Publisher: Fawcett Crest
Published: October 12, 1986
Copyright: 1985
Pages: 473
Form: Paperback
Series: Stand Alone
Author: Facebook
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Annalice Mallory, sheltered daughter of a family of mapmakers, is thrown into a world of intrigue and high adventure when she discovers the cryptic diary of her long-dead ancestor.  Along with the diary is a map of a mysterious far-off island.

Philip, Annalice’s brother, is fascinated by the island’s promise of incomparable riches and leaves in search of them.  But months pass without a word from Philip.  And Annalice, determined to learn the secrets of the diary and desperate to find her brother, begins a journey that leads her through the world’s most exotic outposts…Cape Town…the Australian outback, and finally to the lush tropical islands of the South Seas.

There, Annalice encounters heart-stopping peril, but also the promise of love….

My Thoughts

I have to admit, when I first started reading this book I didn’t think I would finish it or thoroughly enjoy it as much as I have.  I was bored at first being plied with monotonous details.  But after discovering a hidden grave of an ancestor with a name eerily similar to hers, and the subsequent discovery of that ancestor’s journal, I was completely transfixed.  And when the mystery opened up and was presented, the story got immensely interesting.

This author has a unique way of implanting the reader into the story and making the reader feel and experience all that the main character is feeling.  From unease, to terror, to total joy and elation, you will experience this book as if you were Annalice yourself.  The progression from finding the journal and map of ‘Paradise Island’, to her brother’s quest to find the Island, to Annalice eventually deciding to go after her lost brother and find out what became of him, I was all in.

Felicity, Annalice’s traveling companion, really worked my nerves.  She was so sad and pathetic and quite willing to let others walk all over her.  Even when she had true support and clear means of escape.

Annalice however, I liked very much.  Her fiery spirit, lust for adventure, and her passion and dedication to her friends and family was admirable.  At times I felt she was entirely too dedicated.  Especially when that dedication ended up putting her life in danger.  Although I was slightly disappointed in the outcome, because you’re really feeling this character and just hoping and praying for a specific outcome, I loved and was satisfied by the conclusion of the mystery.  It was unexpected and frankly a bit terrifying.

Overall I really ended up loving this book and have already sought out more books from this author.  Thank You Victoria Holt!