I recently introduced you to a new blog I am working with to review books – Whispering Stories. The second book I reviewed for them was Moristoun by Kevin McAllion*. It’s a very interesting and different book, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on it with you all!

At first glance, I wasn’t sure whether or not I was going to enjoy reading Moristoun, but I was so intrigued by the blurb that I thought I’d give it a go. An island where people are banished after committing suicide? I had to know more!

A little about me: I’m a firm believer in fate – I think everything happens for a reason, and our destiny is predetermined, and that no matter what path in life you take you’ll get to where you’re meant to be. I’d like to think there is some kind of afterlife, else death seems very dark, depressing and scary, however I don’t believe we’re ‘reborn’ or anything of the like. Moristoun thus questioned my own ideologies, meaning the book stays with you long after closing the back cover.

Moristoun follows the storyline of two key characters – McSorely, a mortal human like you and I, and Buchan, who is a member of civilisation on Moristoun soil after committing suicide himself. As you progress through the book, you learn more about the island itself – how and why a mysterious entity called ‘The Council’ lay down the law on the island, how ‘The Book’ holds the secrets to a happy, fulfilled life and how the residents are, essentially, prisoners of their own minds. What first may appear as a utopia for a mortal in great distress, is soon unveiled to truly be the opposite – a dystopian land for those trapped within.

At first, I found the book a slightly difficult read in comparison to the ‘chick-lits’ I normally read, and therefore only read one or two chapters at a time. However, as I became more invested in unveiling Moristoun’s secrets and the developing relationships between McSorely and the residents of Moristoun, I found the book difficult to put down. My 30 minute daily commute flew by!

What I loved the most about the book is the depth of it – what initially seems like a rather flat, fictional storyline, soon develops into the complete opposite. I particularly enjoyed the contrast in the dialect used between different characters, as it was interesting to see just how much the English language has evolved over centuries.

I would rate this a solid 4.5/5 – I think Kevin McAllion is a genius with this storyline. The book is so well written that you almost forget it is a work of fiction! I would highly recommend this book, particularly to anyone interested in philosophy or even those who are a little low within themselves – the book is very inspiring!

I’m always looking for new books to read, so if you have any recommendations you think I’d like, please let me know in the comments below!

If you want to check out what else I’ve been reading, why not have a look at my previous book reviews?

*This post contains PR samples, gifts, or is sponsored. Please visit my disclaimer page for more information.