Member Reviews
This was a haunting thriller that I did not expect as I read it. A young woman Hass to go to a remote Jungle in Bolivia however it doesn’t end up being what she thinks it will. It’s a very interesting story and I’m curious to know how much of it is completely made up by the author versus information or stories taken from or borrowed from Bolivia. This book will have you on your toes the entire time and there are a few points that literally terrified me. I also love the cover, I think it gives it a very creepy but yet enticing appeal.
I ended up DNFing this book since I just found it was too slow to get to the point and I found myself getting lost in the waiting. Overall interesting plot but just wasn’t for me
I am a fan of Erica Ferencik’s books but I found this a little difficult at the beginning. I enjoyed the writing about nature, but struggled with the book. The story seemed quite unrealistic.
What I liked about this was its uniqueness. It was not your typical thriller and was set in the Amazon jungle. It was a survival story unlike anything else I’ve ever read. It pretty much held my interest but I wish there had been a little bit more to the story and maybe some sort of plot twist.
3 Stars! Erica Ferencik is a new author for me. Into the Jungle is a twisting thriller through the jungles of Bolivia. This book was a little slow for me but the writing was beautiful and the descriptions of the scenery made me feel like I was there in the hot, humid jungles. There were a couple of twists that made my pulse race with anticipation and overall I really enjoyed the book.
This book would make an incredible movie, not only did the author describe each scene with precision, but she made me feel as if I was there, terrified and alone, in the jungle with the characters. I loved this book, and I cannot wait until I see it on the big screen one day.
Lily Bushwold never thought that one day she would follow a man she hardly knew into the jungle, to the village he was born. But love can change a lot in a person's life. Lily grew up in group homes and when she got a teaching job in Cochabamba, Bolivia, she took the chance for a change. The problem is that there was no teaching job and now she's stuck in Cochabamba showing off her thieving skills to some new girlfriends. But, when Omar enters her life is it like being hit by a train. So, of course, Lily goes with him when he must return to his home village in the middle of the jungle after his brother's child has been killed by a jaguar. However, she soon learns that much in the jungle can kill. What an intense ride!
I was not a fan of this book. Full disclosure: I was only able to get a third into it before stopping. I know the author said she did research and visited the Amazon, but I couldn't stop the feeling that it was very "third world porn" written from a white gaze of "How exotic and unfortunate all of these people and their lifestyles are!" Also I was lured in by the book's promise of adventure and horror and thrills, only to discover a Harlequin romance set in a "scary foreign world."
I really enjoyed this book, perfect for biography and memoir enthusiasts. This book was generously provided to me through NetGalley. Highly Recommended!
Erica Ferenicik writes a fantastically fun thriller! I loved her book THE RIVER AT NIGHT, and I thought that INTO THE JUNGLE was equally solid. Similar to her previous novel, this book is heavy on the action and plot progression, making it difficult to review thoroughly without spoiling. But if you want a really fun action adventure to get you out of a reading rut, this is the story for you! Super fun and exciting!
One of my favorite summer reads, which totally caught me off guard because it wasn’t what I expected... but it really came alive for me! If you haven’t picked up #intothejungle by @ericaferencik yet!! Do so! Special thanks to @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the #arc!! This one will get under your skin for sure!!
I was introduced to Erica Ferencik’s writing when I read The River at Night and loved it, so I was excited to read her newest release!
Into the Jungle was such an atmospheric ride literally through the Bolivian jungle, and once again I was entranced by Ferencik’s knack for storytelling. While I initially thought it would be all suspense and thrills, it also included a sort of coming of age story, as Lily has to learn to survive in the wilderness. Anacondas, tarantulas, ferocious man eating jaguars?? No thank you!
It was a fast read and made me realize what a wimp I am! I used to love watching Naked and Afraid and imagining what it would be like to be a survivalist. This book definitely gives you a glimpse of what that might be like, but from the comforts of your own home.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!
*Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own
This was a decent read. It takes you along with Lily who is basically a foster kid from the US into the jungle of Bolivia. It is heart-wrenching as Lily's job doesn't happen so she is back to making ends meet to survive but also a gripping tale of her venture into the jungle. I enjoyed learning about a different culture and the story is good but you won't catch me taking on this kid of adventure.
