Heather’s Bookshelf: The Jungle Within
Author: Brian Forrester
Released: 06/15/22
Genre: NA Action/Adventure/Thriller
“A refreshing breeze hit my face as the boat chugged downriver, following the meandering river curves, the water resembling molasses and smelling like smoke. Beside the shore floated giant water lilies, six foot in diameter, and a black caiman lay on top of one, lounging in the sun.”
“The Jungle Within” introduces Pace Howell, a nineteen-year-old college drop out trying to find his way. Living with his parents, attending community college, and working at one of the local Italian restaurants is not exactly the animal biology job he was hoping for.
When Pace meets Sage, the girl of his dreams, she unexpectantly invites him to attend a service at her church. He and his bestie, Stanley, agree and learn about a humanitarian mission that Sage just happens to be signed up for. Pace finds a way to get the funding needed and he’s on his way to the Amazon with the girl of his dreams.
Arriving in the Amazon, Pace finds himself in a beautiful and dangerous place. There are myths of a monstrous reptile, Hipupiara, in the waters of the Amazon, but he doesn’t have much time to think about it as they hit the ground running. He and his team get to know a community, providing medical care, supplies, and education. Pace gets close to a young orphan, Yeisson, while finding meaning in their mission. But when Yeisson is injured, Pace & Sage use knowledge they gained from the locals to try and save their young friend. But will the dangers in the Amazon have other ideas?
Trigger Warning: violence, death, animal death
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It has a little bit of everything in it: adventure, romance, suspense, and heart. It is not always fast-paced, but is written in a way that compels you to keep turning the pages. The protagonist, Pace, is kind of a dopey, love sick kid that is searching for more meaning in his life. This is the area of the story that I wish was more well developed. There is a little history on Pace’s life before the Amazon and an exchange with his parents that could have been a catalyst for Pace’s decisions, but it’s not really alluded to throughout the rest of the tale. I also enjoyed his dynamic with his bestie in the beginning and wished this could have been revisited at some point. However, many of the other characters, including Sage, were well-developed and the author gave a voice to many of the other ancillary characters including the other young adults on the trip. The dialogue of the story was also well done, funny at times and written in a way that felt natural. The mystery and suspense of the Hipupiara moved this story into another realm of interest. While not everything in the story seems super realistic, including the myth somehow made it all seem a little more plausible. The setting itself added to the mystery and I enjoyed the author’s research inclusion of many not-so-well-known creatures and animals. The ending wrapped everything up and the story felt complete. Though, I would read a sequel if Pace and Sage decided to have another adventure.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A thriller with a bunch of suspense, a hint of romance, and packed with action-adventure. The Amazon provides the perfect setting for this page turner.
Want to learn more about the author?
Check out my interview with Brian Forrester
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here
Interested in submitting your book for review? Visit my review page for guidelines and submission requirements.
