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Amazon Burning
When 22-year-old aspiring journalist, Emma Cohen, is forced to flee the comforts of her NYU student life, she maneuvers an internship from her father at his newspaper in Rio de Janeiro. There, Emma is immediately swept into a major news story--and a life-threatening situation--when a famous jungle environmentalist, Milton Silva, is mysteriously murdered.
Emma must now enter the Amazon rainforest with her father to investigate; both awed by the enormity and beauty of the Amazon, and appalled by its reckless destruction. Not only will Emma have to brave the primal world of the Amazon, she must fight to survive the kidnappers, villains, corrupt activists, and indigenous tribes that lay in wait along the ever-twisting trail of the murder case. Stretched to the brink, it’s up to Emma, her father and the dreamy news photographer, Jimmy, to unravel the mystery and live to tell the tale.
Amazon Burning by Victoria Griffith is a spectacular debut Young Adult novel. Griffith's powerful rendering of the Amazon rainforest forms the perfect, wildly exotic backdrop for this extraordinary tale of a young urban woman coming of age in the midst of intense conflict.
Emma must now enter the Amazon rainforest with her father to investigate; both awed by the enormity and beauty of the Amazon, and appalled by its reckless destruction. Not only will Emma have to brave the primal world of the Amazon, she must fight to survive the kidnappers, villains, corrupt activists, and indigenous tribes that lay in wait along the ever-twisting trail of the murder case. Stretched to the brink, it’s up to Emma, her father and the dreamy news photographer, Jimmy, to unravel the mystery and live to tell the tale.
Amazon Burning by Victoria Griffith is a spectacular debut Young Adult novel. Griffith's powerful rendering of the Amazon rainforest forms the perfect, wildly exotic backdrop for this extraordinary tale of a young urban woman coming of age in the midst of intense conflict.
356 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2014
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1142 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Griffith
13 books75 followersAfter some disastrous stints as a banker and a waitress, I decided to become a writer. For many years, I was a journalist. I had lots of fun cooking lunch for Julia Child, hanging out with Yanomami Indians in Brazil and following the space program. Now, I'm a full-time author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
dnf
August 31, 2016Received this via Goodreads FirstReads in an exchange for an honest review.
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Tried but just wasn't my thing unfortunately:( The mystery/thriller part was good but didn't care for the romance *shrugs*
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Tried but just wasn't my thing unfortunately:( The mystery/thriller part was good but didn't care for the romance *shrugs*
January 20, 2015
A mystery which keeps you going, a book which you cannot keep down unless you finish it: this is what I can say about this book. Victoria has given an amazing story line and has maintained the story till the very end to ensure absolute interest in the entire story.
Read on at Amazon Burning
Read on at Amazon Burning
November 6, 2014
Wow, this book kept me riveted! A great story set in the backdrop of some of Brazil's great cities and of course its magnificent rain forest! A great mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, and all the while I felt embraced by the glory and the peril of the rain forest, its denizens, its advocates and its enemies....a GREAT read.
February 26, 2015
Review at: One Night Book Stand
I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Astor + Blue Editions, LLC & Victoria Griffith for the opportunity!
I love reading NA books . But, Unfortunately, the genre is full of garbage. Yet, I still read, search and hope to find the gems in the genre. Because when I do find it's always worth the trouble. Amazon Burning is one of the good ones and I'm so happy I didn't pass up the opportunity. It was an amazing read and so, very different from the usual NA.
The writing is beyond gorgeous. It's very compelling and engaging. I was worried it might not interest me but I needn't, from the first page the story had me. This book is about a girl who is loosing her carrier, before even starting it, for an A-hole of a professor and to get away from the media heat she takes internship in Brazil, where she is immediately thrown into a murder mystery.
I didn't like Emma at the beginning. I thought she was way too flippant for a journalist and little too passive. But, clever, clever Ms. Griffith knew what she was doing. She left herself a room to grow her character, to teach her few lessons and I fucking loved it. It's such a pleasure to see character growth and we don't get that very often in NA stories or otherwise. The jungle, life in tribe and cruelty of Westerners made her more emotional and changed her in a way that made me love her. She wasn't that into finding killer at first and I wanted to scream at her "stop doing the fluffy stuff and start paying attention to the clues", I'm delighted to inform you she was the one of the few MCs that listened to me. You can't imagine how awesome it is when your are used to scream at your tablet, which no one usually listens, and then one does and makes your day. And, after that I started to admire her and her attitude change.
The mystery part was sooo good. I've seen every crime show there is and then some more. I'm awesome at figuring out who the killer is or the motive. It's really hard to fool me. Ms. Griffith had no problem of doing it. At first I was so sure I had solved it, and I was disappointed it was that easy. Then I got few new clues and it made mess of my well put together puzzle. So, I rearranged everything, made them fit together nicely. Few pages later I had a few new clues that totally didn't fit in my solved puzzle. Needless to say, this book kept me guessing till the end and it was beautiful. The killer was actually who I originally thought but the motive I had wrong. It was really good not to be able to solve the mystery before the MC did.
Very often authors have a hard time maintaining the balance between the romance and the plot line. Romance usually takes over and ruins everything. I thought Ms. Griffith maintained that balance perfectly and gave this book both romance and suspense equally. The love scene was little too graphic, It's not like I haven't read much more racier stuff but I don't think this story needed it. Jimmy was really cute and smart and I really liked him. Great male lead. He didn't have a attitude problem or usual jackass male lead trait.
The Amazon was wonderfully described and not at all overwhelming. The author didn't bore me to death with the detailed description of the nature and settings, instead she gave me room to let my imagination run wild. I liked it.
This book is a thrilling read with good dose of romance, non-stop action, Amazon rain forest, right message and some good characters. Definitely recommend it.
Happy Reading!
Read
November 22, 2014It’s been some time since a book has taken me to Brazil. Many people aren’t aware that when all the trees are logged out of the Amazon jungle, there will be no topsoil left. The entire area will become a vast desert. Stripped of the jungle’s resources, the Brazilian economy will collapse. Even worse, global warming will become irreversible. These are the reasons why the struggle of the heroic central characters of Griffith’s book is so urgent. I consider Amazon Burning a very timely red alert. I received a free copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
I must apologize for starting this review with a lecture. Amazon Burning is not some ponderous academic study. It’s actually a suspenseful romantic eco-thriller that begins with the murder of activist Milton Silva. The point of view character is Emma Cohen, an idealistic journalism student at New York University who has left behind a major legal predicament that gradually unfolds over the course of the novel. Griffith deals with Emma’s maturation along with the critical problems that she faces in the Amazon. In many cases, this process of growing up entails a surrender to cynicism, but Emma’s commitment to her principles survives all her hardships.
The romance took time to develop due to plausible barriers that resulted from the characters' circumstances. Some readers might consider these barriers contrived, and might have preferred the course of true love to have been smoother. Yet that would have interfered with the tension necessary in a thriller plot. So I think that Griffith's decisions about the romance relationship were good ones.
I really did enjoy Amazon Burning. There were some clever red herrings provided for readers to chew on during the course of the murder investigation. I never guessed who murdered Milton Silva until the truth was finally revealed close to the end of the novel.
So Victoria Griffith has given us a successful mystery dealing dramatically with important themes, containing sympathetic characters who develop over the course of the narrative, and a credible representation of Brazil.
For my complete review see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
I must apologize for starting this review with a lecture. Amazon Burning is not some ponderous academic study. It’s actually a suspenseful romantic eco-thriller that begins with the murder of activist Milton Silva. The point of view character is Emma Cohen, an idealistic journalism student at New York University who has left behind a major legal predicament that gradually unfolds over the course of the novel. Griffith deals with Emma’s maturation along with the critical problems that she faces in the Amazon. In many cases, this process of growing up entails a surrender to cynicism, but Emma’s commitment to her principles survives all her hardships.
The romance took time to develop due to plausible barriers that resulted from the characters' circumstances. Some readers might consider these barriers contrived, and might have preferred the course of true love to have been smoother. Yet that would have interfered with the tension necessary in a thriller plot. So I think that Griffith's decisions about the romance relationship were good ones.
I really did enjoy Amazon Burning. There were some clever red herrings provided for readers to chew on during the course of the murder investigation. I never guessed who murdered Milton Silva until the truth was finally revealed close to the end of the novel.
So Victoria Griffith has given us a successful mystery dealing dramatically with important themes, containing sympathetic characters who develop over the course of the narrative, and a credible representation of Brazil.
For my complete review see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
October 21, 2014
Emma has had some trouble at NYU and has to leave. She decides to go to Rio de Janeiro and intern with her father at his newspaper. While there, environmentalist Milton Silva is murdered and Emma travels to the Amazon with Jimmy to figure out who did it. Along the way, Emma gets mixed up with kidnappers, indigenous tribes, trafficking exotic animals, and other adventures.
I liked the mystery of who killed Milton Silva. There were some good red herrings that kept me guessing until the end about who killed him. I do like following Emma and watching her mature throughout the story. It was a great way to portray a lead character, especially at an age that they are just learning who they really are.
I kind of was disbelieving about the legal issue Emma left NYU for. If it was that serious I doubt she would have been allowed to just leave the country. The other thing was I had never heard of NA. I figured this was a YA book. It’s not that I’m a prude, it was just unexpected.
Over all I really liked this story. It has a great mystery and is a good coming of age book. This would be a great story for those that like contemporary romances with some mystery.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the mystery of who killed Milton Silva. There were some good red herrings that kept me guessing until the end about who killed him. I do like following Emma and watching her mature throughout the story. It was a great way to portray a lead character, especially at an age that they are just learning who they really are.
I kind of was disbelieving about the legal issue Emma left NYU for. If it was that serious I doubt she would have been allowed to just leave the country. The other thing was I had never heard of NA. I figured this was a YA book. It’s not that I’m a prude, it was just unexpected.
Over all I really liked this story. It has a great mystery and is a good coming of age book. This would be a great story for those that like contemporary romances with some mystery.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2014
An extremely well written and enjoyable novel, especially for a new author. The characters are well defined with great personality traits. The story is about a young lady called Emma, an intern for her dads newspaper. She is immediately thrust into a large story involving a mysterious murder. She travels to the Amazon looking for answers where her nightmare begins with kidnappers and all kinds of mayhem. The backdrop for the Rainforest is well depicted with beauty that surpasses gorgeous scenic views. The description throughout the pages, does not leave anything out. You can actually feel yourself wrapped in the dangerous adventures that surrounds Emma and her colleagues. This novel will please not only the younger generation but a mature audience would appreciate it as well. A great read.
