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jacki_f's review
3.0
Reading this reminded me of my experience loving [b:Dear Mrs. Bird|36373413|Dear Mrs. Bird (The Emmy Lake Chronicles #1)|A.J. Pearce|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515690904l/36373413._SY75_.jpg|81085892] and then only feeling lukewarm about [b:Yours Cheerfully|55710565|Yours Cheerfully (The Emmy Lake Chronicles, #2)|A.J. Pearce|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1626296565l/55710565._SY75_.jpg|86883131]. I was charmed by [b:Away with the Penguins|52128084|Away with the Penguins|Hazel Prior|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1583442783l/52128084._SY75_.jpg|72920249] and was looking forward to reading the sequel but it didn't have the same magic. Be aware that this is very much a sequel and wouldn't work as a standalone read. The characters are as endearing as ever but the plot is not terribly satisfying.
c_rewie6's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
jo_bookworm's review
5.0
We are now a year on from meeting Veronica McCreedy, now at 87 there cannot be possibly anywhere else she can go in the world. But then if David Attenborough can do it, so can Veronica.
And when inspired by the delightful Daisy, who at nine has no fear and can only see the good in everything despite the problems she currently faces, Veronica and Daisy this time find themselves miles away from home and looking at penguins yet again.
So whilst we are taken to the Southern hemisphere and the penguins there with Daisy and Veronica and the promise of a television nature programme being filmed. We are also taken back to Locket Island, to the place Veronica first visited where she left behind her grandson Patrick and Pip the beautiful Adelie penguin that started this adventure off.
Life is not being easy for any of them, isolated in different parts of the world and with differing troubles Hazel Prior takes us on quite an emotional journey as there are reunions, discoveries and death. Amongst it all we get to meet Petra the Rockhopper and Tony the Macaroni who bring as much joy to the page as Pip did previously and all the characters do.
I thought the first book was original but it has been surpassed by this one and if I recommend anything, I would say read them both one after the other, for the sheer joy it will bring you and the uniqueness of Hazel Prior’s writing.
And when inspired by the delightful Daisy, who at nine has no fear and can only see the good in everything despite the problems she currently faces, Veronica and Daisy this time find themselves miles away from home and looking at penguins yet again.
So whilst we are taken to the Southern hemisphere and the penguins there with Daisy and Veronica and the promise of a television nature programme being filmed. We are also taken back to Locket Island, to the place Veronica first visited where she left behind her grandson Patrick and Pip the beautiful Adelie penguin that started this adventure off.
Life is not being easy for any of them, isolated in different parts of the world and with differing troubles Hazel Prior takes us on quite an emotional journey as there are reunions, discoveries and death. Amongst it all we get to meet Petra the Rockhopper and Tony the Macaroni who bring as much joy to the page as Pip did previously and all the characters do.
I thought the first book was original but it has been surpassed by this one and if I recommend anything, I would say read them both one after the other, for the sheer joy it will bring you and the uniqueness of Hazel Prior’s writing.
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up - Another adventure featuring Veronica McCreedy and her penguin friends. This story was a roller coaster of emotions. Everyone is back including Veronica's grandson Patrick and his girlfriend Terry. While Veronica goes on a new voyage to help film a documentary about another group of penguins with a Richard Attenborough type figure, Patrick travels to Canada hoping to learn more about his birth parents. Meanwhile Terry is left in Antarctica with the penguins going through her own emotional journey. Recommended for fans of The man called Ove and anyone who enjoys stories with great mental health rep, environmental consciousness and family secrets. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy.
CW: death of parents, pregnancy loss, mental health, childhood cancer
CW: death of parents, pregnancy loss, mental health, childhood cancer
bpgentry's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jengreguga's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
kate66's review
1.0
I was going to give up a third of the way through this but unfortunately I'm incapable of following good advice.
Where to start with this ... I'm not sure what it is except maybe a hastily flung together book pushed on by the success of the first one. Someone should have left it where it was.
