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This book was actually pretty cool, if you can push aside the clichéd lines, like how the mc can't decipher a look, and how the main guy has a crooked or once broken nose. There is a trio of mean girls in the beginning that definitely put other bullies to shame. They were rough.

Loved the side ch... ...more

Olive Maxi Gagmuehler lives everyday in fear of being tortured by a trio of mean girls at her school causing Olive to suffer from anxiety attacks. Olive in a way blames her parents for her name that is just asking to be made fun of in her opinion. But as much as Olive wants to avoid the torture o... ...more

Oooooooooooo I loved this. All of it. Everything. It was so good!



The writing was so easy to read that I flew through this hardly putting it down long enough to pee. The characters, the setting, the conflict, the development, the romance, the cover - EVERYTHING was done so well. It's going straigh... ...more

The Castaways!!! First things first: I received this book through NetGalley.
 
Summary: The Castaway Carnival: fun, mysterious, dangerous.
Renowned for its infamous corn maze… and the kids who go missing in it.
When Olive runs into the maze, she wakes up on an isolated and undetectable island where a... ...more

Really beautiful writing amid a cinematic story with perfect pacing. This book was a YA version of Lost, in all the best ways- a mysterious island with a "brain" of its own, characters with compelling backstories, infighting among different factions of those who landed there under mysterious circ... ...more

What a great read! Amazing imagery and character descriptions, who, by the way, are impossible to not fall in love with. I loved every character and there was such much emotion and background behind each and every one. Along with such a unique plot, this book was impossible to put down. ...more

Wow! An imaginative, thrilling book. The bullying in the beginning is soul-searing; the violence on the island shocking and riveting. Olive is transformed through friendship and love and stands up for herself and others when it matters most. Well done! ...more

“Castaways” is an incredible YA fantasy that takes place on “The Island.” Think “The Lord of the Flies” or “The Maze Runner,” although this book is a masterpiece in its own right. Olive Maxi Gagmuehler has always hated her name- she believes it is at the center of why she is bullied and represent... ...more

A gripping story that held me until the final page! The concept is so unique and wonderful, and the writing is beautiful. When Olive runs from a horrible bullying incident, she sprints through a cornfield and transports to "The Island," where she discovers other kids from different times who are... ...more

I first heard this book described as Mean Girls meets LORD OF THE FLIES and thought, "Yes please!" For me, those comparisons were right on the mark and made THE CASTAWAYS one gripping, page-turning read. The book begins as teen, Olive Gagmuehler, experiences more abuse at the hands of a horrible... ...more

Oh my gosh, this book. I'm not sure what I expected, but it chewed up all my feelings and was so, so, so good! I adored the characters -- and there are a lot of them, but they're so distinct and real, that I never found myself confused about who was who. The pacing is perfect, and the romance bet... ...more

What a fun and thrilling read. Full of vivid island imagery and characters who will grab your heart, and a knockout concept, make this an absorbing read. Kids tested to their limits and how they resolve conflicts and how cause and effect created their present situation. They also learn about the... ...more

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Teen for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Castaways is an imaginative cross between Mean Girls and Lord of the Flies, which combines an exciting fantasy/adventure with a thorough look at the all too real issue of bullying. It also sends a po... ...more

This review was originally published on Spinatale Reviews.

When I first started reading The Castaways, I wasn't sure what to expect. A few hours later, I was turning the last page. The Castaways is an absolute gem of a book and I loved it.

The story does begin with a very brutal, slightly difficul... ...more

Loved this! I really liked the concept and the lessons that the Castaways had to learn about themselves through their journeys. The writing was easy to read and told a really great story. The characters were all great and complex as well and there was great character growth throughout the story.... ...more

Jessika Fleck created an addicting story that makes you dive full in and not come up for air until you’re done reading the last page. Whether you’re young or young at heart there is something in the story or characters that everyone can find themselves investing in, can discover about themselves.... ...more

Jessika Fleck's debut novel, "The Castaways," is a fast-paced, wholly original fantasy that reminded me of a YA "Lost." And I say that as a "Lost" super-fan who never missed an episode! Like the intriguing TV series, "The Castaways" follows two tribes stuck on a mysterious island, unsure how they... ...more

Once I started it, this book was hard to put down. Olive, in an effort to escape bullies, finds herself in a maze that takes her to a deserted island of other “castaway” teens. There’s rival groups and amazing characters (who are as interesting as Olive). The romance between Olive and Will, the l... ...more

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review

Wow! I can't even express how epic this book was. I couldn't put it down and read it from cover to cover in 24 hours. The Castaways pulls you in from the moment you open the cover when you realize that the main character, Olive is being... ...more

I absolutely loved this book. I was sucked into the story and felt each high and low of the characters. It's a book that everyone can identify with, especially young adults who are finding their own sense of worth. I was fortunate enough to receive and early copy, and I can't wait to buy a copy f... ...more

This story has such a fantastic premise: run from the bully...and get sucked onto a mysterious island with no means of getting home again. Oh and there's a war and bombs and cute boys. I really enjoyed this book. It's a standalone and the resolution is really clever. It's a little big Lord of the... ...more

A gripping fantasy-adventure story with a strong cast of characters and a unique concept. Really enjoyed it. ...more

Thank you to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for a fair review.


Olive's life is pretty miserable mostly due to her name. Which has led her to be tormented for six years by the trio. Olive makes plans to try and get back at them by meeting her friend at the Castaway... ...more

4.5 Stars

The Castaways by Jessika Fleck caught me by surprise. The blurb sounds amazing and I was ready to follow Olive Gagmuehler anywhere on her adventure. I thought I was going to like it, but then in chapter three we meet her tormentors... they were really cruel (and I'm really softhearted) s... ...more

I received a free Ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
I was intrigued when I read the description of this book. Usually not the type of book I would read but I figured I would give it a shot. Well I read it in one day if it is any indication on if I liked the book or n... ...more