Link: amzn.to/wTCaOL

Grade: C+

L/C Ratio: 10/90
(This means I estimate the author devoted 10% of his effort to creating a literary work of art and 90% of his effort to creating a commercial bestseller.) 

Thematic Breakdown:
40% - Celebrity culture
30% - PR crisis management
25% - Humor
5% - Environmental action

It’s tough to write funny, but Carl Hiaasen has found a pretty reliable format and managed to build a successful career out of it. Star Island features the same kind of wacky plot lines and ridiculous characters that you’re used to seeing from Hiaasen. Unfortunately, the book fails to achieve the level of cohesion that made Sick Puppy one of my favorite reads in recent years.

The biggest problem with Star Island is that the author forgets to make any of his central characters particularly likable - and most of them are barely tolerable. At major turning points in the story, I found myself feeling rather indifferent towards the whole cast of maniacs.

Even so, Hiaasen’s latest book is still worth picking up if you are in the mood for some light fiction and enjoy laughing at celebrities and their unlimited sources of drama.