Monster Island - Justin Richards

Owen has just spent the week from hell on an island with his friend Vicky. They're not talking and they'll be happy if they never see each other again. Being stuck on Vicky's uncle's boat sailing back to the mainland through a wild storm is the last straw. Until he finds himself shipwrecked on remote island.

Owen and Vicky's search for help brings them to a group of teenagers - young offenders sent here to get 'sorted out'. And then they hear strange noises in the darkness. And they find the strangely empty research station. And the dead bodies.

And just when Owen thinks it can't get any worse, the monsters begin hunting.and they like fresh meat.

Monster Island is part of the HEROES series - created with series editor Frank Cottrell Boyce and specifically written to engage and captivate less confident readers.

A captivating thriller packed full of action and cliff-hangers that boys and girls will not be able to put down. A great solution for reluctant readers and encouraging reading for pleasure.

"... full of suspense and the detailed description allowed their imaginations to run wide. ... They loved how there were lots of questions left unanswered the whole way through and we had lots of fun guessing and predicting the craziest plots! ... This book engaged the class right from the first page. We've never read through a text so quickly - they were dying to read more." Tamara Cook, Farmor's School, Gloucestershire

"A gripping horror/sci-fi adventure that will appeal to teens of both genders. There is intrigue and mystery from the outset with a prologue that throws the reader in at the deep end... There's also a handy non-fiction section at the end; great for answering the inevitable 'could that really happen?' questions. This novel would be great for engaging reluctant teen readers and those who'd 'rather watch a film' ... it has a very filmic quality to it but the storytelling is still rich and never patronises." Liz Plumpton, Park View School, Birmingham

"Excellent gritty characters, emotions, courage. Superb visual images and great descriptive writing draws you in right from the first paragraph." Julie Smith, Harborne Academy, Birmingham