While this is the sequel to Oakwood Island, it has been awhile since I read the first book and it all came flooding back. I also realized reading the first book beforehand wouldn’t be necessary to the understanding (?) of this story though it’s recommended.
The mysteries of Oakwood Island go far beyond what one can even imagine… or rather, what the reader can. The writers, New Brunswick duo Cormier and Arsenault, masterfully told a wicked tale of revenge, salvation and simple survival. In the end, the authors compared their story to a snowball rolling down a hill as the details and speculations continued to grow, turning some short stories by Cormier into two novels by the pair.
The characters, though real and likeable, almost taunted me with their stories, wanting me to connect with them as I hesitated, expecting them of being killed off or doing the killing themselves. The story which brought them all together as tightly as it strangled them, was well written and, once again, reminded me of Stephen King like gore.
From the conclusion, gruesome was exactly what they were looking for as the authors set this book up with a promise for a third.
Not for the faint of heart, as some of the characters realize, Oakwood Island: The Awakening is a story that will give you nightmares and warm your heart. It will also make your eyes itch but I’ll say no more.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
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