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paili's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal death, War, and Death of parent
kindredbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received a copy of Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker from HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers ahead for Pax, the first book.
I had really enjoyed Pax, the first story about Pax, a fox and Peter, the boy who raises him before they are separated. In the first book, the two embark on a heartbreaking and endearing journey back to one another and in the end, Peter decides that it's better for Pax to stay out in the wild where he truly belongs. In this sequel, we start a year after the events of the first book. Both Peter and Pax have had a lot of changes happen during this time. Pax is now a father to kits of his own. Peter has suffered more loss in this life and is determined to not attach to anyone or anything; he believes that it is the only way to not suffer heartbreak again. In this book, the two are still learning to survive in this world after the war in which a lot of the damage left behind by the war still affects both the humans and nature. Peter's journey in this story is one of grief and learning that to open your heart takes courage and a lot more bravery than closing oneself off. Pax's journey in fatherhood will bring this story to a complete circle when he realizes that his kit is in danger and perhaps the only one left to protect her is Peter.
Such a beautiful story about family, people, and nature. This friendship between fox and boy is one that continues to grow even as Peter and Pax spend time apart from one another. This duology shows readers that humans can have such great effects on nature - both beneficial and destructive. While wildlife really does belong in nature - Pax returning to where he needs to be - it also shows the ways in which humans can help to protect and heal what has been hurt - the conservation efforts to clean the water and taking care of injured wildlife. Pax and Pax, Journey Home are beautiful stories that will linger in my mind and both stories that I will be recommending to my own students.
Spoilers ahead for Pax, the first book.
I had really enjoyed Pax, the first story about Pax, a fox and Peter, the boy who raises him before they are separated. In the first book, the two embark on a heartbreaking and endearing journey back to one another and in the end, Peter decides that it's better for Pax to stay out in the wild where he truly belongs. In this sequel, we start a year after the events of the first book. Both Peter and Pax have had a lot of changes happen during this time. Pax is now a father to kits of his own. Peter has suffered more loss in this life and is determined to not attach to anyone or anything; he believes that it is the only way to not suffer heartbreak again. In this book, the two are still learning to survive in this world after the war in which a lot of the damage left behind by the war still affects both the humans and nature. Peter's journey in this story is one of grief and learning that to open your heart takes courage and a lot more bravery than closing oneself off. Pax's journey in fatherhood will bring this story to a complete circle when he realizes that his kit is in danger and perhaps the only one left to protect her is Peter.
Such a beautiful story about family, people, and nature. This friendship between fox and boy is one that continues to grow even as Peter and Pax spend time apart from one another. This duology shows readers that humans can have such great effects on nature - both beneficial and destructive. While wildlife really does belong in nature - Pax returning to where he needs to be - it also shows the ways in which humans can help to protect and heal what has been hurt - the conservation efforts to clean the water and taking care of injured wildlife. Pax and Pax, Journey Home are beautiful stories that will linger in my mind and both stories that I will be recommending to my own students.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Animal death, and War
monicalaurette's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Book is out in September 7th 2021
When I heard that this book was a thing I was so excited, I had only read the first one ‘Pax’ earlier this same year and loved it. I saw that it wasn’t released yet and that there was a giveaway on Goodreads for an ARC version of the book, and knowing that I don’t win a lot of them, I entered.
Flash forward a month later and I got a wonderful email letting me know that this time was different and I would be getting an ARC copy! I was so excited and grew even more so when it showed up on my door. I was able to read this in one day (if you remove the times in between reading that I had to take for work and eating and spending time with family).
This book was a really wonderful closing to the ending of ‘Pax’. It answered some questions on what happened with both Pax and Peter after they said their goodbyes.
From the cover, you can infer that Pax and Bristle had some kits, and I wish that my ARC had the art in it so I could see how cute they looked, but alas I’ll have to get a final copy once it’s released into the wild. But even without the art in the book I really liked this story and how it connected the stories again in the end.
Seeing the way that Peter and Pax looked differently at their families, both related by blood and love, was a really fun way and an insight on ways to deal with grief and guilt. Also how to deal with those who have passed, and how we go about our lives afterwards because of them and the way that they raised us/inspired us.
I gave Pax: Journey Home 5 stars because I just loved it so much and it was nice for me to have an ending like that.
*No quotes in this as the ARC may be slightly different from the final text sold in stores. Will add quotes once I can compare them to the final text and see if they are the same or changed slightly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, War, and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, and Car accident
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