3 stars
I’m a little conflicted on what version is the best reading experience. I listened to the audio book and Kate Atwater does an absolutely phenomenal job reading. Each character is easily recognizable by the change in her voice and it was such a pleasure to listen to.
However, then I realized the physical novel is illustrated so I tracked down my library’s copy and… oh… my… goodness, those illustrations are amazing! I loved the silhouette style. It works very well in creating sweet nature scenes of Roz getting used to life on the island and meeting new creatures, then takes on a darker tone as some of the harsher themes come up. The artwork in this book is amazing and I really enjoyed it.
All that said, I think best case follow along to Atwater’s reading while looking through the actual book. Or make sure your audiobook comes with a file of the illustrations. They are that good and really add to the story.
It’s a bit of a hefty book but the short chapters make for a dynamic read and keep the story moving quickly.
As far as the plot goes, this one was interesting. I’ve never read a book that mashes up robots and the natural world, but this one tackles the challenges surprisingly well. Brown works in educational tidbits about animal diets, migration, survival techniques, and habitats in a way that is still fun and engaging. By allowing Roz to learn from her new surroundings, readers can learn along with her.
As nature features prominently in the text, the darker side of the natural world is also present. There are quite a few deaths, whether through accident, weather conditions, or as a means for other animal’s survival. It’s perhaps a bit surprising for a middle-grade book but does provide a good learning experience for readers who are ready to see some of the harsher aspects of life.
While I did not see the end events coming, they did set up the next book nicely and immediately made me want to dive in. Will definitely continue to read this series to see where Roz winds up next.