Brenda's Reviews > Phoenix Island

When Carl Freeman’s policeman father was shot by a criminal, and forced to endure the rest of his life in a wheelchair, along with needing full time care from Carl and his mother, then Carl’s mother died of cancer, something broke in Carl. Feeling the need to protect his father, protect the underdog even when he didn’t know him, caused Carl far more trouble than he should have had to endure in his short life. So by the time he was sixteen years of age, his father had died, he had found his outlet with a man who taught him to be a great boxer, and he’d also been in a lot of trouble with the law. Then a judge gave him one last chance – the boot camp on Phoenix Island for wayward young people such as himself – once he turned eighteen he would leave a much better person, his dream of becoming a policeman like his father closer to reality.

But Phoenix Island was more than just a boot camp! The cruel and merciless drill sergeants ran the place with iron-fisted precision. No-one, but no-one broke the rules – if they did the consequences were dire. Carl felt the need to have a couple of friends; the support they could give each other might come in handy. So Ross, a constant joker and Octavia, a lovely young girl with whom Carl felt an affinity became two people he could trust. But trust was a transient thing – the constant drills, training sessions, lack of food and sleep caused some to toughen up, but others to fail. Then there were the bullies who took great joy in tormenting the weak…

Who was this “Old Man” who was spoken of with awe? Where did the injured and failed teens go? And what was that building they had passed when they’d arrived on the Island – the Chop Shop? With its zombie-like inhabitant…..

What an amazing debut! Gripping, tense and totally engrossing, I found it hard to put down. A psychological thriller, I’m not sure I would classify it as Young Adult, but for me, thoroughly enjoyable. The plot is brilliant, the characters brutal – I have no hesitation in recommending Phoenix Island highly!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.