Reviews

Threatened by Eliot Schrefer

nerfherder86's review against another edition

4.0

Luc, a teenaged AIDS orphan in the African country of Gabon, is barely subsisting in his tiny village, living with other orphans under the harsh eye of the Fagin-like Monsieur Tatagani, who forces Luc to give him every penny he earns from carrying tourists' luggage (or from stealing). Luc has hopes of someday paying off his mother's hospital debt and leaving to find a better life. But when Luc steals a case from one of those tourists, an Arab professor, he gets more than he imagined when the professor pays off his debts and hires Luc to be his assistant. They are going "Inside", into the jungle wilderness, to study chimpanzees. Luc is up for anything that will get him away from the horrible Monsieur Tatagani, but he is not sure anywhere will be safe from the evil man once he discovers the Prof paid him with counterfeit money! But in the meantime, Luc will go along with the Prof in search of "mock men," whom Luc has never seen in person; he's only heard their cries and the legends told about them by villagers. And so begins Luc's transformation, as he comes to know a young pair of chimpanzee siblings he names Drummer and Mango, and learns how to survive among chimps in the wild. He goes through quite a lot; he is already familiar with the basics of jungle survival, but what he learns about chimps from the Prof he must then expand upon as his circumstances change and he is alone in the jungle. He braves the elements, the aggression of male chimps, and the attacks of hunters and other predatory animals. A fantastic story of survival and of nature. As with Schrefer's earlier novel [b:Endangered|13591678|Endangered|Eliot Schrefer|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1339453693s/13591678.jpg|19179750], the author's research shows in his detailed, realistic depictions of the setting and the primate characters; you really get a sense of what life is like for wild chimpanzees. I thought this book was even more realistic than his first, because the first book's main character went through such an incredible cross-country ordeal that it really stretched credulity that she came out of all of that alive. Luc has a lot of similar trials, and also has to learn the ways of a primate (chimps instead of bonobos), but it didn't seem quite so extraordinary this time because it all took place in the same setting. Helpful author's note at the end lists many books and sources for learning more about the plight of chimpanzees and of AIDS orphans.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am writing this review based on that copy.

barbarabarbara's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

libscote's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this better than "Endangered", but it still wasn't my favorite cup of tea. I felt like I was slogging through it until about halfway through. I do really appreciated the end matter though, and it made me want to learn more about Gabon.

sarahsnacks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

This book surprised me. Especially for a YA. 

maggie_stiefvater's review against another edition

5.0

As with ENDANGERED, I think this is a teen book that will resonate best with teens — I liked this one even better. Teachers/ librarians: plenty of stuff to talk about with your readers with these books.

maidmarianlib's review against another edition

5.0

Outstanding survival adventure with a subtle environmental theme.

veronika_cameron's review against another edition

5.0

Pure. Honest. Fresh.

The nuanced characters of this book-man and ape-are beautifully formed. They are relatable and lovable and reveal the truth about chimpanzees that most of us are clueless about. The perspective of the protagonist is a good choice, for the character is learning like the reader. Mango is the sweetest thing ever, and even Drummer, who we start out hating for his violent nature, reveals himself to be kind too.

I never really thought of chimpanzees as anything more than animals. Of course, I care about animals too, but chimpanzees are more. They have emotions, families, hopes... And this book, despite being a riveting story and not a documentary, portrays that clearly.

delz's review against another edition

5.0

Threatened is beautifully written YA literature. This is the story of an orphan boy saved by a man claiming to be a scientist studying chimpanzees in Gabon Africa and"The Jane Goodall of Africa." The Scientist rescues Luc from a savage man who owns the boy until the debit his mother incurred in her last days spent in hospital. Luc and "Prof" head "inside" to observe chimpanzees and what ensues is exciting and heartfelt. The boy has been raised to fear the "Mock Men" or the chimpanzees and he learns a new way to look at what he feared or even at times ate, as something more. The boy and man discover family in each other which they develop with each other and at some point with the chimpanzees. I almost felt like this was redemption for the way Schrefer demonized chimpanzees in Endangered, but you can understand when the Chimps behave so much like humans, many of our worst qualities. They also have their own beautiful family dynamic that Schrefer has represented here so wonderfully. This is an amazing read YA's and adults alike.

librandian's review against another edition

2.0

I wanted to like this book, but I felt like it was work to get through it. I love the story that was told, but it never truly grabbed me. It took about 3/4 of the book for me to care about the main character. With so few characters in this book, that wasn't a good thing.

everydayreading's review

I just couldn't really get into this one. I mean, it was fine, but when it was due back at the library, I didn't bother to check it out again.