I'm not a fan of the dystopian genre as I find it too disturbing to read about what young kids are forced to endure just to survive. It just reminds me of news stories of people trying to survive in third world countries. It's just too damn depressing. In case you're wondering why I read this book considering my views, I needed a book that started with "X" and they are few and far between. That said, I must admit to enjoying this story of Baz and his survival against all odds on X Isle with crazy-ass Preacher John, Isaac, Steiner and Hutchinson.
The entire world was flooded (like New Orleans) from some kind of hurricane/tsunami combo and most people where killed/drowned. The remaining people are fighting tooth and nail to survive in this world without even the most basic of supplies. (Heck they use dry pasta as money!) X Isle is the only surviving area that is above water and there is a free-for-all trading gambit to get your child onto the island. They only accept scrawny boys (because they are cheaper to feed) and the families basically bribe the Eck brothers to get their kid on the boat. When Baz wins his way on board (with two boxes of bullets), he is ecstatic because he thinks life is going to be grand, heck they get three meals a day on the island...or so he thinks. There is another boy that gets selected that day as well, Ray (he used a box of cornflakes). Of course, nothing is what they expect. There are only a few boys on the island (though many have gone before and not returned) and the bosses, Steiner and Hutchinson are brutal and petty. They are expected to fight for their food (once a day) and are locked in their rooms (all together) every night.
Preacher John is the father of the Eck brothers and crazy as a loon. Since Preacher John owns the island, they all take their orders from him and every Sunday, they are all subjected to fanatical religious preaching which get scarier and scarier as the weeks go by. It is more a prison that a refuge and Baz and Ray figure this out real quick and immediately start plotting a way off the island with the help of the other boys. The Fart Club is a typical boy creation and it is surprising what they eventually are able to accomplish with this simple youthful endeavor.
The entire world was flooded (like New Orleans) from some kind of hurricane/tsunami combo and most people where killed/drowned. The remaining people are fighting tooth and nail to survive in this world without even the most basic of supplies. (Heck they use dry pasta as money!) X Isle is the only surviving area that is above water and there is a free-for-all trading gambit to get your child onto the island. They only accept scrawny boys (because they are cheaper to feed) and the families basically bribe the Eck brothers to get their kid on the boat. When Baz wins his way on board (with two boxes of bullets), he is ecstatic because he thinks life is going to be grand, heck they get three meals a day on the island...or so he thinks. There is another boy that gets selected that day as well, Ray (he used a box of cornflakes). Of course, nothing is what they expect. There are only a few boys on the island (though many have gone before and not returned) and the bosses, Steiner and Hutchinson are brutal and petty. They are expected to fight for their food (once a day) and are locked in their rooms (all together) every night.
Preacher John is the father of the Eck brothers and crazy as a loon. Since Preacher John owns the island, they all take their orders from him and every Sunday, they are all subjected to fanatical religious preaching which get scarier and scarier as the weeks go by. It is more a prison that a refuge and Baz and Ray figure this out real quick and immediately start plotting a way off the island with the help of the other boys. The Fart Club is a typical boy creation and it is surprising what they eventually are able to accomplish with this simple youthful endeavor.