I can't quite decide whether this is supposed to be a cutesy story or a diatribe on the state of the environment or a thinly disguised "how to" book.
The cutesy story is so obvious as to be dull. The diatribe on plastic pollution comes across as about 20 years too late and as for the "how to"? I was told how to turn on a computer, read and send an email, retrieve documents ... the list went on. I think I was even taught how to make a cup of tea at one stage but that might have been my fevered brain making things up.
A few real niggles drove me to eye rolling - firstly the constant use of "my dear" in front of virtually all Veronica's interminable sentences; next I was confused as to why a so-called nature lover had never heard of a bird called a booby and (certainly not last) but how would anyone struggle to make sense a boy being called Noah. Its in the bible for crying out loud.
The rest of the book seemed to be filled with whining - Patrick whined all the way through, Terry whined for half the time, Veronica lost her temper and whined, Mike seethe and whined. Enough!
Unfortunately all this was made worse by the awful narration. Worst book of the year!
Where to start with this ... I'm not sure what it is except maybe a hastily flung together book pushed on by the success of the first one. Someone should have left it where it was.
I can't quite decide whether this is supposed to be a cutesy story or a diatribe on the state of the environment or a thinly disguised "how to" book.
The cutesy story is so obvious as to be dull. The diatribe on plastic pollution comes across as about 20 years too late and as for the "how to"? I was told how to turn on a computer, read and send an email, retrieve documents ... the list went on. I think I was even taught how to make a cup of tea at one stage but that might have been my fevered brain making things up.
A few real niggles drove me to eye rolling - firstly the constant use of "my dear" in front of virtually all Veronica's interminable sentences; next I was confused as to why a so-called nature lover had never heard of a bird called a booby and (certainly not last) but how would anyone struggle to make sense a boy being called Noah. Its in the bible for crying out loud.
The rest of the book seemed to be filled with whining - Patrick whined all the way through, Terry whined for half the time, Veronica lost her temper and whined, Mike seethe and whined. Enough!
Unfortunately all this was made worse by the awful narration. Worst book of the year!
agirlandabook85's review
4.0
Veronica McGreedy is back! I fell in love with this feisty, stubborn, proud and passionated 87 year old lady with a generous heart earlier in the year when I read Away with the Penguins.
This time her love of penguins takes her on a new adventure to co-present a wildlife documentary with Sir Robert Saddlebow, surrounded with familiar characters; Patrick, Daisy, Terry, Eileen and not to forget her beloved penguin Pip.
This was the perfect heart warming and cosy book to pick up on these dark evenings after a hectic day working and fulfilling mum duties that allowed me to sink into the story without requiring a a huge amount of brain power. As you can see by my picture I read a good portion of this book in the bath and it was glorious.
That is not to say this is a superficial book lacking in depth, far from it. Alongside the cuteness of penguins it address the heavier topic of grief in a number of different guises; each character has their own personal journey through this story which provided a fascinating study of the types and different responses to loss.
Prior’s love of penguins is evident and the central theme of this book is her plea to protect these beautiful creatures and the wider environment. Threaded within the fictional story are strong messages and worrying true statements about the current and future state of our planet
This time her love of penguins takes her on a new adventure to co-present a wildlife documentary with Sir Robert Saddlebow, surrounded with familiar characters; Patrick, Daisy, Terry, Eileen and not to forget her beloved penguin Pip.
This was the perfect heart warming and cosy book to pick up on these dark evenings after a hectic day working and fulfilling mum duties that allowed me to sink into the story without requiring a a huge amount of brain power. As you can see by my picture I read a good portion of this book in the bath and it was glorious.
That is not to say this is a superficial book lacking in depth, far from it. Alongside the cuteness of penguins it address the heavier topic of grief in a number of different guises; each character has their own personal journey through this story which provided a fascinating study of the types and different responses to loss.
Prior’s love of penguins is evident and the central theme of this book is her plea to protect these beautiful creatures and the wider environment. Threaded within the fictional story are strong messages and worrying true statements about the current and future state of our planet