“Exploring a remote island can sometimes get you into trouble.
Especially when you stumble upon a cave and awaken two demons.”
Book Details:
Title: THE ISLAND
Genre: Paranormal Horror
Author: Clarissa Johal
Editor: Marisa Chenery
Booktrope, Forsaken Imprint (2015)
Booktrope, Forsaken Imprint (2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1-5137-0161-5
ASIN: B010TE7W1G
Number of Pages: 210
About THE ISLAND:
Emma Keller’s estranged grandmother has been missing for seven years. Emma journeys to her grandmother’s private island with the task of readying it for sale. Local rumors say it’s cursed, but she dismisses them as superstition. While there, she unearths a hidden cave, and is visited by two men soon after. Itu is well-spoken, though he hides his face in shadow. The other is more of a worry; with skin of alabaster, Thim’s feral presence sets her on edge. Emma discovers the island has a dark past. The two men aren’t human, but awakened demons…and they have their sights set on her.
MY Review: I wasn't sure what to expect from this book as I had never read anything by this author but the fact that it is listed as Paranormal/ Horror grabbed my attention and left me wondering if this book could truly scare me. I decided to put The Island to the test few books have ever left me scared several have left me on the edge of my seat nail biting suspense. This time though I was really looking for the scare factor.
The Island started off with the general getting to know the main character and some that may or may not be important to the story. Emma is the main character and she is as she puts it left stuck to clean out her grandmothers cabin on a remote island so it can be put up for sale. Emma and her grandmother didn't like each other as she says so she finds this to be a daunting and unwanted task but, one she has to do. As Emma gets settled at the cabin strange things start to happen most of which could just be explained away as forgetfulness others not as easy to explain but Emma chalks it up to her over active imagination or lack of sleep. Emma decides to explore the island as she does each time she stumbles upon something different ruins of another house that had been on the island now nothing more then a burnt shell. One day she stumbles upon what she believes is a cave she continues to explore it and ends up falling into it not knowing exactly what she has tumbled into all she knows is she wasn't alone. This is where things take their turn for me. I was left on the edge of my seat not willing to put my Nook down until I could know how it all would end. What was lurking in the shadows for Emma and would they take Emma.
So scare factor on a scale from 1-10 I would give it a five. It left me on the edge of my seat wanting more and it did get a mild jump out of me. I truly enjoyed reading The Island and hope to read more from Clarissa Johal. I can honestly give this book a 5/5 as it had all the elements to a paranormal/ horror story. Ms. Johal can send me anything paranormal written by her as she truly can produce a book that could leave some shaking in their boots.
5/5
MY Review: I wasn't sure what to expect from this book as I had never read anything by this author but the fact that it is listed as Paranormal/ Horror grabbed my attention and left me wondering if this book could truly scare me. I decided to put The Island to the test few books have ever left me scared several have left me on the edge of my seat nail biting suspense. This time though I was really looking for the scare factor.
The Island started off with the general getting to know the main character and some that may or may not be important to the story. Emma is the main character and she is as she puts it left stuck to clean out her grandmothers cabin on a remote island so it can be put up for sale. Emma and her grandmother didn't like each other as she says so she finds this to be a daunting and unwanted task but, one she has to do. As Emma gets settled at the cabin strange things start to happen most of which could just be explained away as forgetfulness others not as easy to explain but Emma chalks it up to her over active imagination or lack of sleep. Emma decides to explore the island as she does each time she stumbles upon something different ruins of another house that had been on the island now nothing more then a burnt shell. One day she stumbles upon what she believes is a cave she continues to explore it and ends up falling into it not knowing exactly what she has tumbled into all she knows is she wasn't alone. This is where things take their turn for me. I was left on the edge of my seat not willing to put my Nook down until I could know how it all would end. What was lurking in the shadows for Emma and would they take Emma.
So scare factor on a scale from 1-10 I would give it a five. It left me on the edge of my seat wanting more and it did get a mild jump out of me. I truly enjoyed reading The Island and hope to read more from Clarissa Johal. I can honestly give this book a 5/5 as it had all the elements to a paranormal/ horror story. Ms. Johal can send me anything paranormal written by her as she truly can produce a book that could leave some shaking in their boots.
5/5
Excerpt from THE ISLAND:
She was jarred awake by a cry. The vestiges of her nightmare dissipated as she orientated herself. Nightmare. Emma let out a sigh of relief. The cry sounded again. A distant sound, high and wailing. A baby’s cry. Her heart quickened. Good god, surely that can’t be a baby?
The fire in the stove had burned down, its embers lending a glow to the living room. Emma looked out the front window. The yard was still. She unlocked the door and opened it a crack. The cry drifted in with the breeze, faint but unmistakable. She ran through her mind what possible bird or animal could make the sound and came up with nothing. Characteristically, the island was blanketed with silence, almost like a vacuum. She stood, uncertain. After several minutes, the sound started again—the unmistakable high wail of a baby. She slipped on her boots and parka.
Fog trailed like cobwebs in her wake. The mournful cry threaded through the trees and came from the direction of the house ruins. In spite of a growing anxiety at what she’d find, she quickened her pace. If that is a baby, it’s still alive, and I need to get to it. If it’s not a baby… She blocked out the possibilities of what else it could be.
She approached the ruins and the sound stopped. Her heart raced. I know it was coming from here. The area held an unnatural heaviness. A branch cracked behind her and she turned with a start. Something dark darted through the trees.
“Hello?” Her voice sounded muffled in the fog. Emma’s attention snapped to the left. The dark figure ducked out of sight. She took one step backward, and fled.
Heavy footsteps echoed from behind as she plunged through the trees. They were catching up with her. Emma pushed herself to run faster, terrified she’d lose her footing on the uneven ground. The cabin loomed large, a haven in the thick fog. Stumbling across the cabin’s porch, she hurdled through the door and slammed it shut, locking it.
Emma rooted her feet to keep from running around in circles. Straining to hear, she was greeted with eerie silence. Several moments passed before the baby’s cry started again. And this time, it sounded from right outside the door.
***
THE ISLAND Buy Links:
About the Author:
Clarissa Johal is the author of paranormal novels, THE ISLAND, VOICES, STRUCK, and BETWEEN. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing, taking pictures of gargoyles, or swinging from a trapeze. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters, and every stray animal that darkens their doorstep.
*Member of the Horror Writers Association
*Member of the Authors Guild
THE ISLAND
Coming August 5, 2015 from Booktrope
VOICES
(May 2015) Permuted Press
STRUCK
(2014) Musa Publishing
(2015) Clarissa Johal
(2015) Clarissa Johal
*Second place in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2014
*Winner of the Indie Book of the Day Award
*Winner of the Indie Book of the Day Award
BETWEEN
(2012) Musa Publishing
(2015) Clarissa Johal
*Second place in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2012
*Winner of the Indie Book of the Day Award
(2012) Musa Publishing
(2015) Clarissa Johal
*Second place in the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll 2012
*Winner of the Indie Book of the Day Award
PRADEE
(2010) Clarissa Johal
*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012
Short stories:
PIGEONS (Susurrus Literary Journal)
(2010) Clarissa Johal
*Second round finalist in Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award Contest 2012
Short stories:
PIGEONS (Susurrus Literary Journal)
THE ROPE (Susurrus Literary Journal)
Find Clarissa Online:
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ReplyDelete...and thank you so much for taking the time to read/review THE ISLAND :)
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