I'm all over the place with this book. I read it because the premise of a scientist who discovers a tribe of island natives living long beyond normal due to their consumption of a rare breed of turtle sounded fascinating. But although this is the premise, it surprisingly offers very little in the way of action or adventure. On the other hand, there is a darker element at place which I hadn't expected. Although an uncomfortable concept (I won't expound on it to avoid spoilers), it was the most intriguing part of the book and the part that contained the most action. Unfortunately, it took many, many pages to get there. It really wasn't until the last sixty pages or so that I found myself riveted. 
 For writing, I give this book 5 big, big stars. The description was some of the best I've ever read. I felt like I was on this island. I felt its suffocating moist heat; I smelled its fruity funk; I tasted its exotic flavors. What an amazing jungle world brought to life. 
 But for likability, I give it 3 stars. I didn't like the main character at all, and while a reader doesn't have to like the protagonist, she shouldn't be tempted to close the book on him either. Plus, other than a clever opening to hook me in, the beginning was slow and filled with too much family background details. I just wanted to get to the island. This is a case where flashbacks may have been preferable to chronology. 
 So I ended up giving the book 4 stars. Despite my dislikes, I credit the author for wowing me with her writing, taking me to another world, and sparking my emotion and ire enough to make me keep reading 'til the end, even despite the sometimes laborious pace. Between the description, my distaste for the main character, and the dark, underlying subtext, the author gave me one of the most unique experiences I've had reading a book in a long time.