in middle grade books. As if he had a video camera, he zooms in constantly from distant third to the limited third POV of the main kid character, Hal; and then the author pans out again into an almost omniscient viewpoint, head-hopping momentarily into the minds of some of the other characters. That use of viewpoint was a bit disconcerting to me, and may have contributed to my sense that the book was written fifty years ago. [But then, as I say in my blog, I am a single-POV “Puritan,” by which I mean that as a reader, I prefer a tight focus on the viewpoint of one character. That’s just my quirk.]
Also, although this book is listed as a YA, I think it’s actually middle grade. The seven characters are twelve and thirteen, and although at times they express themselves formally in speech, emotionally they seemed younger. The characters in true YA novels are usually older teens.
But as I said, I enjoyed the book, and think it’s a great series that kids would love.
Although I was slow to warm up to this book, by the end I was engrossed in this middle grade fantasy with an intriguing premise that is kind of like a cross between M. Night Shymalan’s “The Village” and the Animorphs.
The premise is fascinating—to explain it would give too much away—though I think I can safely say that it is set in a dystopian near-future after a virus wipes out most of the population. A group of seven children and their parents escaped to an island just off the mainland and have spent the past twelve years there, living an idyllic, bucolic life: until the children start to experience some unsettling changes that make puberty look tame.
The plot takes some unexpected turns, which is good. The author’s prose style is polished, a pleasure to read. Although this book was written in the first decade of the 21st century, it has an old-fashioned feel: as if it had been written in the 50s. The seven young characters at times express themselves in a way that seems oddly formal: or maybe it just seems that way to an American reader. [The author was raised in the UK, I believe, and although he doesn’t come out and say so, I wondered if the story was set on an island off the coast of England.]
The author uses a meandering POV, unlike the tight focus of single viewpoint more commonly seen today in middle grade books. As if he had a video camera, he zooms in constantly from distant third to the limited third POV of the main kid character, Hal; and then the author pans out again into an almost omniscient viewpoint, head-hopping momentarily into the minds of some of the other characters. That use of viewpoint was a bit disconcerting to me, and may have contributed to my sense that the book was written fifty years ago. [But then, as I say in my blog, I am a single-POV “Puritan,” by which I mean that as a reader, I prefer a tight focus on the viewpoint of one character. That’s just my quirk.]
Also, although this book is listed as a YA, I think it’s actually middle grade. The seven characters are twelve and thirteen, and although at times they express themselves formally in speech, emotionally they seemed younger. The characters in true YA novels are usually older teens.
But as I said, I enjoyed the book, and think it’s a great series that kids would love.
August 7, 2015
* I received a free copy of this audiobook through AudiobookBlast dot com in exchange for an honest review.
The genre for ISLAND OF FOG is actually difficult to pin down. There are components of several different genres which listeners would at first think incompatible. Yet somehow author, Keith Robinson is able to connect these seemingly disparate genres and to combine them into a wonderfully written tale.
I believe it is targeted at Middle Grade listeners, but Young Adult and Adult listeners will enjoy it as well.
I enjoyed ISLAND OF FOG's unique mix of characters.
On an island off the coast of the United States are a small group of self-sufficient families. Each family has one child; a boy or girl twelve years old.
The island is covered with a fog that never lifts. In fact, none of the children living on the island have ever seen the sun.
One by one each of the children start to experience weird bodily changes. These changes are definitely not the normal changes that you might expect twelve year olds to be faced with at the onset of puberty. Something very strange is happening to them. I do not want to give away too much of the plot, so I won't tell you what the changes are.
This audiobook will grab and hold your attention and the narrator is able to voice the many characters so that each one has it's own distinct sound. This is actually quite a feat considering the number of characters.
This book is family friendly, but still contains enough suspense and adventure to grab and hold the listener's attention.
Since it is summertime now and many families are heading off on driving vacations, I would highly recommend listening to this audiobook with your kids in the car. It is the type of book that kids from the age of eight and up will enjoy. It also has enough plot twists and science to keep the adults interested as well. Now is the perfect time to buy this audiobook.
ISLAND OF FOG is the first book in what promises to be an entertaining middle-grade fantasy series.
I rate this audiobook as 4.5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The genre for ISLAND OF FOG is actually difficult to pin down. There are components of several different genres which listeners would at first think incompatible. Yet somehow author, Keith Robinson is able to connect these seemingly disparate genres and to combine them into a wonderfully written tale.
I believe it is targeted at Middle Grade listeners, but Young Adult and Adult listeners will enjoy it as well.
I enjoyed ISLAND OF FOG's unique mix of characters.
On an island off the coast of the United States are a small group of self-sufficient families. Each family has one child; a boy or girl twelve years old.
The island is covered with a fog that never lifts. In fact, none of the children living on the island have ever seen the sun.
