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Recommend this book:
Swan Song
Lynn Santer
2023 Finalist
308 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Swan Song is a young adult adventure novel featuring animals as central characters by award-winning film producer and bestselling author Lynn Santer. Inspired by the swans and other animals living on Santer's subtropical property on Australia's Gold Coast, the book follows the animals on the fictional Hen Swamp Island, where Queen Swan Serena and her beloved King Hugh reside. Serena and Hugh rule over a peaceful kingdom, but trouble arises when their daughter, Isis, moved by revenge, brings back the tyrant Hannibal as her mate to challenge Hugh. After a draining battle, Hugh loses his life and kingdom to Hannibal, whose atrocities force Serena and her newborn Prince to flee and the other animals to rise in revolt. Will the white duck Lord Quacksalot find Serena and the Prince in time? Can Isis find her redemption?
Some real-world parallels in Lynn Santer's story shed light on the issue of immigrants and the problems they face while acclimating to their new environments. Swan Song, at its heart, is a coming-of-age story about two sibling heirs to the Swan kingdom who choose two very different paths to react to life's challenges. Lynn Santer draws inspiration from watching the swans on her own property to weave a fascinating tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. There are some delightful shoutouts to movies and other pop culture references sprinkled throughout the book, which adds another fun engagement factor to the narrative. Animal lovers will find the book particularly heartwarming as Santer captures animal behavior and social interactions flawlessly on the page. Highly recommended.
Swan Song is a young adult adventure novel featuring animals as central characters by award-winning film producer and bestselling author Lynn Santer. Inspired by the swans and other animals living on Santer's subtropical property on Australia's Gold Coast, the book follows the animals on the fictional Hen Swamp Island, where Queen Swan Serena and her beloved King Hugh reside. Serena and Hugh rule over a peaceful kingdom, but trouble arises when their daughter, Isis, moved by revenge, brings back the tyrant Hannibal as her mate to challenge Hugh. After a draining battle, Hugh loses his life and kingdom to Hannibal, whose atrocities force Serena and her newborn Prince to flee and the other animals to rise in revolt. Will the white duck Lord Quacksalot find Serena and the Prince in time? Can Isis find her redemption?
Some real-world parallels in Lynn Santer's story shed light on the issue of immigrants and the problems they face while acclimating to their new environments. Swan Song, at its heart, is a coming-of-age story about two sibling heirs to the Swan kingdom who choose two very different paths to react to life's challenges. Lynn Santer draws inspiration from watching the swans on her own property to weave a fascinating tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. There are some delightful shoutouts to movies and other pop culture references sprinkled throughout the book, which adds another fun engagement factor to the narrative. Animal lovers will find the book particularly heartwarming as Santer captures animal behavior and social interactions flawlessly on the page. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Saving Snow Dragon
A Horse’s Perilous Journey of Survival Against Man and Nature
Ann Feifel
2023 Honorable Mention
335 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
Saving Snow Dragon: A Horse’s Perilous Journey of Survival Against Man and Nature by Ann Feifel is a story that will stir the emotions of any animal lover. A prized white horse gallops to freedom in the inhospitable mountains of Wyoming. Freedom comes at a price as Snow Dragon faces danger. She will not face it alone because she joins forces with a black stallion Ace, who protects his band of wild horses. While they fight for their freedom against people who want to take it away from them, they will also meet new friends along the way. Liesel Annamarie Fletcher doesn't take no for an answer, especially when it comes to the horses that she fancies. Together with Devon Marshall, they are two of the biggest threats that Snow Dragon and Ace are going to face.
Saving Snow Dragon is bold and is not afraid to adopt the old-school dramatic sentiment epitomized by Black Beauty and Bambi. Both human and animal characters are well-defined and display their emotions and motives strongly. Ann Feifel delivers powerful messages, which are compassion and our sense of accountability to our animal friends. This idea is embodied in the way Feifel explores both animal and human points of view. There is brutal realism in the way the plot illustrates the attitude of some toward horses as a form of property that must be treated as such. Yet it similarly highlights those who respect horses and treat them as equals. These ideals are insightful and strengthen the storyline. It's an emotionally moving story that will make you breathless with anticipation for the next volume.
