This book is a very exciting tale about a boy who gets to know his family history and gets thrown into magical adventures on a living Island.
Dealing with the loss of his father and his mother's depression, Fionn spends his summer far away on a magical island where is family is originated.
Never being told the story of his ancestors, Fionn gets to know the magic and the power his family possesses and the responsibility it entails.
This story is hugely exciting and deals with so many aspects of modern life, like loss, mental health and bullying, and weaves it into a magical fairy tale of becoming someone else, someone stronger who fights for a good outcome of a seemingly lost cause.

Ancient forces buried in a magical island, magic contained in candles created by a Storm Keeper who controls the weather, and rumbling tension between the families who guard the island... all this should add up to a really satisfying read. And yet I found the story dragged, and I began to pick at details which felt lazy - do seagulls really have talons? Did Tara really not know the difference between a grapefruit and a melon?...

Although this is a story of magic and adventure, the theme of bravery needed to be more firmly underpinned by strong, three dimensional characters. Instead, they seemed flat and too firmly rooted in being either 'good' or 'evil'. Although the sparky dialogue between Tara, Fionn and Bartly was entertaining, it didn't seem to arise out of individual personalities, and didn't add to the reader's understanding of them and their motivation.
I was left with the strong impression that this novel is a prologue to further action, rather than a satisfying story in itself.

A gorgeous, richly drawn mythos is the backdrop to this enchanting tale of young Fionn's introduction to his ancestral home; Arranmore Island. The lonely protagonist finds solace and hope in the magic of the island and the faith of his grandfather. I can't wait to recommend this fabulous, moving tale to students.

A spellbinding adventure, filled with wildness and dark magic. Utterly beautiful, with a gripping story, this is my book of the year so far. Catherine Doyle has created something really special in Arranmore and Fionn, and I can’t wait to read the sequel!