Island at the End of Everything [Paperback] [May 04, 2017] KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE

The description of this book intrigued me, because, while I knew there'd been an island leper colony somewhere, at some point in history, that was the extend of my knowledge; I thought I'd like to learn more about it. The novel begins by telling the main character's mother's story, how she was taken from her family against her will after contracting leprosy. However, it's also clear that, although most of the inhabitants of Culion are terminally ill, it's not a place of complete despair. Rather, the island is full of natural beauty, and many of the islanders live relatively normal lives. They have a strong sense of community; Ami is dedicated to her mother, and they're frequently helped out by the brothers Bondoc and Capuno. It would've been easy for these characters to come across as victims, but they are all strong people who are not afraid to fight. I liked the balance of vulnerability and determination in the protagonist, Ami; she's naturally devastated at being separated from her mother and the only home she's ever known, but doesn't succumb to her situation. It helps that she makes a friend at the orphanage where she's sent to live, fellow outcast Mari. This is definitely not a case where two people come together seek each other out simply because they don't have anyone else-- Mari is bright, funny, and knows her own mind; I found myself liking her character quite a bit.Our villain comes in the form of Mr. Zamora, a government agent who despises the Touched (this is what they prefer to be called) and seems to take pleasure in disrupting their lives. I wasn't sure how I felt about this character. He's an obsessive-compulsive hypochondriac, and I was a little uncomfortable with how this was linked with his hateful attitude. I kind of wished he'd been a more ambivalent character, someone who fears and looks down on the Touched, but who isn't so intentionally cruel. On the other hand, I'm sure many Touched were discriminated against in exactly this manner, so... Again, I wasn't quite sure how to feel.The storyline is evenly paced and interesting enough. I especially enjoyed the use of butterflies throughout, how they're compared to the Touched, how different characters' treatment of them shows what kind of people they are (Mr. Zamora, for example, kills them for study and display).IN SHORT: Overall, this seems like a great read for kids. The strong and proactive heroine is inspiring, as are her bonds with the people who are important to her. I like the focus on an often forgotten group; the story does a good job of showing their humanity. Far from seeming like victims, their portrayal shows how brave and resilient we can be, and what beauty we can find in even our darkest hours.

Ami lives on a beautiful island in the middle of the ocean. Except, while the vegetation might be lush and the ocean full of fish, the island and the people on it are shunned by the outside world. Culion is a leper colony, and while Ami doesn't suffer from this her Nanay (mum) does. Ami was born on the island and doesn't know anything different than living with her Nanay in the small community. It's a place mostly made up of people who suffer from leprosy in various stages of the disease, though rather than refer to them as lepers, they say that they're 'touched'.The disease isn't contagious in a controlled environment, and so Ami isn't in any danger, but the government decides to make a big change. People who suffer from the disease from all over will be brought to the island to remove them from society. To make space, the children that don't have the disease will be brought to an orphanage on another island. The government official in charge is the cruel Mr Zamora who avoids those that are touched and abuses his power over the children. His arrival announces the end of Ami's life as she knows it, and her journey afterwards, both physically and mentally, is both heartrending and inspiring.I was very excited to read this novel after falling in love with Kiran's debut The Girl of Ink and Stars and wasn't disappointed. Equally beautifully written with a touch of magical realism, this is a book that tugs at the heartstrings as it deals with mental health, loss and acceptance in the most enlightening of ways. It was far from an easy read, as many things within the pages felt unfair, but rooted as it is in real historical events it made it all the more evident that life is unfair, and it's about how you deal with it that makes a difference.Just like Isabella in A Girl of Ink and Stars, Ami is a bad-ass girl who we can all aspire to be like. She's having the worst of times but it doesn't make her cruel or give up hope, it gives her courage and wisdom to power through. I doubt I would've been as strong and forgiving had I been put in a similar position, but Ami is certainly an inspiration to readers.And Kiran is an incredible writer to bring Ami's story to life; her words flowing together into beautiful prose while not distracting from the tale she is telling. There were many moments I reread a sentence or paragraph because I found it being told so wonderfully, for example: 'Nanay kisses both hands and blows them to me. I catch them fast as falling stars and pocket them.' How beautiful is that? From now on I will always try to think that kisses from loves ones are falling stars that I can pocket, it certainly makes the idea of saying goodbye and being far away just that little bit easier.The Island at the End of Everything is a difficult novel to read at times (water spilled out of my eyes on more than one occasion), but it's also incredibly rewarding. Ami's kindness and courage are a huge inspiration, after all if after the hardship she goes through she can still be forgiving and brave there is absolutely no excuse for us to not do the same when faced with challenges in our own lives. And wrapped up in Kiran's beautiful words, this is yet another piece of magic by her hand in book shape that will undoubtedly win the hearts and imaginations of many readers. ♥4.5 stars