Saving Snow Dragon: A Horse’s Perilous Journey of Survival Against Man and Nature by Ann Feifel is a story that will stir the emotions of any animal lover. A prized white horse gallops to freedom in the inhospitable mountains of Wyoming. Freedom comes at a price as Snow Dragon faces danger. She will not face it alone because she joins forces with a black stallion Ace, who protects his band of wild horses. While they fight for their freedom against people who want to take it away from them, they will also meet new friends along the way. Liesel Annamarie Fletcher doesn't take no for an answer, especially when it comes to the horses that she fancies. Together with Devon Marshall, they are two of the biggest threats that Snow Dragon and Ace are going to face.
Saving Snow Dragon is bold and is not afraid to adopt the old-school dramatic sentiment epitomized by Black Beauty and Bambi. Both human and animal characters are well-defined and display their emotions and motives strongly. Ann Feifel delivers powerful messages, which are compassion and our sense of accountability to our animal friends. This idea is embodied in the way Feifel explores both animal and human points of view. There is brutal realism in the way the plot illustrates the attitude of some toward horses as a form of property that must be treated as such. Yet it similarly highlights those who respect horses and treat them as equals. These ideals are insightful and strengthen the storyline. It's an emotionally moving story that will make you breathless with anticipation for the next volume.
Recommend this book:
The Dog in the Hollow
Will Lowrey
2023 Bronze Medal
198 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Living in the rough at the end of a chain, with meager portions of food once a day, isn’t much of a life for a dog. To be taken into a ring to fight to the death isn’t much better. So, when wounded and abandoned by the dog-fighting hustler, Goose realizes his chain is unlocked and he has his ticket to freedom. His dog mates urge him to escape and a friendly coyote helps him limp to safety. Deeper in the woods, Goose finds Clarence living alone in a rustic cabin, hiding from the world. Injured and with no fight left, Goose gives in to Clarence’s tender care and the two develop a deep bond. When Goose leads Clarence back to the dog fighting enclave, a shocked Clarence realizes he has to return to town to seek help, only help isn’t always easy to find when the powers that be are only too glad to see him return to the woods.
Will Lowrey’s novel, The Dog in the Hollow, is a raw look at a sad side of reality: dog fighting. It’s illegal and downright barbaric, but people continue to raise dogs to fight and support this malicious sport. Told in third person narrative, mostly from Goose’s point of view, the plot follows the injured dog to freedom and a good life with someone he really can trust and love. Readers' eyes will be filled with tears as they follow Goose's trail, and they’ll enjoy some of the tender sweet moments shared between Goose and his new friend, Clarence. Dialogue is used sparingly as the story unfolds in narrative form until the plot reveals Clarence’s sad story. Like the many classic animal stories, such as Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, Margaret Marshall Saunders’ Beautiful Joe, and many others, this story will definitely find its place in the hearts of those that enjoy them.
Living in the rough at the end of a chain, with meager portions of food once a day, isn’t much of a life for a dog. To be taken into a ring to fight to the death isn’t much better. So, when wounded and abandoned by the dog-fighting hustler, Goose realizes his chain is unlocked and he has his ticket to freedom. His dog mates urge him to escape and a friendly coyote helps him limp to safety. Deeper in the woods, Goose finds Clarence living alone in a rustic cabin, hiding from the world. Injured and with no fight left, Goose gives in to Clarence’s tender care and the two develop a deep bond. When Goose leads Clarence back to the dog fighting enclave, a shocked Clarence realizes he has to return to town to seek help, only help isn’t always easy to find when the powers that be are only too glad to see him return to the woods.
