Customer Reviews

Anansi Island

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anansi Island starts innocently enough, though there's clearly some history to be told. The teacher teaches cleverly enough, though the children are a little unruly. They're very real though, as is she, and they're easily imagined. Then the roller-coaster moves to the top of the climb.

Anansi Island is a successfully scary tale of a young woman trapped on a mysterious island, using her intelligence and wits to help her survive. Revelations come slowly, one step at a time, keeping the reader off balance while Laurel balances too much knowledge with slowly growing dread. There's none of the "Don't open the door" feel of the traditional horror movie, but plenty of "Uh Oh."

I liked that the protagonist was an intelligent woman making wise decisions. And I liked the logic of the tale. A fun and scary lunchtime read, I'd definitely recommend it. But don't eat outside, not where the spiders bite...

This is a book about an island with bugs, arachnids, and other kinds of insects. I'm not usually bugged out about, well, bugs, but the moment when Laurel encountered the praying mantis' made me a little bit squeamish. The only issue I have with the book is the somewhat unclear ending. Then again, it was an ending intending to make you think and I enjoyed contemplating what the ending meant. Still, some clarity would have helped since there are unanswered questions and assumptions can only be made. My second Cantrell book, and he's two for two!

After reading Containment, I picked up the rest of Cantrell's offerings. This, as with the others, was fun. It did not have the impact that Containment did. However, his presentation and style still make for a good read. The story maintained a logical flow led by the lead character even though it was "supposed" to be mysterious/scary. It was a nice balance that helped keep the reader unbalanced to the very (humorous) end.

Not realizing this was a short storey I downloaded it. It starts off great, very interesting. However, it abruptly ends. I do not feel like this is a short storey I feel like it is the first few chapters of a good book. Very disappointed that I do not get to find out what happens next....

i felt like it needed something more. i definately wanted more from this story. i had thoughts of 'Jurrasic Park' and the 'hatch' in the tv series 'Lost'. great potential.

Good, short and interesting.

As for the ending:

Spoilers Spoilers!!

Spoilers Spoilers!!

Spoilers Spoilers!!

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Not to be too obvious, I'll point out some things.

The island is called Anansi Island. It was named after a trickster God by people who realized they'd been tricked into slavery by their own people.

The teacher didn't recognize the ranger...what if he was Bartlett?

Bartlett seemed very good at getting her to open up--like maybe it was his job or something?

He asked her a BUNCH of questions, basically debriefing her at the end.

She admitted she had "No one to call" as in no one to miss her if she disappeared. She told him she had a background in science and understood what was really going on in the lab.

At one point she says:

"There's certainly no shortage of brutality and deception among arthropods," Laurel said, "but they're predictable. Everything they do is about survival. They're not vindictive or jealous or greedy. They don't get power hungry. They take what they need, and that's it. They compete, but they follow rules. As long as you know those rules, and as long as you follow them yourself, you're fine." She looked up at Barrett. "In some ways, they have more dignity and integrity than we do."

After Bartlett went out--supposedly to make a call--she couldn't hear him talking on the phone.

The door he'd exited through was locked--so she couldn't get out.

There was a metal door at the back of the sleeping area....unusual...allowing something to be introduced into the building. Something big and buzzy was then put into the room with her.

In Anansi Island, author Christian Cantrell presents a fun story of a scientist who is about to become much closer to the insects and spiders she studies than she ever imagined. The story is fast-paced, entertaining, and builds the main character well. While the ending was a little out of left field, it was still a good enough story to have me looking for more by the author. This short story is more than worth a look for the price.

it is a typical short story - jumps between different view points, etc. Nicely done, interesting ... but remember, short story! half an hour reading, and you are done!

It is a good little quick story.

If you want something that you want to start and finish on a car ride, flight or short get away weekend then think about this.

It's well written and cheaper than a cup of coffee.

I did enjoy this story and it held my interest all the way through. It was scary, mostly because spiders are my greatest fear. The entire story was well thought out, but I was disappointed in the ending. Maybe I'm a bit dense, but it just ended too suddenly. I guess you have to figure out the ending for yourself.

Sometimes I really like it when the ending is left to the reader's imagination, but I'm not sure it worked in this situation.

For the price, I still highly recommend the book.