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Tales of Noreela #4
The Island
The worst has come and one man must rise to lead the fight against it. . . .He thought he’d seen the worst . . .No one knew about the Strangers from beyond Noreela, and it was the Core’s job to make sure it stayed that way. Kel Boon was once an agent of the land’s most secret organization, tracking, observing, and eliminating the Strangers as part of an elite Core team. But then one horrifying encounter left his superior officer—and lover—dead, along with many innocents. And Kel has been running ever since.But the worst was still to come. . . .Forsaking magic, living as a simple wood-carver, Kel came to the fishing village of Pavmouth Breaks to hide. But when a mysterious island appears out to sea during a cataclysmic storm, sending tidal waves to smash the village, his Core training tells him to expect the worst. How can he warn the surviving villagers—especially the beautiful young witch Namior—that the visitors sailing in from the island may not be the peace-loving pilgrims they claim to be? That this might be the invasion the Core has feared all along . . . and that he, Kel Boon, may be Noreela’s last chance?From the Trade Paperback edition.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Tim Lebbon
294 books1,537 followersI love writing, reading, triathlon, real ale, chocolate, good movies, occasional bad movies, and cake.
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
I was born in London in 1969, lived in Devon until I was eight, and the next twenty years were spent in Newport. My wife Tracey and I then did a Good Thing and moved back to the country, and we now live in the little village of Goytre in Monmouthshire with our kids Ellie and Daniel. And our dog, Blu, who is the size of a donkey.
I love the countryside ... I do a lot of running and cycling, and live in the best part of the world for that.
I've had loads of books published in the UK, USA, and around the world, including novels, novellas, and collections. I write horror, fantasy, and now thrillers, and I've been writing as a living for over 8 years. I've won quite a few awards for my original fiction, and I've also written tie-in projects for Star Wars, Alien, Hellboy, The Cabin in the Woods, and 30 Days of Night.
A movie's just been made of my short story Pay the Ghost, starring Nicolas Cage and Sarah Wayne Callies. There are other projects in development, too.
I'd love to hear from you!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 31, 2013
5 Stars
It is pretty safe for me to say that Tim Lebbon has been my favorite author that I have read the last two years. After reading Dusk and then Dawn by him, I have been looking to and devouring all his works. I cannot get enough...His horror writing is top notch, filled with atmosphere and scares, and is fresh. His fantasy is even better. Tim Lebbon writes adult oriented dark fantasy and does it in a way that I cannot get enough of. His world of Noreela is incredibly imagined, filled with strange creatures, magic, dark arts, and of course sleeping gods. Island is the 5th book in the aforementioned world, but would make a great launching point(haha) if you have not read this series.
Island has a cool plot, cool protagonists, and scary strangers that have come a shore. The plot is simple, an Island is dropped into the ocean off the coast of a small fishing village. Strangers come with the Island claiming to be cursed and in debited to help rebuild. This book is the tale of Kel Boon, a wood carver with a dark past that knows that the strangers are more than they appear to be.
There is a great deal of magic, steam-punk machinery, mysteries to be solved, sword fighting, and even some romance too. Put all this together with Tim Lebbon's awesome writing style and you have a page turner that cannot be put down.
A cool snippet of his style....
This long quote brings to light the Strangers...
“Kel holds his breath and relaxes, resting his fingers on the fractured pedestal before him, summoning the subtle screening spell O’Peeria taught him. Magic tingles through his flesh and bones, coursing around his body as it merges with his blood flow, thumping in time with his heart, twitching in time with a muscle in his cheek, and he hates it as much as he ever has. He looks at his hand on the stone before him, and its outline grows hazy. This is one of the few times he relies on magic. Mostly, he has learned to trust himself.
The Stranger strips off his clothes.
That is always the moment when Kel feels most scared, and most justified.
The man sighs as he shrugs the shirt from his body, flexing his shoulders as the two long, thin proboscises emerge from just beneath his shoulder blades and taste the air. They seem to shift of their own accord, and the Stranger kneels and turns his face to the sky as the appendages cast spidery shadows on the ground behind him.
