There are some logical or plot-hole problems in this story. Basically, the disease, or possible disease, or whatever is causing the horrible disease or disease-like symptoms that they call the "Tox" is the sort of plot that I've seen in episodes of "The X-Files" or "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." But since there are so many myriad symptoms, all of which hint at myriad possible causes, and none of it is ever adequately explained, basically the symptoms and the Tox comprise a maguffin, a plot device that sets things moving forward and makes people run around.
It's also hard to see how the school and the island relate to the wider world and the government, etc. I just don't think a government, whatever its activities, would run any sort of operation like this island is run.
I liked this well enough, and the cover is very attractive and sophisticated, but I thought from the beginning that this felt like a very middle-grade book. I guess it's not, I guess it's more YA, but that's because of various violence and the element of sexuality. It's a pretty simple story.
I was sorry that the symptoms we saw with one character's father are never adequately explored and explained. We see this for a few pages about three-quarters of the way through the book, and I wish that was much more explained and made integral to the plot of the book throughout.
It's also hard to see how the school and the island relate to the wider world and the government, etc. I just don't think a government, whatever its activities, would run any sort of operation like this island is run.
I liked this well enough, and the cover is very attractive and sophisticated, but I thought from the beginning that this felt like a very middle-grade book. I guess it's not, I guess it's more YA, but that's because of various violence and the element of sexuality. It's a pretty simple story.
I was sorry that the symptoms we saw with one character's father are never adequately explored and explained. We see this for a few pages about three-quarters of the way through the book, and I wish that was much more explained and made integral to the plot of the book throughout.