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jvbook_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Kidnapping and Bullying
stewardofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, whimsical and even a little emotional. I loved being swept away to sea with Martine and her classmates. I loved the animals and the authentically African setting.
saloniporwal's review against another edition
5.0
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maare's review against another edition
4.0
I quite enjoyed this book. Even though it's the second in the series, I only got this one from the library and I could understsnd everything.
molikesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
marleythehobbit's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book fun and adventurous. It’s a good book for ages 8 to 12. Great book for animal lovers and people who like books with adventure, Dolphins and A little bit of water
itstoniy's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nightshade_novels's review against another edition
3.0
Once again I think this story would have been just as good without the whole prophecy and foretelling of what was going to happen to Martine, right down to the exact number of stranded dolphins and type of shark. It would have been just as good without all of that and more realistic.
The book begins with an argument between Martine and Gwyn in which Gwyn bans Martine from riding Jemmy for several weeks after the school trip and Martine yells that she hates her. As soon as you read this you know that they will both regret it the moment Martine is washed off the boat and that they will be just fine by the end of the book and Martine’s riding ban will be lifted.
Of course the rest of the kids finally concede to asking for help when Claudius is stung by a Portuguese Man o’ War Jellyfish and they cannot help him themselves. They then begin to bond a little which all comes together when they fight to keep the stranded dolphins alive until the tide returns.
I loved all of the descriptions of the way Ben and Martine survived on the island and also the way St John wrote about their experiences of swimming with the dolphins. This book is filled with so many facts about the animals, such as the sardine run and dolphin’s echolocation that it is interesting and educational (for the age range that it is aimed at) but without you really noticing it.
The descriptions are wonderful and St John makes you feel very in touch with nature. However the storyline is a little weak, but this is because it is meant for younger readers.
The book begins with an argument between Martine and Gwyn in which Gwyn bans Martine from riding Jemmy for several weeks after the school trip and Martine yells that she hates her. As soon as you read this you know that they will both regret it the moment Martine is washed off the boat and that they will be just fine by the end of the book and Martine’s riding ban will be lifted.
Spoiler
At the very beginning of the school trip Martine’s classmates start bullying her again. So when they all get stranded on the island Martine and Ben are told to stay away from the rest. I really enjoyed reading the part where Martine and Ben are quite enjoying themselves as they use all their skills to fend for themselves on the island and get to swim with the dolphins. All the while the rest of the group, being too stubborn to ask for Ben and Martine’s help, are struggling to cope with island life. One thing that was annoying was that throughout the story it is repeatedly said that Martine follows Tandei’s instruction to keep her survival kit with her at all times, which of course is very useful when they get stranded. However Martine then abandons her kit in the lighthouse while she and Ben wander off, meaning that when the rest of the kids take over the lighthouse they steal her kit. When they then try to use her stuff all they manage to do is waste, destroy or lose it. If Martine had kept her kit with her at all times like Tandei told her too, that would not have happened.Of course the rest of the kids finally concede to asking for help when Claudius is stung by a Portuguese Man o’ War Jellyfish and they cannot help him themselves. They then begin to bond a little which all comes together when they fight to keep the stranded dolphins alive until the tide returns.
I loved all of the descriptions of the way Ben and Martine survived on the island and also the way St John wrote about their experiences of swimming with the dolphins. This book is filled with so many facts about the animals, such as the sardine run and dolphin’s echolocation that it is interesting and educational (for the age range that it is aimed at) but without you really noticing it.
The descriptions are wonderful and St John makes you feel very in touch with nature. However the storyline is a little weak, but this is because it is meant for younger readers.
lqvendeer's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, I did, honest. But, it's not as great as the 1st book, this book focused more on the characters which I enjoyed. This is a middle grade so I'm not expecting much.