December 14, 2014
Author Victoria Griffith’s new mystery novel, "Amazon Burning," offers readers a marvelously unsettling ride—richly imagined, sexy, suspenseful, politically engaged, tragic, paradoxical. The story’s protagonist, Emma Cohen, a young and relatively naïve journalist, is both gutsy and endearingly vulnerable. (The girl can’t help it. And neither can the boy.) As for the author, she clearly takes great pleasure in leading her heroine thousands of miles off the beaten path… from New York to Rio de Janeiro to Boa Vista… and finally to an encampment of vicious thugs mired deep in the Brazilian rain forest. Griffith skillfully paints a panorama of Brazilian citizenry—environmentalists, children of privilege, power brokers—the venal, the indigenous, the murderous. This debut novel is a brilliant flight of fancy. Storm warning: “Heavy turbulence ahead!”
December 2, 2014
4.5 rating
Got introduced to the Amazon with this mystery thriller.
From the city locals to the indigenous people of the Amazon described, you can get a sense of the culture and lifestyle. Although, this story leans towards the darker and sad side of things.
The main character, Emma, starts out as a strong and spunky character and continues to grow into a stronger and mature young woman due to life threatening experiences and exposure to the ugly side of life in this story.
Got introduced to the Amazon with this mystery thriller.
From the city locals to the indigenous people of the Amazon described, you can get a sense of the culture and lifestyle. Although, this story leans towards the darker and sad side of things.
The main character, Emma, starts out as a strong and spunky character and continues to grow into a stronger and mature young woman due to life threatening experiences and exposure to the ugly side of life in this story.
October 28, 2014
This book convinced me that I like the "new adult" genre.
Now that the weather is getting cold, taking a literary trip to Brazil was the perfect getaway!
You can read my full review on WanderLit here:
http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blog...
Now that the weather is getting cold, taking a literary trip to Brazil was the perfect getaway!
You can read my full review on WanderLit here:
http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blog...
September 25, 2014
My mom's book coming out soon!
January 23, 2015
Emma thinks hes 1of the most butiful men shes evr laid eyes on&feels a heat in her bely. She wants 2hav sex the 1st time she cs him,desparin that sum1 sed she needs 2stay celibate.That was trashy 2me that she wanted 2sleep w/sum1 she new nothin about.Hes a stranger,u dont no nethin about him&u want 2sleep w/him. This type of casual sex in a YA novel is inapropriate.
Her dad tells them2sit 2gethr bcuz he wudnt b good company,so theyr forced 2gether&ther legs r tuchin. Idk how bcuz I dint no airplane seats wer on top of each other so ur thigh is aginst sum1s. Jimmys leg rubs aginst hers as the plane jostles&Emma feels a warmth spred in the pit of her abdomen. She closes her eyes&imagins wut it wud feel like 2hav mor than just his leg presd aginst her body. Ok,this is gettin out of hand. She has 2remind herself that Jay wants her 2b celibate. Emma dint even try2 sleep on the flight bcuz shes all 2 aware of him&she can feel his hot breth on her face. How thats hapenin Im not sur of either,unless his hed is turnd towards her, which wasnt mentond. In sleep his breth must thro itself 2the side&land on her face.&it is just turnin her on.
Pg. 22-“Emma felt a heat in her bely as he drew closr. He was the kind of gorgus that made her resent her lawyers orders 4a celibate sumr.”
Pg. 25 “Jimmys leg rubd aginst hers,&a warmth spred in the pit of Emmas abdomen. She closd her eyes,imaginin wut it wud b like 2 feel mor than just his leg aginst her body. By the time the plane leveled out&the noise from the engines diminishd,Emma was struglin 2hide her hitened sens of awarnes. Jay sed celibate, she reminded herself.
Shes fumblin as shes tryin 2text her mom,gettin distractd by his jean-clad thi aginst hers. Shes struglin 2hide her hightend sens of awarnes,closin her eyes imaginin his body aginst hers,cant concentrate,cant sleep,cant functun bcuz of him. Its ridiculus.
Wen I red that it had sumthin 2do w/Chico Mendez,who I lernd about at college,I was interested. I expected sumthin different,2inspire awareness,knowledge&passion in the rainforest. I certinly dint expect a run of the mill luv triangle w/instant lust&angsty feelins like theyr teens, not like a college student&graduate.
A guy is introducd, Carlos&he says sumthin flirtatusly 2 Emma &kissed her on both cheeks,&Jimmy instantly shows signs of jealusy& posesivnes. Jimmy grabs him&turns him awy from Emma. Im noticin a pattern here,1where evrythin happens 2soon&feelins r introducd wen thers no foundatun 4them. I wish authors wud slow down&then theyd realize it duznt evn mak sens 4him 2b actin like this. &Emma warms 2Carlos imm.,in “a frends-only way.” So the min. u meet sum1 u must judg them frend or luvr. Thers no getin 2no the person,u just judg strangrs as 1or the othr the instant u meet them. &its clear who Emmas goin2 get with. All other guys fall by the wayside,categorized in Emmas frend zone bcuz shes alredy pikd Jimmy out. Gone r the days wen readers wudnt no who the female lead was goin2 end up with. Now authors just giv it awy,leavin us no surprise,by puttin the guys name on the bak of the bk&quickly shuttin down the prospect of another.
Carlos gets Emmas luggage&Jimmy frowns bcuz Carlos beat him 2it. Emma feels like a piece of candy that2 boys r fihtin ovr. Agin,its not realistic or sensble that2guys wud be fightin ovr sum1 they just met. Carlos&Jimmy gestures 4Emma 2 sit in the bak&Mike is in the passenger seat. Carlos drives&Jimmy is gess wher…in the bak w/Emma. Then Carlos leavs&Jimmy drives&he tells Mike 2sit in the bak&Emma in front bcuz thats how they do it wher hes from. My, these 2 r rly gettin thrown 2gethr a lot. They just met&theyve had so much contact alredy. It was cute wen Jimmy sed that he cant do Sao Paulo style,hes from Rio&they let women sit up front bcuz they know btr. I just wish it wasnt yet another ploy 2get these 2 2gethr.
They hav 2stop 4the police&Jimmy leans acros Emma 2get2 the glove compartment. His arm is acros her leg, which sends this hyper-sensitiv sex-starvd lunatic in2 another fit of ecstasy. Shes “all 2 aware” of his arm acros her leg. This is makin me gag.&how is this even hapnin? Is the gluv compartment on her door? In Fiats the glove compartment is built in2 the door? Isnt it on the dash,as in nowher near her leg? The angle is all wrong 4this anywy. How wud his arm b across her leg if hes openin the glove compartment in front of her? I wud luv 2c how this looks bcuz its not addin up. Agin,its convenient. Then Jimmy rubs his hand on her knee. Y,Idk. I gess police like cin sex-crazed teens paw each other by the roadside.
They sit 2gethr@brekfast at the hotel&a man cums up&tells Jimmy his gf is pretty. So make that 100times theyve ben coupled. Emma hautily tells Jimmy 2tell him 2mind his own busnes. U mean u dont find plesur in bein called Jimmys gf? Did ur belly,abdomen,or lowr body part not get hot from thos words?
They get chasd on the way 2Ronaldos house,Miltons frend,&aftrwrd Jimmy puts his hand on her knee&givs her 1of his smiles that encompasses all of her&singles her out as the only person in the univers&once agin Emma-no-brains has truble concentratin on the road as heat emanates up her leg. I rly dont c how this girl manages 2 almost get thru college wen shes so easly distracted. She probly just went 2stare@guys,&thers no way shes goin2b a successful jurnalist wen shes nearly salivatin ovr guys&runnin hot evry time shes tuchd in the most casual way. They arrive at Ronaldos house&his daughter whos around ther age cums out&wen Jimmy givs her the standard kiss on both cheeks Emma gets jelus.Gah!
Emma judged the Yanomamis ways:eatin insects&the ashes of ther cremated relativs&displays attitude Idl.Wen she maks a comment 2 Jimmy about Ronaldo usin the air conditionin wen hes suposd 2care about the environment I was like uve got 2b kidin me. Ur a jurnalist,not a judge. So bcuz he cares about the environment,sumthin she ob. duznt as much as gettin the story&usin ppl 2get it,he shud sit in swelterin heat&sweat it out?
Emmas air conditioning gos out&as shes downstairs tellin the desk help that Jimmy cums up&says it in Portuguese.But in the meantime miss priss cant do w/o the AC so he offers 4her 2cum bak 2his room. He flashes that megawatt smile of his&once mor her supposd brains tak a hike. His smile focuses on her each time,blokin out the rest of the world&maks her feel imp. as if shes the only person in the world.
A smile that can do all that,huh? Insted of bein a photographer he shud capitalize on that. Just sell pics of him smilin bcuz thats the answer2 evrythin. Just look at Emmas reaction,shes practicly pantin at his feet.
Its also mentond that Emma has birth control&shes takin it,cuz it wudnt make sens 2stop,bcuz shes ben takin it sinc she was 16,1st 2 clear up her acne&then 4the mor obvious reasons. Yes,thats right. SEX! Sex,sex&sex! Thers gotta b an agenda here,the authors gettin paid 2sell sex,encourage sex,or thers a count of how many times sex is referenced. This shud b cald Amazon Sex or just plain Sex bcuz we cant get awy from it 4 2 secs!
Pg. 59- “Jimmy flashd her 1 of thos smiles that singled her out as the only person in the univers. He grabd Emmas hand&led her down the corridor of the hotel. Our hands fit 2gethr perfectly,” Emma thought. She was sry wen Jimmy relesd her 2unlok his door&fantasized 4a moment that they wer goin 2do sumthin in his bedroom besides lk at photos. She imagind runin her tung ovr his teeth&feelin the moistness bneth. Celibate,she repeated 2herself...but in the privacy of Jimmys room,who wud no?"
Yes,Emma,that is a sign that u shud hav sex w/this total stranger. Havin hands that fit “perfectly in sum1 elses(wutevr that means. Is his hand big&hers small,the same size,or just big enuf 2where he can hold urs…or wut?),is a sign from the univers,straight from God,that u shud jump this guy u know next 2nothin about at the 1st oportunity. Then u can c wut other parts fit.;)
This girl needs a freakin bucket of ice water dumped on her hed.its a YA novel,which sends a bad message 2teens.its disgustin,wrong,&just sleazy 2me. Id like a teen 4once that wasnt sex-crazed,drinkin, cussin,full of attitude&was just kind,morally upright w/values&standards.
&she wants 2run her tung ovr his teeth&feel the moistness bneath? Bneath wut? Bneath his teeth,like the edges of his teeth? Y wud they b moist,moister than any other part of his mouth?Or r we talkin about the top of his teeth wher the gums r?Or the bak of his teeth,but that raises the? agin of y wud his teeth b moist? If ur lookin 4moistness y dont u go 4his tongue or sumthin? This isnt makin ne sens!
They lk at pics&he says they need a bargin arangment about the price&4sum reson thos innocent-seemin words set her off.She feels “blood rush 2her groin.” Finally!Finally that part is named! Shes ben skirtin around that since day1. &groin,esp. on a female? Ew.
Jimmy tries 2kiss her&Emma has a flashbak 2Horowitz,her profesor who sexualy assaulted her,doin the same, so she leaves. Wow, suddenly Miss gotta hav it all the time is pullin bak from SEX. Im shockd!
