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jessicamdawn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
My biggest gripe is that I had to stop paying attention to how long things supposedly took because otherwise I was going to lose my mind. And that the first several chapters after the tsunami are very repetitive.
While not the strongest writing, it wasn't bad. The longer the book went on, the more the story picked up and came across better.
While not the strongest writing, it wasn't bad. The longer the book went on, the more the story picked up and came across better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Chronic illness and Panic attacks/disorders
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Harrowing but hopeful, Adrift alternates between the perspectives of two inseparable cousins, Isa and Coral. Although the two can barely stand the thought of being apart while Coral’s family goes on a sea voyage, things take a turn for the worst when the boat capsizes and Coral’s family is lost at sea. Coral, who washes up alone on an island, fights to survive while Isa, at home on Pebble Island, remains hopeful that her cousin is still alive.
I originally wanted to read this solely for the Filipino representation—which I did end up enjoying! However, there was so much more to this than I was expecting. Adrift still has the magic of a middle grade novel where it is curious, heartwarming, and highlights the bravery and faith that children exhibit, while also being dark, detailed, and honest. I loved the exploration of processing difficult emotions and events—such as grief, survival, and uncertainty—through Isa and Coral, which looked different in them than it did in the adult who lost hope much quicker for the sake of “reality.”
Beautiful writing, strong characters, and meaningful themes. The only thing I struggled with was the pacing; at some points, things were a little too slow and this therefore took me over a month to finish, but that wasn’t a huge deal. I recommend this one to anyone who likes middle grade books with themes of friendship/family but wants a plot that is a bit more dark and less common in middle grade fiction.
Harrowing but hopeful, Adrift alternates between the perspectives of two inseparable cousins, Isa and Coral. Although the two can barely stand the thought of being apart while Coral’s family goes on a sea voyage, things take a turn for the worst when the boat capsizes and Coral’s family is lost at sea. Coral, who washes up alone on an island, fights to survive while Isa, at home on Pebble Island, remains hopeful that her cousin is still alive.
I originally wanted to read this solely for the Filipino representation—which I did end up enjoying! However, there was so much more to this than I was expecting. Adrift still has the magic of a middle grade novel where it is curious, heartwarming, and highlights the bravery and faith that children exhibit, while also being dark, detailed, and honest. I loved the exploration of processing difficult emotions and events—such as grief, survival, and uncertainty—through Isa and Coral, which looked different in them than it did in the adult who lost hope much quicker for the sake of “reality.”
Beautiful writing, strong characters, and meaningful themes. The only thing I struggled with was the pacing; at some points, things were a little too slow and this therefore took me over a month to finish, but that wasn’t a huge deal. I recommend this one to anyone who likes middle grade books with themes of friendship/family but wants a plot that is a bit more dark and less common in middle grade fiction.
beets22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nickyb3po's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
emstanz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hickorynut's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
When a disastrous wave knocks Coral from her boat, sinking it and separating her from her parents, she wakes alone on a deserted island. This follows her journey as she tries her best to survive on her own, with the help of a skittish stray dog she names Bambi. It also shows the perspective of her cousin Isa, who is home with her parents that are trying to move on and accept that their family is gone.
It reminded me me a bit of a modern day Island of the Blue Dolphins tale with some close similarities in the ways in which the characters survived and sought company and comfort in the world around them. Overall a well balanced survival story with multiple perspectives that show how deeply different people can be affected by the same tragedy.
It reminded me me a bit of a modern day Island of the Blue Dolphins tale with some close similarities in the ways in which the characters survived and sought company and comfort in the world around them. Overall a well balanced survival story with multiple perspectives that show how deeply different people can be affected by the same tragedy.
stacyrenee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Middle Grade
Contemporary / Survival fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This MG novel is about two cousins, Isa and Coral, who grow up together on the same island and consider themselves sisters. When Coral and her parents don’t return from their sailing trip in the Indonesian Islands, Issa just knows with all her heart that Coral is still alive.
Coral, unfortunately, finds herself alone on a deserted island and must find many ways to survive.
I love survival stories and Coral has a lot of surviving to do, but this is a dual POV story that switches between Coral and her cousin and has a very tight-knit and almost magically connected relationship between the two ‘star sisters’ so there is always a general sense of hope throughout the story.
I enjoyed it very much.
Contemporary / Survival fiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This MG novel is about two cousins, Isa and Coral, who grow up together on the same island and consider themselves sisters. When Coral and her parents don’t return from their sailing trip in the Indonesian Islands, Issa just knows with all her heart that Coral is still alive.
Coral, unfortunately, finds herself alone on a deserted island and must find many ways to survive.
I love survival stories and Coral has a lot of surviving to do, but this is a dual POV story that switches between Coral and her cousin and has a very tight-knit and almost magically connected relationship between the two ‘star sisters’ so there is always a general sense of hope throughout the story.
I enjoyed it very much.
katlib's review against another edition
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to preview an e-arc of this book! All opinions are my own.
I should admit, up front, that I am a newcomer to the survival subgenre (hence why I am not leaving a star rating), but they remain perennially popular for readers of all ages!
What I appreciated most about Adrift was the dual narratives: one of Coral, who ends up alone on a deserted island and the other of her best friend and cousin Isa, struggling with Coral's disappearance with her grief and sadness. I enjoyed both perspectives, found that they added something I think may get forgotten in all the height of adventurous survival stories-that loved ones are affected too. Some middle-grade readers may find Isa's sections boring or tedious, but I believe they will press on to read more of Coral's adventure. The only parts of Isa's sections that I found tedious were the retellings of Ghibli movies via a side character, but readers who haven't been introduced to My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service may be glad for their inclusion! Coral is a character who is easy to root for, and her mistakes and luck felt realistic. Middle grade readers will find this an engaging beach read.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this title and I am looking forward to checking out Guerrero's backlog and more survival middle grade!
I should admit, up front, that I am a newcomer to the survival subgenre (hence why I am not leaving a star rating), but they remain perennially popular for readers of all ages!
What I appreciated most about Adrift was the dual narratives: one of Coral, who ends up alone on a deserted island and the other of her best friend and cousin Isa, struggling with Coral's disappearance with her grief and sadness. I enjoyed both perspectives, found that they added something I think may get forgotten in all the height of adventurous survival stories-that loved ones are affected too. Some middle-grade readers may find Isa's sections boring or tedious, but I believe they will press on to read more of Coral's adventure. The only parts of Isa's sections that I found tedious were the retellings of Ghibli movies via a side character, but readers who haven't been introduced to My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service may be glad for their inclusion! Coral is a character who is easy to root for, and her mistakes and luck felt realistic. Middle grade readers will find this an engaging beach read.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this title and I am looking forward to checking out Guerrero's backlog and more survival middle grade!