The Waves (The Island #2)

The Waves

second novella in The Island series by Jen Minkman.

« Walt lives in Hope Harbor, an Island community that has put its trust in salvation from across the sea. The townspeople wait patiently, build their ships to sail out and welcome the Goddess, and piously visit the temple every week. Horror stories to scare their children are told about the Unbelievers on the other side of Tresco.
But not all is what it seems. Walt has questions that no one can answer, and when his best friend and cousin Yorrick is killed in an accident, he digs deeper to find out the truth about the origins of Hope Harbor’s society… and the secrets of the temple.

Return to the world of The Island and discover what Walt's life was like before and after he met Leia!"

The Waves is the second novella in the series The Island, written by Jen Minkman. In this sequel, you can read about Walt's adventures before he met Leia. It's through his point of view that we discover his universe and the community called Hope Harbor. At the age of 15, Walt starts to understand that his world is a web of lies and that his family and the people he's supposed to trust are not so innocent. Fortunately, Walt can count on his cousin, Yorrick, the Librarian's son. The latter has a plan and is ready to fight for the truth, even if it means going where no one wants to go. Unfortunately, Yorrick dies before being able to carry out his projects. Walt understands that it is now up to him to take the matter in his own hands and achieve the projects of his best friend and cousin.

I had high expectations for the developments in Leia and Walt's adventures. And I was not disappointed! I was happy to be able to read from Walt's point of view and to discover his city and his side of the island. What is interesting is that it doesn't start where the previous novella ended. Walt is 15 at the beginning of The Waves, he is very close to his grandfather and his cousin, his faith has not yet been destroyed and, other than his mother's death, he has a happy life. But soon enough, revelations from his grandfather and his cousin will change everything. Why did his grandparent split? Why does the Librarian keep to himself some information and knowledge from the books? What is really behind the wall? Or on the other side of the waters? In some way, much like Leia, Walt has to grow up understanding that if he wants answers, he will have to look for them himself. He can't count on his grandfather anymore, and the death of his best friend and cousin changes him. Of course, when Walt meets Leia, it's also a shock. A shock between two cultures, a discovery of one another which leaves neither of the protagonists indifferent. Finally, without revealing too much, the end of this novella is very promising and I can't wait to read the next one!

Now I'm going to talk a bit about the characters, starting with Walt. At the beginning of The Waves, Walt seems like a quiet and reserved little boy, who is getting more and more curious. Of course, he's going to lose this little boy side to become more adult and responsible. He is very influenced by the opinion and behavior of his cousin Yorrick, and his grandfather is also very important to him. The more Walt is confronted to difficulties and dangerous and overwhelming situations, the more he changes, without losing his qualities and still keeping a certain fragility. He's a character with two faces but he is easy to understand. He has a keen sense of what is fair. His relationship with Leia develops with ups and downs, but it's normal, they are so different and both a bit lost. I find them so adorable and touching. A real tenderness appeared between these two. I feel like they can count on one another. It may seem fast but the circumstances of their encounter and the fact that they are both so endearing makes this relationship really believable and unique.

Even though Yorrick disappears towards the middle of the story, I have to say a few words about him. He's an important character for Walt. It seems that even after his death, he doesn't leave his cousin. I can imagine Walt wondering “what would Yorrick do?” So he has a great influence. He is brave, funny and smart. All his qualities can be found in Walt. Then there is Alisa, who will become his best friend. She is also endearing, sensitive and strong. She is also very important to Walt.

What I like in this second novella is that you can find the same dystopian theme, but without being repetitive or boring. It's logical since the story of the island is completed with the point of view and the stories of Hope Harbor. There may be a little less action in this sequel but the author brought a new reflection and elements which make me want to read more. I can't wait because Jen managed to keep a big part of the mystery, the third novella can only be even better!

I hope that you enjoyed my review of The Waves and that, just like me, you are excited to read the rest of The Island series. I will soon interview Jen Minkman to ask her questions about her career and her books. The Deep, the last novella is coming soon. I will review this last book with great pleasure ! Thank you for reading my review!

Enjoy your reading !