Emma seems a lil unbalanced. Her teacher tried 2force himself on her, grabbin her head&pullin it towards his penis, yes,that word was used, another good idea 4a YA novel&then hes puttin his hand hard on her crotch. This book is way 2 sex-oriented 4my tastes. Emma hits him repeatedly in the temple w/her cell phone&4sum reason she thinks shes in the right. 2me she rly looks unstable&Im not goin 2root 4sum1 that hit sum1 ovr&ovr in the most sensitive part of ur head. She cudve killed him. Wut a lunatic. u hit him once 2 incapacitate him&then u leave. Which crime is worse, sexual assault or death? Death u cant cum bak from.&its clear this girl isnt traumatized,except 4that 1weird instance wher she cudnt kiss Jimmy, but other than that this girl is actin like shes ben in prison&is desperate 4a man, or mor correctly 1part of a man.
Pg. 87-“Jimmy reachd ovr 2deposit his camera case at Emmas feet, his hand brushin aginst her knee. Emma was helpless 2control the hyperawareness of his presence next 2her.”
Pg. 112 “Jimmy put his right arm around Emma’s waist like a man stakin claim 2his woman&in this crowd, Emma was grateful. She tried not 2think about how natural his hand felt at the curv just abuv her hips.”
This girl duznt hav the ability 2focus on anythin other than Jimmy. This isnt a tale of environmental issues,the rainforest or Yanomami Indians,its sex ed class. This cud b used 2teach yung ppl that this is wut leads up 2u gettin pregnant,unless ur on the pill at the tender age of 16 like this gem here. Which cud allow u2sleep around indiscriminately whenevr u wanted,say like with a guy uv only ben around 4a few mins. Thats how the future generation of jurnalists in America r doin it.
Pg. 115 “Jimmy reached out&placed a hand on her knee. Emma wished she cud grab it&hold on, or betr yet, put it a lil further up her thi. But she had a job 2do.”
If I read 1 more time he puts his hand on her knee Im goin2 pull out every hair on my head&scream at the top of my lungs. This cant b hapnin! Its like a bad record playin ovr &ovr agin. Ur about 2get evidence in a smugglin trade 4gods sake&ther u go agin only thinkin about sex. Shes worse than any guy Ive evr read about. They say guys think w/their .., well this girl thinks w/her...all the time. Ive nvr encountered anythin like this. How can u function w/this sex drive, how can u get anythin done?
Pg. 155 Emma wanted 2spend the night w/Jimmy, but not in the jungle.
Pg. 157 “She was about 2spend the night in the jungle w/Jimmy, &her insides wer in a tumult. She wasnt sure she cud hold down ne food.”
Pg. 158 “A diff. wetness appeard btwn Emmas legs as his fingers movd gently but insistently past her knee 2the edge of her shorts. Wen he pausd 2tip mor oil on2 his hand the absence of his tuch felt like tortur.”
Lets mak that a lil mor dramatic&needy. This girl is way 2 clingy&needy 4 my likin. Y dont they just go ahed&get at it rite ther? Theyv known each other maybe a few days, skip 2 3rd base bcuz thats wher this lil scene is headin&then send her on home by havin casual sex. My dislike of her wud b complete.
It piks up w/: “He reached 4her other leg. The odor of citronella blended w/the smell of Jimmys shampoo as his hed brushd aginst her chest. Once agin, his hand movd slowly up her leg until his fingers caressd the inside of her thi. Emma opened her legs, invitin him 2 explor furthr.”
Omg, Ive had it w/this slut! How can u muv so fast?! Idc if shes ben ther a month, it is 2soon 2b sleepin w/sum1. Its way 2 fast&its just about lust which isnt enuf4 sex 2me. &she is way 2 bold&I rly dont like bold characters. &ther goes that knee refrence agin. Every time theyre 2gethr hes tuchin her knee. Thats the only body part that gets mentond, besides her crotch which is surfacin w/increasin intensity. Mentionin wetness&openin ur legs&wantin sex so bad is so inappropriate 4a YA novel. Its like the author duznt want 2b a romance author&go that far, so she scales it bak 2YA, but still wants sex in ther&so goes 2 far 4this age level.
Pg. 158 “Close quarters,” Jimmy commented w/a wink, causin the blood 2rush 2her abdomen.”
Apparently Jimmy not pursuin her open leg invitation isn’t deterring enuf. Her abdomen is heatin up faster than an oven. Just put ur frozen goods on her while she’s thinkin of Jimmy &ur food wil b cooked all the way thru in a few secs flat.
Just as Emma is admiring Jimmy’s beauty as he does martial arts routine, a jaguar cums up bhind him. Emma tries a couple times 2 scare it off&then goes 4the gun. Gess there’s not much else u can do in a situation like that, but tell that 2 an animal lover&it duznt tame the sadness 1 bit. Emma shoots it twice&she expresses no guilt ovr killin it,no sense of grief ovr the loss of life.
&of course Jimmy is there w/a hug. Emma proceeds 2kiss him, shuv her tongue in his mouth&then they hav sex&the details r 2 graphic 4 a YA. She feels like she’s made luv 4 the 1st time. Emma finally gets the sex she’s ben wantin. Aftr she killed a jaguar. Not rly the most romantic time 2hav sex, but that’s just me. &it’s not the most appropriate action 2take place that wud be conducive 2 environmental protection, stoppin illegal pet trade, wildlife smuggling, etc. But it’s not my book so I can’t choose wut wud inspire awareness. So go ahed&have sex aftr u just shot that big cat&its body is lyin dead. U certainly deserv it.
He catches her soul in his arms,&yes, thos exact words r used&all is well4 Emma, who finaly got sex aftr wut cud only hav ben a few agonizing days of goin w/o it w/the gorgeous Jimmy whose teeth r almost perfect except 4 the front tooth that slightly juts out. Other than that lil detail Idk anything about him, besides dark skin&dark hair but I can’t rmbr bcuz it was only sed once in the beginnin I think. I cant pic. him, Emma, or any other character fully in my head. All thats sed time&again about Jimmy is the smell of his body wash&shampoo. That’s all. Wut duz body wash smell like? There’s no universal male body wash. So there needs 2b an accompanying scent or else I have no idea wut he smells like. &his shampoo, just like the body wash, needs a scent. He cud smell like any myriad of things but Idk bcuz there’s no descriptive details given, just standard “he smells like body wash." Details r so imp. in books; u hav 2 describe wut every1 looks like or else I cant pic. anything in my head&that’s not a good experience 4 readin.
Jimmy says he dint think that was evr goin2happen&I just lost it 4 about the 100th time in this book. Try goin w/o food 4 a few days u 2&cif u want 2 rethink that angst&desperation. if u had rly wanted sum1&dint sleep w/them 4 like a yr &Id understand the feelings, but not aftr a few days shud u be actin like u waited a lifetime&u overcame these insurmountable obstacles.
Insted of usin it as a positiv experience, like this is wut some female journalists face in ther careers. Ther professors might attempt rape, they hav2 travel2 foreign countries&lern the language, form relationships w/potential sources, acquire photos 4ur point of view&ovrcum adversity w/ppl that dont think they’re good enuf, even ther fathers. But no, it wasn’t that. It was lust aftr the 1st guy u c, think about havin sex w/him, try 2 force urself on him, flirt w/other guys 2 mak him jelus, think about havin sex, argue w/him wen he tried2educate u on the finer points of journalism (which u need 2 hear), convinc ur dad u do hav wut it taks, say ur lernin a few words&then go on2do nothin mor than think about sex, get in2 a rekles sleuth attempt that reqire Jimmy 2spend $5,000, all the $ in his account, express no gilt or ofr 2 use ur own$, think about sex, shoot a jaguar&try2catch a killer wen u can manage 2not think about sex 4 a few mins out of the day&put ur entire agenda on the backburner as u completely devote all of ur attention 2hav sex w/a guy u barely know from Adam!
I nvr came 2like Emma, not 1 moment in the entire book.&I nvr cud get a read on her,her ideas about the world,feelins, nothin. Except 4her abdomen,stomach&crotch heatin up, she dint display a whole lot of reaction 2 anythin that hapend. I knew mor about her crotch than I knew about her. Im just lookin bak ovr wut hapend now that Im dun w/it, &I cant say ther was even 1instance wher she sed wut she felt—about anything. She had a 1track mind 2get the story&the glory. She dint expres sadness that Iara was a widow w/2 sons, that her husband was murdered, that Milton Silva was senselessly killed bcuz of a yung luv scenario wher a dad was goin2 shoot his daughters luvr (bcuz murder is just rampant in this novel, Emma jumps at the chance 2kill a dyin man. Carlos shot him w/a poison dart but he got up&came aftr her so she shoots 2kill—&does it. This girl is bloodthirsty. I know he was goin2 rape her but he dint. She dint hav 2kill him, all she had 2do was shoot his arm or leg or sumwher els that wasnt fatal2 incapacitate him. Jimmy had made a comment that he was glad he wudnt c Horowitz bcuz he’d get accused of 1st-degree murder&he sed he’d kil the man tryin 2rape her. Ronaldo was all prepared 2shoot Fernando, but ended up shootin his friend Silva insted. These ppl r2ok w/endin ppls lives) Emma, thruout everythin that hapend, had no opinions about any of it. It was lik she was watchin TV that dint afect her so she dint care. It was bizar. shes a robot w/no emotions aside from lust,bcuz she almost got raped yet dint hav ne feelins on the matter.
The charactrs wer flat. I thot Rita was intrestin until she shaped up 2b a selfish brat that dint care about nethin cept her secret lovr,“'Nando”which I saw comin from a mi. awy. It was the comment about Fernando not likin girls that I fig. it out.Sum surprise.She was cussin&dint care about the world,just like Silvas wife at 1st.All they cared about was ther relatonships.Rita cusses&says she duznt duznt giv a f about the rest of the world at the end of the bk!am I suposd 2like any of these ppl?Bcuz I dont.
Carlos was cool&I wanted him 2get w/Rita bcuz of the time he sed he wishd he was makin progres w/her but by the end I was glad he dint, bcuz she was smokin,cussin&obsessed w/‘Nando.Then wen Emma&Jimmy go2 her house 2thank her4her help the night they got stuk in the mud,Rita is outside wher ne1 cud cum up on her w/her shirt open,1of Fernandos hands on her breast&the other up her skirt. They break awy wen they hear him,no embarrassment at all,Rita only displayin pride. Oh boy. Ive had it w/these ppl.
2ensur I cudnt like 1thing about it,it turns out Jimmys&Emmas atempt 2find a killer wer all 4nothin bcuz they had ben tailin the wrong person the entire time.It was sum1 that had workd w/the feds 2discovr who killed Milton Silva.I had absolutely no idea who they wer talkin about.
