Comment

Mar 11, 2016
Moody and brooding with teen angst dripping off every page in the first third of the book. An excellent combination of coming-of-age, loss of innocence, and tragic romance. There is an feeling in the air of Edgar Allan Poe in the ancient house on the isolated island with the over-seeing Matron evoking the ever-watchful raven. This is an excellent novel, with definite nods to Lord of the Flies throughout. As a matter of fact one of the books the students are studying is LOTF. The connection between Toby and Clara is sweet, first love in spite of the place and time and it lifts the story beyond its brooding background and leaves the reader with a feeling of hope even through the inevitable tragedies.