Journey to the River Sea

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Summary: What a book! Journey to the River Sea.
Review: This book was warm and touching even though there were some hard words and the first few pages were tough as I could not fully get into the plot. Then it suddenly grabbed me and I could not put the book down and the plot of the story got better and better! The story was of a girl (Maia), an orphan, who is told that her uncle has been found, and lives in the Amazon which she is thoroughly pleased about. Even though the remarks from the girls in her class could put you off thinking of going, let alone going through with the thought! So Maia sets off with her governess for her new life. There was only one bad thing about this book which is I haven't found a book so far which matches its high standard.

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Summary: Engrossing story
Review: This comfortable, winding story will keep you reading. Maia leaves the security of her boarding school to live with relatives in Brazil after the death of her parents. She is hoping to find a loving family and is apprehensive about leaving everything she knows to live along the wild Amazon River. Her courage is further tested when she meets Miss Minton, the serious governess who is traveling with her. The wildlife, color and scents of the Amazon are thrilling her. Unfortunately her new family smells like bug spray and they live in fear of the very Nature that amazes Maia.

The story has some fun characters, Clovis, a young English actor longing for England, Finn, a mysterious and exotic boy who lives in the jungle, and a Miss Minton, a governess who recognizes Maia's sharp mind and nurtures it. The comical twins, Beatrice and Gwendolyn, are the proverbial "ugly stepsisters."

The story has an old fashioned feel to it, in the best sense. A missing inheritance, switched identities and the setting of the Amazon rain forest intertwine as Maia and her friends search for home.

Kevin Hawkes illustrates the book, as he has other Ibbotson novels, with humor and whimsy.

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Summary: Definitely A Must Read
Review: This delightful novel takes place in 1910, and tells the story of Maia Fielding, an orphan living in a boarding school in England. Maia receives news from her guardian that she has relatives living in Brazil, on a plantation near the exotic Amazon River. Maia is sent to live with them, accompanied by her governess, Miss Minton. Once there, Maia finds that her relatives, the Carters, are not what she expected. Mr. Carter, a cadaverous man with a collection of glass eyeballs, is heavily in debt, taking Maia in only for her wealth. Mrs. Carter is a plump woman, obsessed with money and keeping Brazilian influences out of her household. Their twin daughters, Beatrice and Gwendolyn, are like their mother in their love of money, and in their fear and dislike of the jungle and its natives. Maia, however, is enthralled by the jungle.. She befriends the mysterious, half-Indian boy, Finn, and a young actor named Clovis, who is worried about losing his job in adolescence. Soon, Maia, Miss Minton, Finn, and Clovis are caught up in a plot involving Finn's relatives at Westwood (an estate in England), two unpleasant Englishmen, and a trip down the Amazon River. This wonderful story provides a likeable heroine, easy-to-dislike villains, and a host of various other characters, all easy to relate to. Kevin Hawkes' ink illustrations are interesting, and provide clear images of the story.

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Summary: The Best Of Eva Ibbotson
Review: This is by far the best book I have read Eva Ibbotson. It's about a young girl from england that is sent to some relatives in the amazon. Although expecting the best of the amazon she gets a terrible let down when she realizes that her relatives try to bring England to the jungle. Luckily she meets some friends including her governess that help her live the adventure of the amazon that she was hoping for. This book would be on my top 50 book list if I had one.

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Summary: A wonderful book
Review: This is one of the best books I have read ever! I couldn't keep my eyes off it. I had to be shouted at to get my attention when I was reading it! It is definetly a must read. This tale of a english girl isn't only gripping but it captures you all over. It makes you want to know more and be where the characters are. It made me feel like I was in the Amazon and gave me pictures of the characters and the scenery. It is beautifully written.

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Summary: Journey to the River Sea
Review: This is without a doubt Eva Ibbotsons best book and is now my favorite book ever! The story is abut a English orphan named Maia. She goes to school at a boarding school in the countryside, until her lawyer finds some of her relatives living in Brazil, who are willing to take her in. On the boat she makes friends with an actor, and once she gets there the natives and an half Indian, half English boy. After that the book gets exciting.She finds out her relatives are evil and rather crazy, and she gets caught up in a mystery involving the native boy.(Whose name is Finn.) If I said anymore I would ruin the book, but I highly recommend it.You won't want to put it down.

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Summary: I'm disgraced
Review: Well, first of all I am disappointed to say that this book totally and endefiantly stunk! 298 pages of complete boredom is what clogs up this book. I've read all Eva Ibbotson's books and I feel bad that she worked so hard on this garbage. Please din't buy this book! It's horrid! If you're looking for a real good read pick of Which Witch, The Secret of Platfrom 13, Island of the Aunts or Dial-A-Ghost. They're all excellent. But I'm begging you please don't waste your time reading this book like I did. You'll regret it.