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bethaniekay's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this novel off of a book-trading shelf onboard the Greg Mortimer, an expedition ship in the Antarctic operated by Aurora Expeditions. It seemed very apropos, so I decided to give it a read on my way home from The White Continent.
The storyline regarding Veronica's journey to Antarctica is completely ludicrous, and almost all the characters are very unlikeable (at least, for me, I didn't like either Veronica or Patrick) - yet there's an underlying message that's still heartwarming. The facts about the penguins themselves seemed pretty accurate, and the commentary about climate change was spot on.
Overall, this wasn't a great book, but it wasn't bad, either. The writing was pretty elementary, and there's no real depth to the story, but it was a quick read that was, for the most part, enjoyable.
The storyline regarding Veronica's journey to Antarctica is completely ludicrous, and almost all the characters are very unlikeable (at least, for me, I didn't like either Veronica or Patrick) - yet there's an underlying message that's still heartwarming. The facts about the penguins themselves seemed pretty accurate, and the commentary about climate change was spot on.
Overall, this wasn't a great book, but it wasn't bad, either. The writing was pretty elementary, and there's no real depth to the story, but it was a quick read that was, for the most part, enjoyable.
lizinva's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed the growth of the chara ters. It was such a heartwarming story.
jessmac123's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
petrareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book started out as an OK read, easy enough to get through. By the end I loved it! I'm not sure if the writing improved as I got further into the book or if I just got used to the style, but it felt like it progressively got better. I shed a few tears on several occasions. It's a story with a lot of pain, but ultimately a lot of heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, and Blood
gina_readsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
“There are those who make the world worse, those who make no difference and those who make the world better. Be one who makes the world better, if you can.”
This story was really heartwarming and wholesome, and not really what I expected. I picked this book to fill a reading challenge prompt, but this ended up being really enjoyable.
Victoria is such a fun protagonist. Her determination to get tot the Antarctic to be with penguins is equal parts funny and inspiring. She has amassed a fortune and doesn’t have a beneficiary, and she has a newly discovered adult grandson. Her journey is really lovely and it was so nice to see an octogenarian as a main character.
Getting her backstory into her first love when she was young to how she came into her fortune provides so much information about her character. When she wants to save a baby penguin, you can see the parallels to the child she gave up for adoption. She is able to have a transformative experience with these penguins so later in her life.
It’s just such a charming story, and there’s a sequel, so I can’t wait to get to it.
book_dragon_julia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book was so cute, lovely and a pleasure to read. I really enjoyed reading it and finished it in one go.
A definite recommendation for anyone who loves penguins 🐧🐧
A definite recommendation for anyone who loves penguins 🐧🐧
24bsreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
erose10's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
half_a_book_away's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0