Reviews

Where the River Takes Me: The Hudson's Bay Company Diary of Jenna Sinclair by Julie Lawson

nikkiaudralynn's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

the_ghost_penguin_reader's review

adventurous informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

tjlcody's review

5.0

Here's the thing: I went into this book not knowing what the Hudson Bay Company was, and honestly, if you asked me what it was now, I'm not sure I'd be able to give you a comprehensive answer- and usually I'd mark a Dear Canada/Dear America book down for that, since I expect some relatively intimate detail about whatever topic they're covering.

But honestly, Jenna made up for it.

Jenna's voice was amazing. Her character and development was amazing. She was funny and animated and so very real. This diary is written precisely the way I would think a bright, energetic young girl would write it. Jenna is one of the most believable and distinct characters I have ever read in the Dear America/Canada series.

As a result, while I still don't know a great deal (comprehensively) about the Hudson Bay Company, I do feel like I got a great look at the life a young girl would live if she/her family were stationed at these forts. The education, her surroundings, her life- it all felt like a really good snapshot of what a real girl might experience in that time-period.

I liked this book, and I loved Jenna.

readingcat1228's review

4.0

This book was a good book and I enjoyed reading it cover to cover. I look forward to reading more Dear Canada books!

purple_rose_kat93's review

adventurous hopeful informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

whats_margaret_reading's review

3.0

It's pretty standard Dear Canada fare. So not bad, but not really a standout in the series.

soulwinds's review

informative lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Violence

vita_s_west's review

4.0

Jenna Sinclair dreams to write an adventure novel one day, so when her Aunt announces they are moving to another fort far away from childhood home, she is very excited. However, when the journey ends she becomes restless once more. When she hears about a school in another fort she begs to be allowed to go. Despite her Aunt's warnings she travels to the fort with a small brigade and begins school. Her Aunt is right and Jenna does hate it. She gets restless and goes adventuring around the wild landscape. Sometimes finding a bit more then she bargained for.
The book was excellent and quite exciting. Jenna's wanderlust kept the book going and kept it from being dull. She, like the other people mentioned in her journal, was a very good character. It was also very educational. I learned a lot about Canada and the Hudson's Bay company at the time.
It's a great book for young people who like historical fictions.

seappho's review

3.0

I can't even say this is a 'coronavirus nostalgia read for a sense of security and normality' because this has been on my currently-reading shelf for almost two years and I finally sat down and re-read the first half and finished off the whole thing over two afternoons. please kill me