Her dad tells them2sit 2gethr bcuz he wudnt b good company,so theyr forced 2gether&ther legs r tuchin. Idk how bcuz I dint no airplane seats wer on top of each other so ur thigh is aginst sum1s. Jimmys leg rubs aginst hers as the plane jostles&Emma feels a warmth spred in the pit of her abdomen. She closes her eyes&imagins wut it wud feel like 2hav mor than just his leg presd aginst her body. Ok,this is gettin out of hand. She has 2remind herself that Jay wants her 2b celibate. Emma dint even try2 sleep on the flight bcuz shes all 2 aware of him&she can feel his hot breth on her face. How thats hapenin Im not sur of either,unless his hed is turnd towards her, which wasnt mentond. In sleep his breth must thro itself 2the side&land on her face.&it is just turnin her on.
Pg. 22-“Emma felt a heat in her bely as he drew closr. He was the kind of gorgus that made her resent her lawyers orders 4a celibate sumr.”
Pg. 25 “Jimmys leg rubd aginst hers,&a warmth spred in the pit of Emmas abdomen. She closd her eyes,imaginin wut it wud b like 2 feel mor than just his leg aginst her body. By the time the plane leveled out&the noise from the engines diminishd,Emma was struglin 2hide her hitened sens of awarnes. Jay sed celibate, she reminded herself.
Shes fumblin as shes tryin 2text her mom,gettin distractd by his jean-clad thi aginst hers. Shes struglin 2hide her hightend sens of awarnes,closin her eyes imaginin his body aginst hers,cant concentrate,cant sleep,cant functun bcuz of him. Its ridiculus.
Wen I red that it had sumthin 2do w/Chico Mendez,who I lernd about at college,I was interested. I expected sumthin different,2inspire awareness,knowledge&passion in the rainforest. I certinly dint expect a run of the mill luv triangle w/instant lust&angsty feelins like theyr teens, not like a college student&graduate.
A guy is introducd, Carlos&he says sumthin flirtatusly 2 Emma &kissed her on both cheeks,&Jimmy instantly shows signs of jealusy& posesivnes. Jimmy grabs him&turns him awy from Emma. Im noticin a pattern here,1where evrythin happens 2soon&feelins r introducd wen thers no foundatun 4them. I wish authors wud slow down&then theyd realize it duznt evn mak sens 4him 2b actin like this. &Emma warms 2Carlos imm.,in “a frends-only way.” So the min. u meet sum1 u must judg them frend or luvr. Thers no getin 2no the person,u just judg strangrs as 1or the othr the instant u meet them. &its clear who Emmas goin2 get with. All other guys fall by the wayside,categorized in Emmas frend zone bcuz shes alredy pikd Jimmy out. Gone r the days wen readers wudnt no who the female lead was goin2 end up with. Now authors just giv it awy,leavin us no surprise,by puttin the guys name on the bak of the bk&quickly shuttin down the prospect of another.
Carlos gets Emmas luggage&Jimmy frowns bcuz Carlos beat him 2it. Emma feels like a piece of candy that2 boys r fihtin ovr. Agin,its not realistic or sensble that2guys wud be fightin ovr sum1 they just met. Carlos&Jimmy gestures 4Emma 2 sit in the bak&Mike is in the passenger seat. Carlos drives&Jimmy is gess wher…in the bak w/Emma. Then Carlos leavs&Jimmy drives&he tells Mike 2sit in the bak&Emma in front bcuz thats how they do it wher hes from. My, these 2 r rly gettin thrown 2gethr a lot. They just met&theyve had so much contact alredy. It was cute wen Jimmy sed that he cant do Sao Paulo style,hes from Rio&they let women sit up front bcuz they know btr. I just wish it wasnt yet another ploy 2get these 2 2gethr.
They hav 2stop 4the police&Jimmy leans acros Emma 2get2 the glove compartment. His arm is acros her leg, which sends this hyper-sensitiv sex-starvd lunatic in2 another fit of ecstasy. Shes “all 2 aware” of his arm acros her leg. This is makin me gag.&how is this even hapnin? Is the gluv compartment on her door? In Fiats the glove compartment is built in2 the door? Isnt it on the dash,as in nowher near her leg? The angle is all wrong 4this anywy. How wud his arm b across her leg if hes openin the glove compartment in front of her? I wud luv 2c how this looks bcuz its not addin up. Agin,its convenient. Then Jimmy rubs his hand on her knee. Y,Idk. I gess police like cin sex-crazed teens paw each other by the roadside.
They sit 2gethr@brekfast at the hotel&a man cums up&tells Jimmy his gf is pretty. So make that 100times theyve ben coupled. Emma hautily tells Jimmy 2tell him 2mind his own busnes. U mean u dont find plesur in bein called Jimmys gf? Did ur belly,abdomen,or lowr body part not get hot from thos words?
They get chasd on the way 2Ronaldos house,Miltons frend,&aftrwrd Jimmy puts his hand on her knee&givs her 1of his smiles that encompasses all of her&singles her out as the only person in the univers&once agin Emma-no-brains has truble concentratin on the road as heat emanates up her leg. I rly dont c how this girl manages 2 almost get thru college wen shes so easly distracted. She probly just went 2stare@guys,&thers no way shes goin2b a successful jurnalist wen shes nearly salivatin ovr guys&runnin hot evry time shes tuchd in the most casual way. They arrive at Ronaldos house&his daughter whos around ther age cums out&wen Jimmy givs her the standard kiss on both cheeks Emma gets jelus.Gah!
Emma judged the Yanomamis ways:eatin insects&the ashes of ther cremated relativs&displays attitude Idl.Wen she maks a comment 2 Jimmy about Ronaldo usin the air conditionin wen hes suposd 2care about the environment I was like uve got 2b kidin me. Ur a jurnalist,not a judge. So bcuz he cares about the environment,sumthin she ob. duznt as much as gettin the story&usin ppl 2get it,he shud sit in swelterin heat&sweat it out?
Emmas air conditioning gos out&as shes downstairs tellin the desk help that Jimmy cums up&says it in Portuguese.But in the meantime miss priss cant do w/o the AC so he offers 4her 2cum bak 2his room. He flashes that megawatt smile of his&once mor her supposd brains tak a hike. His smile focuses on her each time,blokin out the rest of the world&maks her feel imp. as if shes the only person in the world.
A smile that can do all that,huh? Insted of bein a photographer he shud capitalize on that. Just sell pics of him smilin bcuz thats the answer2 evrythin. Just look at Emmas reaction,shes practicly pantin at his feet.
Its also mentond that Emma has birth control&shes takin it,cuz it wudnt make sens 2stop,bcuz shes ben takin it sinc she was 16,1st 2 clear up her acne&then 4the mor obvious reasons. Yes,thats right. SEX! Sex,sex&sex! Thers gotta b an agenda here,the authors gettin paid 2sell sex,encourage sex,or thers a count of how many times sex is referenced. This shud b cald Amazon Sex or just plain Sex bcuz we cant get awy from it 4 2 secs!
Pg. 59- “Jimmy flashd her 1 of thos smiles that singled her out as the only person in the univers. He grabd Emmas hand&led her down the corridor of the hotel. Our hands fit 2gethr perfectly,” Emma thought. She was sry wen Jimmy relesd her 2unlok his door&fantasized 4a moment that they wer goin 2do sumthin in his bedroom besides lk at photos. She imagind runin her tung ovr his teeth&feelin the moistness bneth. Celibate,she repeated 2herself...but in the privacy of Jimmys room,who wud no?"
Yes,Emma,that is a sign that u shud hav sex w/this total stranger. Havin hands that fit “perfectly in sum1 elses(wutevr that means. Is his hand big&hers small,the same size,or just big enuf 2where he can hold urs…or wut?),is a sign from the univers,straight from God,that u shud jump this guy u know next 2nothin about at the 1st oportunity. Then u can c wut other parts fit.;)
This girl needs a freakin bucket of ice water dumped on her hed.its a YA novel,which sends a bad message 2teens.its disgustin,wrong,&just sleazy 2me. Id like a teen 4once that wasnt sex-crazed,drinkin, cussin,full of attitude&was just kind,morally upright w/values&standards.
&she wants 2run her tung ovr his teeth&feel the moistness bneath? Bneath wut? Bneath his teeth,like the edges of his teeth? Y wud they b moist,moister than any other part of his mouth?Or r we talkin about the top of his teeth wher the gums r?Or the bak of his teeth,but that raises the? agin of y wud his teeth b moist? If ur lookin 4moistness y dont u go 4his tongue or sumthin? This isnt makin ne sens!
They lk at pics&he says they need a bargin arangment about the price&4sum reson thos innocent-seemin words set her off.She feels “blood rush 2her groin.” Finally!Finally that part is named! Shes ben skirtin around that since day1. &groin,esp. on a female? Ew.
Jimmy tries 2kiss her&Emma has a flashbak 2Horowitz,her profesor who sexualy assaulted her,doin the same, so she leaves. Wow, suddenly Miss gotta hav it all the time is pullin bak from SEX. Im shockd!
Emma seems a lil unbalanced. Her teacher tried 2force himself on her, grabbin her head&pullin it towards his penis, yes,that word was used, another good idea 4a YA novel&then hes puttin his hand hard on her crotch. This book is way 2 sex-oriented 4my tastes. Emma hits him repeatedly in the temple w/her cell phone&4sum reason she thinks shes in the right. 2me she rly looks unstable&Im not goin 2root 4sum1 that hit sum1 ovr&ovr in the most sensitive part of ur head. She cudve killed him. Wut a lunatic. u hit him once 2 incapacitate him&then u leave. Which crime is worse, sexual assault or death? Death u cant cum bak from.&its clear this girl isnt traumatized,except 4that 1weird instance wher she cudnt kiss Jimmy, but other than that this girl is actin like shes ben in prison&is desperate 4a man, or mor correctly 1part of a man.
Pg. 87-“Jimmy reachd ovr 2deposit his camera case at Emmas feet, his hand brushin aginst her knee. Emma was helpless 2control the hyperawareness of his presence next 2her.”
Pg. 112 “Jimmy put his right arm around Emma’s waist like a man stakin claim 2his woman&in this crowd, Emma was grateful. She tried not 2think about how natural his hand felt at the curv just abuv her hips.”
This girl duznt hav the ability 2focus on anythin other than Jimmy. This isnt a tale of environmental issues,the rainforest or Yanomami Indians,its sex ed class. This cud b used 2teach yung ppl that this is wut leads up 2u gettin pregnant,unless ur on the pill at the tender age of 16 like this gem here. Which cud allow u2sleep around indiscriminately whenevr u wanted,say like with a guy uv only ben around 4a few mins. Thats how the future generation of jurnalists in America r doin it.
Pg. 115 “Jimmy reached out&placed a hand on her knee. Emma wished she cud grab it&hold on, or betr yet, put it a lil further up her thi. But she had a job 2do.”
