Things I liked:
1. Moose. He's really smart, and I don't mean school-wise. He has a good feel for people. He's so good with Natalie, and his discernment around Piper is spot-on. He almost always handles things well (although I do wish he would've told his parents about 105).
2. His dad. He's such a strong and gentle presence. I was on the brink of tears during multiple of his talks with Moose. Just the way he handles things; you can feel his fierce love through the pages.
3. The autism representation. Natalie's story is almost a bigger part of the book than Alcatraz itself.
4. The familiar setting. I've been to the island twice, and reading this made me want to go back again, just to see it in a new light. I love reading books that take place in familiar places.

Things I disliked:
1. Piper. I'm a little miffed that she never really changes. She's fishy til the end. You never know what she's thinking, or if she's actually telling you the full truth. Plus, she's fairly toxic and manipulative, even of her parents.
2. The whole business with 105. The whole situation never really came to the light. What happened? No one knows. It felt slightly disgusting, especially Piper's whole nonchalant attitude around it. I didn't quite understand that subplot; it felt like possible sexual assault, and yet the book dealt with it so casually (other than Moose initially freaking out). I wish adults would've been notified about it. The whole incident was just too strangely vague.

All in all, though, I enjoyed the book. Took me a bit to get into, but I really loved the family relationships (most of them). I plan to read the rest of the series when I can.