squishies's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting. Very much on the vein of \save the planet\". Not that I'm complaining. =P
kalkie's review against another edition
2.0
"I finished this last night and really struggled to think about what score to give it. On the whole I did enjoy the book, although I felt the first half of it was much better than the second half. The narrative where the children were with the Indians and the Beasts dragged a little for me and it was slightly disappointing that you weren't kept up-to-date with what was happening with the adults while the children were away. I also felt there was a "message" in the book, but it wasn't as skillfully written as a Coelho book for my liking.
On the whole, though, I did enjoy it; and the first half of the book really grabbed me. I'd definitely like to read more Allende sometime soon."
On the whole, though, I did enjoy it; and the first half of the book really grabbed me. I'd definitely like to read more Allende sometime soon."
meliaraastair's review against another edition
4.0
Alexander's mother has cancer, so his mom and dad are headed from LA to Texas to get treatment. Alexander is sent to live with his crazy grandmother, who isn't your typical cookies-and-hugs grandmother. Instead, she's a writer for International Geographic and spends her days globetrotting and discovering culture. She's dragging Alexander to the Amazon in search of the elusive Beast - the Amazon's version of the Yeti. On the way, he meets a girl who lives in an Amazonian village and learns more about the Amazon and its people than he could have ever imagined.
I really enjoyed this book! I will say, from the description, I had no idea what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying this story. While I know this story is fictional, it seemed incredibly fantastical at points - and then I started thinking about what little I know about the Native Americans in the US, and much of this lines up with what I understand their worldview to be. So in some ways, this story was an interesting glimpse into the indigenous world view by those who truly rely on the land for their lives.
For enjoyment, I'll go 8 of 10. It was a quick read but an enjoyable adventure novel and different perspective into someone else's worldview. While 400 pages, it's a really quick read. I finished off the last 150 in about an hour last night. So I'll go 4.5 of 5 for readability. Also, I think the YA rating is mostly due to length. I think your average 9 or 10 year old could probably read this book content-wise if the length wasn't an issue for them. I'd almost lean more middle grade. Check this one out! I'll have to look for the next one in the series and see if I can find it!
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
I really enjoyed this book! I will say, from the description, I had no idea what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying this story. While I know this story is fictional, it seemed incredibly fantastical at points - and then I started thinking about what little I know about the Native Americans in the US, and much of this lines up with what I understand their worldview to be. So in some ways, this story was an interesting glimpse into the indigenous world view by those who truly rely on the land for their lives.
For enjoyment, I'll go 8 of 10. It was a quick read but an enjoyable adventure novel and different perspective into someone else's worldview. While 400 pages, it's a really quick read. I finished off the last 150 in about an hour last night. So I'll go 4.5 of 5 for readability. Also, I think the YA rating is mostly due to length. I think your average 9 or 10 year old could probably read this book content-wise if the length wasn't an issue for them. I'd almost lean more middle grade. Check this one out! I'll have to look for the next one in the series and see if I can find it!
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
Having seen the opening of this on a GCSE exam, I was intrigued and have been meaning to read this for ages.
We begin with Alex in a difficult situation, knowing his mother is ill and expecting she will die. In order for her to get treatment, Alex is sent to stay with his grandmother, Kate. She’s a writer for National Geographic, about to head on a trip to the Amazon. Of course, in spite of being rather underprepared, Alex goes with her.
The trip is beyond your wildest imaginings. Detailed accounts of native life, exploration of ecological issues and magical elements involving mysterious creatures and events.
Suspend your disbelief, but this is an exciting read which also serves to get readers considering the environment and the impact we have on the world around us. More relevant than ever!
We begin with Alex in a difficult situation, knowing his mother is ill and expecting she will die. In order for her to get treatment, Alex is sent to stay with his grandmother, Kate. She’s a writer for National Geographic, about to head on a trip to the Amazon. Of course, in spite of being rather underprepared, Alex goes with her.
The trip is beyond your wildest imaginings. Detailed accounts of native life, exploration of ecological issues and magical elements involving mysterious creatures and events.