If I read 1 more time he puts his hand on her knee Im goin2 pull out every hair on my head&scream at the top of my lungs. This cant b hapnin! Its like a bad record playin ovr &ovr agin. Ur about 2get evidence in a smugglin trade 4gods sake&ther u go agin only thinkin about sex. Shes worse than any guy Ive evr read about. They say guys think w/their .., well this girl thinks w/her...all the time. Ive nvr encountered anythin like this. How can u function w/this sex drive, how can u get anythin done?
Pg. 155 Emma wanted 2spend the night w/Jimmy, but not in the jungle.
Pg. 157 “She was about 2spend the night in the jungle w/Jimmy, &her insides wer in a tumult. She wasnt sure she cud hold down ne food.”
Pg. 158 “A diff. wetness appeard btwn Emmas legs as his fingers movd gently but insistently past her knee 2the edge of her shorts. Wen he pausd 2tip mor oil on2 his hand the absence of his tuch felt like tortur.”
Lets mak that a lil mor dramatic&needy. This girl is way 2 clingy&needy 4 my likin. Y dont they just go ahed&get at it rite ther? Theyv known each other maybe a few days, skip 2 3rd base bcuz thats wher this lil scene is headin&then send her on home by havin casual sex. My dislike of her wud b complete.
It piks up w/: “He reached 4her other leg. The odor of citronella blended w/the smell of Jimmys shampoo as his hed brushd aginst her chest. Once agin, his hand movd slowly up her leg until his fingers caressd the inside of her thi. Emma opened her legs, invitin him 2 explor furthr.”
Omg, Ive had it w/this slut! How can u muv so fast?! Idc if shes ben ther a month, it is 2soon 2b sleepin w/sum1. Its way 2 fast&its just about lust which isnt enuf4 sex 2me. &she is way 2 bold&I rly dont like bold characters. &ther goes that knee refrence agin. Every time theyre 2gethr hes tuchin her knee. Thats the only body part that gets mentond, besides her crotch which is surfacin w/increasin intensity. Mentionin wetness&openin ur legs&wantin sex so bad is so inappropriate 4a YA novel. Its like the author duznt want 2b a romance author&go that far, so she scales it bak 2YA, but still wants sex in ther&so goes 2 far 4this age level.
Pg. 158 “Close quarters,” Jimmy commented w/a wink, causin the blood 2rush 2her abdomen.”
Apparently Jimmy not pursuin her open leg invitation isn’t deterring enuf. Her abdomen is heatin up faster than an oven. Just put ur frozen goods on her while she’s thinkin of Jimmy &ur food wil b cooked all the way thru in a few secs flat.
Just as Emma is admiring Jimmy’s beauty as he does martial arts routine, a jaguar cums up bhind him. Emma tries a couple times 2 scare it off&then goes 4the gun. Gess there’s not much else u can do in a situation like that, but tell that 2 an animal lover&it duznt tame the sadness 1 bit. Emma shoots it twice&she expresses no guilt ovr killin it,no sense of grief ovr the loss of life.
&of course Jimmy is there w/a hug. Emma proceeds 2kiss him, shuv her tongue in his mouth&then they hav sex&the details r 2 graphic 4 a YA. She feels like she’s made luv 4 the 1st time. Emma finally gets the sex she’s ben wantin. Aftr she killed a jaguar. Not rly the most romantic time 2hav sex, but that’s just me. &it’s not the most appropriate action 2take place that wud be conducive 2 environmental protection, stoppin illegal pet trade, wildlife smuggling, etc. But it’s not my book so I can’t choose wut wud inspire awareness. So go ahed&have sex aftr u just shot that big cat&its body is lyin dead. U certainly deserv it.
He catches her soul in his arms,&yes, thos exact words r used&all is well4 Emma, who finaly got sex aftr wut cud only hav ben a few agonizing days of goin w/o it w/the gorgeous Jimmy whose teeth r almost perfect except 4 the front tooth that slightly juts out. Other than that lil detail Idk anything about him, besides dark skin&dark hair but I can’t rmbr bcuz it was only sed once in the beginnin I think. I cant pic. him, Emma, or any other character fully in my head. All thats sed time&again about Jimmy is the smell of his body wash&shampoo. That’s all. Wut duz body wash smell like? There’s no universal male body wash. So there needs 2b an accompanying scent or else I have no idea wut he smells like. &his shampoo, just like the body wash, needs a scent. He cud smell like any myriad of things but Idk bcuz there’s no descriptive details given, just standard “he smells like body wash." Details r so imp. in books; u hav 2 describe wut every1 looks like or else I cant pic. anything in my head&that’s not a good experience 4 readin.
Jimmy says he dint think that was evr goin2happen&I just lost it 4 about the 100th time in this book. Try goin w/o food 4 a few days u 2&cif u want 2 rethink that angst&desperation. if u had rly wanted sum1&dint sleep w/them 4 like a yr &Id understand the feelings, but not aftr a few days shud u be actin like u waited a lifetime&u overcame these insurmountable obstacles.
Insted of usin it as a positiv experience, like this is wut some female journalists face in ther careers. Ther professors might attempt rape, they hav2 travel2 foreign countries&lern the language, form relationships w/potential sources, acquire photos 4ur point of view&ovrcum adversity w/ppl that dont think they’re good enuf, even ther fathers. But no, it wasn’t that. It was lust aftr the 1st guy u c, think about havin sex w/him, try 2 force urself on him, flirt w/other guys 2 mak him jelus, think about havin sex, argue w/him wen he tried2educate u on the finer points of journalism (which u need 2 hear), convinc ur dad u do hav wut it taks, say ur lernin a few words&then go on2do nothin mor than think about sex, get in2 a rekles sleuth attempt that reqire Jimmy 2spend $5,000, all the $ in his account, express no gilt or ofr 2 use ur own$, think about sex, shoot a jaguar&try2catch a killer wen u can manage 2not think about sex 4 a few mins out of the day&put ur entire agenda on the backburner as u completely devote all of ur attention 2hav sex w/a guy u barely know from Adam!
I nvr came 2like Emma, not 1 moment in the entire book.&I nvr cud get a read on her,her ideas about the world,feelins, nothin. Except 4her abdomen,stomach&crotch heatin up, she dint display a whole lot of reaction 2 anythin that hapend. I knew mor about her crotch than I knew about her. Im just lookin bak ovr wut hapend now that Im dun w/it, &I cant say ther was even 1instance wher she sed wut she felt—about anything. She had a 1track mind 2get the story&the glory. She dint expres sadness that Iara was a widow w/2 sons, that her husband was murdered, that Milton Silva was senselessly killed bcuz of a yung luv scenario wher a dad was goin2 shoot his daughters luvr (bcuz murder is just rampant in this novel, Emma jumps at the chance 2kill a dyin man. Carlos shot him w/a poison dart but he got up&came aftr her so she shoots 2kill—&does it. This girl is bloodthirsty. I know he was goin2 rape her but he dint. She dint hav 2kill him, all she had 2do was shoot his arm or leg or sumwher els that wasnt fatal2 incapacitate him. Jimmy had made a comment that he was glad he wudnt c Horowitz bcuz he’d get accused of 1st-degree murder&he sed he’d kil the man tryin 2rape her. Ronaldo was all prepared 2shoot Fernando, but ended up shootin his friend Silva insted. These ppl r2ok w/endin ppls lives) Emma, thruout everythin that hapend, had no opinions about any of it. It was lik she was watchin TV that dint afect her so she dint care. It was bizar. shes a robot w/no emotions aside from lust,bcuz she almost got raped yet dint hav ne feelins on the matter.
The charactrs wer flat. I thot Rita was intrestin until she shaped up 2b a selfish brat that dint care about nethin cept her secret lovr,“'Nando”which I saw comin from a mi. awy. It was the comment about Fernando not likin girls that I fig. it out.Sum surprise.She was cussin&dint care about the world,just like Silvas wife at 1st.All they cared about was ther relatonships.Rita cusses&says she duznt duznt giv a f about the rest of the world at the end of the bk!am I suposd 2like any of these ppl?Bcuz I dont.
Carlos was cool&I wanted him 2get w/Rita bcuz of the time he sed he wishd he was makin progres w/her but by the end I was glad he dint, bcuz she was smokin,cussin&obsessed w/‘Nando.Then wen Emma&Jimmy go2 her house 2thank her4her help the night they got stuk in the mud,Rita is outside wher ne1 cud cum up on her w/her shirt open,1of Fernandos hands on her breast&the other up her skirt. They break awy wen they hear him,no embarrassment at all,Rita only displayin pride. Oh boy. Ive had it w/these ppl.
2ensur I cudnt like 1thing about it,it turns out Jimmys&Emmas atempt 2find a killer wer all 4nothin bcuz they had ben tailin the wrong person the entire time.It was sum1 that had workd w/the feds 2discovr who killed Milton Silva.I had absolutely no idea who they wer talkin about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2014
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion or the content of this review.
Amazon Burning by Victoria Griffith tells the thrilling story of aspiring journalist Emma Cohen and her journey into the Amazon to uncover the truth behind the death of prominent environmentalist Milton Silva. Emma is in Rio de Janerio interning with her father when news of Milton's death reaches them. Hopping aboard a plane with her father and newspaper photographer Jimmy, they head to the jungle to cover his funeral and do a little digging. From dealing with corrupt police to gold diggers to an illegal exotic animal ring, Amazon Burning will keep you engaged in the action until the very last word.
Character Breakdown
Emma Cohen is 22 years-old when she takes her father's offer of an internship at the newspaper he works for in Rio. Moving from NYC to the bustling city is a bit of culture shock for Emma, but with everything that is happening in NYC it is the best option for her. Without revealing any spoilers I'll just say that Miss Emma is facing a lawsuit and being kicked out her senior year of college because of something that happened with a professor. Needless to say, Emma is very strong-willed, a fighter, and has a nose for trouble.
Jimmy is a photographer for the newspaper in Rio, not much older than Emma, and extremely charming. He comes from a rich family, went to school to be a doctor, but has decided that it isn't for him. He and Emma become fast friends, but there is more than just friendship brewing between them.
Romance and Action
Okay so the plot is two-fold. First there is the main plot....who killed Milton Silva and why? This plot leads the characters on a wild goose chase through the Amazon jungle, risking life and limb literally! There is gold smuggling, an exotic animal ring, a trek into the jungle to meet the natives, and a kidnapping...and that's just the tip of what Emma and Jimmy go through!
Then there's the romance aspect or lack there of. I found it more a lust instead of an actual romance. There was not really any relationship building, just Emma thinking Jimmy was hot and how she wanted him to kiss her in the midst of all the action, also at rather inappropriate times. Jimmy was also a bit intense promising her nothing would happen to her while she was with him. I mean really?! How can he promise that when they are literally putting themselves in the middle of a very dangerous situation? But I digress, there wasn't much romance per say, lots of lust though.
My Conclusion
Overall this book was just okay for me. It had excellent action and a very suspenseful plot, however I had expected a romance and well there wasn't one. Sure the characters lusted after each other, but why? Just because of looks? There wasn't much character building, except with Emma where her character was slowly revealed throughout the book. Jimmy was basically a closed book, not much about him other than he came from a rich family and studied to be a doctor. I guess I just didn't connect with the characters.
