Received from Random House Kids
On Shelves Now
Reviewed by: Middle
Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:
Enthralling, Enigmatic, and Enchanting
Shrouded in mist and protected by a deadly reef, Trespass Island is home to a community of people who guard the island and its secrets from outsiders. Seventeen-year-old Delia grew up in Kansas, but has come here in search of her family and answers to her questions: Why didn’t her mother ever talk about Trespass Island? Why did she fear the open water? But Delia’s not welcome and soon finds herself enmeshed in a frightening and supernatural world where ancient Greek symbols adorn the buildings and secret ceremonies take place on the beach at night.
Sean Gunn, a handsome young lobsterman, befriends Delia and seems willing to risk his life to protect her. But it’s Jax, the coldly elusive young man she meets at the water’s edge, who finally makes Delia understand the real dangers of life on the island. Delia is going to have to fight to survive. Because there are monsters here. And no one ever leaves Trespass alive.
I am a huge, HUGE fan of Greek mythology, so anytime I see a
book where it is involved, I jump on it.
Some of these books have been amazing, while others—not so much. I’m happy to say that Revel is one of those
books that hooked me. Maurissa created a
haunting island, set apart from the rest of the world by treacherous waters and
dangerous creatures, where the memories of ancient gods are whispered on the winds;
and if you aren’t careful, and you don’t look where you’re going, you might end
up lost at sea.
My favorite types of books are the ones that combine the
darkness of a horror story with the passion of a romance. Revel does just that and more. I was immediately captivated by the gothic
aspects of Trespass Island. At first
glance, it looks like a quaint fishing village, but when you step further in
and take a closer look, the mysteries start to pile up. The islanders are quiet, unwelcoming, and
their eyes tell a story of loss and fear, along with something resembling brainwashed
happiness. Add that to the mysterious
sea monsters, and you have an island straight out of a fairy tale gone horribly
wrong. I loved how Maurissa created an
aura of ancient power in her world, and her amazing descriptions of the sea and
the wind and the island added to the mystery of that power.
I really enjoyed Delia’s curiosity. She doesn’t understand the elements that hide
within the island, and as a result, she ends up in dangerous situations. Even though she senses this danger, she doesn’t
let it hold her back. She is lost at why
the islanders are so cold, and once their secret is revealed to her, she
refuses to live by their rules. I love
this rebellious side to her, even though, at times, I felt she took it too far,
endangering herself and those she cared about.
Still, her strength in standing up to oppression and tradition was
admirable, and I enjoyed watching her discover just how much she is connected
to the island and its traditions.
There are two love interests in the story, but it’s not a
love triangle that is overblown. Now, I
am different than most readers because I like the love triangles. I like the drama and the tension that it adds
to the plot, and more importantly, I like how it develops a character’s psyche
as he/she makes a choice. But, I don’t
think the triangle in this book while be looked down upon.
First, you have Sean, the lobsterman who is hiding a
dangerous secret. You can tell he is a
great guy, and he loves the island. It’s
almost as if the island has literally become a part of him because he defends it
with such fervor. He seems quiet and
shy, but his feelings for Delia are apparent.
Those of you who love the gentlemanly type guy will love Sean. Then, you have Jax, the mysterious bad boy
who is hiding secrets even more dangerous than Sean’s. Of course, I’m a Jax fan because he’s the
troubled one that rebels against the rules.
He tries so hard to stay away from Delia, but his feelings are written
all over his face. He’s strong and
confident, despite his feelings; and on more than one occasion he teases Delia
about how her eyes travel over his body.
I loved that carefree, teasing part of him. It made him a little less dangerous seeming,
and it showed that he isn’t the cold, ruthless bad boy that the island portrays
him to be.
I read this book in one day---it was that good. The action was fast-paced, and I was always
discovering something new. The blend of
mythology with elements of horror and romance was seamless, and Maurissa’s
world enveloped me, sending me straight into the depths of the ocean to witness
first hand the world she created. I
highly recommend this to mythology and paranormal fans!
The book works as a stand alone, but it is also left where a
sequel can be written if Maurissa chooses to.
I, for one, am rooting for a sequel because I just can’t get enough of
this enchanting world!