Will Lowrey’s novel, The Dog in the Hollow, is a raw look at a sad side of reality: dog fighting. It’s illegal and downright barbaric, but people continue to raise dogs to fight and support this malicious sport. Told in third person narrative, mostly from Goose’s point of view, the plot follows the injured dog to freedom and a good life with someone he really can trust and love. Readers' eyes will be filled with tears as they follow Goose's trail, and they’ll enjoy some of the tender sweet moments shared between Goose and his new friend, Clarence. Dialogue is used sparingly as the story unfolds in narrative form until the plot reveals Clarence’s sad story. Like the many classic animal stories, such as Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, Margaret Marshall Saunders’ Beautiful Joe, and many others, this story will definitely find its place in the hearts of those that enjoy them.
Recommend this book:
The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy
Based On the Life of the Famous Arabian Horse Witez II
M.J. Evans
2023 Silver Medal
274 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite
The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy: Based On the Life of the Famous Arabian Horse Witez II is a work of historical fiction by M.J. Evans set in the period 1943 - 1965. Teodor is a non-communicative autistic boy living in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, where the finest captured horses from all over Europe are sent to a Nazi breeding farm. Teodor meets Witez, the two bond immediately, and he becomes a worker at the farm where he trains as Witez’s groom. Later, as the war ends and the horses come under the threat of being slaughtered for food by the advancing Russian Army, some German officers ask the United States Army to rescue the animals and take them out of Czechoslovakia. Soon, Teodor accompanies Witez to America on the adventure of a lifetime.
In The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy, M.J. Evans gives us an entertaining and informative account of the Polish horse who became a premier stallion in the pedigree of the Arabian breed in the United States. Told in part through the fictional character of Teodor and sensitive to his therapeutic and devoted bond with Witez over the years, it blends the suspense of a World War II military rescue operation with the subsequent challenges of resettlement in a new land with new owners. The narrative is engaging and moves at a good pace. The choice of an autistic protagonist adds a special dimension, and Teodor is both relatable and believable. Suitable for young adult and adult readers, this story is sure to please anyone who enjoys good historical fiction.
The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy: Based On the Life of the Famous Arabian Horse Witez II is a work of historical fiction by M.J. Evans set in the period 1943 - 1965. Teodor is a non-communicative autistic boy living in Hostau, Czechoslovakia, where the finest captured horses from all over Europe are sent to a Nazi breeding farm. Teodor meets Witez, the two bond immediately, and he becomes a worker at the farm where he trains as Witez’s groom. Later, as the war ends and the horses come under the threat of being slaughtered for food by the advancing Russian Army, some German officers ask the United States Army to rescue the animals and take them out of Czechoslovakia. Soon, Teodor accompanies Witez to America on the adventure of a lifetime.
In The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy, M.J. Evans gives us an entertaining and informative account of the Polish horse who became a premier stallion in the pedigree of the Arabian breed in the United States. Told in part through the fictional character of Teodor and sensitive to his therapeutic and devoted bond with Witez over the years, it blends the suspense of a World War II military rescue operation with the subsequent challenges of resettlement in a new land with new owners. The narrative is engaging and moves at a good pace. The choice of an autistic protagonist adds a special dimension, and Teodor is both relatable and believable. Suitable for young adult and adult readers, this story is sure to please anyone who enjoys good historical fiction.
Recommend this book:
Dogged Pursuit
Tracy Carter
2023 Gold Medal
326 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Dogged Pursuit by Tracy Carter introduces Veronica, who is no stranger to danger. She’s been shot before, but that doesn’t stop her from stepping in when needed, like the episode in a back alley where some boys were beating up a stray dog and Veronica and her trusty dog Leda charged to the rescue. That’s when they meet Michael, another young man, but with a kind, hardworking streak, and one who loves and cares for dogs. That’s enough for Veronica to offer him a job and a home. Immersed in caring for and training dogs, Veronica is slowly healing from a past brutal experience, but when a leading scientist goes missing, one whose testimony is paramount in a high-profile murder trial, it takes all her strength, and that of her trusty canine companion Leda to find the missing doctor. Veronica may have been a victim once, but never again. Not with Leda by her side.
