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A review by brionymarshallauthor
Time Travelling with a Hamster by Ross Welford
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I first saw this book shortly after getting my hamster and I knew I just had to read it. So imagine my delight when it became available on Prime Reading about a month later! It went straight to the top of my TBR.
I went into reading this book knowing I was not the intended audience, but hoping for a light hearted, easy read. (As light hearted as a children’s book about grief can be I guess?)
However I wasn’t prepared for the multiple instances of animal abuse mentioned and I’ll be honest, it was nearly enough to stop me reading the book altogether in those moments. I just didn’t think it was really necessary, especially for a book that has been designed to draw animal lovers in. You can show a mean bully in so many other ways and make me not like him. I also don’t like the thought of kids reading this. But maybe I’m just being old fashioned…
The redeeming factor for me though was that the author is very good at tapping into a reader’s emotions in other ways and it was those elements that kept me going. The excitement, the anxiety, the anticipation! I can’t forgive the previously mentioned, but remove those from the story and it’s a fast paced, thrilling adventure!
I went into reading this book knowing I was not the intended audience, but hoping for a light hearted, easy read. (As light hearted as a children’s book about grief can be I guess?)
However I wasn’t prepared for the multiple instances of animal abuse mentioned and I’ll be honest, it was nearly enough to stop me reading the book altogether in those moments. I just didn’t think it was really necessary, especially for a book that has been designed to draw animal lovers in. You can show a mean bully in so many other ways and make me not like him. I also don’t like the thought of kids reading this. But maybe I’m just being old fashioned…
The redeeming factor for me though was that the author is very good at tapping into a reader’s emotions in other ways and it was those elements that kept me going. The excitement, the anxiety, the anticipation! I can’t forgive the previously mentioned, but remove those from the story and it’s a fast paced, thrilling adventure!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty