Sep 9, 2011

Review & Giveaway: Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff

Title: Isle of Night
Author: Veronica Wolff
Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: 9.6.2011
Pages: 320
Genre: Paranormal, Horror
Series: Yes (Watchers #1)
Copy: Advanced reader copy sent by publisher for review

Rating: B+

Summary (from Goodreads):
When Annelise meets dark and seductive Ronan, he promises her a new life-if she has the courage to chance the unknown. Now, she's whisked away to a mysterious island and pitted against other female recruits to become a Watcher-girls who are partnered with vampires and assist them in their missions. To survive and become a Watcher, Annelise has to beat out every other girl, but she's determined to do so, because to fail doesn't mean dishonor-it means death.

Review:
Whatever I expected when I started reading Isle of Night, it wasn’t this. I guess I expected Veronica Wolff’s novel to be more romance and seduction and what I got was hard-core action and horror. Not that that is a bad thing! Far from it. I think I got used to the sweet, girl-meets-hot-guy-and-they-fall-in-love storyline that most YA vampire-centric novels throw at me. While there is a romantic element to this book, it was most definitely not the front running story.

Annelise is a girl who has been kicked around all her life. She’s crazy-smart, but has never had a chance to escape her nightmare of a life until now. Only it turns out her great escape turns into a huge joke and she’s left in an even worse situation than she was before. Enter Ronan, the guy with all the answers.

Truthfully? I found the beginning to be somewhat ludicrous. I mean, what person gets into a plane with a guy she just met? Hot or not, Annelise just seemed too smart for that. Luckily that is explained later, but I was left wondering what was going on for quite a little while. It actually annoyed me to an extent, and I felt like this could be a deterrent to some readers. Stick with it, and I swear it will make perfect sense.

Once I got a few chapters in, though, I was well and truly hooked. I loved learning about Annelise’s training as a Watcher, as well as the trials she was put through. Some of them literally had me gaping open-mouthed at the pages. It wasn’t long before I genuinely cared for Annelise, and was rooting hard for her to prevail. She’s a strong, smart character that I couldn’t help but like.

One thing I must advise is that I don’t recommend this book for younger teens. It was, at times, quite graphic in the violence. Other than that, it’s a darkly written tale of survival of the fittest. I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of this series and find out what happens to Annelise.

Buy: Amazon


GIVEAWAY!

One lucky person will win their own copy of Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff, generously donated by NAL Trade. Sorry, but this contest is for US residents only.

To win, simply reply to this review (make sure you include your email address!). I'll select the winner via random.org on September 30, 2011.

36 comments:

  1. I so didn't expect this book to be a hard-core horror type book! Epic! Thanks for the review.

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

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  2. This really sounds very good if you enjoy this type of read. Of course, I do:)Thanks for the review.

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  3. OMG! it's better than I expected thanks for sharing your thoughts ^_^

    kimyunalesca(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. Nice. Count me in.

    valerie(at)stuckinbooks.com

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  5. I love strong female characters and your review has me convinced to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway and your review! Happy Reading :)

    mmaisano(at)cox(dot)net

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  6. Strong female characters are too rare in YA novels, thank you for the wonderful novel-definitely going on my to-reads list and thank you very much for the chance to win! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom

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  7. O i want to read this! I love strong female characters! They are in a class all on there own! Cant wait to read this! Thank you!
    shadowluvs2read(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This book sounds amazing! I definitely want to read it!
    e(dot)baker219(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. This book sounds so much better than I thought. I can't wait to read it.

    jlynettes @ hotmail . com

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  10. If it's more action and horror than romance, I am all over it.

    Kara
    Survivorluvr33ATgmailDOTcom

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  11. Annelise sounds like an interesting character to follow. I definitely wan to learn more about her training as a Watcher. Horror is a big selling point for me so I have to get my hands on this one.
    jennifer(at)fictitiousmusings(dot)com

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  12. This sounds really intense! Thanks :)

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  13. sounds uber awesome is o wanna read this book

    mortalsinn(AT)yahoo.com

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  14. This sounds much better than I thought it would be! Thank you for the giveaway!

    wolfluvr420 at yahoo dot com

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  15. This book sounds very interesting. Great review.

    your1chef at aol dot com

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  16. I would love to read this. I just recently got into Paranormal and it has the added bonus of a horror. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Mary
    mary_reiss @ hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've been hearing about this book alot and would love the chance to win. Thanks for the giveaway.

    bookflamereviews@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. This book sounds so much better than I initially thought. Great post!!

    ruby95660[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like a good read. I enjoy books with strong, intelligent female leads. thanks for the giveaway
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. This book sounds good. I would like to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    GFC- audreyclair
    twigerina[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great review!

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

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  23. I've been hearing whispers about how good this one is. I really want to check it out for myself, especially since I'm loving the action aspect. It's good that Annelise's rash actions are explained. Thanks for the great review and a chance to win. My email address is Amberinblunderland@yahoo.com

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  24. Sounds really good. Thanks for sharing!!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  25. This book sounds really good from your review. :) Thank you for the giveaway!

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm even more excited that it isn't all about romance. I want some hard-core!

    wbbusby(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. It sounds good and its been on my list.

    Bo0kJunki3 at yahoo dot com

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  28. it sounds like it keeps you entertained and keeps your attention. I like action in my books! can't wait to read it!

    katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. i love this review! I hadn't heard about this story and I might have passed it by, but now I am dying to read it. Thank you! cody(at)wilger(dot)com

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  30. loved your review and I freaking love that trailer! I havent heard much about htis book but your thoughts make me what to read it NOW! You can tell you really enjoyed it. Thanks for hosting the giveaway, please count me in!

    Diana
    lovelygetaway@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I never knew that this book was such a horror book, thanks for the heads up... and the book trailer is so bad a*s =)
    Thanks for hosting this giveaway!!

    GFC Follower: SpadesHighReads
    TValeros18 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great Review! When I first saw this book presented on Goodreads, I thought it sounded AWESOME. It seemed to have elements of VA, which I love with a passion. I, too, am not much for horror, but I still want to give "Isle of Night" a try... the trailer rocked, and hopefully the romance will pick up in book two. So, thanks for this chance @ grabbing what looks like a good start to an intense adventure.

    GFC: Joanna Ward
    joanna9273[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  33. This looks amazing. I am stoked to read it, but reading this makes it irresistible in my mind, and I am in love with whole 'hunger games' type morality vs. survival, and "smart people" who unknowingly give up their wits to what they deem a greater purpose....

    luweiaeclare@gmail.com

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  34. This one sounds so good, I love kick butt girls! Thanks for the giveaway!

    danceislove27 At gmail DoT com

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  35. This book is at the top of my wishlist right now. The premise kinda sounds Buffy-esque. Hope I'm not too late to enter.

    email is chromiumv12(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I guess I was expecting the same thing when I saw the book. Wow, even the trailer is violent. I am not so sure I wanna read this. I am not big into violence and horror. I love kick butt heroines but I have a limit on violence. thanks

    ReplyDelete

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