The sides of his neck gape where gills split the flesh. The skin of his stomach and hips is silvery, oily. The Core had long been trying to capture a Stranger for examination and dissection by some of their witches, but it is difficult. Dangerous. Usually deadly. If caught and interrogated, it is never long before they usher in their own deaths and the destruction of those around them. Kel knows ten people who have died fighting Strangers, and he has no wish for that number to increase.”
What a fun read for me!
I will grab every last novel of Tim Lebbon's and will eagerly wait for his next novel. I cannot recommend him enough. He adds such a great flare to the fantasy genre.
It is pretty safe for me to say that Tim Lebbon has been my favorite author that I have read the last two years. After reading Dusk and then Dawn by him, I have been looking to and devouring all his works. I cannot get enough...His horror writing is top notch, filled with atmosphere and scares, and is fresh. His fantasy is even better. Tim Lebbon writes adult oriented dark fantasy and does it in a way that I cannot get enough of. His world of Noreela is incredibly imagined, filled with strange creatures, magic, dark arts, and of course sleeping gods. Island is the 5th book in the aforementioned world, but would make a great launching point(haha) if you have not read this series.
Island has a cool plot, cool protagonists, and scary strangers that have come a shore. The plot is simple, an Island is dropped into the ocean off the coast of a small fishing village. Strangers come with the Island claiming to be cursed and in debited to help rebuild. This book is the tale of Kel Boon, a wood carver with a dark past that knows that the strangers are more than they appear to be.
There is a great deal of magic, steam-punk machinery, mysteries to be solved, sword fighting, and even some romance too. Put all this together with Tim Lebbon's awesome writing style and you have a page turner that cannot be put down.
A cool snippet of his style....
This long quote brings to light the Strangers...
“Kel holds his breath and relaxes, resting his fingers on the fractured pedestal before him, summoning the subtle screening spell O’Peeria taught him. Magic tingles through his flesh and bones, coursing around his body as it merges with his blood flow, thumping in time with his heart, twitching in time with a muscle in his cheek, and he hates it as much as he ever has. He looks at his hand on the stone before him, and its outline grows hazy. This is one of the few times he relies on magic. Mostly, he has learned to trust himself.
The Stranger strips off his clothes.
That is always the moment when Kel feels most scared, and most justified.
The man sighs as he shrugs the shirt from his body, flexing his shoulders as the two long, thin proboscises emerge from just beneath his shoulder blades and taste the air. They seem to shift of their own accord, and the Stranger kneels and turns his face to the sky as the appendages cast spidery shadows on the ground behind him.
The sides of his neck gape where gills split the flesh. The skin of his stomach and hips is silvery, oily. The Core had long been trying to capture a Stranger for examination and dissection by some of their witches, but it is difficult. Dangerous. Usually deadly. If caught and interrogated, it is never long before they usher in their own deaths and the destruction of those around them. Kel knows ten people who have died fighting Strangers, and he has no wish for that number to increase.”
What a fun read for me!
I will grab every last novel of Tim Lebbon's and will eagerly wait for his next novel. I cannot recommend him enough. He adds such a great flare to the fantasy genre.
September 23, 2009
Tim Lebbon’s Noreela books, starting with 2006’s Dusk, are books that have always caught my eye but I somehow never managed to find the time to read. The same can also be said for Lebbon collaborations with Christopher Golden. Now, however, it seems I’ll need to pay a little more attention to Lebbon’s work as I found The Island to be highly entertaining and thrilling blend; a lot of fantasy with a dash of both science fiction and horror made for some interesting reading and I’ll be curious to see where Lebbon takes Noreela in the future.
After a failed mission results in the death a number of innocent children, and his commander and lover, Kel Boon deserts the clandestine Core and hides himself in the fishing village of Pavsmouth Beak. He makes his living there as a woodcarving, falling in love with the local witch Namior feels he has finally escaped his past. Unfortunatley the sudden disastrous appearance of a mysterious island could possibly be the alien threat that the Core has been trying to thwart and Kel Boon must once again take up the mantle of soldier and determine the nature of the threat that this island represents.
