Reviews

Evie and the Animals by Matt Haig

katykelly's review

Go to review page

5.0

Dr Doolittle idea with contemporary conservation issues

Haig's standalone chapter book is exciting and enticing - who wouldn't like to talk to animals?!

Evie can understand other species. Neighbourhood dogs, the school rabbit who only wants to be set free. Almost discovered, her dad makes her promise not to use her ability again. But animals begging for help that she's ignored are now turning up on 'missing' posters...

There are a lot of missing animals. And there may be more to her ability than she knows. Will she use her power to try and help?

This is a fairly short but stimulating story, full of features that readers will love - talking animals, exciting episodes (big cats at the zoo!), a bad guy, mystery. Evie and her power are key to the whole thing, and she's a realistic young protagonist, never scornful about her ability, caring of animals and people around her, brave.

It's quite a good little mystery for children, and pitched at a reader who can read by themself and needs some stimulating, more grown-up feeling short-ish novels.

I enjoyed the book but didn't like the narrator on the Audible version I'm afraid. And my husband who listened partway through said this too, without me commenting first. Can't really put my finger on why, but she didn't feel right voicing Evie and the animals. My son wasn't at all bothered, he listened quite avidly and followed the story easily.

For ages 7-11.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

vespertillio's review

Go to review page

4.0

Cute and with some deep truths

alongreader's review

Go to review page

4.0

A sweet story about Evie, who has the power to talk to animals, and her battle both to be accepted and to fend off a villain with the same power. I was expecting an all out showdown between the two and was pleasantly surprised when the whole matter was decided by something Evie had done as a toddler years before. It's a good lesson without being too preachy; what you put out into the world comes back around to you. I hope Matt plans to write more in this series, as they're perfect for early readers.

luverbyrd's review

Go to review page

3.0

Cute story that emphasizes kindness and care for all of Earth's animals. The only other book I've read by Haig was "A Boy Called Christmas" and I definitely see a distinct way he has with storytelling.
I enjoyed this fun little book and wish I had Evie's power sometimes to know what animals are thinking.

janessaalexis's review

Go to review page

2.0

Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020: A book with a bird on the cover

Man, I really wanted to like this book.

I did, for about the first 40 pages.

And then it went in a direction I didn't like, and it made it more difficult for me to get through a book I wasn't enjoying.

I'm glad to have read this ARC that I got from work -- because how cool is that? -- but I'm sad to say that I just did not enjoy this as much as I wanted to.

lailiving's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

"The important thing about rock bottom is the rock part. You know you have something solid inside you. Something that can't be smashed any further. The unbreakable part."

Evie and the Animals adalah buku yang aku pilih untuk reading challenge Neverland Book Club yaitu baca buku middle grade dengan karakter hewan di dalamnya. Buku ini adalah buku pertama di Evie series yang bercerita tentang Evie dengan kemampuan telepati dengan hewan. Awalnya aku kira buku ini adalah buku yang santai dan kalem dari awal hingga akhir yang menceritakan hewan-hewan yang ditemui Evie, ternyata ada misteri yang diungkapkan yang menjelaskan kenapa keadaan keluarga Evie seperti saat ini. Kisahnya semakin seru setelah pengungkapan itu, dan tonenya jadi sedikit agak menegangkan.
Hal yang aku suka adalah ada selipan humor di dalam buku ini yang bikin aku ketawa dan ada ilustrasi yang menarik (favoritku adalah bagian poster hewan yang hilang yang isinya bikin ngakak). Aku suka persahabatan Evie dengan hewan-hewan yang dia temui dan juga dengan karakter manusia lainnya seperti teman sekolahnya. Selain itu, kita juga ditunjukkan kalau setiap spesies punya karakteristik pikiran yang berbeda-beda (ada yang bikin ngantuk, ada yang kayaknya ga mikir apa-apa, dll).
Pesan yang disampaikan dalam buku ini terutama mengenai menjaga lingkungan, menyayangi hewan dan kebaikan bakal kembali pada orang-orang yang berbuat baik.
Aku suka penyelesaian dan ending dari buku ini, dan gimana keputusan yang diambil setelah semua masalah selesai.

fluffy1st's review

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shainalite's review

Go to review page

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The important thing about rock bottom is the rock part. You know you have something solid inside you. Something that can't be smashed any further. The unbreakable part.

Evie and the Animals adalah buku yang aku pilih untuk reading challenge Neverland Book Club yaitu baca buku middle grade dengan karakter hewan di dalamnya. Buku ini adalah buku pertama di Evie series yang bercerita tentang Evie dengan kemampuan telepati dengan hewan. Awalnya aku kira buku ini adalah buku yang santai dan kalem dari awal hingga akhir yang menceritakan hewan-hewan yang ditemui Evie, ternyata ada misteri yang diungkapkan yang menjelaskan kenapa keadaan keluarga Evie seperti saat ini. Kisahnya semakin seru setelah pengungkapan itu, dan tonenya jadi sedikit agak menegangkan. 
Hal yang aku suka adalah ada selipan humor di dalam buku ini yang bikin aku ketawa dan ada ilustrasi yang menarik (favoritku adalah bagian poster hewan yang hilang yang isinya bikin ngakak). Aku suka persahabatan Evie dengan hewan-hewan yang dia temui dan juga dengan karakter manusia lainnya seperti teman sekolahnya. Selain itu, kita juga ditunjukkan kalau setiap spesies punya karakteristik pikiran yang berbeda-beda (ada yang bikin ngantuk, ada yang kayaknya ga mikir apa-apa, dll). 
Pesan yang disampaikan dalam buku ini terutama mengenai menjaga lingkungan, menyayangi hewan dan kebaikan bakal kembali pada orang-orang yang berbuat baik.
Aku suka penyelesaian dan ending dari buku ini, dan gimana keputusan yang diambil setelah semua masalah selesai.


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shahrun's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Really enjoyable adventure with Evie (who is a modern day Dr Dolittle) and the animals she can communicate with. There is enough adventure, drama and mild peril with a few laughs and absolutely gorgeous illustrations throughout to keep anyone interested. I love that it is educating readers on animal welfare and Planet care. There is also a recipe for fat cakes for birds at the end and an animal quiz at the end. I hope there are more books about Evie.

coala's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Spannendes tierisches Abenteuer

Matt Haig hat eine sehr spannende und unterhaltsame Geschichte geschrieben, in der Evie zwar mit Tieren sprechen kann, dies aber um jeden Preis geheim halten soll. Die Beziehung zum Vater ist nach dem Tod der Mutter zudem schwierig. Trost findet sie daher dennoch bei den Tieren, wodurch sie sich in Gefahr bringt, denn alte Familienfeinde sind immer noch dem Geheimnis auf der Spur.

Der Autor hat die Geschichte sehr fesselnd und altersgerecht erzählt. Evie ist zwar eigen, aber dennoch sehr sympathisch. Es ist bewundernswert, wie sie mit den Tieren umgeht. Dadurch dass man Evie und ihre Gedankenwelt begleitet, kann man sich wunderbar in sie und das Geschehene hineinversetzten. So können durch die Tiere, denen wir so endlich einmal verständlich lauschen können, wichtige Botschaften zum Umgang mit der Natur und Tierwelt vermittelt werden. Die spannende Geschichte um Evie und ihre Gabe, welche sie unbewusst in Gefahr bringt, ist zudem so fesselnd, dass große und kleine Leser sicherlich begeistert sein werden. Dazu gibt es tolle Illustrationen, welche das Buch sehr gut ergänzen. Eine insgesamt großartig erzählte und umgesetzte Geschichte.