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leslie_d's review against another edition
4.0
My young-reader self would've loved this slyly educational animal adventure; & the magic didn't hurt. I love how well (and so quickly) Schrefer characterized his diverse cast. The turns are well-played, the action is tense and suspenseful. That Schrefer doesn't shy away from the reality of predators/nature is a wonderful part of the experience; he handles it deftly enough for the more sensitive reader. I was very much entertained and eagerly anticipate Book 2 (and the author Q&A at the end of the book only sweetened that deal).
The illustrations by Emilia Dziubak are lovely.
The illustrations by Emilia Dziubak are lovely.
ogokoo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.5
jillcd's review against another edition
3.0
Those that like the Redwall, Warrior, or other animals series, will enjoy this one set in the rainforest.
teenlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Described as Lion King meets Wings of Fire.
Magical animal tale, set in the rainforest.
Ugh ants.
Magical animal tale, set in the rainforest.
Ugh ants.
jellifysh's review against another edition
3.0
Vielen Dank an Thienemann und Netgalley, die mir dieses Leseexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt haben!
Caldera.
Die junge Pantherin Mali ist eine Schattenwandlerin und wird von Auriel (einer Hundskopfboa) mit anderen Schattenwandlern dazu zusammengetrieben, die Welt zu retten.
Die Kurzbeschreibung hat in mir eine entfernte Erinnerung an die Bestsellerreihe Warrior Cats hervorgerufen, nur halt nicht (nur) mit Katzen, sondern im Dschungel.
An sich ist die Geschichte sehr spannend und die Umgebungsbeschreibung fantastisch. Natürlich ist die Handlung jetzt nicht unglaublich revolutionär, doch durch einen angenehmen Schreibstil und zügigem Verlauf der Geschichte ist dies nicht besonders auffällig.
Was mich persönlich am meisten gestört hat, waren die "menschlichen" Vergleiche. Zum einen, dass die Tiere andere Arten mit den Namen versehen, die Menschen ihnen gegeben haben (Kaiman, grüne Hundskopfboa, ...). Ich verstehe natürlich, dass man den Kindern diese Tiernamen nahe bringen will, dennoch fühlt es sich nicht ganz natürlich an.
Zum anderen, was ich viel merkwürdiger fand, gab es einige Textstellen, die mit Tieren einfach nicht funktionieren. Beispielsweise verzieht ein Papagei sein Gesicht (was allein physisch mit einem Schnabel nicht möglich ist).
Dennoch ein unterhaltsames und kurzweiliges Dschungelerlebnis.
Caldera.
Die junge Pantherin Mali ist eine Schattenwandlerin und wird von Auriel (einer Hundskopfboa) mit anderen Schattenwandlern dazu zusammengetrieben, die Welt zu retten.
Die Kurzbeschreibung hat in mir eine entfernte Erinnerung an die Bestsellerreihe Warrior Cats hervorgerufen, nur halt nicht (nur) mit Katzen, sondern im Dschungel.
An sich ist die Geschichte sehr spannend und die Umgebungsbeschreibung fantastisch. Natürlich ist die Handlung jetzt nicht unglaublich revolutionär, doch durch einen angenehmen Schreibstil und zügigem Verlauf der Geschichte ist dies nicht besonders auffällig.
Was mich persönlich am meisten gestört hat, waren die "menschlichen" Vergleiche. Zum einen, dass die Tiere andere Arten mit den Namen versehen, die Menschen ihnen gegeben haben (Kaiman, grüne Hundskopfboa, ...). Ich verstehe natürlich, dass man den Kindern diese Tiernamen nahe bringen will, dennoch fühlt es sich nicht ganz natürlich an.
Zum anderen, was ich viel merkwürdiger fand, gab es einige Textstellen, die mit Tieren einfach nicht funktionieren. Beispielsweise verzieht ein Papagei sein Gesicht (was allein physisch mit einem Schnabel nicht möglich ist).
Dennoch ein unterhaltsames und kurzweiliges Dschungelerlebnis.
sassenachthebookwizard's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the message behind this and getting animal POVs but I found myself quite bored for long stretches...like even when there was stuff going on, it couldn't hold my attention
thisgrrlreads's review against another edition
4.0
Mez is a panther living with his sister, his aunt and her aunt's cubs, who include a white panther and three little puffy cubs. Something strange happens when Mez realizes he can be awake during the day which is not allowed for panthers. He meets a weird boa constrictor who says he is a magic shadowwalker and they go on an adventure with lots of other animals who are also shadowwalkers with magic. Turns out, the boa constrictor is bad and wants to kill everyone and take their powers. As an adult, this twist was fairly easy to spot. Something was wrong with the size and age of the boa constrictor.
What I loved about this story was the focus on how animals might see the world in their language--it's "everynight" for nocturnal animals, the word paw is used everywhere hand should go, which is perfect. There is also a lot about hierarchy and the way the rainforest works that even holds at the end. I'm not a giant fan of animal fantasy, but this one really felt grounded. There were also some real consequences for all the animals in the book. So while there was magic, it didn't keep animals from dying or getting hurt sometimes which is sad, but I think has to happen in these adventure stories to truly keep the stakes high, even for kids.
What I loved about this story was the focus on how animals might see the world in their language--it's "everynight" for nocturnal animals, the word paw is used everywhere hand should go, which is perfect. There is also a lot about hierarchy and the way the rainforest works that even holds at the end. I'm not a giant fan of animal fantasy, but this one really felt grounded. There were also some real consequences for all the animals in the book. So while there was magic, it didn't keep animals from dying or getting hurt sometimes which is sad, but I think has to happen in these adventure stories to truly keep the stakes high, even for kids.
readingrobin's review against another edition
2.0
This book just seemed like another standard entry into the junior fiction magical animal genre. Perfect for kids who like the Warriors, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, and The Familiars series. I don't think it's as creative as those last two, but it's in no way terrible. It just didn't stick out for me.
I think this book had a good idea to start with, but the execution is a little bland. It goes through all the motions: main character finding out they're different, assembling a group of like-minded friends, coming together to stop an ancient evil. If there were some more original stuff along the way, I might have been more interested.
It wasn't a book for me, but kids will definitely find it interesting. A decent summer adventure read.
I think this book had a good idea to start with, but the execution is a little bland. It goes through all the motions: main character finding out they're different, assembling a group of like-minded friends, coming together to stop an ancient evil. If there were some more original stuff along the way, I might have been more interested.
It wasn't a book for me, but kids will definitely find it interesting. A decent summer adventure read.
thomasray's review against another edition
4.0
Predictable..... In a really good way, actually. I liked how he used present tense.
julesg's review against another edition
Ein spannendes und zu gleich lehrreiches Buch mit sprechenden Tieren, dem Regenwald, einem Panter als Hauptfigur, Magie, aber auch dem natürlichen Thema 'Jäger und Gejagte'. Ein tolles Buch für Kinder um die 10 Jahre, die vielleicht schon Erin Hunters Bücher mochten.
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