Title: Rooke’s Island
Author: SK Whalen
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 9780595445455
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy / Fairy Tales & Folklore
Pages: 180
Reviewed by: Arthur Thares
Pacific Book Revciew
This is my favorite kind of book because its title is such a mystery; you have no idea
what you are going to get. What I found was a surprisingly intriguing fantasy story that
checks every box. I was engrossed from the first chapter, but it wasn’t until about
chapter four that I was completely enamored. To see if you are all in on this book like I
am, you’ll want to know a little more about the magic of Rooke’s Island.
The story begins inauspiciously following a mail carrier, introducing us to our quirky
main character. A single magic letter in the mail carrier’s bag kicks off the tale. The story
quickly shifts from this picturesque suburban setting to one that is entirely new to the
main character, Margery. Margery is quick to learn that her new inheritance brings more
with it than a house and an island. She meets new people and learns about family
history, all while uncovering the secrets of Rooke’s Island and the magical creatures
which inhabit the island.
Rooke’s Island is a pure fantasy tale written in such a perfect way that it almost doesn’t
feel like a fantasy. It walks this ideal balance of the plausibly impossible in which you
know the ideas are fantasy, yet there is a small place in the back of your mind which
asks, “but what if?” There are no significant antagonists in this book, but that doesn’t
mean that the story is smooth sailing for Margery and her companion. The story wraps
up nicely but also leaves a wide-open lane for as many sequels and spin-offs as the
author would like.
I absolutely loved the idea of Rooke’s Island, but I have to say that I was even more
impressed by the author. This is such a polished book, and it is easy to get lost in the
pages and finish it in a single sitting. I found myself comparing the writing style to that of
J.K. Rowling, which is good company to be in. The author found a way to keep so many
human elements while telling a fantasy story that is partially about animals. There is so
much balance to this book from the length of the chapters to the content within.
I don’t think that you have to be a fan of fantasy stories to enjoy Rooke’s Island.
Although fantasy plays a significant role in the book; it is so well written that the
fantastical portions blend into the story instead of being a crutch for the story to lean on.
One more thing to appreciate about this book is that it is excellent for a general
audience, so pre-teens through grandparents can all enjoy Rooke’s Island together.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and I am hopeful that there will be more Rooke’s Island adventures and maybe even some spin-off stories to learn more about the interesting characters of the island.