One by one each of the children start to experience weird bodily changes. These changes are definitely not the normal changes that you might expect twelve year olds to be faced with at the onset of puberty. Something very strange is happening to them. I do not want to give away too much of the plot, so I won't tell you what the changes are.
This audiobook will grab and hold your attention and the narrator is able to voice the many characters so that each one has it's own distinct sound. This is actually quite a feat considering the number of characters.
This book is family friendly, but still contains enough suspense and adventure to grab and hold the listener's attention.
Since it is summertime now and many families are heading off on driving vacations, I would highly recommend listening to this audiobook with your kids in the car. It is the type of book that kids from the age of eight and up will enjoy. It also has enough plot twists and science to keep the adults interested as well. Now is the perfect time to buy this audiobook.
ISLAND OF FOG is the first book in what promises to be an entertaining middle-grade fantasy series.
I rate this audiobook as 4.5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 12, 2015
Audiobook reviewed
What I Thought- This was a great story. Mr. Robinson creates realistic characters (well, besides the whole changing-into-monsters thing) with distinct personalities that make sense. There are a lot of characters in the story, but each serve a purpose and none felt like they were “filler.” THe story is told from the perspective of Hal, one of the children. I like this point of view because the reader gets to discover the island’s secrets along with Hal. The book is kind of post-apocalyptic, as in a virus killed off most the population in the world, and drove the rest insane. Strangely enough, it is all believable. Even the part about another dimension-thingy. The setting adds to the mystery of the story and I like how bits of the plot are revealed slowly at first and then the last part of the book is jammed packed excitement. Mr. Robinson explains things well, and keeps you hooked. Now, onto Mr. Wolinsky’s performance. If I didn’t know that this was one person, I might have believed that it was (at least) two people. The number of distinct voices Mr. Wolinsky is able to pull off is astonishing. That is talent. I found that the audio book took a lot longer to listen to than it would have taken me to read (I am a pretty fast reader). I think I like that though. It forced me to slow down and kind of added more suspense to the story for me. Plus it became a family activity. Once I started listening to it, my parents and sister would sit down next to me as it was playing. We don’t listen to many audio-books, but maybe we will now. An all-around great audio-book!
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
What I Thought- This was a great story. Mr. Robinson creates realistic characters (well, besides the whole changing-into-monsters thing) with distinct personalities that make sense. There are a lot of characters in the story, but each serve a purpose and none felt like they were “filler.” THe story is told from the perspective of Hal, one of the children. I like this point of view because the reader gets to discover the island’s secrets along with Hal. The book is kind of post-apocalyptic, as in a virus killed off most the population in the world, and drove the rest insane. Strangely enough, it is all believable. Even the part about another dimension-thingy. The setting adds to the mystery of the story and I like how bits of the plot are revealed slowly at first and then the last part of the book is jammed packed excitement. Mr. Robinson explains things well, and keeps you hooked. Now, onto Mr. Wolinsky’s performance. If I didn’t know that this was one person, I might have believed that it was (at least) two people. The number of distinct voices Mr. Wolinsky is able to pull off is astonishing. That is talent. I found that the audio book took a lot longer to listen to than it would have taken me to read (I am a pretty fast reader). I think I like that though. It forced me to slow down and kind of added more suspense to the story for me. Plus it became a family activity. Once I started listening to it, my parents and sister would sit down next to me as it was playing. We don’t listen to many audio-books, but maybe we will now. An all-around great audio-book!
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
July 20, 2013
What's not to like about the first book in this series. Eight twelve year olds are stuck on a island with their parents. The island is constantly enveloped in fog and rains almost daily. They've never seen the sun. There no electricity, running water, or modern conveniences. Parents talk about escaping an deadly virus on the mainland and accepting an alternative life on this island. Two of the boys find a hole which the fog is coming out of. They run into a monster which tries to make them leave the hold. One by one the children start experiencing changes in their bodies. Not normal changes as with normal puberty, but fangs, wings, becoming other forms of monsters as read about in fairy tales. What is happening to them and why. Suddenly an unknown, Miss Sabine, shows up on the island inquiring about physical changes. Who can they trust and just what is going on? Not knowing the full story, the children block the fog hole which causes deadly consequences. Still the issue is who they can trust and will they make the right decision in time. There are at least five more books in this series. I think my students will identify with the characters and love this book. I think I'll track down the entire series before I ever put this book on the shelf.
May 2, 2012
Island of Fog is a story about a group of kids whose families have been living isolated on an island for the past twelve or thirteen years. The kids can’t guess why they are there. Anytime they ask, they only get enigmatic hints about what is really going on and about what the world “Out There” is really like.
When the kids start undergoing strange physical transformations, they begin to suspect that they are part of some experiment. I especially enjoyed reading about how each of the kids handled their transition into new creatures. It was a little like watching Clark Kent realize his full powers on Smallville.
