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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Hmm. Perhaps I read this too close on the heels of the first book? Still perfectly enjoyable, but parts of it (like the big reveal with Boguli) seemed like something of a retread, and the mystery fell flat because the clues dropped along the way were too obvious. It felt as though the author was trying to ramp up the stakes -- bullets! Poison arrows! Kidnapping! Hand-to-hand combat! -- and I'm torn between enjoying the action and finding it all a bit much, especially so early in the series.
Am interested to see whether Jelani continues as a side character or whether his usefulness as a character has expired; I suspect the author is trying for as diverse a cast as possible but is hampered by the social limitations of 1919 British East Africa. All that said, though, I'm hoping that the further I get into the Jade del Cameron books, the more the bumps will be smoothed out.
Am interested to see whether Jelani continues as a side character or whether his usefulness as a character has expired; I suspect the author is trying for as diverse a cast as possible but is hampered by the social limitations of 1919 British East Africa. All that said, though, I'm hoping that the further I get into the Jade del Cameron books, the more the bumps will be smoothed out.
An enjoyable read that broke my heart to some extent with the discussion of elephant poaching. The elephants are a strong presence in this book and the book is the better for it. Set in Africa between WWI and WWII, this book is a step into another world as well as another time. The mystery aspect is well done but doesn't dominate over the adventure aspect. The characters are interesting and there is a sense of fun in the book that made it an enjoyable escape from school work.
It was an excellent adventure story. Looking forward to the next novel.
Ugh. I give up. If you like armchair travel and really, really descriptive writing and zero character development than this book might be for you. Sadly, this series is a no-go for me. Jade has contracted special snowflake syndrome. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
Really, really good. Post WW1 Colonial British East Africa settings. 2 very strong, full rounded women, good strong male characters and African characters not set up as cute background or folkloric decor.
There is the influx of popular culture with a tiny hint of irony since Arruda uses Burroughs' Tarzan to contrast with her depictions of this area. Not vines to use for traveling but cars that break, early cinema and modern photography. Arruda takes you to a place where you are entertained by the mystery but also nourished with an history and culture that she depicts with intelligence and style.
There is the influx of popular culture with a tiny hint of irony since Arruda uses Burroughs' Tarzan to contrast with her depictions of this area. Not vines to use for traveling but cars that break, early cinema and modern photography. Arruda takes you to a place where you are entertained by the mystery but also nourished with an history and culture that she depicts with intelligence and style.
I enjoyed this second book of the series more than the first. Once again, the author does a remarkable job of depicting Africa immediately following WWI. Africa is the star here. Also, the elephants, as this book focuses on that animal as the last one did on lions and hyena. I felt this book was better plotted and paced than the last and less predictable as well. The mystical element was kept to a subtle minimum that I was able to accept gracefully.
My only real reservation is in the romance angle of the plot, because I really have no idea where the author is going with that and am pretty sure the author isn't either. Consequently her main character suffers from a somewhat unbelievable waffling in her feelings towards not one but two romantic prospects. It all feels unnatural and contrived to me, with it's only purpose being to keep the reader interested in continuing the series.
My only real reservation is in the romance angle of the plot, because I really have no idea where the author is going with that and am pretty sure the author isn't either. Consequently her main character suffers from a somewhat unbelievable waffling in her feelings towards not one but two romantic prospects. It all feels unnatural and contrived to me, with it's only purpose being to keep the reader interested in continuing the series.
Didn't like this nearly as much as the first one in the series. "Mark of the Lion" really felt like it avoided most of the racial/political awkwardness that happen so easily when you write about colonial characters but this one didn't do nearly as well. I did like the Jimmy Stewart inspired love interest that was introduced despite the fact that I'm pretty sure it means a stupid love triangle plotline is lurking on the horizon.
Great fun
Like watching an adventure film.
Themes of conservation and poaching resonate today. Will read more
Like watching an adventure film.
Themes of conservation and poaching resonate today. Will read more
I couldn't get in to this book at all and decided to give up. I didn't read very far into it but it just didn't click for me.