Suspend your disbelief, but this is an exciting read which also serves to get readers considering the environment and the impact we have on the world around us. More relevant than ever!
ca_r's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
imjohannagrace's review against another edition
3.0
This was actually really interesting and fun, the dialog was well written and the setting was fascinating. My problems with it were the lackluster cast of characters, and overly simplified ideas and conflicts (genocide being one) that being said, knowing that the book was translated from Spanish, I understand that some of the oomph was lost. It's probably better suited for younger teens than older but very enjoyable.
juleroni's review against another edition
4.0
Nichts ist besser als der comfort den Bücher die man als Kind gelesen hat einem geben
annarod's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
jfcc's review against another edition
4.0
Este é o primeiro livro que alguma vez li de Isabel Allende, e tendo em conta que se trata de uma aventura juvenil, foi uma surpresa em todos os aspectos. Desde o inicio que a escrita caracteriza-se por ser muito fluida, sem nenhum momento em que se torne aborrecida ou parada, pelo que se pode dizer que estamos perante um livro juvenil.
Temos como linha condutora do livro uma aventura de dois amigos na floresta amazónica, onde são tratados assuntos muito reais e outros puramente fantásticos; Isabel Allende aproveita esta aventura para alertar para alguns perigos à natureza da floresta amazónica e os seus habitantes por direito e aos crimes que ainda existem nessa região única, motivados pela cobiça de outros.
Apesar da dura realidade descrita, este também é um livro fantástico, estamos constantemente conscientes dos elementos fantásticos da história, que a torna mais e mais "apetecível" (por falta de palavra melhor), ao longo da leitura senti que aprendia muito, talvez pela atenção que a autora dá aos conhecimentos que nos parecem triviais no dia-a-dia.
Desde o ínicio, o leitor, sente uma grande afinidade com as personagens, que apesar de não serem dotadas de grande densidade psicológica, é impossível não ansiarmos por elas e as suas peripécias. O mistério da aventura, a descoberta de segredos, a intensidade do ambiente, tudo isto caracteriza a escrita da autora neste livro, que devo dizer, adorei!
Tratando-se de um livro juvenil é-nos praticamente impossível não adivinharmos nem que seja um pouco do final, apesar de uma outra surpresa pelo meio. No fundo é um livro juvenil, fantástico, com que podemos ganhar saber e passar umas horas de prazer com a sua leitura.
Estou ansioso para concluir o resto da trilogia "As Memórias da Águia e do Jaguar" do qual este, obviamente, é o primeiro volume.
Temos como linha condutora do livro uma aventura de dois amigos na floresta amazónica, onde são tratados assuntos muito reais e outros puramente fantásticos; Isabel Allende aproveita esta aventura para alertar para alguns perigos à natureza da floresta amazónica e os seus habitantes por direito e aos crimes que ainda existem nessa região única, motivados pela cobiça de outros.
Apesar da dura realidade descrita, este também é um livro fantástico, estamos constantemente conscientes dos elementos fantásticos da história, que a torna mais e mais "apetecível" (por falta de palavra melhor), ao longo da leitura senti que aprendia muito, talvez pela atenção que a autora dá aos conhecimentos que nos parecem triviais no dia-a-dia.
Desde o ínicio, o leitor, sente uma grande afinidade com as personagens, que apesar de não serem dotadas de grande densidade psicológica, é impossível não ansiarmos por elas e as suas peripécias. O mistério da aventura, a descoberta de segredos, a intensidade do ambiente, tudo isto caracteriza a escrita da autora neste livro, que devo dizer, adorei!
Tratando-se de um livro juvenil é-nos praticamente impossível não adivinharmos nem que seja um pouco do final, apesar de uma outra surpresa pelo meio. No fundo é um livro juvenil, fantástico, com que podemos ganhar saber e passar umas horas de prazer com a sua leitura.
Estou ansioso para concluir o resto da trilogia "As Memórias da Águia e do Jaguar" do qual este, obviamente, é o primeiro volume.