The Island by Jen Minkman---My Review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

I walk toward the sea. The endless surface of the water extends to the horizon, whichever way I look.

Our world is small. We are on our own, and we only have ourselves to depend on. We rely on the Force deep within us, as taught to us by our forefathers.

If I were to walk westward from here, I would come across a barrier – the Wall.
Behind it, there are Fools. At least, that’s what everyone says.
I have never seen one.’

Leia lives on the Island, a world in which children leave their parents to take care of themselves when they are ten years old. Across this Island runs a wall that no one has ever crossed. The Fools living behind it are not amenable to reason – they believe in illusions. That’s what The Book says, the only thing left to the Eastern Islanders by their ancestors.
But when a strange man washes ashore and Leia meets a Fool face to face, her life will never be the same. Is what she and her friends believe about the Island really true?

Or is everyone in their world, in fact, a Fool?

From My Perspective:

For me, Jen Minkman has a unique and relaxed way of writing and I enjoy the stories I have read from her thus far.   The Island is represented as a Novella and is approximately 80 pages in length.   A novella is defined as a story with a compact and pointed plot. Yep, The Island fits the bill with this.

I actually enjoyed the storyline with the Star Wars references.   I found it humorous that a whole culture would evolve around a child's diary/story book.   I also found that a bit sad.  The characters were either likable or not likable, but toward the end, you were able to detect the child within and could feel empathy for those who were mean and powerful.   I liked the minimal "romance" between Walt and Leia. And I felt like the story provided a lot of food for thought.

True, maybe this author could have taken us further, but then, I am not one to require another in depth study of Star Wars.    That's been done and this was a what if a society didn't know anything else?   I found it very interesting and thought provoking.   And that's my take on Jen's, The Island.   4 Winks!

To purchase:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Island-Jen-Minkman/dp/1483959813/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1370115669&sr=8-3&keywords=Jen+Minkman

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.  I received a complimentary copy from the author’s representatives in exchange for an honest review.