The Islands at the End of the World
Kids say
Based on 1 review
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Islands at the End of the World is a haunting eco-thriller that explores humanity's savage side when people are isolated and frightened. Simmering ethnic resentment leads to brutal executions by roving gangs, and power-hungry people seize the opportunity to bully their way to the top of the heap. Lei and her father are nearly killed several times as the islands plunge into chaos, and they witness shootings and dead bodies. Father and daughter reluctantly resort to underhanded means -- including stealing and wielding a weapon -- for self-preservation. That said, there are touching moments of humanity, particularly Lei's encounter with a guard at a camp and a spiritual leader trying to help his community meet the challenges of a tech-free world with generosity, compassion, and faith. Spirituality is a strong thread, mingling both Christian tenets and traditional Hawaiian beliefs. Lei's dad talks her into trying pot as a respite during their arduous journey. Some stress-induced cursing includes "a--hole," "son of a bitch," "damned," "hell," "Christ," and "goddammit." There's a planned sequel, The Girl at the Center of the World.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Sixteen-year-old Leilani is half-white, half-Hawaiian, and a relative newcomer to the Big Island, but she feels rooted there. Her classmates, however, disdainfully regard her as an outsider -- and it doesn't help that she's prone to epileptic seizures. But when she and her dad are stranded on Oahu after a mysterious global power outage, their mixed heritage has even more troubling ramifications: As resources dwindle, some locals begin hunting down non-natives. Lei and her father escape a military camp and dodge arrows, dogs, and bullets on a desperate journey across the islands toward home. Along the way, Lei realizes that her strange, dreamlike seizures may be tied to the global crisis -- and she just might be the one person who can save the world.
Is It Any Good?
THE ISLANDS AT THE END OF THE WORLD is a riveting, beautifully written first novel by Austin Aslan. His background in biology and geography and his passion for Hawaii’s history and traditions transform this from just another apocalyptic fantasy into a nuanced meditation on our relationship with our history, our present, and our future on this planet. Lei is a terrific heroine: She seems an ordinary girl in extraordinary circumstances, but her compassion and desire for normalcy help her surmount daunting obstacles. The relationship between father and daughter is touching and authentic. The violence is often startling and sometimes gruesome, and the collapse of civility seems frighteningly realistic.
Aslan brews a satisfying mystery by pulling together bits of Hawaiian mythology and Christian beliefs, a splash of science fiction, and a few classic apocalyptic scenarios, all grounded in ecology. Setting the story in Hawaii is convenient -- what place could be more cut off from the rest of the globe? But Aslan takes it much further, letting Hawaii's complexities serve as a microcosm of the larger world. It's an intriguing tale for anyone who loves the Hawaiian Islands -- but it might be best to read it after your holiday in paradise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of apocalyptic tales. Why are end-of-the-world scenarios so enduring as a dramatic setup?
Hawaii is romanticized and idealized as a paradise. Does this book change the way you view the Islands and the people who live there?
How do you think your community would react to a crisis like the one in The Islands at the End of the World? Would the balance of power change?
Book Details
- Author: Austin Aslan
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Great Girl Role Models, History, Science and Nature, Space and Aliens
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Wendy Lamb
- Publication date: August 5, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 384
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
Lord of the Flies
Gripping story of marooned schoolboys and their savagery.
-
Pure
Gritty post-apocalyptic story with strong heroine.
-
The 5th Wave, Book 1
Super intense apocalyptic alien-invasion nail-biter.
For kids who love thrillers and science fiction
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate