Seven students. One plane crash. No rules.

Link is a fish out of water. Newly arrived from America, he is finding it hard to settle into the venerable and prestigious Osney School. Who knew there could be so many strange traditions to understand? And what kind of school ranks its students by how fast they can run round the school quad - however ancient that quad may be?

When Link runs the slowest time in years, he immediately becomes the butt of every school joke. And some students are determined to make his life more miserable than others . . .

When a school summer trip is offered, Link can think of nothing worse than spending voluntary time with his worst tormentors. But when his parents say he can only leave Osney School - forever - if he goes on the trip, Link decides to endure it for the ultimate prize. But this particular trip will require a very special sort of endurance.

The saying goes 'No man is an island' - but what if on that island is a group of teenagers, none of whom particularly like each other?

When oppressive heat, hunger and thirst start to bite, everyone's true colours will be revealed. Let the battle commence . . .

A contemporary take on the savage classic LORD OF THE FLIES: a group of mismatched, modern-day teenagers must fight to survive on a deserted island

About the Author
M. A. Bennett is half Venetian and was born in Manchester and raised in the Yorkshire Dales. She is a history graduate of Oxford University and the University of Venice, where she studied Shakespeare's plays as a historical source. She also studied art and has since worked as an illustrator, an actress and a film reviewer. She also designed tour visuals for rock bands, including U2 and the Rolling Stones. Her first YA novel, S.T.A.G.S., was published in 2017 and was shortlisted for the YA BOOK PRIZE 2018, won the Warwickshire Secondary Book Award 2019 and Gold in the Sussex Coast Schools Amazing Book Award 2019, both voted by students, and won the Great Reads 'Most Read' 2018 Senior Award. Follow her at @MABennettAuthor on Twitter and at @mabennettauthor on Instagram.

Reviews
A very readable story in the hands of an experienced writer. Recommended * Thornton Rigg *
the book delivered much more than I even anticipated * Book Mad Blog *
The pacing and plot development is brilliantly executed and will have you on the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what happens next until the very last page, I couldn't put it down once I'd started. There's a brilliant twist at the end, I won't spoil it but trust me, It's a good one! I can't recommend this book enough, it's definitely in my top ten 2017 reads and I'll definitely be buying a finished copy when it's out. * Fantastic Book Dragon *
STAGS is a pacey and well-plotted young adult story that champions outsiders and questions out-dated viewpoints in a constantly evolving world. It makes for an entertaining standalone novel but a sequel wouldn't be unwelcome. * Culture Fly *
MA Bennett is brilliant at keeping the reader in suspense. * Book Murmuration *
Students will love this as it also has a hint of romance without being intrusive for boy readers. Hailed as the new Hunger Games, it reminded me more of The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. A good read. * Reading Zone *
I read and finished this book in just a day only putting it down for food. It was absolutely gripping and interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I didn't want to put it down whatsoever and I wasn't let down by my anticipation for it which was good! * Niffler Reads *
Part traditional, part modern, thriller and boarding school drama, with echoes of everything from Agatha Christie to The Hunger Games, this really is a wonderful mosaic of a novel. * Nudge-Book *
MA Bennett reinvigorates the boarding-school thriller... This is a darkly compelling examination of the allure of privilege, and the unscrupulous means by which it preserves itself. * The Guardian *
S.T.A.G.S is a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable YA novel with dark undertones. A fun mystery thriller that sheds light on issues surrounding class and society. Highly recommend. * The Book Bag *
a gorgeous and compelling romp * Irish Times *
Good and twisty and definitely unique... if you're looking for something creepy and autumnal to read, I'd recommend S.T.A.G.S. * The Cosy Reader *
a well-written take on a piece of classic literature, packed with reasonably three-dimensional characters, and an interesting underlying plot full of twists and turns * Bookbag *
Readers who enjoyed M A Bennett's unnerving S.T.A.G.S will love her second YA novel - a modern take on William Golding's haunting classic Lord of the Flies. The Island takes seven students from a prestigious school, each one fitting a particular stereotype - from the jock to the cheerleader to the emo - and strands them on a desert island after their plane crashes. Bennett packs in plenty of psychological drama and pop culture/literature references, resulting in a fun and absorbing castaway tale * Culturefly *
Just enough clues to keep the reader one step ahead... a gripping follow-up to STAGS * Daily Mail *
A multi-layered, thought provoking book with a good deal to say about the world in which we find ourselves * Books For Keeps *
A gripping and twisty thriller that also covers some important issues in a thoughtful but very enjoyable way * Times Education Supplement *
Chock-full of literary and pop culture references, this is a gripping look at social status, power and adolescent psychology that thankfully never becomes as utterly bleak as Lord of the Flies * Inis Reading Guide *
This contemporary take on Lord of the Flies provides an excellent consideration of human dynamics and the intozicating nature of power. This is a perfect read for teens looking for character driven adventures * The School Librarian *



Book Information
ISBN 9781471407536
Author M A Bennett
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Hot Key Books
Publisher Hot Key Books
Weight(grams) 292g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 22mm