Tracy Carter’s debut novel Dogged Pursuit is a canine mystery that will engross dog lovers and mystery readers to the very end. With a spectacular setting in the Colorado mountains, the author has set a compelling stage for the characters, both human and canine. The plot follows Veronica and Leda on their paths to find people, sniff out drugs, and rescue abused stray dogs. Each little story within the developing plot will have readers cheering for this engaging duo. The characters, both human and canine, are well-developed, the dog training facts are well-researched and shared in an interesting and informative format, and the descriptive narrative makes the scenes awe-inspiring. A great read.
Dogged Pursuit by Tracy Carter introduces Veronica, who is no stranger to danger. She’s been shot before, but that doesn’t stop her from stepping in when needed, like the episode in a back alley where some boys were beating up a stray dog and Veronica and her trusty dog Leda charged to the rescue. That’s when they meet Michael, another young man, but with a kind, hardworking streak, and one who loves and cares for dogs. That’s enough for Veronica to offer him a job and a home. Immersed in caring for and training dogs, Veronica is slowly healing from a past brutal experience, but when a leading scientist goes missing, one whose testimony is paramount in a high-profile murder trial, it takes all her strength, and that of her trusty canine companion Leda to find the missing doctor. Veronica may have been a victim once, but never again. Not with Leda by her side.
Tracy Carter’s debut novel Dogged Pursuit is a canine mystery that will engross dog lovers and mystery readers to the very end. With a spectacular setting in the Colorado mountains, the author has set a compelling stage for the characters, both human and canine. The plot follows Veronica and Leda on their paths to find people, sniff out drugs, and rescue abused stray dogs. Each little story within the developing plot will have readers cheering for this engaging duo. The characters, both human and canine, are well-developed, the dog training facts are well-researched and shared in an interesting and informative format, and the descriptive narrative makes the scenes awe-inspiring. A great read.
Recommend this book:
Killer Killer
Frank May
2022 Finalist
258 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Killer Killer is a work of fiction in the suspense, mystery, and action subgenres and was penned by author Frank May. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience and contains references to death under suspicious circumstances and moderate threat. Our protagonist is Lee Ingram, Head of Cetacean Behaviour at a specialist facility for retired whales and dolphins from zoos and aquariums, who finds himself in a quandary when his suspicions are raised by the death of a diver at the facility. What results is a highly engrossing animal-centered cautionary tale that is sure to keep readers turning the pages from cover to cover.
Author Frank May has crafted a creative and hyper-realistic work of fiction with plenty of food for thought, action, and intriguing moments to offer readers. The novel has a technical feel to it overall, which reminded me of the style of writers like Michael Crichton, and the attention to the array of characters, their expertise, and motivations was second to none. This made for an interesting psychological drama alongside the mystery of the plot itself. The subject matter also really served to highlight important environmental issues in animal care and the current issues surrounding marine life, both in captivity and in the wild in general. I also really enjoyed the profiles of the different animals at the end of the work, which made it feel even more informative and grounded in reality. Overall, I would highly recommend Killer Killer to fans of well-founded realistic stories, mature characters who are well portrayed, and for fans of slow-burning mysteries everywhere.
Killer Killer is a work of fiction in the suspense, mystery, and action subgenres and was penned by author Frank May. The work is intended for the general adult reading audience and contains references to death under suspicious circumstances and moderate threat. Our protagonist is Lee Ingram, Head of Cetacean Behaviour at a specialist facility for retired whales and dolphins from zoos and aquariums, who finds himself in a quandary when his suspicions are raised by the death of a diver at the facility. What results is a highly engrossing animal-centered cautionary tale that is sure to keep readers turning the pages from cover to cover.