Full review here
After a failed mission results in the death a number of innocent children, and his commander and lover, Kel Boon deserts the clandestine Core and hides himself in the fishing village of Pavsmouth Beak. He makes his living there as a woodcarving, falling in love with the local witch Namior feels he has finally escaped his past. Unfortunatley the sudden disastrous appearance of a mysterious island could possibly be the alien threat that the Core has been trying to thwart and Kel Boon must once again take up the mantle of soldier and determine the nature of the threat that this island represents.
Full review here
February 5, 2017
To start with, I got this book as an audiobook and didn't think I'd enjoy it as It's got witches, witchcraft and magic... stuff like that which I don't get into. So, I listened with scepticism and an intention of just 'checking it out'. That was my mistake... because after the first chapter I shook off my scepticism and really enjoyed it.
The story starts off with a tremendous tsunami coming into the land of Pavmouth Breaks (a small fishing village) and wreaking havoc on the town and its people, destroying homes and killing the locals. An Island has suddenly appeared in their peaceful harbour, bringing with it new people who seem to be understanding and they then front up as being helpful in rebuilding their – now – shattered world, as recompense.
A 'woodcarver' Kel Boon and his witch girlfriend Namior are thrown into this new clash which Kel holds great suspicions about. No one else is as suspicious as Kel; but then, these new people have come and tried explained to the locals a believable story of how their own land is cursed and how it is often thrown into new places at any time. They wish to help them rebuild… bringing with them their new technology as well, to help. And they also hope this curse will finally lift so they too can settle in peace.
In amidst all of this, Kel has a secret he is hiding… this cursed land is not what it appears and in fact, who are these strangers that have arrived truly? Could they actually be the enemy that Kel has been trained to fight against in his previous existence? One man alone cannot fight this. Kel will need external help from his past, that he has been trying to escape from… trying to escape from alive.
The story starts off with a tremendous tsunami coming into the land of Pavmouth Breaks (a small fishing village) and wreaking havoc on the town and its people, destroying homes and killing the locals. An Island has suddenly appeared in their peaceful harbour, bringing with it new people who seem to be understanding and they then front up as being helpful in rebuilding their – now – shattered world, as recompense.
A 'woodcarver' Kel Boon and his witch girlfriend Namior are thrown into this new clash which Kel holds great suspicions about. No one else is as suspicious as Kel; but then, these new people have come and tried explained to the locals a believable story of how their own land is cursed and how it is often thrown into new places at any time. They wish to help them rebuild… bringing with them their new technology as well, to help. And they also hope this curse will finally lift so they too can settle in peace.
In amidst all of this, Kel has a secret he is hiding… this cursed land is not what it appears and in fact, who are these strangers that have arrived truly? Could they actually be the enemy that Kel has been trained to fight against in his previous existence? One man alone cannot fight this. Kel will need external help from his past, that he has been trying to escape from… trying to escape from alive.
February 22, 2015
Better than Dawn; on par with Dusk.
The author's unique perspective and style are refreshing - blending somewhat of a non Victorian steampunk with elements of fantasy. The Island is my favorite in the series set on Noreela: expanding the world with well woven seams tying back to previous works.
The characters are somewhat bluntly executed, but they are distinct and possessing of depth: characters which you can identify with, and once reading through, you feel you get to know - by the end of the book, their actions seem less like a storyteller dictating then they do logical procession of decision making on the part of an organic character.
I am often drawn to novelty - to works of fiction that, from my perspective, deviate from established patterns or traditions that I have read through before - this author goes out of his way to cater to that desire: all the while retaining some classical themes that are presented in a new context. In earlier books in this universe, that intentional deviation can come off as ham fisted, but as The Island, the author refines his talent and more and more smoothly, executes on his intentions.
Would recommend and will watch the author for further releases.
