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blogginboutbooks's review
3.0
I hate to be the outlier on this one because it really is a sweet, tender book, but I found THIS LAST ADVENTURE to be a slow, often dull read. Although I wanted to put it down many times, I did manage to soldier through. If I hadn't been reading it for the Cybils Awards, though, I wouldn't have. The book bored me and I really can't see middle graders sticking with it.
Why didn't THIS LAST ADVENTURE work well for me? Like I said, the story slogs along in slow motion. Besides Archie learning how to deal with his grandfather's worsening disease and Archie's half-hearted attempts to get his crush's attention, there's just not a lot of plot to work with in the book. The big twist promised by the plot summary causes barely a blip in the narrative. For me at least, there needed to be more going on to keep me immersed in the story. Both Archie and Raymond are sympathetic, likable characters but their bond seems a little lukewarm. I wanted to really FEEL their closeness and that didn't come through as strongly as it should have. Also, neither Archie or Raymond have much of a personality. They're nice, sure, but not all that interesting or memorable. In addition, Archie and his friends talk and act much older than 13. I get that Archie is supposed to be kind of an old soul, but he's also way more serious, thoughtful and insightful than any 13-year-old I've ever met. To me, THIS LAST ADVENTURE felt more YA in tone than MG.
On the plus side, I like the idea of a grandchild and grandparent knowing and loving each other through shared interests and spending time together. The book shows that grandparents aren't just doddering old fools who pinch your cheeks and smell funny; rather, they're people with interesting stories and lives that are worth knowing about. Archie's devotion to Raymond is sweet and wholesome. I also appreciate Archie's realization that his hero is a real person with real flaws. Our heroes aren't always entirely what they seem. That can be tough to grapple with.
I'm not saying THIS LAST ADVENTURE is a bad book. It's not at all. It really is a poignant read. Unfortunately, it's also way too slow for my liking. I wanted it to be more engaging, more resonant, and more compelling. For me, it just got real boring real fast. There are other MG books about grandchildren/grandparent bonding that are much more engaging and memorable than this one. Too bad.
Why didn't THIS LAST ADVENTURE work well for me? Like I said, the story slogs along in slow motion. Besides Archie learning how to deal with his grandfather's worsening disease and Archie's half-hearted attempts to get his crush's attention, there's just not a lot of plot to work with in the book. The big twist promised by the plot summary causes barely a blip in the narrative. For me at least, there needed to be more going on to keep me immersed in the story. Both Archie and Raymond are sympathetic, likable characters but their bond seems a little lukewarm. I wanted to really FEEL their closeness and that didn't come through as strongly as it should have. Also, neither Archie or Raymond have much of a personality. They're nice, sure, but not all that interesting or memorable. In addition, Archie and his friends talk and act much older than 13. I get that Archie is supposed to be kind of an old soul, but he's also way more serious, thoughtful and insightful than any 13-year-old I've ever met. To me, THIS LAST ADVENTURE felt more YA in tone than MG.
On the plus side, I like the idea of a grandchild and grandparent knowing and loving each other through shared interests and spending time together. The book shows that grandparents aren't just doddering old fools who pinch your cheeks and smell funny; rather, they're people with interesting stories and lives that are worth knowing about. Archie's devotion to Raymond is sweet and wholesome. I also appreciate Archie's realization that his hero is a real person with real flaws. Our heroes aren't always entirely what they seem. That can be tough to grapple with.
I'm not saying THIS LAST ADVENTURE is a bad book. It's not at all. It really is a poignant read. Unfortunately, it's also way too slow for my liking. I wanted it to be more engaging, more resonant, and more compelling. For me, it just got real boring real fast. There are other MG books about grandchildren/grandparent bonding that are much more engaging and memorable than this one. Too bad.
loganslovelylibrary's review
5.0
“Whatever you do, however you find your way through the fog, I hope you remember what makes it worthwhile. The people who travel through the fog with you, the lessons they teach you, and the purpose you find that gives your life meaning. I hope your life’s work isn’t just a job, but becoming the person you want to be. And when you get there . . . I hope you’re happy.”
This Last Adventure is about a young boy and his family as they cope with his grandfather’s Alzheimer's. Archie and his grandfather explore different stories from their past as the disease starts to affect his grandfather more and more.
Holy crap, this book was really, really lovely. Remarkable even. I went into it thinking it would be a sweet and touching middle-grade book but I was left with something so utterly profound. It was extremely poignant for a middle grade/YA book, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
It will b released on February 1, 2022. Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This Last Adventure is about a young boy and his family as they cope with his grandfather’s Alzheimer's. Archie and his grandfather explore different stories from their past as the disease starts to affect his grandfather more and more.
