I remember trying to get into this book but it just wasn't keeping my interest. It sounded promising so I was disppointed when it didn't live up to my expectations. ( )

The annotation sounded really good, but several attempts to pick this up and read more than a few pages have been unsuccessful. It gets two starts for the marketing, but loses all others because it just didn't interested me to move into it any farther than I did (maybe 15 pages). I'm sure it's a lovely book, but it will have to wait for a day when I literally can't think of anything else I'd rather read. ( )

Sumner Island had elements of mysteries, thrillers, romances, and even horror. However, the whole was not greater than the sum of its parts. In order to have cohesion of all the elements it was trying to blend, it sacrificed the bigger picture. It seemed like the story would have been better off if one of its elements was chosen to dominate while the others were included in more of a background or minor role.

There were extraordinary things occurring in the story and it seemed that part of the point was to show an average person reacting to these. However, the protagonist seemed so plain and average as to lack any interesting traits. Thus, it was hard to connect with him, and this was problematic because the story was filtered through his perspective. That being said, some of the descriptions were very affective. There were a lot of descriptions about concrete things like boats, docks, and cliffs. These seemed a bit bland and tedious, but the descriptions of the paranormal experiences were vivid and interesting.

However, like so many stories that deal with the possibility of seeing beyond the veil and/or interacting with other worldly beings, there wasn’t a good explanation for how and why these things might be possible. It’s not as if I feel like such a story necessarily needs such an explanation, but this one in particular seemed to try to give one, and the attempt appeared half-hearted. Also, there were a few things that helped drive the plot that stretched credulity to the breaking point. Finally, the ending felt abrupt and even though there was quite a bit of exposition in it, certain things remained unclear. Specifically, the reason or cause of the major resolution itself was unclear. The things that were clear, felt a bit anti-climatic.

This was an enjoyable book, but not necessarily one I would be quick to pick up again. The plot was engaging and fun. I found the ending a bit disappointing and a little forced, but overall I still enjoyed the read. ( )

I enjoy paranormal reads and historical novels, so I was very excited to get this book through the LT Early Reveiwer program. I read the first two chapters the same night it came in the mail. And then I couldn't bring myself to pick it back up for months. The idea is compelling, but it just didn't draw me in. As I finally made myself go back and pick it up, I wouldn't say I hated it. But I wouldn'y say I liked it either. The characters are shallow and the story takes forever to get you interested enough to keep reading. I gave it 3 stars, because once I forced myself to keep reading, it really wasn't a bad book. ( )