So why four stars? Well like I said the action and suspense kept me engaged to the very end. I had to know what was going to happen to the characters and what happened to Milton, though I had figured it out before Jimmy and Emma. They aren't very good journalists. FYI there is a small amount of profanity and quite a bit of sexual references so I would recommend this book for mature audiences only! If you enjoy new adult fiction, a little romance, and lots of action/suspense then I believe this book is for you!
Amazon Burning by Victoria Griffith tells the thrilling story of aspiring journalist Emma Cohen and her journey into the Amazon to uncover the truth behind the death of prominent environmentalist Milton Silva. Emma is in Rio de Janerio interning with her father when news of Milton's death reaches them. Hopping aboard a plane with her father and newspaper photographer Jimmy, they head to the jungle to cover his funeral and do a little digging. From dealing with corrupt police to gold diggers to an illegal exotic animal ring, Amazon Burning will keep you engaged in the action until the very last word.
Character Breakdown
Emma Cohen is 22 years-old when she takes her father's offer of an internship at the newspaper he works for in Rio. Moving from NYC to the bustling city is a bit of culture shock for Emma, but with everything that is happening in NYC it is the best option for her. Without revealing any spoilers I'll just say that Miss Emma is facing a lawsuit and being kicked out her senior year of college because of something that happened with a professor. Needless to say, Emma is very strong-willed, a fighter, and has a nose for trouble.
Jimmy is a photographer for the newspaper in Rio, not much older than Emma, and extremely charming. He comes from a rich family, went to school to be a doctor, but has decided that it isn't for him. He and Emma become fast friends, but there is more than just friendship brewing between them.
Romance and Action
Okay so the plot is two-fold. First there is the main plot....who killed Milton Silva and why? This plot leads the characters on a wild goose chase through the Amazon jungle, risking life and limb literally! There is gold smuggling, an exotic animal ring, a trek into the jungle to meet the natives, and a kidnapping...and that's just the tip of what Emma and Jimmy go through!
Then there's the romance aspect or lack there of. I found it more a lust instead of an actual romance. There was not really any relationship building, just Emma thinking Jimmy was hot and how she wanted him to kiss her in the midst of all the action, also at rather inappropriate times. Jimmy was also a bit intense promising her nothing would happen to her while she was with him. I mean really?! How can he promise that when they are literally putting themselves in the middle of a very dangerous situation? But I digress, there wasn't much romance per say, lots of lust though.
My Conclusion
Overall this book was just okay for me. It had excellent action and a very suspenseful plot, however I had expected a romance and well there wasn't one. Sure the characters lusted after each other, but why? Just because of looks? There wasn't much character building, except with Emma where her character was slowly revealed throughout the book. Jimmy was basically a closed book, not much about him other than he came from a rich family and studied to be a doctor. I guess I just didn't connect with the characters.
So why four stars? Well like I said the action and suspense kept me engaged to the very end. I had to know what was going to happen to the characters and what happened to Milton, though I had figured it out before Jimmy and Emma. They aren't very good journalists. FYI there is a small amount of profanity and quite a bit of sexual references so I would recommend this book for mature audiences only! If you enjoy new adult fiction, a little romance, and lots of action/suspense then I believe this book is for you!
January 7, 2018
I actually wasn't as impressed by this novel as I was hoping to be. It's somewhat misleading in its plot and can be a bit boring at times too. Which means that this just isn't my type of novel at all, and I was so hoping that it would be. However, the genre just wasn't what I thought it be and the cover is at fault for making me believe in such.
After a mishap in New York Emma is advised to make herself scarce. A task that Emma is all too glad to do if it means getting away from the press. So when her father offers her an internship in Rio de Janeiro Emma jumps at the chance. Which she is now currently regretting, because all she is doing is lounging by the pool. Waiting for her father to give her an assignment that may never come. But luck does eventually come her way, and she's given the chance to cover an exclusive story of a lifetime. Because the famous environmentalist Milton Silva has been murdered. And his murder shocks everyone in Rio de Janeiro, especially those who have been close to him. So when Emma's father hears about Milton's sudden death he puts Emma on the case. He wants Emma to find out exactly who murdered him and why they would do such a thing. A task that Emma is more than willing to take, because her career as a writer depends on it. Especially, when this is the article that could make the top headlines of Brazil. However, that's not the only thing that is currently occupying Emma's mind. Her new news photographer Jimmy is also taking up some unwanted space. Because while Jimmy may be sexy in his own way Emma still doesn't know how she feels about him. All she knows is that he is to accompany her wherever she goes, so that he may also translate for her. But there are some things that he doesn't have to translate. Such as the danger that they are both currently in. A danger that is all too real and is nothing that they bargained for. Because they now not only have to deal with dangerous human beings, but the rainforest too. A danger that is all too unique in itself.
This novel is supposedly an adult romance novel, with a bit of mystery added to it. However, it reads more along the lines of a young adult mystery novel with a little bit of romance. One that is rather odd. Especially when it comes to the plot. Because while it did seem to have a purpose it's also almost like it didn't have one at certain times. The plot was all over the place at times and it seems to focus more on the Amazon forest instead of the characters. And with this being said I really did learn quite a bit about the rainforest. Some of it being true, while other parts weren't at all. So when it all comes down to my final recommendation I'd say that this is an okay novel. It's not one of my favorites, but it's also not one of my worst. So if you want to read this novel go ahead. I just believe that it's too confusing plot wise to be a truly great novel.
*Read on November 11th, 2014
After a mishap in New York Emma is advised to make herself scarce. A task that Emma is all too glad to do if it means getting away from the press. So when her father offers her an internship in Rio de Janeiro Emma jumps at the chance. Which she is now currently regretting, because all she is doing is lounging by the pool. Waiting for her father to give her an assignment that may never come. But luck does eventually come her way, and she's given the chance to cover an exclusive story of a lifetime. Because the famous environmentalist Milton Silva has been murdered. And his murder shocks everyone in Rio de Janeiro, especially those who have been close to him. So when Emma's father hears about Milton's sudden death he puts Emma on the case. He wants Emma to find out exactly who murdered him and why they would do such a thing. A task that Emma is more than willing to take, because her career as a writer depends on it. Especially, when this is the article that could make the top headlines of Brazil. However, that's not the only thing that is currently occupying Emma's mind. Her new news photographer Jimmy is also taking up some unwanted space. Because while Jimmy may be sexy in his own way Emma still doesn't know how she feels about him. All she knows is that he is to accompany her wherever she goes, so that he may also translate for her. But there are some things that he doesn't have to translate. Such as the danger that they are both currently in. A danger that is all too real and is nothing that they bargained for. Because they now not only have to deal with dangerous human beings, but the rainforest too. A danger that is all too unique in itself.
This novel is supposedly an adult romance novel, with a bit of mystery added to it. However, it reads more along the lines of a young adult mystery novel with a little bit of romance. One that is rather odd. Especially when it comes to the plot. Because while it did seem to have a purpose it's also almost like it didn't have one at certain times. The plot was all over the place at times and it seems to focus more on the Amazon forest instead of the characters. And with this being said I really did learn quite a bit about the rainforest. Some of it being true, while other parts weren't at all. So when it all comes down to my final recommendation I'd say that this is an okay novel. It's not one of my favorites, but it's also not one of my worst. So if you want to read this novel go ahead. I just believe that it's too confusing plot wise to be a truly great novel.
*Read on November 11th, 2014
October 23, 2014
Reviewd at: http://queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co...
First things first, I love the Amazon Jungle. I’ve even written a few essays about Indigenous people. And of all the years I’ve been reviewing books, I’ve never once been asked to review one set in the Amazon Jungle. So needless to say, I was really happy when this arrived in my inbox.
The plot for this story is unique and intriguing. And, of course, the setting was one of the highlights for me. There’s a murder mystery going on amongst a ton of action and romance, so there's plenty to keep readers entertained. There are also quite a few darker elements to this story, which I really enjoyed.
The characters were fantastic. I do wish we’d seen a little more of Emma’s father though, because I found him interesting and thought he had more potential. Emma herself was a wonderfully strong character. I loved her view of the Amazon and her passion to tell the world her stories from her time there. Jimmy was equally as great. He struck me as kind-hearted and streetwise. You'd feel safer travelling with him!
My favourite parts of this book had to be the scenes set within the Amazon itself. The culture was utterly compelling. The descriptions of the tribes and their way of life were fascinating and well researched. I like a book that lets you learn something from it, and I think this story will definitely get its readers thinking.
What didn’t work for me in this book was the romance. I liked both Emma and Jimmy, but the romance, for me, just didn’t have that spark that I felt it would. I wasn’t drawn in by it, and I wasn’t rooting for them to finally be together. I don’t know why, but it wasn’t as exciting for me as I’d hoped. But as I said, I liked both of the characters.
I must admit, Jimmy’s story felt a little unresolved at the end of the book. Since his past as a doctor was brought up quite a few times, I expected some sort of conclusion from it. I know he explained why he gave up working as a doctor, but I still felt like it was all building up to something else, like maybe he’d put it behind him and try and get back into it?
As I see this blog as a place purely for YA reviews, I do feel the need to point out that this book feels more like a New Adult novel to me, rather than YA. The themes are more mature and the romance scenes are quite full-on. Just a heads up to any younger readers!
Overall, I’m happy I had the chance to read a story set outside of the usual locations. The way of life in a different part of the world definitely added the intriguing spark within this book. If you want to try something a little different, this story might just be one for you.
First things first, I love the Amazon Jungle. I’ve even written a few essays about Indigenous people. And of all the years I’ve been reviewing books, I’ve never once been asked to review one set in the Amazon Jungle. So needless to say, I was really happy when this arrived in my inbox.
The plot for this story is unique and intriguing. And, of course, the setting was one of the highlights for me. There’s a murder mystery going on amongst a ton of action and romance, so there's plenty to keep readers entertained. There are also quite a few darker elements to this story, which I really enjoyed.
The characters were fantastic. I do wish we’d seen a little more of Emma’s father though, because I found him interesting and thought he had more potential. Emma herself was a wonderfully strong character. I loved her view of the Amazon and her passion to tell the world her stories from her time there. Jimmy was equally as great. He struck me as kind-hearted and streetwise. You'd feel safer travelling with him!
My favourite parts of this book had to be the scenes set within the Amazon itself. The culture was utterly compelling. The descriptions of the tribes and their way of life were fascinating and well researched. I like a book that lets you learn something from it, and I think this story will definitely get its readers thinking.
What didn’t work for me in this book was the romance. I liked both Emma and Jimmy, but the romance, for me, just didn’t have that spark that I felt it would. I wasn’t drawn in by it, and I wasn’t rooting for them to finally be together. I don’t know why, but it wasn’t as exciting for me as I’d hoped. But as I said, I liked both of the characters.
