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“Brian Keene writes horror that rides the fine line between too mild and way to graphic. I thought this was a really interesting story involving my most hated of television genres, reality TV.
Lord Emperor Nad wrote this review Tuesday, October 4, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Contestants are on a survival game show almost exactly like "Survivor" but Keene calls it "Castaways." He nails the show exactly in how it depicts the contestants in the worst light for television ratings and before the characters get slaughtered gruesomely by weird monkey creatures, the feel of what I have seen in real life reality shows.
Like I said Keene rides a fine line in his genre, in this story he has issues with sexual assault and rape that I normally find a little to disturbing when reading horror. (I like mine bloody and and gory not sexual.) But he does a tasteful job and does not get to detailed with certain elements that can ruin a story.
Great fun and a quick read.”
“This was a good monster story, but very predictable.”
Tiffany E wrote this review Thursday, June 16, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“like survivor would be with killing going on”
jennifer peters wrote this review Friday, February 4, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I actually thought this was pretty good. I loved the ending...the characters were great.”
Suzanne Wyatt-Leach wrote this review Sunday, July 4, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Similar to 'Survivor' the TV series but with cannibals and psychopaths involved. If you want cheap thrills then this is the book for you.”
Melissa Noelle B wrote this review Saturday, May 1, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good book and idea, but I feel he didn't become a great writer till Urban Gothic. Feel free to disagree! I know I'm in the minority there! ”
A. R. Braun wrote this review Tuesday, April 6, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Not the best Keene, but I enjoyed the premise of the book. I fell in love (as many have done) with Richard Laymon's "Island." The book caught my eye, and I think I wanted this to be simliar...I suppose, it's wrong to want the same thing in a book.
Amellia wrote this review Wednesday, November 11, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Keene is a great writer, and I always look forward to his books. If you like him, don't miss this one!”
“From RA for All: http://raforall.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-im-reading-halloween-edition.html
Becky S. wrote this review Saturday, October 31, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Now for something a little bloodier, Brian Keene's Castaways. Here is the plot... A television crew and contestants in a Survivor-esque reality show are literally caught in a fight for their lives-- the island they have been left on is populated by an indigenous tribe of bloodthirsty monsters! Castaways is a grisly page-turner.
The reality TV slant in this novel is genius! The contestants are on an uninhabited island and a cyclone is approaching. All but three crew members are evacuated and the contestants are left alone to ride out the storm. That is when the horrors begin. This is a bloody book, but Keene's ability to add humor and his well enough described band of characters makes this novel a good choice for a wide audience. As a warning I should say there are a few brutal rape scenes, but they are necessary to the plot. And even though many, many people die and are torn limb from limb (literally), our main characters make it out alive and live happily ever after. Although, I dare you not to be rooting for the monsters to get a certain Welsh contestant.
Readalikes: Keene is one of the best and most reliable paperback horror writers today. Castaways was written as a tribute to Richard Laymon, so he is a great place to begin readalike suggestions. Although a bit darker, The Ruins by Scott Smith is also very similar to Castaways. Novels by Gary Braunbeck, Robert Dunbar, and Jonathan Maberry's Pine Deep Trilogy are also good suggestions here.”
“Contestants on a reality tv show are challenged to live and survive on a deserted and secluded island.......but they are not alone. Good characters and continuous action, and reaction make this a great and fun book to read. Will they survive, and if they do, will anyone believe their story?? Brian Keene does a fantastic job of telling this story, but leaving you guessing....what, and who will be next?”
wildgurl400 wrote this review Sunday, August 30, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