This story is geared toward young adults, but I had no problem being sucked right in. Robinson left just enough hints to spark my interest and keep me guessing about the next turn the story would take. It’s an easy read with language that’s simple enough for kids but a plot that’s interesting enough for adults, especially fantasy fans.
If you enjoyed Lost or the Maze Runner series, you will probably quickly become a fan of this book as well.
When the kids start undergoing strange physical transformations, they begin to suspect that they are part of some experiment. I especially enjoyed reading about how each of the kids handled their transition into new creatures. It was a little like watching Clark Kent realize his full powers on Smallville.
This story is geared toward young adults, but I had no problem being sucked right in. Robinson left just enough hints to spark my interest and keep me guessing about the next turn the story would take. It’s an easy read with language that’s simple enough for kids but a plot that’s interesting enough for adults, especially fantasy fans.
If you enjoyed Lost or the Maze Runner series, you will probably quickly become a fan of this book as well.
November 21, 2013
What a fantastical fantasy! A twelve year old boy, Hal, and his friends get caught up in a mystery on the island of which they were born on, and presently live. They grew up on the island and had never ventured off because of tragedy that occurred on the mainland before they were born, or so they were told. These observant pre-teens started getting suspicious because their curious questions of the past are always side-stepped.
Just as they start their conquest to find the answers to their questions, one by one, they start getting plagued by individualistic symptoms of the oddest kind! This only triggers more mystery, and more questions! What is happening to them? Why do they live on an island and are forbidden to go to the mainland? Why do their parents keep asking about ‘changes’?
Island of Fog has it all! It is loaded with young friends and family, shapeshifters, manitcores, goblins, centaur, mermaids, sea serpents and more!
This is only book one in a series by Keith Robinson. Awesome! I will be getting more of them!
I rate this for children 9 years and up.
Just as they start their conquest to find the answers to their questions, one by one, they start getting plagued by individualistic symptoms of the oddest kind! This only triggers more mystery, and more questions! What is happening to them? Why do they live on an island and are forbidden to go to the mainland? Why do their parents keep asking about ‘changes’?
Island of Fog has it all! It is loaded with young friends and family, shapeshifters, manitcores, goblins, centaur, mermaids, sea serpents and more!
This is only book one in a series by Keith Robinson. Awesome! I will be getting more of them!
I rate this for children 9 years and up.
February 25, 2017
Eight families living on an island covered in dense fog live a simple farm life with no modern conveniences. The eight children have heard stories of the Mainland, destroyed by a virus that changed life for everyone.
Somehow the children have come to understand that the island has protected them from the destruction the rest of the world has endured, but that is little consolation when they begin to change in a most remarkable way. This story will grip the imagination of middle-school readers from the very beginning. They will find at least one child among the eight who will spur their imaginations as they begin to share the children's fear that they are somehow an experiment that may suddenly be going very wrong. What else could explain the changes they're experiencing.
Robinson created a delightful mix of characters from Hal (everyone's hero) to the class bully. Middle-school readers will love the fast-paced action and find themselves reaching for the next book in the series. This one is guaranteed to excite even the most reluctant reader.
Somehow the children have come to understand that the island has protected them from the destruction the rest of the world has endured, but that is little consolation when they begin to change in a most remarkable way. This story will grip the imagination of middle-school readers from the very beginning. They will find at least one child among the eight who will spur their imaginations as they begin to share the children's fear that they are somehow an experiment that may suddenly be going very wrong. What else could explain the changes they're experiencing.
Robinson created a delightful mix of characters from Hal (everyone's hero) to the class bully. Middle-school readers will love the fast-paced action and find themselves reaching for the next book in the series. This one is guaranteed to excite even the most reluctant reader.
January 6, 2016
This was a AWESOME audible!!! Hal and his friends live on a island that is always covered by fog. They have always lived on this dingy foggy island and now they are 11 years old and curious about what lays beyond, but other strange things also start happening to them and around the island, that makes Hal and his friends even more curious. But will they get their answers?
This is a great middle grade book, filled with action and suspense that doesn't end, it just keeps on going like there is another book or something, oh which by the way there is, several. But for me the best part was the narrator, Fred Wolinsky, I had the audible version, and he made the book absolutely outstanding! He made each character separate, a individual, even the alter egos of some of the characters, he didn't just read the book to you, he gave the book heart.
This is a great middle grade book, filled with action and suspense that doesn't end, it just keeps on going like there is another book or something, oh which by the way there is, several. But for me the best part was the narrator, Fred Wolinsky, I had the audible version, and he made the book absolutely outstanding! He made each character separate, a individual, even the alter egos of some of the characters, he didn't just read the book to you, he gave the book heart.