I must admit, Jimmy’s story felt a little unresolved at the end of the book. Since his past as a doctor was brought up quite a few times, I expected some sort of conclusion from it. I know he explained why he gave up working as a doctor, but I still felt like it was all building up to something else, like maybe he’d put it behind him and try and get back into it?
As I see this blog as a place purely for YA reviews, I do feel the need to point out that this book feels more like a New Adult novel to me, rather than YA. The themes are more mature and the romance scenes are quite full-on. Just a heads up to any younger readers!
Overall, I’m happy I had the chance to read a story set outside of the usual locations. The way of life in a different part of the world definitely added the intriguing spark within this book. If you want to try something a little different, this story might just be one for you.
January 29, 2015
Amazon Burning was a fast paced book filled with Amazonian adventures, new adult lust, and intriguing characters. It was certainly a wild ride.
Our main character is Emma, a 22 year old, wannabe journalist with somewhat uncontrollable sexual tension and a need to keep that tension under control. She's running from a sexual harassment/rape case against her college professor in New York where she's been perceived as the one to blame, and thus, she must become the definition of innocence. Her mind though, doesn't quite want to cooperate, especially when she runs into Jimmy, a photographer, while out researching with her father in the Amazon. Jimmy speaks to something within Emma, and she must work to ignore her desires around him.
Beyond her inner tension, and the hope to clear her name in the court case, Emma is working to help her Father uncover a murder, and catch those in charge of a big poaching operation in the Amazon. Soon, she's swept up in the mystery, and fighting not only for answers, but for her own life.
Amazon Burning was an interesting book that delved into the effects of poaching, and those who choose to fight against it, as well as the criminals that control the trade. Though I feel the story could have been fleshed out a bit more, and some areas felt too short, or unnecessary all together, it was interesting to read about the amazon and the indigenous peoples therein and to follow Emma on her adventures. In addition, I never quite bought in to the romance between Emma and Jimmy. It never actually made sense, and the fact that she was lusting after him from practically the moment she saw him made me feel like this was more romance than mystery/thriller.
I would suggest this book for those of you over the age of 18 (there is some *sexy time*) who like indie new adult romance thrillers set in exotic locales. It was certainly a fast paced easy read. I give it 2.5 stars!
Our main character is Emma, a 22 year old, wannabe journalist with somewhat uncontrollable sexual tension and a need to keep that tension under control. She's running from a sexual harassment/rape case against her college professor in New York where she's been perceived as the one to blame, and thus, she must become the definition of innocence. Her mind though, doesn't quite want to cooperate, especially when she runs into Jimmy, a photographer, while out researching with her father in the Amazon. Jimmy speaks to something within Emma, and she must work to ignore her desires around him.
Beyond her inner tension, and the hope to clear her name in the court case, Emma is working to help her Father uncover a murder, and catch those in charge of a big poaching operation in the Amazon. Soon, she's swept up in the mystery, and fighting not only for answers, but for her own life.
Amazon Burning was an interesting book that delved into the effects of poaching, and those who choose to fight against it, as well as the criminals that control the trade. Though I feel the story could have been fleshed out a bit more, and some areas felt too short, or unnecessary all together, it was interesting to read about the amazon and the indigenous peoples therein and to follow Emma on her adventures. In addition, I never quite bought in to the romance between Emma and Jimmy. It never actually made sense, and the fact that she was lusting after him from practically the moment she saw him made me feel like this was more romance than mystery/thriller.
I would suggest this book for those of you over the age of 18 (there is some *sexy time*) who like indie new adult romance thrillers set in exotic locales. It was certainly a fast paced easy read. I give it 2.5 stars!
March 9, 2015
I was intrigued from the beginning with the mystery of who killed Milton Silva, the environmental activist with a lot of history fighting for the salvation of the Amazon Rainforest. The story takes you on the heart pounding adventure of an aspiring journalist, Emma, who after some trouble at her school, NYU goes to live with her father, a journalist in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. When the news of Milton’s murder is released she accompanies her father to the small town of Boa Vista in the Amazon to report on the murder. However, Emma’s father’s charming news photographer, Jimmy, also tags along and a budding relationship forms between the two young adults. While Emma’s father is reluctant to follow all of the clues left behind by Milton’s killer, Emma and Jimmy band together to solve the mystery, and along the way recruit the help of friends.
The author, Victoria Griffith provides an extraordinary account of the liveliness of the Amazon Rainforest that makes you feel as though you are on the adventure alongside Emma and her friends. Griffith provides culture rich descriptions of how the locals within the cities and towns live, to the tribes living in the Amazon Rainforest and their customs. The complementary significance of this story is that it informs the readers of the ever-growing threats to the Amazon Rainforest: poaching, destruction of life-breathing trees, mining operations, river pollution, dislocation of tribes, and many more unresolved problems. While Griffith addresses these concerns she does not go into depth about the politics behind all of these issues. Hopefully this novel inspires readers to do further research on the topic and recount what they have learned to family, friends, or on social media.
The author, Victoria Griffith provides an extraordinary account of the liveliness of the Amazon Rainforest that makes you feel as though you are on the adventure alongside Emma and her friends. Griffith provides culture rich descriptions of how the locals within the cities and towns live, to the tribes living in the Amazon Rainforest and their customs. The complementary significance of this story is that it informs the readers of the ever-growing threats to the Amazon Rainforest: poaching, destruction of life-breathing trees, mining operations, river pollution, dislocation of tribes, and many more unresolved problems. While Griffith addresses these concerns she does not go into depth about the politics behind all of these issues. Hopefully this novel inspires readers to do further research on the topic and recount what they have learned to family, friends, or on social media.
December 31, 2015
Amazon Burning is a murder mystery set in the jungle with a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. I was actually a little surprised after reading it and then seeing the description again saying it is a YA book. I did not get that impression while reading it at all. I would definitely classify it as an adult novel as it has a lot of violence and some heated romance. Plus I don't feel like any of the characters are 'young adults' either.
I did enjoy the story in this one but the writing had its issues. The romance didn't feel natural and it was kind of an insta-love thing. I didn't feel the spark between Emma and Jimmy. Another thing that irritated me was that the chapters didn't flow very well. One chapter would end with one situation and then the chapters would start out with something completely different. It was kind of jarring.
The setting of the Amazonian jungle was really great! I enjoyed looking at the different cultural aspects of Brazil and the indigenous people in the jungle. I actually kind of wish the author had spent more time with the indigenous people. It would have been more interesting than having the characters run for their lives every time they stepped foot in the jungle, that kind of got old quickly.
The murder mystery was well done. It kept you guessing until the end about what happened to Silva. The opening chapter where the murder takes place is actually pretty sad. I felt terrible for his wife after reading that scene.
I would recommend this book to others who enjoy mystery's as I felt like the setting was actually kind of unique and fun.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review through Goodreads First Wins
I did enjoy the story in this one but the writing had its issues. The romance didn't feel natural and it was kind of an insta-love thing. I didn't feel the spark between Emma and Jimmy. Another thing that irritated me was that the chapters didn't flow very well. One chapter would end with one situation and then the chapters would start out with something completely different. It was kind of jarring.
The setting of the Amazonian jungle was really great! I enjoyed looking at the different cultural aspects of Brazil and the indigenous people in the jungle. I actually kind of wish the author had spent more time with the indigenous people. It would have been more interesting than having the characters run for their lives every time they stepped foot in the jungle, that kind of got old quickly.
The murder mystery was well done. It kept you guessing until the end about what happened to Silva. The opening chapter where the murder takes place is actually pretty sad. I felt terrible for his wife after reading that scene.
I would recommend this book to others who enjoy mystery's as I felt like the setting was actually kind of unique and fun.
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review through Goodreads First Wins
June 21, 2015
Pretty interesting look at the Amazon and how the ecological habitation is affected by corporations that wants to destroy the environment and how some people who falls in love with each other tries to put a stop to the actions that is destroying the environment. Pretty good love story about the ecology and Amazon as well as how it affects people when greed of money overrules common sense.
January 30, 2015
I was thrilled to have won this book in the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
A great mystery book with several red herrings. My knowledge of the Amazon Jungle is very limited, and I can now say that I know a lot more than I did. Hope to read more books by Victoria Griffith.
A great mystery book with several red herrings. My knowledge of the Amazon Jungle is very limited, and I can now say that I know a lot more than I did. Hope to read more books by Victoria Griffith.
July 26, 2015
Well written and great story line and perfect young adult fiction. Characters were very realistic and just enough drama to keep one interested. I would love to see some adult fiction from this writer - have her dig deeper and make the intrigue and drama a little more.
September 26, 2014
thrilling YA debut that is hard to put down, expert detail that takes you right into the Amazon for a wild ride
November 15, 2014
Won this book in the first read giveaway. Loved it!
June 5, 2015
An action pact murder mystery set in the amazon with some romance the character are like able. An enjoyable read thanks to goodreads first reads for the free book
September 8, 2018
In my opinion, the best element in Amazon Burning is the fair and alarming description of deforestation along the world's longest river. I've cruised parts of the Amazon and strongly believe the rest of the world should be very concerned about the far-reaching results of mining in general, and particularly in this region.
Griffith's work is marketed as a YA novel, and my rating partially reflects the fact that I'm long past that target demographic. The book is a quick read and very informative. Her style reflects her journalistic background. (That's a good thing!) She imparts a lot of information to support her storyline, and I particularly enjoyed the depiction of the Yanomami—a people group I studied as part of my graduate degree.
I wish I read more YA only so that I could more fairly compare Amazon Burning with other books from this genre.
(I received Amazon Burning from Griffith's publicist and appreciate the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.)
Griffith's work is marketed as a YA novel, and my rating partially reflects the fact that I'm long past that target demographic. The book is a quick read and very informative. Her style reflects her journalistic background. (That's a good thing!) She imparts a lot of information to support her storyline, and I particularly enjoyed the depiction of the Yanomami—a people group I studied as part of my graduate degree.
I wish I read more YA only so that I could more fairly compare Amazon Burning with other books from this genre.
(I received Amazon Burning from Griffith's publicist and appreciate the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.)
May 3, 2021
Richly detailed and informed by the author's experience as a foreign correspondent, this intriguing novel is both hard to categorize and easy to embrace for its passionate human story of love, greed, political mendacity and murder amidst the Amazon rainforests of Brazil. An engaging, young female protagonist learns both who she is and what the world can be.
October 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I was captivated from the beginning and enjoyed reading about Emma and her journey to the Amazon and career as a journalist.
She flies to Boa Vista with her dad and she's glad she doesn't have to stay with his wife!
She meets the photographer Jimmy who works with her dad. Will they get along??
There researching a story on how Milton Silva was shot. It's a dangerous story to follow and has a lot of mystery and action and keeps you wondering what happened to him.
Will they be able to find out the truth and stay alive?
Definitely recommend this quick read and would love a follow up book!!!
She flies to Boa Vista with her dad and she's glad she doesn't have to stay with his wife!
She meets the photographer Jimmy who works with her dad. Will they get along??
