“The book’s magic . . . lies in Aguiar’s precise, often lyrical descriptions. A native and resident of Bermuda, she writes with authority about daily life in the tropics. . . . Aguiar uses her knack for realistic details equally well in the magical parts. . . . The Lost Island of Tamarind has a gentle spirit, tempering its dangers with warmth.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Aguiar’s exciting debut novel is a cross between Peter Pan and Lost . . . Developed with seeming ease, each new character advances the plot logically and fluidly. The storytelling, intricate as it is, builds to a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. All signs point to a sequel—one that readers won’t want to miss.”—Publishers Weekly
“Each detail of this fantasy is crafted with care; readers will be drawn into this dangerous, magical world where anything is possible and nothing can be fully explained . . . Young people will be transported to a world so different from the one they currently inhabit, following along as Maya and Simon escape their adversaries and struggle to survive in this hostile land.”—School Library Journal
“Stranded on a lost island, a teen faces nail-biting adventures searching for her missing parents in this fantasy cliffhanger. . . . As she bounces from one adventure to the next, Maya forgets all about having a normal life and longs just to have her family reunited. Spunky kids, perilous pursuits and marine mystery make for a smashing good read.”—Kirkus Reviews
