Forsaken Island by Sharon Hinck: Book Review, Tour, and Giveaway with Celebrate Lit.
About the Book
Book: Forsaken Island
Author: Sharon Hinck
Genre: Christian Romantic Epic Fantasy
Release Date: September 15, 2020

On an uncharted world, happiness is effortless and constant … but can true joy exist without sacrifice?
The people of Meriel have long believed their island world floats alone in the vast ocean universe, so they are astonished when another island drifts into view. With resources becoming scarce, Carya and Brantley quickly volunteer to search the new land for supplies.
After navigating a barrier of menacing trees, the pair encounter a culture of perpetually happy people who readily share their talents and their possessions. But all is not what it seems. At the core of the island is a horror that threatens everyone, including Brantley and Carya.
Freeing the villagers of the bondage they’ve chosen may cost Carya and Brantley more than they could have imagined. Even if the two succeed, they’ll have to find a way to return to Meriel quickly … or be cut off from their home forever.
Click here to get your copy!
Book Review:
Forsaken Island is one of those books I found myself easily getting lost in the story and lives of the characters. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next, and the tension between Brantley and Carya pushed me to read page after page.
What happens when an entire world forgets? Forgets God. Forgets love? Life is hard, and it can be too easy to wish away the pain, but the consequences of not caring? That is what Sharon Hinck shows so well in this book.
With vivid detail, this story takes you to a brand new land with countless dangers and myriad untold stories. You’ll fight alongside Carya as she struggles with her mission and cheer when things begin to look up.
I love how the story unfolds. Carya’s insecurities and her frequent need for direction, along with her constant need for the Maker to remind her that He is always there, remind me of what it is like to be a Christian in a world where we often feel alone…even though Someone always walks beside us.
Christian fantasy fans, you’ll love this book. It is book two in the series, and I do recommend you read book one, Hidden Current first so you have the background of the characters, but you certainly can read Forsaken Island as a standalone.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author

Award-winning author of The Sword of Lyric series, Sharon Hinck writes “stories for the hero in all of us” about women on extraordinary adventures of faith. Her novels are praised for their authentic characters, strong spiritual themes, and emotional resonance. For this series, she drew on her experience as a ballet teacher, dancer, and choreographer.
More from Sharon
Inspiration Behind Forsaken Island
In the first book of The Dancing Realms series, we learn about a floating island world guided by the work of dancers. The assumption of everyone on Meriel is that their island IS the world—the only existing place on a vast empty ocean.
But in this second book, currents have pushed a new island into view. Our intrepid dancer Carya, and her stenella-riding friend Brantley, set off to explore, hoping to find resources for their world of Meriel.
The story was influenced by some of my favorite classics in the adventure/exploration genre. Jack London (particularly The Sea Wolf), or Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Or anything by Jules Verne or Robert Louis Stevenson. As the characters explore a new world, we experience both wonder and danger with them. I love that sort of story, so I set my two beloved characters of on an adventure to see what they would discover.
But of course, the book is also about the developing relationship between Carya and Brantley, and the conflicts they confront. And once again, an undercurrent (no pun intended) of spiritual themes is at play. The island holds dark secrets, and time is running out for the opportunity to find their way home.
I love the verse from Psalm 94:14. “For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.” Even on a “Forsaken Island” – the Maker of His people finds a way to reach out and bring hope.
Blog Stops
Through the Fire Blogs, September 30
Fiction Aficionado, September 30
Wothy2Read, October 1
Texas Book-aholic, October 2
deb’s Book Review, October 2
Inklings and notions, October 3
For Him and My Family, October 4
April Hayman, Author, October 4
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 5
Daughter of Increase, October 5
For the Love of Literature, October 6
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 7
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8
Blogging With Carol, October 8
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, October 9
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 9
Artistic Nobody, October 10 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Simple Harvest Reads, October 10 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 11
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 12
Emily Yager, October 12
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, October 13
Pause for Tales, October 13
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Sharon is giving away the grand prize package of a Forsaken Island book bag, a personalized and autographed hard cover copy of Hidden Current, book marks, and some decorative goodies on a plant-life theme!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10195/forsaken-island-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thanks so much for being part of this fun blog tour, and for sharing your thoughts about Forsaken Island! I appreciate it so much! Blessings!
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Wonderful review! Sharon is a new author for me. Thank you for sharing.
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Hi, Caryl! I love it when new readers discover one of my books!
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Thank you for your review. Can you read these as stand alones?
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You can. Sharon Hinck does well with her explanation of book one in book two, but the overall read is better if done in order
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Oh, thanks, Tabitha! I was just answering that before I saw you already did a great job of answering. Thanks!!! 🙂
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Thank you for being here!
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My pleasure! Thanks so much for sharing about Forsaken Island! I’m excited for people to find this story. 🙂
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Great question! Thanks for asking. Yes. There will be a total of three books (Hidden Current, Forsaken Island, and Windward Shore – releasing May 2021) and each is a self-contained story. However I’d recommend starting with Hidden Current so you get to know the characters and the story world. 🙂
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