Island of Fire, the third book in Lisa McMann’s planned series of seven, ignites even more challenges in her characters' war against imagination.
Fourteen-year-old Unwanted Alex Stowe and the rest of Artimé are reeling from the loss of Mr. Today, the mage who was killed at the hands of Alex’s twin brother, Aaron, in Island of Silence. Weeks have passed and Alex, as Artimé’s new leader, feels helpless, unable to provide food or protection--unless he can solve the cryptic spell left behind by Mr. Today. Meanwhile, in the antagonistic land of Quill, Aaron Stowe rises back to power and declares himself High Priest. While Aaron’s role isn’t quite as prominent in this installment, he still proves once again to be a complex and entertaining villain when he appears on the page. McMann alternates among many characters, including Unwanteds Lani and Samheed, who became voiceless hostages on the "strangely quite island" of the previous book.
After the magic-lite start, the author ramps up the fantasy with new spells, ships that steer themselves, and the volcanic Pirate Island to dazzle readers. Slight romance arises, but the real emotion of the novel comes through in Alex’s frustrations and drive to do right by the Artiméans. McMann continues to raise the stakes in this series without losing any steam. --Adam Silvera, reviewer and children’s bookseller