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emlocke's review
3.0
This story and the storytelling is less vivid and organic than HATCHET. I liked knowing how Brian thought about the challenges of winter survival as he came upon them (or they upon him) but there were some passages with little emotion, only talking through his approach to each problem. Still, wilderness survival, especially winter’s many challenges, has always fascinated me and I like this character a lot. After reading HATCHET as a kid, I would have liked to read more and I’m glad I discovered the second and third books in the Brian’s Saga series. This was a nice return to the concept of a kid alone in the wilderness after THE RIVER’s somewhat sensational premise. How interesting that Gary Paulson says he wrote this volume in response to a question many young readers’ asked after reading HATCHET: what if Brian hadn’t been rescued? He asks readers of BRIAN’S WINTER to suspend disbelief and read as though Brian didn’t/couldn’t use the beacon.
fractaltexan's review
adventurous
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
An interesting book.
This takes place directly after Hatchet, a kind of alternate history if Brian hadn't been rescued at the end of Hatchet. Apparently, readers disliked the "deus ex machina" of Hatchet's ending, so this continues the story.
For a short book, we see Brian hone new skills as Winter rears its ugly head. With added adventure, and an added sense of peril over the harshness of winter, Brian's Winter offers a good story that sees you still rooting for a teen boy lost in the Wilderness.
This takes place directly after Hatchet, a kind of alternate history if Brian hadn't been rescued at the end of Hatchet. Apparently, readers disliked the "deus ex machina" of Hatchet's ending, so this continues the story.
For a short book, we see Brian hone new skills as Winter rears its ugly head. With added adventure, and an added sense of peril over the harshness of winter, Brian's Winter offers a good story that sees you still rooting for a teen boy lost in the Wilderness.
klekamp's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
manic_bibliophile's review
4.0
Honestly brings my rating of the first book in the series down, because this installment was well thought out and written much better. I remember as a kid how hard it was to grasp what Paulsen was trying to convey in the first book with how repetitive and jerky his style was, so I never read any of the other books in the series. Reading this was a much better experience, even now as an adult I can appreciate it for what it is and can honestly say I'm interested in continuing Brian's journey.
My one negative is again in the ending. I don't know if Paulsen just struggles with endings as a whole, but as this is the third ending in a row where it's a rushed and disjointed affair with no real solid conclusion for the reader (even younger readers) to be satiated with, I'm going to assume that's the case. Or it is just that I as a reader do not care in the slightest for summation conclusions. Epilogues shouldn't be synonymous with summaries in my eyes, even for grade books.
Definitely recommend, and definitely for kiddos to get an idea of what survival is like, the hard gruesome bits and all.
My one negative is again in the ending. I don't know if Paulsen just struggles with endings as a whole, but as this is the third ending in a row where it's a rushed and disjointed affair with no real solid conclusion for the reader (even younger readers) to be satiated with, I'm going to assume that's the case. Or it is just that I as a reader do not care in the slightest for summation conclusions. Epilogues shouldn't be synonymous with summaries in my eyes, even for grade books.
Definitely recommend, and definitely for kiddos to get an idea of what survival is like, the hard gruesome bits and all.
howatdk's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? No
4.25
stacyrenee's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Middle Grade
Realistic fiction
Nature / survival
What if Brian had not been rescued and had to survive through Winter?
We find out in this alternate ‘ending’!
Realistic fiction
Nature / survival
What if Brian had not been rescued and had to survive through Winter?
We find out in this alternate ‘ending’!
bhall237's review
3.0
“A good--no, he thought, his brain closing down, a great
day. A meat day. A moose day. He would sketch it on the
shelter wall tomorrow”
More of a “what if?” scenario to The Hatchet than a continuation from The River, Brian’s Winter is an interesting look at what if Brian didn’t make it out during fall and had to survive through the winter. I thought the concept to be more interesting than the actual execution of events that took place. While it was still good, it was basically just Hatchet again, but obviously during the winter. It was still really well written and had very intense scenes, as well as wildlife that the reader became attached to, but I didn’t find this nearly as intriguing as The River. I find it odd that the middle book in the series is a alternate universe than a direct sequel, something I can’t say I’ve seen a series do before. Overall, I thought it was pretty good, but nowhere near as good as other books in the series. Still excited to read the last two and see how Brian’s journey concludes.
day. A meat day. A moose day. He would sketch it on the
shelter wall tomorrow”
More of a “what if?” scenario to The Hatchet than a continuation from The River, Brian’s Winter is an interesting look at what if Brian didn’t make it out during fall and had to survive through the winter. I thought the concept to be more interesting than the actual execution of events that took place. While it was still good, it was basically just Hatchet again, but obviously during the winter. It was still really well written and had very intense scenes, as well as wildlife that the reader became attached to, but I didn’t find this nearly as intriguing as The River. I find it odd that the middle book in the series is a alternate universe than a direct sequel, something I can’t say I’ve seen a series do before. Overall, I thought it was pretty good, but nowhere near as good as other books in the series. Still excited to read the last two and see how Brian’s journey concludes.