July 29, 2011
I thought this book was going to be a horror novel considering the different "Fog" movies and I was in a mode for that sort of novel. That is not what this is, but I was not dissapointed.
An island constantly covered by fog is populated with ten families, and there are ten children all of roughly the same age. The plot involves this group of children finding out the secret of what brought there parents here and what happened in the rest of the world. A tried and true template in many youth novels, but it is done well here and took off in unexpected directions. I got this for .99 on Amazon and after reading it found there is more in the series and then bought the 2nd and 3rd novels and the 4th is upcoming.
An island constantly covered by fog is populated with ten families, and there are ten children all of roughly the same age. The plot involves this group of children finding out the secret of what brought there parents here and what happened in the rest of the world. A tried and true template in many youth novels, but it is done well here and took off in unexpected directions. I got this for .99 on Amazon and after reading it found there is more in the series and then bought the 2nd and 3rd novels and the 4th is upcoming.
August 2, 2012
I love a good fantasy tale as I think the elements are timeless regardless of whether or not it was written for children. So while Island of Fog is definitely an excellent middle grade fantasy, I also enjoyed it as just a good story. Robinson's world is very well built with lots of detail and intrigue to keep you guessing as you follow the kids on their adventures and discoveries. It's also very creatively done, and stands out as its own unique world while living pretty solidly in a contemporary fantasy genre.
The characters are fun and well-developed, and Robinson does a good job of living inside the heads of these kids and keeping their reactions and such true to age.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who like fantasy, regardless of age.
The characters are fun and well-developed, and Robinson does a good job of living inside the heads of these kids and keeping their reactions and such true to age.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who like fantasy, regardless of age.
January 4, 2010
This is the debut novel for Keith Robinson wwww.unearthlytales.com and one of my favourites for 2009. I couldn't put it down.
The story follows the adventures of a small group of teenagers, all of a similar age, who live with their parents on a island. The little community is isolated from the rest of the world which had been desimated by a virus. Their little home is shrouded in a thick fog and as the kids grow they are feeling more confined. When their bodies start to change, they learn more about who they are and why they are protected.
Do yourself a favour and order this book. It's terrific entertainment for children and adults alike.
The story follows the adventures of a small group of teenagers, all of a similar age, who live with their parents on a island. The little community is isolated from the rest of the world which had been desimated by a virus. Their little home is shrouded in a thick fog and as the kids grow they are feeling more confined. When their bodies start to change, they learn more about who they are and why they are protected.
Do yourself a favour and order this book. It's terrific entertainment for children and adults alike.
January 22, 2014
I liked this book. I read the Kindle version. It is the first book in a series. Hal and his family, along with seven other families, live on an island surrounded by fog. The children who live on the island are: Hal, Robbie, Abigail, Darcy, Dewey, Fenton, Emily, and Lauren. There was one other family living on the island, but they disappeared. Their son's name is Thomas. Hal and Robbie are exploring the island when they find a hole that has fog coming out of it. That is the start of many changes in their lives. There is a manticore, and a mysterious woman named Simone.
February 23, 2014
Excellent start to series. I liked that the first book wraps up enough that you don't have to buy the next but I went straight on to the next because this is a page turner, a strong imagined world, lots of interesting things going on and plenty to entertain me. I also liked that not everything is completely spelled out - as a grown up reader you can fill in a few of the blanks a kid wouldn't think about.
I have read the second book now and am just about to start on the third. I'm really glad I found this series.
I have read the second book now and am just about to start on the third. I'm really glad I found this series.
May 11, 2015
I enjoyed this book.It was more of a YA book,but I like those.The premise is that after a virus decimates the world certain couples were selected to parent children on an island with no contacts off the island.The children start to have weird symptoms and that's where the story gets interesting.Fred Wolinsky was a very good narrator,though his girls voices seemed a bit shrill to me.I think kids who like Angie Sages books would love this series.
I was gifted a copy for an honest review.
I was gifted a copy for an honest review.
May 14, 2014
It took me a while to get into the book because it was on my BookBub middle grade/children list, and it's quite clearly a YA book. Once I settled into how long it was going to be and that the kids were teenagers, I enjoyed the story line. If I was 14, I'd be interested in the rest of the series. I may still pick up another one eventually.
August 31, 2014
A group of families living on a foggy island in isolation. The children have grown up on the island, and know nothing about the world at large, besides what they have learned in their lessons. As it turns out, they don't know much about themselves either. The author does a good job of building suspense and developing intrigue. I liked how true to form the kids were too. An enjoyable read.
February 25, 2015
It started off at little slow and confusing but once it got going.....wow....it did not stop. What a great story. I love the whole post-apocolyptic/mythical creature fantasy combination. Very unique. I really like the character Abigail. Her attitude reminded me alot of myself at that age. Overall a fun and action packed book good for all ages.
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