The author's unique perspective and style are refreshing - blending somewhat of a non Victorian steampunk with elements of fantasy. The Island is my favorite in the series set on Noreela: expanding the world with well woven seams tying back to previous works.
The characters are somewhat bluntly executed, but they are distinct and possessing of depth: characters which you can identify with, and once reading through, you feel you get to know - by the end of the book, their actions seem less like a storyteller dictating then they do logical procession of decision making on the part of an organic character.
I am often drawn to novelty - to works of fiction that, from my perspective, deviate from established patterns or traditions that I have read through before - this author goes out of his way to cater to that desire: all the while retaining some classical themes that are presented in a new context. In earlier books in this universe, that intentional deviation can come off as ham fisted, but as The Island, the author refines his talent and more and more smoothly, executes on his intentions.
Would recommend and will watch the author for further releases.
January 10, 2010
Another tough story set in the world of Noreela.
Advice
Read the book. Find out the truth about The Island. You won't regret if you like a bagful of horror, fantasy, steampunk, science fiction and mystery....
Read my full review of The Island.
Advice
Read the book. Find out the truth about The Island. You won't regret if you like a bagful of horror, fantasy, steampunk, science fiction and mystery....
Read my full review of The Island.
August 13, 2016
3 1/2 stars. I liked the beginning and end but all between was boring.
July 8, 2021
Very good fantasy horror! It's not a combination I come across a lot, so it's always exciting when I do. Lebbon's horror-fantasy world of Noreela is one of my favorites--the horror comes from its wide variety of creative natural predators combined with its layered history of tragedy and world-changing calamity--put some appealing characters having a bad day in such a place and a good story is sure to result.
September 18, 2019
If you liked fantasy books growing up you will love this book.
April 1, 2009
Kel Boon, simple wood-carver in a tiny fishing village, has a dark past: he was once a member of a secret organization known as the Core, dedicated to tracking down and killing the alien Strangers, who they believe are spies, harbingers of a coming invasion. He deserted the Core after a mistake confronting a Stranger causes the death of a group of children as well as his lover, but his instincts and his Core training return when an island mysteriously appears, causing a tsunami that destroys half the village. Kel is the only one who distrusts the benign Komadians who arrive, even as they use their superior yet odd technology to help restore the village. Intent on discovering their real purpose, he and his current lover Namior, a witch, infiltrate the island. There, they find evidence of the Komadians' tragic history and the horrible plans they have for the people of Pavmouth Breaks.
Lebbon's world, Noreela, has a long, dark, distinct history, chronicled in several novels and shorter works, but you don't need to know it to enjoy this stand-alone book (though if you want details, here's a great link: http://www.noreela.com/noreela.htm). I've only read one other Tim Lebbon book before, After the War, a collection of two very bleak Noreela novellas, and I was both happy and apprehensive when I got The Island. Happy because I thought After the War had superb writing -- plotting and characterization and world-building -- and apprehensive because the stories both had endings of such hopelessness that they were difficult to read. The Island has its grim and distressing moments, but the ending has enough light to it that you're not ready to throw yourself out a window. There is potential for the characters to have happiness or at least some sense of peace, and the invasion plot has a satisfactory (and bloody) resolution.
Kel and Namior both narrate and they play off one another well: Kel wants to hide and rest, to avoid the world and live in simple anonymity, while Namior is young and hopeful and wants to experience life outside her tiny fishing village. They react very different to this sort of enormous, potentially world-destroying plan in its beginning stages (after the Komadians take over the village, the rest of Noreela is within reach) but they end up in the same place; they both want to avoid trouble, yet their sense of responsibility leads them into doing the opposite.
The Island has a complicated sense of moral ambiguity, in which the bad guys have understandable reasons for being monsters and the good guys resist being heroes for equally understandable reasons. Backstory -- the past -- is important to both the characters and the world, and Lebbon does a great job bringing it in organically without going overboard on details you don't care about. I never felt buried in an info-dump. There's a decent amount of stealthy action, but what Lebbon really does well is evoke a constant sense of dread, low-level at first and increasing slowly to oppressive levels as Kel's paranoia proves to be justified. The final scenes are suspenseful and brutal but, like I said before, there's an undercurrent to the ending that people in this bleak world can succeed, can save something even if they also lose plenty, too. That's something I didn't get out of After the War, and I was glad not to read a novel-length story of such hopelessness.
