Wednesday 9 April 2014

Blog tour Evie Brooks is Marooned in Manhattan by Sheila Agnew (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)



March 2014, O'Brien Press, 224 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from The O'Brien Press

New York City. Evie Brooks had seen it on the TV, but suddenly finds herself leaving her home in Dublin and moving to Manhattan to her American uncle Scott, after the death of her mother.

Never owned a pet more substantial than a goldfish, Evie is intrigued by Scott's NYC veterinary practice, and before long, Evie is working as an assistant in the clinic. Between the pets, their owners, Scott and his lawyer girlfriend, the Summer quickly becomes a whirlwind of change and activity!

And then Evie has to make a huge choice: will she stay in New York, or return to live in Ireland with her godmother, Janet?


Nayuleska's thoughts
I knew Evie's story was good when the first chapter saw her fleeing security down a laund y/garbage shoot-the reason why that happens isn't discovered until the end, which was happily frustrating. Her voice is rather funny, even during the sadder moments. There are a tonne of those which made me cry (huge exaggeration quantity wise), it's touching when Evie thinks about her mother, how others grieved and how she grieves. She manages to find positives in her life to focus on. Being with Scott isn't a walk in the mark, but watching them get to know each other was so much fun: I cringed at the awkward parts ad on several occasions wanted to tell Evie how stupid she is being and she needs to give Scott more credit. Thankfully she realises this at the vital moments of the plot, which resulted in tissues being needed by both me and her.
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Being with a vet is as fun as I'd hoped Evie would find it, barring the snake *shudders*. It was hard sitting through the crueler owners who didn't love their pets, but the amazing owners made up for that. There are heaps of funny incidents too. Evie makes more friends than she realises, who really pull through when she needs them -yes they are more tissue moments. I'm so looking forward to book 2 which sounds dramatic, especially with the bombshell that's dropped at the end!

Find out more on Sheila's website

Suggested read
For another hilarious read which involves dogs is Kibble Talk by Cynthia L Port (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)


Competition Time

This review is part of a blog tour, and, as part of the blog tour I've got 3 copies of Marooned in Manhattan up for grabs! Do you want to know the best bit? It's INTERNATIONAL! I asked if non UK winners won, if the books could be sent to me so that I can send them on (thus paying the extra postage) & the lovely publicist checked & it's all ok! (Forgive me for being excited, but this book is ACE). *Ahem* On with the all important details. 

Rules: One entry per person. No matter where you live in the world you can enter!

3 of you will get a copy!

Prizes: 3 copies of Marooned in Manhattan 

This competition has now closed

2 comments:

Mary Preston said...

I'd love to visit New York City, but for now I will happily read about it.

Nayuleska said...

Hi Mary, I've read heaps of books about it, but not as interested in visiting it.