Fantasy Book Review: Nil Unlocked

Nil Unlocked by Lynne Matson

Synopsis:
On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape–or you die. Rives is now the undisputed Leader of Nil City, but keeping the City united is tougher than ever.

Raiders have grown bolder, supplies are dwindling, and non-human inhabitants have taken a turn toward the deadly. New arrivals cause rifts within the City, putting the Search system at risk, and calling everything Rives knows into question. Desperate for answers, he teams up with the only other person searching for them: Skye, a new arrival with a mysterious past of her own. Soon the duo find themselves locked in a desperate race to save all the residents of Nil–and possibly destroy the island forever. But at what cost? And who will pay the price?

Review:
Skye is smart, fearless and driven. She follows her father in a search for the mysterious island called Nil. When she arrives, she has a new perspective and the best ideas for getting all the teens on the island home – once and for all. It’s easy to compare the story to Lost, which has a similar premise and feel.

Nil Unlocked is the sequel and exciting conclusion to the events in Nil. Finally, the secrets are revealed slowly throughout the story, as time begins to run out for Rives. Rives and Skye make a sweet couple – who bond at a much more believable and relatable pace than the teens from the first book. Once again, the story is full of mystery, suspense, drama, and a bit of romance. While the pacing slowed toward the middle, it was still a captivating read from beginning to end.