"The Island at the End of Everything" is a lovely, albeit fairly predictable, tale of an orphan who overcomes personal adversity and, in the end, triumphs. Kiran Millwood Hargrave uses poetic, vividly picturesque language as she allows Amihan to tell her own story. The daughter of a leper, who is confined to an island where those afflicted with the disease are banished, Amihan along with other unaffected children are removed to an orphanage. There she makes her one friend Mariposa - Mari, a girl who has a withered hand, and becomes the de facto guardian of Kidlat, a boy who does not talk. When the cruel government official running the orphanage threatens to send the three to a workhouse, they plan and execute an escape. The novel ends thirty years after this event and the concluding portion is heartwarming, if predictable.Kiran Millwood Hargrave has written a book that is one young readers may not appreciate. It is well written, the characters are interesting and appealing, but the story itself is one that has been done before - with the exception of the leprosy angle. Had the book not been as well done as it was, it would have received three stars instead of four.

A beautifully written book, The Island at the End of Everything is a wonderful story. Having loved The Girl of Ink and Stars, I wondered if I’d love this as much, but dear reader, I did. Maybe even a little bit more.Ami lives with her mother on the beautiful island of Culion. Despite its stunning scenery, no one ever visits. For this is the island at the end of everything. An island for those who are ‘touched’ by leprosy. When Ami is forced to leave her mother behind and sail to nearby Coron, she knows that she may never see her again. When threatened with the workhouse, Ami decides to escape and make her way back to her mother, despite the perilous journey that lies ahead.The Island at the End of Everything not only showcases Hargrave’s talent for story writing, but also her vivid descriptions. Ami’s love for her mother shines through this story like the flame of a burning candle. Not even the evil Mr Zamora can extinguish it, no matter how hard he tries. It’s the love for her mother and her hatred of Mr Zamora that pushes Ami forward and keeps the story moving at a wonderful pace.I admire authors who can move you to tears with their prose. Carefully chosen words, beautifully woven together, describe the most poignant parts of this story. I can visualise the silence in a classroom as the story reaches its climax, all eyes on the storyteller, all ears straining to hear every detail.I highly recommend this book to Year 6 teachers and to people who simply love a well-told story. Get reading it!

I was intrigued by this book after reading the opening chapter on amazon before purchasing it. However, after reading it, and comparing it to 'Beyond The Bright Sea', which made the shortlist for Carnegie, I can see why it didn't get picked. There are some really good ideas and some really powerful, beautiful writing. But I found the execution of these ideas disjointed, lacking in cohesion, and nuances and relationships between characters, that should have been clear, were fogged or left unexplored. I know that good writing shows rather than tells, but very often something would happen, or someone would do something, and it just didn't make sense to me because it hadn't been foreshadowed, or built up to, at all. The sudden leap at the end to thirty years later seemed tacked on - there was nothing wrong with the idea, it was the execution of it. The ideas in this book didn't 'knit together' for me, the way they did with the other book, which was about a similar subject. That book was not perfect, by any means, but the execution was much surer.

This book is everything. The writing is incredible, no words I have will do it justice. A truly poignant story about friendship, adventure and differences. Ami lives on a beautiful island with her mother, who has leprosy, which is all she has ever known. I loved the insight into leprosy, which is something I know very little about, and I think it was done in a very respectful and educational way. When the government get involved and decide Ami would be 'better off' being sent away to an orphanage, her whirlwind adventure begins. There are some lovable and hate-able characters, spun with the magic of Kiran Millwood Hargrave. One of my favourite books of the summer.

very good idea and i enjoyed reading some of it, however i don't think its anywhere near as good a The Girl of Ink andStars, although this one does have the same problems. the book isn't that long but it feels like it goes on forever.i foundmyself skipping bits and some of it was actually boring. some of it just didn't need to be there.

Though I didn't really like it at the start , when I got to the middle of the book I couldn't put it down, so I definitely recommend it. At the end it is very well written but I don't want to spoil it! The language in it was amazing and inspired me to write like this. That is why I gave it four stars. My favorite character is Kidlat because he's kind and I find him adorable. my favorite part is when he gives Ami a weed that he thought was a flower and helps Ami along the way back home to Culion. My least favorite character is Mr Zamora because he treats Ami horribly because her mums a leper.I really think you should read this Book.By Eva age:11