Author Frank May has crafted a creative and hyper-realistic work of fiction with plenty of food for thought, action, and intriguing moments to offer readers. The novel has a technical feel to it overall, which reminded me of the style of writers like Michael Crichton, and the attention to the array of characters, their expertise, and motivations was second to none. This made for an interesting psychological drama alongside the mystery of the plot itself. The subject matter also really served to highlight important environmental issues in animal care and the current issues surrounding marine life, both in captivity and in the wild in general. I also really enjoyed the profiles of the different animals at the end of the work, which made it feel even more informative and grounded in reality. Overall, I would highly recommend Killer Killer to fans of well-founded realistic stories, mature characters who are well portrayed, and for fans of slow-burning mysteries everywhere.
Recommend this book:
My Brother Javi
A Dog's Tale
Tracy Stopler
2022 Honorable Mention
240 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
In My Brother Javi: A Dog's Tale by Tracy Stopler, a mom spoke with care and love to her baby Javi: “We’re not the same, but we’re equal. It’s our differences rather than our similarities that make us special.” Javi’s mother was very wise. As a Shih Tzu, Javi knows more about the importance of friendship and accepting change than anyone else, human or dog, and he shares his love with both his human and dog family. Javi knows life can be confusing, as his sister died shortly after birth and his brother was never born. His mother is full of love and wisdom and she convinces Javi that he has some unique superpowers and that he’ll become a superhero to the family that takes him home forever. That family, as it turns out, includes Binah, his adopted baby sister. What more could a dog want than a happy, loving home and lots of friends, both dogs and humans?
Tracy Stopler’s book, My Brother Javi: A Dog’s Tale, is a heartwarming account of a very special dog and an entire community of dogs. Javi is the main character and most of the story is told in the first person narrative from Javi’s point of view because it was written down in his diary. His best friend and adopted sister Binah finds the diary and shares the story, interspersed with some of her memories. The plot follows Javi’s life until sadly, Javi dons his hero cape and goes to the great doggy heaven beyond. The story doesn’t end when Javi passes away as it lives on through his friends and in his diary. The author has woven a compassionate story told with care and love about one very brave furry friend. Life is full of ups and downs, but the loving heart of a dog will carry us all through the best and the worst times. Just like Javi and Binah. A beautiful story. Loved it!
In My Brother Javi: A Dog's Tale by Tracy Stopler, a mom spoke with care and love to her baby Javi: “We’re not the same, but we’re equal. It’s our differences rather than our similarities that make us special.” Javi’s mother was very wise. As a Shih Tzu, Javi knows more about the importance of friendship and accepting change than anyone else, human or dog, and he shares his love with both his human and dog family. Javi knows life can be confusing, as his sister died shortly after birth and his brother was never born. His mother is full of love and wisdom and she convinces Javi that he has some unique superpowers and that he’ll become a superhero to the family that takes him home forever. That family, as it turns out, includes Binah, his adopted baby sister. What more could a dog want than a happy, loving home and lots of friends, both dogs and humans?
Tracy Stopler’s book, My Brother Javi: A Dog’s Tale, is a heartwarming account of a very special dog and an entire community of dogs. Javi is the main character and most of the story is told in the first person narrative from Javi’s point of view because it was written down in his diary. His best friend and adopted sister Binah finds the diary and shares the story, interspersed with some of her memories. The plot follows Javi’s life until sadly, Javi dons his hero cape and goes to the great doggy heaven beyond. The story doesn’t end when Javi passes away as it lives on through his friends and in his diary. The author has woven a compassionate story told with care and love about one very brave furry friend. Life is full of ups and downs, but the loving heart of a dog will carry us all through the best and the worst times. Just like Javi and Binah. A beautiful story. Loved it!
