Minecraft: The Island (Narrated by Samira Wiley)

By: Max Brooks

Narrated by: Samira Wiley

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

The first official Minecraft novel! In the tradition of iconic adventures like Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island, the number one New York Times best-selling author of World War Z tells the story of a hero - stranded in the world of Minecraft - who must unravel the secrets of a mysterious island in order to survive.

Washed up on a beach, the lone castaway looks around the shore. Where am I? Who am I? And why is everything made of blocks? But there isn't much time to soak up the sun. It's getting dark, and there's a strange new world to explore!

The top priority is finding food. The next is not becoming food. Because there are others out there on the island...like the horde of zombies that appear after night falls. Crafting a way out of this mess is a challenge like no other. Who could build a home while running from exploding creepers, armed skeletons, and an unstoppable tide of hot lava? Especially with no help except for a few makeshift tools and sage advice from an unlikely friend: a cow.

In this world, the rules don't always make sense, but courage and creativity go a long way. There are forests to explore, hidden underground tunnels to loot, and undead mobs to defeat. Only then will the secrets of the island be revealed.

Two editions, two narrators, one thrilling story. Enjoy this version read by Samira Wiley, and then be sure to check out the other available version narrated by Jack Black.

©2017 Max Brooks (P)2017 Random House Audio

Samira Wiley narrates!

I accidentally downloaded this version when I had thought I was downloading the Jack Black version. I was disappointed that the narrator was someone else. Luckily, my disappointment faded quickly when I reread the narrator's name. I'm a huge fan of Wiley's work and the roles she's chosen. She succeeds in being so very relatable through the tv screen despite the dramatic scenarios her characters find themselves in (Orange is the New Black, and, of course, Handmaid's Tale). She works her magic here too through the car speakers. She has a young, energetic, curious, and indomitable vibe that comes through in this reading/acting that my 8 year instantly felt connected to. Wiley's reading felt sincere, which reinforced the lessons of each chapter, creating meaningful, aspirational heft. Good stuff. Grateful that producers and author chose a female voice! I have two sons and even to them it's obvious the shameful lack of female protagonists in literature consumed and aimed at kids. More Max Brooks! More Samira Wiley!

Btw, I totally enjoyed story. And I sometimes want to bang my head against the wall when my kid wants to talk about the video game for the 100th time that day. Plus, book demystified for me some of the appeal of the game. Good resource for befuddled grown ups.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Exactly what it says on the Tin

Nothing in this book is groundbreaking or amazing or life altering. It literally is what ut says it is... a game of Minecraft written down. that said, it delivers on this premise very well. As a fan of the game, I appteciated that it didn't try to make the world rules make sense, or try to turn it into something realistic. Or even try to give the game a backstory. The narrator's performance was perfect. I felt her stress, and her pain and her victories. I felt her connection to Moo the Cow, too. over all, well done. i probably wouldn't recomend this to people who are not fans of or interested in learning more about the game, but for those that are, I highly recommend it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The story was just frustrating on many levels

The book started out interesting buy quickly got into animal rights b.s. even when starving to death and the entire book was about "life lessons" for a 10 year old. I really did not enjoy this book at all. first time I have yelled at a book before.

2 of 11 people found this review helpful