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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
My 8yo son liked this better than Hatchet because "Brian wasn't alone this time." But I'm afraid this one felt more contrived to me. I just couldn't get on board with the "government agents show up on a 16-year-old's doorstep and want him to teach them about survival" thing. And after the rapids and re-finding the raft, the rest of the trip is one short chapter. It almost seemed like Mr. Paulsen got tired of writing this one and hurried the end so he could move on to something else.
On the plus side, this one seemed to flow better while reading aloud. The language was less short and choppy.
We're reading Brian's Winter next. We'll see how that compares...
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
On the plus side, this one seemed to flow better while reading aloud. The language was less short and choppy.
We're reading Brian's Winter next. We'll see how that compares...
For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
Remembering Hatchet with great fondness and still ignorant of the pitfalls of unplanned-for sequels, I picked up The River with great anticipation. Unfortunately, reading The River is like watching an uninspired Hollywood remake of a movie that came out only a year before. It's intentionally the same plot only without any of the tension because this time Brian knows exactly what to do, does it, and goes home. Riveting stuff.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun reread from my childhood. For sure not as good as the first, but still a fun adventure. Doesn’t hit the same as an adult, but any outdoorsie young reader would love this. Also, the audiobook is SO good, loved the added music/sounds they added.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Excrement
Here's the thing - when your child almost DIES IN THE WILDERNESS, you do NOT let them go back out into the wilderness, no matter which stranger comes knocking and promises to keep your precious baby safe. Also, it seems like a lot of people get injured around Brian - the pilot, and now the psychologist. Who's next, bitches!?
But really though, other than the fact that his parents were moronic enough to let him go out into the wilderness again, this book was pretty good. I still love Brian as a character and his voice. I love that, despite having thoughts about leaving his injured friend, he did the right thing and kept pushing forward. The ending wraps it up nicely after the chaos that was "The River."
But really though, other than the fact that his parents were moronic enough to let him go out into the wilderness again, this book was pretty good. I still love Brian as a character and his voice. I love that, despite having thoughts about leaving his injured friend, he did the right thing and kept pushing forward. The ending wraps it up nicely after the chaos that was "The River."
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No