Island of Fog

Keith Robinson’s fantasy/adventure ISLAND OF FOG kicks off a six-book series (actually two trilogies, with the final book due in spring 2013) filled with mystery, action, dark secrets and mythical creatures that is perfect for middle-grade readers and adults alike. Let’s dive in and see what I uncovered.

What I Loved

The Kids: These eight 12-year-olds were great! They’ve got personality – astute, inquiring hero Hal, his bug-lovin’ buddy Robbie, clever Abigail (who’d rather spend time with the guys than talking about “girly” stuff with the girls), timid Dewey, the lovely Lauren (Robbie’s crush), caring Darcy, and organizer extraordinaire Emily. Even bully Fenton (who by the end is pretty freaky) is well-defined and interesting. And when questions start to arise, they pull together as a team to figure things out…without letting their folks in on their investigations. I’m not going to knock them for that; their folks are keeping secrets and these kids are going to find out just what they’re hiding!

The Concept: A fog-shrouded island. A mysterious plague. Children suddenly undergoing unusual changes (are those scales on Hal’s arm?). A stranger from “Out There” who seems to know more than she should. A place where electricity is a thing of the past, stockpiled supplies are dwindling, and fantastical creatures are appearing. And all of it geared to middle-grader readers and up who are looking for adventure. How could I NOT love it?

What I Liked

The Execution: ISLAND OF FOG is well-written, perfectly paced, and beautifully edited. It grabs you right from the start and doesn’t let go. It was so easy to connect with Hal, Robbie and Abigail that I was immersed in the story by the end of chapter one, happily following them on their adventures. Keith Robinson jumps right in with an intriguing discovery by Robbie that starts the questions flowing, and then adds in new questions at just the perfect points to keep you wondering and wanting more. Then the reveals start coming, which lead to more reveals, then more…and it is all so smoothly done!

This first book in the series is laying the groundwork for what is to come, so it is all about those questions – why are they REALLY on the island? Is anybody else out there? Why are they changing? What are they becoming? What does a blue sky look like? The great thing is that a TON of the questions are answered; in fact, I can’t think of one that wasn’t! Plus the answers are exciting (some are even a little frightening) and lead to lots of action, setting things up for even bigger adventures in book two.

What I Didn’t Like

I’ve Got Nothing: Frankly, Robinson has done so much right with this book (great characters, pacing, concept, and editing) that I have no idea why this series wasn’t picked up by a major publisher like Disney Hyperion. The ONLY suggestion I have is regarding the cover art. The Kindle version of ISLAND OF FOG has a manticore on the cover; all other editions (paperback, Nook book, etc.) do not have the manticore – which is a shame. The manticore shows the reader right up front that this book is a fantasy, and the way he is drawn even suggests this is for younger readers. The covers that simply show the fog-shrouded trees give the impression that it is a thriller/crime story instead. I say, “Throw that manticore on ALL the covers!”

In ISLAND OF FOG, author Keith Robinson has masterfully crafted a tale that mixes myth and mystery in a very appealing fashion. There is plenty here to entertain readers age nine and up as they follow 12-year-old Hal and his friends on their quest to discover the truth about the mysterious island they call home and who – or what – they really are. An exciting entry in the fantasy/adventure genre. ( )

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. ( )