Reviews

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

ohemgeebooks's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-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

angielina's review against another edition

3.0

3 Stars

Not what I was expecting. It was a good read, but everything kind of lagged and was pretty predictable.

I was definitely expecting more.

jenmangler's review against another edition

2.0

I really wanted to love this book, but when I finished it I just felt "meh." I really did love the chapters from Pax's perspective, and Vola was a great character that I enjoyed spending time with. But the main character, Peter, felt a bit flat to me. There seemed to be so much to explore with him, but the author didn't really go there. The idea that people really mess things up was constantly revisited throughout the book, and, in my opinion, a bit too much. You don't have to hit the reader over the head in order to drive your point home. The story seemed to progress at a slow pace and then, all of a sudden, it sped up into hyperdrive at the end. It made the ending feel rushed, and a little bit not earned. It also took away from the impact of the events in those final chapters. I ended up not feeling much of anything.

ipurpleyou's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

eurydycja's review against another edition

4.0

4.5⭐

pkc's review against another edition

mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

jazzinbuns's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

bibliophile80's review against another edition

5.0

Ah-mazing. This was a heart-wrenching book with the most well-drawn protagonists I've read in a while. The chapters alternate being told from the perspective of Peter, a boy who lost his mother and fears becoming his father, and his pet fox, Pax, who is fiercely protective of his boy and doesn't understand why his humans have left him in the woods alone. Peter's growth as a character is elegantly done, reluctant and painful and happening in fits and starts. Pax's evolution mirrors his boy's, and the "mentors" that guide him are as real as any human character, though his experience is even more brutal than Peter's. There are no easy lessons here, but they are worth learning. I'm not ashamed to admit that the ending brought a tear to my eye. The accolades are well deserved.

karrama's review against another edition

4.0

This book is hard to quantify, both because it is told from two perspectives and because it is so very innocent while so very telling. Morality play? Fairy Tale? Regardless Pax and Peter's journey and love for one another make an emotional and worthwhile read.

smashmo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.5

Are middle grade books supposed to be gut punches?