The Deep
The Island #3
by Jen Minkman
Blurb:
‘The world is never-ending.
I never realized just how much space there is – how far and wide the water around our island stretches out. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I may have believed that a second Wall ran around Tresco, containing the infinite waters so we wouldn’t all wash over the edge and plummet down into the depths.’
Leia and Walt are on their way to the Other Side, where the legendary land of Cornwall awaits them. Tony, their new friend, has told them that all wars of the past have been forgotten and the citizens of Bodmin and Dartmoor live in peace. People adhere to the tenets of an old religion that preaches forgiveness and non-violence.
However, Walt and Leia soon discover that even a peace-loving, ideal society like this one may have its flaws. While on a forbidden trip to Exeter, the old city of their ancestors, the two Islanders discover more about the new world than they ever bargained for.
Secrets run dark and passions run deep in this thrilling conclusion to the Island novella series.
Excerpt:
After a copious lunch, we are met in the main hall by a man who introduces himself as Harry, the hotel owner. Apparently, he can get temporary housing for all of us.
“Tomorrow, Tony will take us to Moretonhampstead in his bus,” Walt tells me excitedly. “That’s where the largest library of Dartmoor is, so we can find out everything we want to know about the world as it used to be.” He smiles at me and pulls me into his arms. “He also told me we could find the original stories about Luke and Leia there.”
“What a strange thought,” I say numbly. I’m not so sure I want to read those books full of made-up stories at all. Will it do me any good? I feel at a loss. Walt gently strokes my hair, noticing my apprehension. “Let’s just flip through them together. I’m quite curious, actually. So, shall we follow Harry to his hotel?”
“Are you going to share a room with your father?”
He starts to chuckle. “Afraid so. I carefully dropped a hint that I might want to get a room with you, and that set him off on a full-fledged rant about the birds and the bees and such.”
I’m sure I’m flushing crimson. “Well, he’s right, you know. Besides, you hadn’t even asked me if I wanted to share a room.”
Walt shrugs. “That’s why I said I might,” he says defensively.
Now it is my turn to chuckle. “Well , how about in Moretonhampstead?” I tease him, lowering my voice before I continue: “After a long day of study in the library, we should do something fun, too, don’t you think?”
“Hmm.” His eyes sparkle. “Good point.”
Hand in hand, we trot outside and follow the hotel owner. The other islanders trail behind us. I’m curious to see where Harry will take us.
My Review:
I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.
Leia grew up on the island of Tresco where when all of the children reached the age of ten years old they were considered adults and were sent to live in the big house which was called the manor. Leia and all of the other children lived there and were taught how to take care of themselves. All of the children that lived at the manor and "the parents" believed in "The Book" which was actually titled "Star Wars". Leia's and everyone else's ancestors were taught that "The Book" was the rules that they had to follow. The children lived at the manor until they found someone to marry and then they would move back into the town and live like all of "the parents". This book they called "The Book" was their bible it was all they knew. There was no one left alive who knew the real truth. But Leia didn't like how everyone was being treated by their leader Saul. Saul wanted to be in control and to always be the leader. But Leia began to question if everything they had been taught was a lie or not. There was a wall that separated Tresco from the other side of the island where the "Fools" lived. No one was ever to cross over the wall. The "Fools" were unbelievers and were not to be trusted.
But Leia wanted to know the truth and it was time for someone to stop Saul. Leia's life became endangered so she ran away and climbed over the wall to the other side to meet with her new friend Walt a "Fool" who lived on the other side. Walt helped to keep her safe from Saul. Leia found out that Walt and the people who lived on the other side of the wall were not such bad folks after all. Walt and the "Fools" believed that their Goddess Annabelle was coming back for them one day. So they were always on the lookout for Annabelle's return.
Leia and Walt both wonder if there was anything else out there or other people. Are there other people across the water or were they the only people left alive? Their new friend Tony who came from across the water told them that there were other people out there and that there was a whole other world across the water. Leia and Walt along with some of the other people on the island wanted to go see what was across the water. So Tony took them on a long voyage across the water to meet these other people.
I am so very glad that I have had the opportunity to read the Island series. I love the whole concept of telling children about "The Book" and that book being "Star Wars", a fantasy book. It just goes to show that there is more than one way to believe in something and everyone thinks that what they believe is the truth. How could there be more than one God? Why doesn't everyone believe the same? What makes one person's belief right and the other one wrong? The children that was taught that "Stars Wars" was their bible thought they were right and the "Fools" who were waiting for their Goddess Annabelle to come back for them were wrong. And the "Fools" thought that they were right and the children on the other side of the wall were wrong. If someone believes one way and you believe another don't make that person out to be the bad person. What someone believes in may be the only thing that is getting them through life. The sad part is that each group of people were all taught lies and neither one of them knew it. They had no way of knowing with no one left alive that knew the real truth.
I am going to miss all of the characters in this series. I would like to go along with them on their new voyage and to be with them when they reach their destination. Will Walt and Leia finally tie the knot? Will they have a family of their own? What will they tell their children? What will they teach their children to believe in? You know it really doesn't matter as long as they are good people and parents.
Have you read "The Island" Series? No? Then what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy today and get started. It is one of the best and I mean best series ever written. If you have an open mind and can handle reading something that is way different than anything that you have read before then jump on board and let the light in.
Want to Check out my review of The Island book#1 and my review of The Waves book #2 in The Island Series.
About The Author:
Jen Minkman (1978) was born in Holland, in the town of Alphen aan den Rijn. When she was 19, she moved between The Hague, Salzburg (Austria), Brussels (Belgium) and Cambridge (UK) to complete her studies in intercultural communication. She is currently a teacher of English, career counsellor and teenage coach at a secondary school in Voorburg, Holland. She tries to read at least 100 books a year (and write a few, too!). She is a published author in her own country, and translates her own books from Dutch into English for self-publication.
In her spare time, she plays the piano, the guitar and the violin. For every novel she writes, she creates a soundtrack.
'I have always been drawn to writing. My first book was a sci-fi novel at the age of eight, which I painstakingly typed out on my dad's typewriter and illustrated myself. Nowadays, I stick to poetry, paranormal romance, chick lit and/or fantasy. In my home country, I am the first-ever published writer of paranormal romance, and I will gradually make my books also available in English (seeing I have to re-write and translate the books myself, this will take some time!).
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