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phoebenxx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Bullying
yvo_about_books's review
4.5
Finished reading: March 30th 2023
"Nobody makes good choices all the time. Sometimes it's impossible to see people for who they truly are."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Penguin in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I've been meaning to read more of Hazel Prior's books ever since I read How The Penguins Saved Veronica two years ago. I was initially aiming for the second penguins book, but as soon as I saw Life And Otter Miracles I couldn't resist adding it to my shelves and read it instead. Otters are such adorable creatures and I do love a pun title; I've been looking forward to pick up this story ever since it appeared on my kindle. And I'm happy to announce that I ended up having an excellent time reading it!
I also love a good countryside setting, and the descriptions of the Devon area and the town Al and Phoebe moved to are thorough and vivid. The otter sanctuary is another bonus of course, but I enjoyed spending time in Devon in general. The community vibe of the town was lovely to read about, and I enjoyed watching Al and Phoebe carve a place for themselves along the locals. Life And Otter Miracles has an intriguing and eclectic cast of (side) characters, and you will enjoy getting to know them better.
There is a glorious dose of otter cuteness involved, and who doesn't love (baby) otters?! It's great to see that they aren't just props, but they have their own personalities and roles to play in the plot... The bond between Coco and Phoebe was wonderful to read about, but the otter sanctuary and its inhabitants play a big role in general. A little trigger warning is in place for animal cruelty though; things get pretty intense at times.
This story isn't just about the otters though, because it also focuses on other elements. Phoebe has been dealing with chronic pain for the last three years, and I thought that her situation was described very well. Chronic illness and chronic pain can be hard to understand for outsiders and especially when the symptoms aren't clearly visible, and the story did a great job portraying the different struggles Phoebe and her father have to face. Life And Otter Miracles is also about loss, second chances and forging new friendships... And we have the mystery around what is happening at the sanctuary. I personally loved the Sherlock Holmes inspired investigation Phoebe conducts throughout the story!
All in all Life And Otter Miracles turned out to be a very successful contemporary that mixes lighter moments with heavier topics, all sprinkled with a dose of romance and mystery to spice things up. If you like well written contemporaries with a great cast of characters and lots of ups and downs, this story is an excellent choice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Ableism
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