A Review of Carolina Isle

IMAGINE North Carolina. If you've never been there, let's take a trip. We're in a suped-up sports car, the top is down, and the ocean spray layers our faces. We know we're close to the beach, because we can feel the water pulsating our veins, and sand is everywhere. Out of nowhere the blue sea appears and we're there in an instant -- our toes against the sand, the waves lapping our skin.

Now these coastal areas of Carolina are not the same as places like the Florida Panhandle or the water of the Texas shore. No, Carolina is different: rocks sometimes litter the sand, the waves are stronger, and the blue is of a darker hue. The waters of the Cape Hatteras are known to be shipwreck territory. But God's creation is beautiful, and we savor the sea.


ENTER the world of Jude Deveraux, a North Carolina native (like myself) who has a gift of clearly captivating the life around her. Then there's her book Carolina Isle, published in 2006, when I was in the single digits. I happened to pick up the book for $.50 in my local library, and from the cover, I said, "Yes! A book about North Carolina, a book about the sea." The back of the book advertised a story about cousins Ariel and Sara switching places in Arundel, a fictional beach town promising riches of the old South.

 I was so excited. (Because, as a bookworm/nerd, I do get excited about books.) I even skipped a Gillian Flynn novel to begin Carolina Isle, and let me tell you, Gillian Flynn is excellent. I opened the page and I thought, "All right." Then, to my disappointment, I discovered that the advertisement of the book's plot was incredibly misleading. The book is not about cousins switching identities, and it's not the romance I was expecting, either -- instead, it is a thriller about an island of misfits, who, weirdly enough, are loyal to the king of England?! Except for the fact that the king they are loyal to has been dead since colonial America.

While the beginning of the book was bland and tasteless -- while keeping up with the book's original intent -- the story picked up with the introduction of the creepy, British-loving King's Isle. There two different romances bloom, gold is discovered, and riches are exposed. I wish that the book was marketed differently: I loved it after its beginning, but it was obvious the real story was not what was expected.

Therefore, I hesitate to say the book was great, but it wasn't terrible, either. It was pleasant, and I read it quickly. 400 pages of suspense. I do wish Deveraux spent more time harping on the characteristics of the Carolina coast, but I admit that I was too focused in the story to care.

"I'm from Arundel, North Carolina," Ariel said and there was so much pride in her voice.

Southern society is clearly expressed, but only in the form of two classes: the rich and the poor. Who's rich? Does it matter? Well, every hero in the book ultimately is a millionaire, but I guess that is just how novels are laid out these days. Money speaks for itself.

OVERALL SCORE (out of a possible five):

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Until next time.
K

Here's the cover!