Death Island
by Kelsey Ketch
Genre: New Adult
Publication: December 31st, 2017
Cover Designer: Desiree DeOrto Designs
Her family name tainted by her great-grandfather’s crimes of piracy, Meriden Cummings is far from the typical 18th century woman. A social outcast, she works in a carpentry shop in a small village, where the people barely tolerate unconventional behavior.
However, her life takes a turn after a gang of pirates attack her village and her blood reveals an ancient map adorned with Mayan glyphs leading to Death Island. An island legends say is ruled by the Mayan god of the underworld, Ah Puch. Her great-grandfather had sought after the island before he vanished without a trace. Now, Meriden is about to journey across the sea to
understand her family history.
There are only a few problems: her growing feelings toward a mysterious stranger linked to her great-grandfather’s past; a greedy band of pirates after her great- grandfather’s legendary treasure; and a contract she has unwittingly signed in blood with Ah Puch himself.
Review: Kelsey Ketch has taken me away on another all new adventure. First she gives me stories steeped in Egyptian mythology with her
Descendants of Isis series, and now she sweeps me off in a high seas adventure with Mayan mythology! Filled with romance, pirates, skeletons (the kind that kick your butt), siren(adaptation of) and gods.
Set in the early 1700s this story is a twp person POV by Meriden and Gregory. I actually really liked the balance of story we get this way. Meriden is a very independent young woman wish a desire for the seas left to her from her father's bloodline. I loved how she pulls her own weight in the story. She refuses to just be a damsel in distress but she is also flawed and makes mistakes making her a likable character. Gregory has a few chips on his shoulders on him from his own family. Overall I liked him but he overlooks a few obvious things that get to me a bit. Still, he is well developed and I still liked him as well. We actually have a good cast of other characters we get to meet of the crew they set sail with.
I loved the adventure and the mythical aspects of this story. Skellig's character intrigued me and the desert of fears was fascinating. The blend of mythology and adventure in a historical setting was overall well done. I love the research Kelsey does for her book to make if feel more real and authentic.
My biggest gripe is the phrase and word choices used a few times. Especially Meriden's internal monologue toward the beginning. If felt too modern and did not fit. A few times the words used in this actually made me cringe since it is suppose to be a historical setting. It just took me out of the moment. Luckily this didn't happen too often but most of it happens early on and it made it a bit tricky to get fully into the book right away.
The ending is left open for a possibility of a sequel but the book does close off the story well enough. Although I would not be adverse to another adventure, so we shall have to wait and see. Well done Kelsey Ketch, I continue to enjoy your books and look forward to future stories you create!
*I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair, honest review. All opinions expressed are strictly my own*
Kelsey Ketch is a young-adult/new- adult author, who works
as a Wildlife Biologist in the state of North Carolina. During
her free time, she can often be found working on her latest
work in progress or organizing the New Adult Scavenger
Hunt, a biannual blog hop. She also enjoys history,
mythology, traveling, and reading.
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