Recommend this book:
Cats in the City of Plague
A.L. Marlow
2022 Bronze Medal
138 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
Meet Leander, a cat who lives in a small town in northern France in the fateful year of 1349. When the plague - later called the Black Death - breaks out, he and the other cats find themselves in a difficult situation. Suspected of being in league with the Devil and considered the cause of the spread of the epidemic, the cats risk being killed by suspicious inhabitants. Leander and the others temporarily hide in the cathedral's crypt, but to be really safe, they must leave the city at night to take refuge in the forest (where it is said they lived long ago). Will they succeed? Find out by reading Cats in the City of Plague by A. L. Marlow.
Maybe it goes without saying that I started reading Cats in the City of Plague because I love cats, but what I found was beyond my expectations. The story of Leander and his companions is one of the most original I have read about our furry friends. Readers will take the cats' fate to heart (I am sure everyone will hope they reach the forest unharmed), but they will also learn how humans treated these creatures in the past and what beliefs were associated with them. I loved this book so much because A. L. Marlow entertains readers with a great story while shedding light on what could happen to cats during a plague. I recommend Cats in the City of Plague to all cat lovers who want to go back in time with their favorite pets.
Meet Leander, a cat who lives in a small town in northern France in the fateful year of 1349. When the plague - later called the Black Death - breaks out, he and the other cats find themselves in a difficult situation. Suspected of being in league with the Devil and considered the cause of the spread of the epidemic, the cats risk being killed by suspicious inhabitants. Leander and the others temporarily hide in the cathedral's crypt, but to be really safe, they must leave the city at night to take refuge in the forest (where it is said they lived long ago). Will they succeed? Find out by reading Cats in the City of Plague by A. L. Marlow.
Maybe it goes without saying that I started reading Cats in the City of Plague because I love cats, but what I found was beyond my expectations. The story of Leander and his companions is one of the most original I have read about our furry friends. Readers will take the cats' fate to heart (I am sure everyone will hope they reach the forest unharmed), but they will also learn how humans treated these creatures in the past and what beliefs were associated with them. I loved this book so much because A. L. Marlow entertains readers with a great story while shedding light on what could happen to cats during a plague. I recommend Cats in the City of Plague to all cat lovers who want to go back in time with their favorite pets.
Recommend this book:
Terriers in the Jungle
A Novel
Georja Umano
2022 Silver Medal
206 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Terriers in the Jungle by Georja Umano is an animal adventure story narrated through the eyes of two terriers. Roxie and Romeo are two spirited terriers living fulfilling lives after being adopted by Kate, a passionate animal activist. A couple of years back, Kate's husband Gerard, a wildlife photographer, lost his life in an unfortunate plane crash in Congo. Since then, Roxie and Romeo have been her constant support and family. When the trio leaves their cozy home in California to make a trip to the jungles of Kenya, Roxie and Romeo have no idea what they are in for. But after being introduced to playful elephants, aggressive baboons, and nefarious poachers, they discover that the world is bigger than they previously thought. Along the way, Romeo helps local authorities catch two notorious poachers.
Filled with wit, charm, and humor, Terriers in the Jungle is a must-read for any animal lover. Georja Umano's adventure tale showcases the ways pets or animals in general help people cope with the rigors of life while providing unconditional love and company. The narrative focuses on two terriers from the busy streets of L.A. who unexpectedly find themselves amongst exotic wild animals in the jungles of Africa. Through Romeo and Roxie, the reader sees the ways animals interpret human behavior and their environment. Umano perfectly captures the essence of how animals deal with trauma and the loss of their loved ones. Terriers in the Jungle is a fun-filled adventure novel that can be surprisingly poignant at times. I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it.
Terriers in the Jungle by Georja Umano is an animal adventure story narrated through the eyes of two terriers. Roxie and Romeo are two spirited terriers living fulfilling lives after being adopted by Kate, a passionate animal activist. A couple of years back, Kate's husband Gerard, a wildlife photographer, lost his life in an unfortunate plane crash in Congo. Since then, Roxie and Romeo have been her constant support and family. When the trio leaves their cozy home in California to make a trip to the jungles of Kenya, Roxie and Romeo have no idea what they are in for. But after being introduced to playful elephants, aggressive baboons, and nefarious poachers, they discover that the world is bigger than they previously thought. Along the way, Romeo helps local authorities catch two notorious poachers.