#IntoTheJungle #NetGalley #GalleryThresholdPocketBooks #GalleryScoutPress
If you ever wanted to be talked out of living in the Amazon, this is the book for you! The author really made it come alive with all the ways one could die there. To me, that was the more interesting part of the story.
In a month of fantastic novels, with debuts and series endings I have been waiting months to read, it still surprises me that my favorite novel of the month, if not the entire year so far, is Erica Ferencik's Into the Jungle. After all, I am not an outdoorsy person. I have no desire to step foot into the Amazon jungle or any jungle, let alone live there. I am arachnophobic and can barely stomach Aragog in the Harry Potter series. Nothing about South America interests me. Yet, I adored this novel about a young woman who drops everything to be with her new love as they move to a small village deep in the Amazon. Spiders who can kill chickens, jaguars who vanish like ghosts, tarantulas that drop from the ceiling, ants that cause more pain than a bullet - these should not be things about which I want to read. I devoured it all and wanted more. I was upset when the story ended. I wanted to experience more of this foreign world which Ms. Ferencik so masterfully captures. I wanted to get to know more about Omar's life and his family. The ending just about broke my heart and left me gutted. I still have no desire to visit the Amazon, but thanks to Ms. Ferencik's writing, I feel like I experienced what Lily did, and that is enough for me.
Lily lives a hard life but one of her choosing. Working just to get by in South America, she is surprised to meet a native boy, Omar, whom she quickly falls in love with. When Omar learns of his young nephews death, taken by a jaguar, Omar determines that he must return to his remote village to help his tribe. Lily’s decision to go with him cements their bond and she struggles adjust to this jungle home. Dangers in the jungle are everywhere: on plants, animals and in men. Lily’s strength and determination help her to survive and we weep with her when she loses Omar.
Truly a tale that examines the power of love for others, but he power of community and environment.
3.5 Stars.
If you're looking for an exotic adventure into a world rarely seen, then this is the book for you! Told through the experiences of Lily Bushwold, Into the Jungle offers a glimpse into the mysterious life of indigenous tribes of Bolivia. Erica Ferencik easily transports you to the Bolivian jungle through her vivid descriptions and beautiful details. You can tell she definitely did a lot of research of the Amazon and it pays off immensely. I felt like I was in the middle of the jungle and could feel and smell everything around me as described; however I did come to the conclusion that I am not cut out for jungle living!
I felt I never truly connected with the story as I was waiting for some psychological twists or suspense, which never really occurred. To me the most interesting part of the novel was Lily's growth. She started out very naive with not much care in the world and developed into a woman who would do what it took to survive, especially in such a frightening and strange place. Into the Jungle was a refreshing break into a world that I have never experienced. Because of her gift of imagery and wonderful prose, I look forward to reading more novels from Erica Ferencik.
Thank you Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story of a young woman who follows the first person she has ever truly cared about into the Amazon jungle and her fight to survive it. There is a lot of action and suspense. It's hard to say much without spoiling important details, but this was a book well worth reading.
Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Into the Jungle. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
After spending most of her young life in foster care and group homes, Lily Bushwold is no stranger to harsh and deplorable conditions. Jumping on the chance to teach English in Bolivia, Lily soon finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings without a job. Hustling to make ends meet, a chance encounter with a local named Omar gives Lily a connection that she did not expect. When a family emergency brings Omar deep into the jungle, will Lily follow her heart?
The author does a great job of describing the environment, the harsh surroundings in which Lily finds herself. The desolation and the scary sounds of the living, breathing jungle gave me quite the shiver as I was reading. The characterization was good, but I wish there was more depth to both Omar and Lily. The story was a little too muddled, especially with the addition of too many side plots. The conclusion was a complete let down, but I will not go into detail as to not spoil the ending for new readers. Into the Jungle was a mixed bag for me, as the author did not go far enough with the characters and had a little too much plot to make the story flow well.
An unexpected thrill ride. A must read for any book club looking for originality and plenty of discuss-able material! Will definitely be recommending.