About the Book
Book: Forsaken Island
Author: Sharon Hinck
Genre: Christian Romantic Epic Fantasy
Release Date: September 15, 2020
On an uncharted world, happiness is effortless and constant … but can true joy exist without sacrifice?
The people of Meriel have long believed their island world floats alone in the vast ocean universe, so they are astonished when another island drifts into view. With resources becoming scarce, Carya and Brantley quickly volunteer to search the new land for supplies.
After navigating a barrier of menacing trees, the pair encounter a culture of perpetually happy people who readily share their talents and their possessions. But all is not what it seems. At the core of the island is a horror that threatens everyone, including Brantley and Carya.
Freeing the villagers of the bondage they’ve chosen may cost Carya and Brantley more than they could have imagined. Even if the two succeed, they’ll have to find a way to return to Meriel quickly … or be cut off from their home forever.
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MY REVIEW
I am happy to be back in an adventure with this author. Her descriptive words help me visualize everything going on in the story. There is much to discover in this journey as the series continues. I love how the author takes us into a fantasy world while using God’s lessons to teach us and remind us of His love. Right at the start of the book we are reminded “not to give fear a place to bloom.” Well that must have been written just for me. Our characters are going into a place they are unfamiliar with but must not let fear stop them. How many times have you allowed fear to take over your life?
I like how once again we find ourselves among the characters as they race to seek food for their people. The place they came to was eerily creepy. Why was everyone overly nice. Is it a trick so Carya and Brantley will be caught off guard? I felt a bit of The Wizard of Oz in a part when someone says, “say that ten more times and see if it changes anything.” Visions of Dorothy being told to say , “There’s no place like home ,”several times danced in my head. Carya and Brantley are desperate to find their way out of this strange place.
I loved how the author uses these characters to teach us about trust and working together. Sharing their belief is strong in this story and I really didn’t want the story to end. I had jumped into the pages and was next to them as they discovered strange things on the island. Their mission to bring food back to their people becomes difficult when they can’t find their way out. I wonder if it would have helped if I tried to guide them? The story is full of excitement and surprises. Once again I’m in awe of an author who can brilliantly take readers to another place and make them feel like they are part of the story.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
About the Author
Award-winning author of The Sword of Lyric series, Sharon Hinck writes “stories for the hero in all of us” about women on extraordinary adventures of faith. Her novels are praised for their authentic characters, strong spiritual themes, and emotional resonance. For this series, she drew on her experience as a ballet teacher, dancer, and choreographer.More from Sharon
Inspiration Behind Forsaken Island
In the first book of The Dancing Realms series, we learn about a floating island world guided by the work of dancers. The assumption of everyone on Meriel is that their island IS the world—the only existing place on a vast empty ocean.
But in this second book, currents have pushed a new island into view. Our intrepid dancer Carya, and her stenella-riding friend Brantley, set off to explore, hoping to find resources for their world of Meriel.
The story was influenced by some of my favorite classics in the adventure/exploration genre. Jack London (particularly The Sea Wolf), or Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Or anything by Jules Verne or Robert Louis Stevenson. As the characters explore a new world, we experience both wonder and danger with them. I love that sort of story, so I set my two beloved characters of on an adventure to see what they would discover.
But of course, the book is also about the developing relationship between Carya and Brantley, and the conflicts they confront. And once again, an undercurrent (no pun intended) of spiritual themes is at play. The island holds dark secrets, and time is running out for the opportunity to find their way home.
I love the verse from Psalm 94:14. “For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.” Even on a “Forsaken Island” – the Maker of His people finds a way to reach out and bring hope.
Blog Stops
Through the Fire Blogs, September 30
Fiction Aficionado, September 30
Wothy2Read, October 1
Texas Book-aholic, October 2
deb’s Book Review, October 2
Inklings and notions, October 3
For Him and My Family, October 4
April Hayman, Author, October 4
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 5
Daughter of Increase, October 5
For the Love of Literature, October 6
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 7
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8
Blogging With Carol, October 8
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 9
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 9
Artistic Nobody, October 10 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Simple Harvest Reads, October 10 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 11
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 12
Emily Yager, October 12
Pause for Tales, October 13
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Sharon is giving away the grand prize package of a Forsaken Island book bag, a personalized and autographed hard cover copy of Hidden Current, book marks, and some decorative goodies on a plant-life theme!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts about Forsaken Island and for featuring it here. I'm SO glad you got caught up in their adventure!
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