Review: A Boat to Nowhere
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 13, 2012
The Island (Fallen Earth) offers an interesting scenario: what would you do if a deadly, airborne virus, dubbed "The Fever," starts spreading across America?  For William Hill, a forty something year old woodworker, the answer is simple: take the beloved boat that his deceased dad left William, and go to Portsmouth Island.  Why that place specifically, I have no clue (or I couldn't follow).  The author seems to be setting up this island as a refuge from The Fever.  Obviously, if this isn't the case, then you won't have a story named, "The Island."Why do I give chapter one of The Island three stars?  The first reason is the pace.  Some reviewers have complained about the pace, and I share their sentiments.  I think the author lacks experience to figure out how to move the story along.  Indeed, Michael Stark end up giving boating lessons to his readership, and I don't think that's too relevant to readers.Instead, I would like to know more about The Island.  What makes it special enough to merit its own title for this book?  By the end of the first book, readers still know nothing about the island.  So the second problem I have with the author is his lack of focus in telling his story.  For these reasons, I think it is appropriate to take off two stars, and rate this novel three stars.The Island (Fallen Earth) chapter one sets up an interesting apocalyptic America.  It remains to be seen how Michael Stark allow people to survive in this new world.