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izzyvioletgrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fast moving and easy to ready book, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The relationships in the book are so deep and connectable for the reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Ableism, Gun violence, and War
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
field_of_books's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
In 1941, 12 year old Joseph, unlike many children in the country, is moved away from the countryside and into the city, to live with a friend of his Gran’s, due to his bad behaviour. Mrs F takes him in, but won’t stand for his foul temper or destructive behaviour. Mrs F works Joseph to the bone at the city zoo, now run down and lacking in animals. At the zoo Joseph meets Adonis, the silverback gorilla who used to be the prize of the zoo, but is now just as angry and hurt by the world as Joseph. But the question arises, if Hitler were to drop a bomb that freed Adonis from his cage, would Mrs F or Joseph be able to turn a gun on him to protect the city?
I really felt for our main character, Joseph, who had been through so much pain at such a young age. I wanted to reach through the page to comfort him so badly! The story reminded me a lot of Goodnight Mr Tom, which I used to watch when I was younger. It also reminded me a lot of A Monster Calls, I think the protagonists are similar.
I loved the writing style, whilst it’s middle grade, it’s prosaic and written in a way that it’s still enjoyable for adults.
This is definitely an emotional read, but I think it’s worth it!
TW’s: abandonment, war, war violence, death, animal death, animal abuse, aggression, hand to hand violence, bullying, grief, child death
I really felt for our main character, Joseph, who had been through so much pain at such a young age. I wanted to reach through the page to comfort him so badly! The story reminded me a lot of Goodnight Mr Tom, which I used to watch when I was younger. It also reminded me a lot of A Monster Calls, I think the protagonists are similar.
I loved the writing style, whilst it’s middle grade, it’s prosaic and written in a way that it’s still enjoyable for adults.
This is definitely an emotional read, but I think it’s worth it!
TW’s: abandonment, war, war violence, death, animal death, animal abuse, aggression, hand to hand violence, bullying, grief, child death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Grief and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
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