This book offers a fascinating look at what a wildlife biologist does, and why that's important. The thriller plot, though, I felt was a bit clumsy and overly melodramatic in its storytelling.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Learning that the main character in Alice Henderson's A Solitude of Wolverines was a wildlife biologist-- and that Henderson herself is one-- made this first book in the Alex Carter series a must-read and a very good one at that. A Blizzard of Polar Bears is even better.
The scenes in which Alex tracks the polar bears by air and then lands to examine them are wonderful. I felt as though I was with her, and I learned so much about the animals as well as the things that are used to track them, whether it's Burr on Fur or the Whiskerprint Project. Let me tell you, this mystery series is perfect for those readers who love wildlife.
Moreover, if you're a wildlife lover who also enjoys a high-octane thriller, you really need to read A Blizzard of Polar Bears. Wow! Surviving a helicopter crash and being forced to shelter and travel across the ice-- I was freezing right along with these two. Fortunately, Alex and Cody, the helicopter pilot, know how to take care of themselves because the weather isn't the only thing they must contend with. There are killers on snowmobiles after them, and they mean business. The fact that the business isn't just simply stopping the polar bear study gives armchair sleuths a little extra to cogitate on.
If I had any misgivings at all about this book, it was my unease about Cody the pilot. I can't get into why I was uneasy about him without doing spoilers, and that I will not do. I also felt that the bad guys were just a tad over the top, but at the same time, they certainly had my pulse racing as I read those scenes.
As I've already stated, this is a series perfect for lovers of wildlife and thrillers. Henderson has the knack of being able to put her readers right in the middle of the action alongside the characters she's created, and that's no small talent. I really can't wait to see where Alex's work will take her next.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
The scenes in which Alex tracks the polar bears by air and then lands to examine them are wonderful. I felt as though I was with her, and I learned so much about the animals as well as the things that are used to track them, whether it's Burr on Fur or the Whiskerprint Project. Let me tell you, this mystery series is perfect for those readers who love wildlife.
Moreover, if you're a wildlife lover who also enjoys a high-octane thriller, you really need to read A Blizzard of Polar Bears. Wow! Surviving a helicopter crash and being forced to shelter and travel across the ice-- I was freezing right along with these two. Fortunately, Alex and Cody, the helicopter pilot, know how to take care of themselves because the weather isn't the only thing they must contend with. There are killers on snowmobiles after them, and they mean business. The fact that the business isn't just simply stopping the polar bear study gives armchair sleuths a little extra to cogitate on.
If I had any misgivings at all about this book, it was my unease about Cody the pilot. I can't get into why I was uneasy about him without doing spoilers, and that I will not do. I also felt that the bad guys were just a tad over the top, but at the same time, they certainly had my pulse racing as I read those scenes.
As I've already stated, this is a series perfect for lovers of wildlife and thrillers. Henderson has the knack of being able to put her readers right in the middle of the action alongside the characters she's created, and that's no small talent. I really can't wait to see where Alex's work will take her next.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
Mara (marasbookbarn) -
"A Blizzard of Polar Bears" is a blizzard of thrills and intrigue. The author has done it again with this second book in her newer series featuring Alex Carter, a wildlife biologist hell-bent on saving whatever endangered species she's assigned. Nothing seems to stop her, and fans of C.J. Box or Nevada Barr will enjoy this series.
In this book, it's the wild of the Canadian Arctic, a cold and brutal reality to fight for survival, let alone the poachers and those out to kill Alex for her interference in their hunt for polar bears.
The author is a wildlife biologist herself, and I really enjoy that the reader actually learns how the animals are tracked, and all the angst a wildlife biologist can go through. Of course in the books, there's added mystery and thrills, and it's a wild ride. But it really tears your heart out at what the polar bears are facing. Alex does her best, but is thwarted time and time again, facing up against those who would rather kill her than let her succeed in her efforts.
What I really liked about this series also, is at the end of each book, the author talks about the endangered species of the book, the reality of their survival currently, and what those of us who care can do to help. Plus actually tells exactly what can be done and how.
If you are in a book club, I'd highly recommend this series for discussion. There are 3 books in the series so far, and I hope more to come.
In this book, it's the wild of the Canadian Arctic, a cold and brutal reality to fight for survival, let alone the poachers and those out to kill Alex for her interference in their hunt for polar bears.
The author is a wildlife biologist herself, and I really enjoy that the reader actually learns how the animals are tracked, and all the angst a wildlife biologist can go through. Of course in the books, there's added mystery and thrills, and it's a wild ride. But it really tears your heart out at what the polar bears are facing. Alex does her best, but is thwarted time and time again, facing up against those who would rather kill her than let her succeed in her efforts.
What I really liked about this series also, is at the end of each book, the author talks about the endangered species of the book, the reality of their survival currently, and what those of us who care can do to help. Plus actually tells exactly what can be done and how.
If you are in a book club, I'd highly recommend this series for discussion. There are 3 books in the series so far, and I hope more to come.