Lebbon's world, Noreela, has a long, dark, distinct history, chronicled in several novels and shorter works, but you don't need to know it to enjoy this stand-alone book (though if you want details, here's a great link: http://www.noreela.com/noreela.htm). I've only read one other Tim Lebbon book before, After the War, a collection of two very bleak Noreela novellas, and I was both happy and apprehensive when I got The Island. Happy because I thought After the War had superb writing -- plotting and characterization and world-building -- and apprehensive because the stories both had endings of such hopelessness that they were difficult to read. The Island has its grim and distressing moments, but the ending has enough light to it that you're not ready to throw yourself out a window. There is potential for the characters to have happiness or at least some sense of peace, and the invasion plot has a satisfactory (and bloody) resolution.
Kel and Namior both narrate and they play off one another well: Kel wants to hide and rest, to avoid the world and live in simple anonymity, while Namior is young and hopeful and wants to experience life outside her tiny fishing village. They react very different to this sort of enormous, potentially world-destroying plan in its beginning stages (after the Komadians take over the village, the rest of Noreela is within reach) but they end up in the same place; they both want to avoid trouble, yet their sense of responsibility leads them into doing the opposite.
The Island has a complicated sense of moral ambiguity, in which the bad guys have understandable reasons for being monsters and the good guys resist being heroes for equally understandable reasons. Backstory -- the past -- is important to both the characters and the world, and Lebbon does a great job bringing it in organically without going overboard on details you don't care about. I never felt buried in an info-dump. There's a decent amount of stealthy action, but what Lebbon really does well is evoke a constant sense of dread, low-level at first and increasing slowly to oppressive levels as Kel's paranoia proves to be justified. The final scenes are suspenseful and brutal but, like I said before, there's an undercurrent to the ending that people in this bleak world can succeed, can save something even if they also lose plenty, too. That's something I didn't get out of After the War, and I was glad not to read a novel-length story of such hopelessness.
February 28, 2011
This one started out slower than I am used to with Tim Lebbon. But I stuck with it and it got better. I didn’t actually decide I wanted to finish it until around page 200. That’s when it got interesting. It’s definitely not on the same level as Fallen, but is worth reading if you enjoy the world of Noreela. It has all the stuff from the other books and if you have read them there is a sense of familiarity. As usual with Lebbon, it ended too soon. It also had a happier ending than I am used to with Tim Lebbon books but not happy enough to have ruined the story. I defiantly want to have more stories set in this world and will happily pick up "After the War".
April 19, 2010
There's plenty going on in this, Lebbon's return to his fantasy world of Noreela. Beginning with a visceral natural disaster, a tidal wave that smashes a coastal village apart, the plot weaves invasion, body snatching, and something close to a fantasy version of a secret service together into something with a unique flavour. There's more left unanswered at the end of the book than I would have preferred - indeed, it feels more like it simply stops rather than actually finishing, but the writing is beautiful, and the characters as flawed and compelling as you cold ask for. It feels less complete than the previous Noreela book Fallen, but it's still a sophisticated slice of fantasy.
July 21, 2010
I regret to say I was really disappointed by this book. Lebbon's characters, to me, were poorly drawn and haphazard in their motivations. The plot was thin, and the pacing erratic. The author is highly regarded for his horror novels, but I can't recommend his fantasy works.
April 21, 2015
Lebbon's one of my favorite horror authors, but after two Noreela novels I realize that I am not too fond of his fantasy works. They're accomplished and well-written, I just can't get into them. I enjoy his short stories and novellas most.
December 6, 2009
long and boring
May 11, 2011
A fairly good book as I remember, actually been done with it for a while. I give it 3 stars
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews