Reviews

Call of the Penguins by Hazel Prior

blove0312's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

What a beautiful story Hazel Prior has given us. A story about forgiveness, letting people in, realizing one can never know what another has gone through or is going through unless they share their story; a story about apologizing and growing and doing better. A story about what we humans are doing to our world, and just a few of the terrible repercussions. 

Overall both books are very “feel good” stories, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there is no emotional turmoil throughout. And don’t ever think you can’t sob over a couple fictional penguins. 

These are the kind of books you can recommend without worrying about genres. I’m very glad I’ve read them, and will read her others. 

orobertson22's review

emotional hopeful 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

5.0

mollyhyland's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

katykelly's review

5.0

Second emotional adventure with the spirited octogenarian penguin lover.

Definitely needs to be read after Veronica's first, and I expect many will, like me, have read Away with the Penguins and instantly wanted to continue with Veronica, Patrick and the loveable penguins of Locket Island.

This follows nicely on, with all the characters back for us to continue with them as life, as is its way, progresses in bumps, flats and outright unseen cliffs.

A year and a half after her icy penguin escapades, 87-year-old Veronica is invited to be part of a filming crew with a famous natural historian, narrating a penguin documentary. Exciting enough, this comes at the same time as grandson Patrick and his girlfriend Terry, both stationed down on Locket Island still, hit a rocky patch and he reels away from his responsibilities. Now might be just the right time for them both to send Patrick to Canada to investigate the father/son they never knew but both want to.

Comedic drama/romance/family story, a fair few quite dark issues come up through this seemingly light novel. Revelations and unravellings, very sad moments and social commentary each take their moment in the narrative, it's a wonderful sequel in which we get to luxuriate with the marvellous Veronica and her handbags, yet more penguins, and see a little character behind the other creations in this series.

Thoroughly lives up to the first, and I'd love to see this (well cast!!!) on television.

sarahthereadingaddict's review

5.0

I love Penguins so reading about this expedition was right up my street.

It reminded me of watching Blue planet and now the new Green planet narrated bt David Attenborough. Similar in its themes of how animals behave in their own habitat and the struggles they face with the lack of thought us as humans have with things like plastic and waste.

This book is absolutely cram packed with facts and information and has the added loveliness of some fiction too.

This is a book I will recommend to everyone I know. I've loved it.

paperbacksandpaws's review

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5/5 🌟 
.......................
" ‘Penguins,’ I remind her, ‘are not only a source of endless entertainment; they are an example to us all.’ "
.......................

Veronica McCreedy, an 80-something cantankerous, determined, adventurous, with woman is back in this sequel to "How the Penguins Saved Veronica").  I loved how it continues on with the long lost grandson and his love life, as well as Veronica's time with wonderful little girl with cancer and taking her on the trip of a lifetime to see penguins. Veronica reminds us that is never to late to have another adventure! 

It's a story about family, love, finding yourself, climate change and how littering is determental to animals, and of course it's about penguins! I loved this heart-warming, fun, joyous continuation of the first book. I highly recommend both! 

lisamshardlow's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This was just as good as the first one. I absolutely loved Veronica! And, of course, Daisy and the penguins too. It was a lovely read from start to finish, and I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout. It was very uplifting and sometimes a little bit emotional. I even shed a little tear at the end. Highly recommend!

jules86's review

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

ncteixeira's review

3.0

Way too Hallmark for me,

milomo's review

lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.5