From the book jacket: Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold has the chance to take the trip of a lifetime. Parting from his family and ill mother, Alexander joins his fearless grandmother, a magazine reporter for International Geographic, on an expedition to the Amazon. Their mission, along with the others on their team – including a celebrated anthropologist, a local guide and his young daughter, Nadia, and a doctor – is to document the legendary Yeti of the Amazon known as the Beast.

My reactions
Allende has crafted a very engaging, fantastical adventure story, with a fair amount of information provided regarding environmental conservation. I did think that Kate (Alexander’s grandmother) was pretty over-the-top, and the anthropologist was little more than a cartoon character. Still, I liked the young people and loved the way that the native indigenous tribes were portrayed. Alexander was just mature enough to be open to new experiences, and young enough to welcome guidance from whomever offered it.

Nadia was a marvelous character, wise beyond her years, brave, resourceful, tenacious, and attuned to the jungle in ways that American Alexander could not possibly be. Their partnership was helpful to both characters, and they complemented one another.

I also really enjoyed the way that Allende reimagined El Dorado and explained the “reality” of that myth. ( )

La ciudad de las bestias
Isabel Allende
Publicado: 2002 | 230 páginas
Novela Aventuras Juvenil
Serie: Memorias del Águila y el Jaguar #1 /szEdjfrVi_G4

Alexander Cold, un muchacho americano de 15 años aficionado a tocar la flauta y al montañismo, se ve obligado a acompañar a su abuela, la aventurera, escritora y periodista Kate Cold, a una expedición a la selva amazónica organizada por la International Geographic y cuyo objetivo es capturar a la Bestia. Allí conocerá a su nueva amiga y compañera de viaje Nadia Santos y junto con un chamán llamado Walimai intentarán salvar a la gente de la neblina. Se internarán en el corazón del Amazonas y el muchacho descubrirá un mundo sorprendente y fantástico. Alexander sufrirá una drástica metamorfosis de su personalidad durante el viaje, de ser una especie de «niño bien» al que le dan casi todo en bandeja pasa a convertirse en Jaguar, protector de la gente de la neblina, y es proclamado entre los indios como jefe para negociar con los nahab (los extranjeros a la tribu).

Delightful story, another I wish I could have read in my youth. Donating to my nephew's bookshelf so it's there when he needs it. ( )

DNF at 57%

This story is not engaging me. It is meandering along and going nowhere very fast.

Young adult fantasy involving a journey to the Amazon jungles in Brazil to vaccinate the native population. It features two teenage protagonists, Nadia and Alex, who travel with a group of adults, including an expedition leader, a doctor, Nadia’s father, Alex’s grandmother, soldiers, a professor, and an International Geographic photographer. They are also seeking ancient beasts reputed to be living in the jungles. It is a great example of Allende’s entertaining storytelling abilities. Just don’t examine the plot too carefully. It is fantasy so it is not supposed to be ultrarealistic. I enjoy Allende’s books and was curious to see what she had done in the young adult arena. It is a quick, fun read. ( )