Summary

The book starts by immediately setting the scene of a location with literally all the life was drained out it, the colour of the island has been taken away turned to blackness and darkness, represented by ravens.

“They say the day the Governor arrived, the ravens did too. All the smaller birds flew backwards into the sea, and that is why there are no songbirds on Joya.”

We quickly learn that we are hearing the story from the main character and narrator, Isabella, who is wondering about the history of the island. When her dad pushes her away, not wanting to talk about this mystery of the island’s past, you recognise that unravelling the past is going to be the central journey of the book.

Joya is based in a world both like and unlike ours, a parallel world, set in 1524. Isabella’s normal life is suddenly changed when one of the girls at her school is killed. Isabella blames it on her friend, Lupe, the governors daughter, outpouring her frustrations more against Lupe’s family more than the girl herself. Trying to prove her wrong, Lupe goes through the forbidden territories, into the heart of the island (where the banished live), triggering an adventure, with monsters of pure evil blocking the way…

What did I find

The book is written from the first person’s perspective, told by Isabella. I found this good as the book being set in a slightly different world sometimes makes it more difficult to follow. I think the consistency of one point of view makes it easier to understand, and also follow the feelings and thoughts of Isabella more thoroughly.

Throughout the book there are comments in italics, recalling conversations had before, repeating words said sometimes by friends and sometimes by Isabella herself. Sometimes the same phrases repeat again and again. These lines help define Isabella. They tell of the markers in her life, conversations of importance, or that somehow stick in her mind; the truths of her life, quotes that kind of define her. I like this as a way of helping to define her character.

The central theme of the adventure is based around a 1,000-year-old legend of a heroine girl called Arinta, and Yote, the fire-demon she fought. The book moves you through the elements of the legend, being replayed in the time of the story.

Would I recommend it

Yes, it’s really well written especially how well the author writes about the relationship between Lupe and Isabelabe and how it becomes stronger through every challenge or battle, from the right or left, they always end up better than before.

I enjoyed the journey of the adventure. The book moves fast and slow, sometimes setting the scene and laying the groundwork, sometimes speeding up as the scene unfolds before you. It draws you in and as some chapters end you are anxious to dive into the next to find out what happens next.