Filled with wit, charm, and humor, Terriers in the Jungle is a must-read for any animal lover. Georja Umano's adventure tale showcases the ways pets or animals in general help people cope with the rigors of life while providing unconditional love and company. The narrative focuses on two terriers from the busy streets of L.A. who unexpectedly find themselves amongst exotic wild animals in the jungles of Africa. Through Romeo and Roxie, the reader sees the ways animals interpret human behavior and their environment. Umano perfectly captures the essence of how animals deal with trauma and the loss of their loved ones. Terriers in the Jungle is a fun-filled adventure novel that can be surprisingly poignant at times. I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
Beyond The Human Realm
An animal story for adults
Gene Helfman
2022 Gold Medal
440 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite
After his brief stint at Hamilton College ending in disgrace, Dr. Rudy Laguna accepts a teaching position at Northwest Washington State University. Despite his interest in orca behavior, he lacks both time and funds to start independent research. When an opportunity to spearhead an orca relocation project presents itself, he gladly accepts it. However, relocating a captive orca to the wild poses unforeseen challenges that Rudy must confront. How will Makai, the famous orca, fare outside a controlled environment? Will the complex social structure of the resident orca groups permit his inclusion? Beyond the Human Realm by Gene Helfman weaves these questions into a tale of extraordinary scope. This novel boasts a unique storyline, told from the perspectives of both humans and orcas.
Gene Helfman’s book serves as an eye-opener for human cruelty toward animals. Each page showcases such inhumane instances, questioning our integrity. Taking orcas as examples, Helfman proceeds to highlight our indifference to the natural world. Our reluctance to understand the intricacies of the animal world, one full of intriguing norms and rules, makes us oblivious to its beauty. The novel also speaks of an ancient time when humankind used to be at one with nature. Our greed and corruption have blinded us so much that we have severed this sacred connection and forgotten to respect our fellow non-human beings. Yet, some people still keep fighting the good fight. Helfman’s novel introduces some of them to us. With thrilling twists and a satisfactory climax, Beyond the Human Realm is undoubtedly one of my best reads so far. As an animal behavior enthusiast myself, I loved seeing the world from an orca’s point of view.
After his brief stint at Hamilton College ending in disgrace, Dr. Rudy Laguna accepts a teaching position at Northwest Washington State University. Despite his interest in orca behavior, he lacks both time and funds to start independent research. When an opportunity to spearhead an orca relocation project presents itself, he gladly accepts it. However, relocating a captive orca to the wild poses unforeseen challenges that Rudy must confront. How will Makai, the famous orca, fare outside a controlled environment? Will the complex social structure of the resident orca groups permit his inclusion? Beyond the Human Realm by Gene Helfman weaves these questions into a tale of extraordinary scope. This novel boasts a unique storyline, told from the perspectives of both humans and orcas.
Gene Helfman’s book serves as an eye-opener for human cruelty toward animals. Each page showcases such inhumane instances, questioning our integrity. Taking orcas as examples, Helfman proceeds to highlight our indifference to the natural world. Our reluctance to understand the intricacies of the animal world, one full of intriguing norms and rules, makes us oblivious to its beauty. The novel also speaks of an ancient time when humankind used to be at one with nature. Our greed and corruption have blinded us so much that we have severed this sacred connection and forgotten to respect our fellow non-human beings. Yet, some people still keep fighting the good fight. Helfman’s novel introduces some of them to us. With thrilling twists and a satisfactory climax, Beyond the Human Realm is undoubtedly one of my best reads so far. As an animal behavior enthusiast myself, I loved seeing the world from an orca’s point of view.
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