The Floating Island reviewed by Carrie M.

Have you ever read a book that you weren’t quite interested in, but something about it catches your attention and you have to finish it? Maybe you have, but I’m sure the experience was nothing like Elizabeth Haydon’s book, The Floating Island. The Floating Island is one of the most intriguing books I have ever read. It is full of mystery, has wonderful characters, and an excellent plot.
Ven Polypheme has just turned 50 years old, young for a Nain. Nain’s tend to live underground and hate the sea, but not Ven. Ven’s father owns a ship making business, and each ship must be tested on the sea. Ven’s brothers rig the sticks that choose who goes out to sea with the ship, and lucky for Ven, it’s him. Ven soons find himself battling Fire Pirates, being saved by a merrow, on another ship run by a very interesting captain, and even arrested for a time. On his voyage Ven sets foot on an extremely rare island, the Floating Island. This island is extremely rare, for it travels with the wind.
In favor of the new captain, Ven gets a room at an Inn (the captains wife’s Inn) with his newly found friend, Char, at a mysterious Crossroads. This Crossroads is not ordinary, people are always getting hurt and even worse, disappearing.
Next, this book has fantastic characters. The characters in The Floating Island are some of the most realistic characters I have ever read about. They are mischievous, clever, and never boring. Ven’s encounter with a merrow (mermaid) becomes one the the things Ven most looks forward to. The merrow is constantly trying to get Ven to find a fisherman that can cut gills, so Ven can explore the sea with her. Ven even meets some unlikely friends such as Ina, a young girl that has no real home, no manners, and is always stealing. Ven can’t stand her. But this unlikely friendship happens when something horrible happens to Ina, something only Ven can fix. Ven also gets a very unthinkable visit with the King. The King is a very down-to-earth man. He is always taking a different look on life, seeing the true magic. He teaches Ven there is always something more than what you plainly see. There is always truth. He even offers Ven a job that requires Ven to go out into the world, and see the truth, then report everything back to the King.
Lastly, this book has an absolutely outstanding plot. Throughout the entire book Ven is trying to find a way home, and a way to help out everyone. He learns what it means to truly live, what it means to have fun and believe in himself. Will Ven take the King’s job offer? Or will he go back home to his family? Ven’s voyage may even change your outlook on life.