There researching a story on how Milton Silva was shot. It's a dangerous story to follow and has a lot of mystery and action and keeps you wondering what happened to him.
Will they be able to find out the truth and stay alive?
Definitely recommend this quick read and would love a follow up book!!!
May 25, 2018
I signed on to read this book because it was pitched as a YA mystery / thriller which was what initially piqued my interest. In reality, I'd say that it would be more accurately described as a romance (cue cheese) with undertones of mystery and intrigue. There were lots of references to "warmth in her belly" at the "touch of his thigh" and "lingering glances at droplets of water on her chest" that really just made me groan, they were so awkward, so typically "romance-novel". I have never heard a lone tooth described as "erotic" but that happened on page 52 and I actually burst out laughing in utter disbelief. Oh dear... #facepalm
Thankfully the relationship took at least a little bit of a back seat in parts, but any time that the main character Emma interacted with Jimmy, her love interest, there was, without fail, some reference or innuendo making it instantly sexual, which I found really off-putting.
There was a background story of Emma dealing with a harrassment issue that I felt was unnecessary to the plot. I think it was meant to add some depth to the character, but it really didn't add anything to the overall plot, aside from causing some hesitance in Emma to get involved with her romantic interest, and being a factor in her choice to intern in Brasil in the first place. With her father working as a correspondent there, a chance to intern for a prestigious publication like The Guardian would have been a probable choice without this sub-plot, and in fact would probably have been more realistic without it, since I have a hard time understanding how someone involved in an ongoing legal situation with relatively serious charges would be allowed to leave the country so easily.
Appeal factors:
- The chosen setting of the Amazon was interesting; the aspect of bringing attention to the ecology of the area, the need for (and lack of) environmental protection, problems with poaching, the impact of development on indigenous peoples, etc. I'd say that this was what I enjoyed the most in this novel.
- It's a fast-paced, easy read.
- If you (unlike me) love a romance and don't mind a little cheesiness, this would probably be a decent pick for you.
Negatives:
- I found the writing awkward and stilted in many places.
- Some plot elements seemed quite unrealistic, or altogether unnecessary.
- I felt that the romance / sex scenes were super uncomfortable to read, often really awkward. These sorts of scenes were written very much in the cliché, overdone romance-novel style, for example, there were passages like "he released a fountain of pleasure into her vessel" and so on. While I'm not completely averse to love-scenes in novels, these were just tough to get through, for me. Definitely skipped over them as much as possible.
To sum up:
If you pick this book up hoping for a mystery/thriller, you'll probably be disappointed, like I was. If, however, you pick this book up solely as a guilty-pleasure steamy romance novel with a decent storyline, you'll probably enjoy it quite a bit.
Thankfully the relationship took at least a little bit of a back seat in parts, but any time that the main character Emma interacted with Jimmy, her love interest, there was, without fail, some reference or innuendo making it instantly sexual, which I found really off-putting.
There was a background story of Emma dealing with a harrassment issue that I felt was unnecessary to the plot. I think it was meant to add some depth to the character, but it really didn't add anything to the overall plot, aside from causing some hesitance in Emma to get involved with her romantic interest, and being a factor in her choice to intern in Brasil in the first place. With her father working as a correspondent there, a chance to intern for a prestigious publication like The Guardian would have been a probable choice without this sub-plot, and in fact would probably have been more realistic without it, since I have a hard time understanding how someone involved in an ongoing legal situation with relatively serious charges would be allowed to leave the country so easily.
Appeal factors:
- The chosen setting of the Amazon was interesting; the aspect of bringing attention to the ecology of the area, the need for (and lack of) environmental protection, problems with poaching, the impact of development on indigenous peoples, etc. I'd say that this was what I enjoyed the most in this novel.
- It's a fast-paced, easy read.
- If you (unlike me) love a romance and don't mind a little cheesiness, this would probably be a decent pick for you.
Negatives:
- I found the writing awkward and stilted in many places.
- Some plot elements seemed quite unrealistic, or altogether unnecessary.
- I felt that the romance / sex scenes were super uncomfortable to read, often really awkward. These sorts of scenes were written very much in the cliché, overdone romance-novel style, for example, there were passages like "he released a fountain of pleasure into her vessel" and so on. While I'm not completely averse to love-scenes in novels, these were just tough to get through, for me. Definitely skipped over them as much as possible.
To sum up:
If you pick this book up hoping for a mystery/thriller, you'll probably be disappointed, like I was. If, however, you pick this book up solely as a guilty-pleasure steamy romance novel with a decent storyline, you'll probably enjoy it quite a bit.
January 16, 2016
This book is different from what I usually read. I usually only read paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi books. The only realist thrillers I’ve read recently were murder mysteries or about hackers. In Amazon Burning the main character Emma is an aspiring reporter and is interning with her reporter father in Brazil. I really enjoyed the setting in this book. It was the most appealing thing and the reason why I said I was interested. The different animals and plants that I’ve only seen in picture or in movies like Rio (the animated movie about a blue Macaw). The setting and atmosphere was well written. It was like a mental vacation to a place I may never get to go to.
The plot was interesting enough. I never guess who killed Milton. The book entwined other issues related to the Amazon, including illegal poaching and trafficking of exotic animals as pets or for “magical” properties. Deforestation and burnings for ranchers was also brought up. There were indigenous people described in the book. They had strange ideas and traditions, but are not savages. They are called the Yanomami and they like in the rainforest and hunt and plant small farms to survive. Some have horrible diseases like malaria.
The romance between Emma and Jimmy is supposed to be a big part of the book, but to me it felt minor. I was turned off by the part that mentioned oral sex. As someone who ever only reads YA, NA is still pretty new and I don’t like erotic stuff or thing that I going to disgust me. I basically skipped through those because I did not want the mental image. I like kissing and there’s some of that. I feel like the romance is kind of unrealistic though. Emma’s personality seems all over the place. Is she really so hot for someone when she has more important things going on? I think the author should have taken it slower with the romance. Plus Emma’s having issues with a professor at NYU who sexually harassed her and is trying not to look slutty in case someone’s watching her.
This book did have some entertainment value and it’s worth a read for anyone who’s a fan of thriller movie or like books about travel and social and environmental issue. It’s thoughtful and anthropological. I still feel like there are some things that could have been improved. The characters felt kind of flat and not worked out. Maybe it’s just the 3rd person POV in this case. It was a change of pace and different from my usual genera.
Cover Art Review: The cover is good for a romantic thriller, but that girl looks nothing like the main character Emma.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
The plot was interesting enough. I never guess who killed Milton. The book entwined other issues related to the Amazon, including illegal poaching and trafficking of exotic animals as pets or for “magical” properties. Deforestation and burnings for ranchers was also brought up. There were indigenous people described in the book. They had strange ideas and traditions, but are not savages. They are called the Yanomami and they like in the rainforest and hunt and plant small farms to survive. Some have horrible diseases like malaria.
The romance between Emma and Jimmy is supposed to be a big part of the book, but to me it felt minor. I was turned off by the part that mentioned oral sex. As someone who ever only reads YA, NA is still pretty new and I don’t like erotic stuff or thing that I going to disgust me. I basically skipped through those because I did not want the mental image. I like kissing and there’s some of that. I feel like the romance is kind of unrealistic though. Emma’s personality seems all over the place. Is she really so hot for someone when she has more important things going on? I think the author should have taken it slower with the romance. Plus Emma’s having issues with a professor at NYU who sexually harassed her and is trying not to look slutty in case someone’s watching her.
This book did have some entertainment value and it’s worth a read for anyone who’s a fan of thriller movie or like books about travel and social and environmental issue. It’s thoughtful and anthropological. I still feel like there are some things that could have been improved. The characters felt kind of flat and not worked out. Maybe it’s just the 3rd person POV in this case. It was a change of pace and different from my usual genera.
Cover Art Review: The cover is good for a romantic thriller, but that girl looks nothing like the main character Emma.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
September 3, 2017
Based on the cover and the title you might, like I did, assume this is just some romantic chick lit book chronicling the many "burning" sexcapades of the main characters in the Amazon. Well sir or madam you would be mostly wrong. There are some steamy scenes, I will admit, but that is not at all what holds this story up; it merely adds a little bit of extra spice! The murder mystery, Emma's sticky situation back at NYU, and the twisted characters of the underworld of Brazil are what keep you reading. Griffith does a fantastic job of making the reader feel like they are in Brazil and I don't just mean with descriptions of the Amazon. She understands how ruthless and criminal the atmosphere can be in a place where thugs rule and police turn a blind eye. Brazil is beautifully exotic but also holds a sense of foreboding and you feel that in this book. I was also very impressed with the ending. It was so simple and yet I couldn't see it coming or really figure out who committed the murder at all up until the very end.
I could've given this five stars, because I couldn't put the book down and was surprised at how uncheesy the romance was and how nicely it complimented the murder story, but I didn't for one simple reason that really bugged me. There was one part in the book where a chapter ended and the next began and it felt like I had missed a whole gap in the story. Even though the page numbers indicated I wasn't missing any pages, the chapter numbers said otherwise. It looked like I was missing two chapters. I will admit that this was a galley copy of a book and it is disclosed that there might be errors in the book. However, I expect these errors to be grammatical. If I'm to read a book, I want to read the whole book, every last page and every word from start to finish. Leaving out entire chapters is just a complete bummer, especially when the story is at the height of the action. I'm hoping there was just an error with the chapter numbers but from the way the chapter before it ended and the next chapter began, the story felt too disjointed for this to be the case.
I still give this book a solid four out of five stars, however. The mystery of the missing chapters is a minor annoyance when, overall, I enjoyed the book so much. Even though it's not really set up for a sequel with some kind of cliffhanger, I really hope the author comes up with another adventure for Emma and Jimmy. There's so much going on politically in Brazil that it wouldn't be a stretch that the duo find another mystery to crack.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
I could've given this five stars, because I couldn't put the book down and was surprised at how uncheesy the romance was and how nicely it complimented the murder story, but I didn't for one simple reason that really bugged me. There was one part in the book where a chapter ended and the next began and it felt like I had missed a whole gap in the story. Even though the page numbers indicated I wasn't missing any pages, the chapter numbers said otherwise. It looked like I was missing two chapters. I will admit that this was a galley copy of a book and it is disclosed that there might be errors in the book. However, I expect these errors to be grammatical. If I'm to read a book, I want to read the whole book, every last page and every word from start to finish. Leaving out entire chapters is just a complete bummer, especially when the story is at the height of the action. I'm hoping there was just an error with the chapter numbers but from the way the chapter before it ended and the next chapter began, the story felt too disjointed for this to be the case.
I still give this book a solid four out of five stars, however. The mystery of the missing chapters is a minor annoyance when, overall, I enjoyed the book so much. Even though it's not really set up for a sequel with some kind of cliffhanger, I really hope the author comes up with another adventure for Emma and Jimmy. There's so much going on politically in Brazil that it wouldn't be a stretch that the duo find another mystery to crack.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
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