Holy crap, this book was really, really lovely. Remarkable even. I went into it thinking it would be a sweet and touching middle-grade book but I was left with something so utterly profound. It was extremely poignant for a middle grade/YA book, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
It will b released on February 1, 2022. Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
lauriehnatiuk's review
5.0
Archie has lived with his mom and grandfather, his hero but now has an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. While assisting in the care of his grandfather, Archie’s homelife is changing with his mother constantly dating and the pressure of a school project about his future. Archie’s grandfather knows his memory is deteriorating, so he shares his most prized possession with Archie, his journal, but only the marked pages. Archie believes he can adapt the stories from the journal, turning them into adventures Archie and his grandfather can reenact to keep his grandfather from going into the fog. With the disease progressing, Archie realizes that his grandfather is slipping away and dealing with his own hidden demons.
First and foremost, this book presents a realistic portrayal of someone with Alzheimer’s and what happens to those family and friends who have to witness and care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. There are good and bad days and, Archie has a hard time dealing with what is happening with his grandfather before he can move on to accepting his grandfather’s condition. This alone makes this book one that needs to be in collections, so readers see themselves should they be in a similar situation or become empathetic like his friend Zig and supporting Archie.
The relationships between Zig, Archie, Spencer and Desta and the diversity of the characters as they muddle through the project of what their future will look like while dealing with crushes, figuring out their identities with the parental pressures and expectations is spot on for this age group. There is the usual tension and misunderstandings but done maturely that this age group will appreciate and recognize.
The connection between Archie and his grandfather also ties in nicely with the project providing a hopeful ending, even though realistically it is hard.
Have tissues ready, but oh so worth it. This one is a must-add.
First and foremost, this book presents a realistic portrayal of someone with Alzheimer’s and what happens to those family and friends who have to witness and care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. There are good and bad days and, Archie has a hard time dealing with what is happening with his grandfather before he can move on to accepting his grandfather’s condition. This alone makes this book one that needs to be in collections, so readers see themselves should they be in a similar situation or become empathetic like his friend Zig and supporting Archie.
The relationships between Zig, Archie, Spencer and Desta and the diversity of the characters as they muddle through the project of what their future will look like while dealing with crushes, figuring out their identities with the parental pressures and expectations is spot on for this age group. There is the usual tension and misunderstandings but done maturely that this age group will appreciate and recognize.
The connection between Archie and his grandfather also ties in nicely with the project providing a hopeful ending, even though realistically it is hard.
Have tissues ready, but oh so worth it. This one is a must-add.
tortime's review
5.0
This Last Adventure: This Last Adventure tells the story of eight-grader, Archie, and his struggle to come to terms with his grandpa’s Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Archie’s grandpa has lived with him and his mom for Atchie’s entire life. Archie grew up hearing heroic stories about his grandpa’s time as a firefighter and thinks of his grandpa as a hero. But Alzheimer’s disease is slowly chipping away at his grandpa’s memory and it seems to be changing the man Archie has always known. Throughout the story Archie learns what life is going to look like going forward and who his grandpa really is to him.
This story is moving. It captures the many complex feelings of a family facing a loved one losing memory and facing personality changes as a result of Alzhimer’s. Having lost my grandmother to Alzhimer’s recently, I felt incredibly seen by Archie’s desire to help his grandpa remember himself in any way possible, as well as the desire to escape the situation. The need to take breaks, the need to rely on family support, and the eventual need to rely on outside professional support is all heartbreakingly real. I loved the elements of hope that permeated this book even though it did not shy away from the difficult realities of the disease. Everyone is going to experience this situation differently, but it is wonderful to have stories like this available, especially to young readers, to help people process their experience or help them empathize with a friend going through a similar experience. Content Warnings: Vietnam veteran PTSD is briefly discussed, as well as some perils of the firefighting profession.
This story is moving. It captures the many complex feelings of a family facing a loved one losing memory and facing personality changes as a result of Alzhimer’s. Having lost my grandmother to Alzhimer’s recently, I felt incredibly seen by Archie’s desire to help his grandpa remember himself in any way possible, as well as the desire to escape the situation. The need to take breaks, the need to rely on family support, and the eventual need to rely on outside professional support is all heartbreakingly real. I loved the elements of hope that permeated this book even though it did not shy away from the difficult realities of the disease. Everyone is going to experience this situation differently, but it is wonderful to have stories like this available, especially to young readers, to help people process their experience or help them empathize with a friend going through a similar experience. Content Warnings: Vietnam veteran PTSD is briefly discussed, as well as some perils of the firefighting profession.
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