Akela

4.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BHC Press for this delightful ARC. Over time our hero encounters great dangers, tragedy, melancholy, stretches of boredom during his adventures. The story is at times heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking, as he strives to find his mother, discovers he has a brother far away, and longs to return to the love of his life. He encounters dreaded enemies, is uplifted by friendships of various species during his journeys.

I must mention that this fascinating hero, Akela, who narrates the story begins as an undersized, weak sea turtle who lacks self-confidence. During his lengthy travels, he develops a philosophy of how he and other animals and humans should live a better way of life. He encounters Presidents, very famous celebrities, and learns about historical events ( and often his place in them) from watching TV. He also learns to read from television and puts his interesting life story into this book. Needless to say, his travels and the animals and people he meets over the decades have caused great changes in Akela.

Recommended to those who like a good story told from the viewpoint of an animal. I found this a story of charm and adventure.

An interesting story with some Gump-like aspects. This kind of story, from an animal's perspective, can be very tricky to pull-off, but I thought the author mostly achieved his goal successfully. This book will not be for everyone due to the amount of suspected-belief required. But I liked the narrator, and the story overall. If you're seeking a light story with some adventure and humor, this might fit the bill.

Thanks very much for the advanced copy for review!

I thought this book was so cute and heartfelt. Gave you a Finding Nemo. If you want a cute fun adventure from a sweet turtles perspective this is the book for you!

BLURB
Forrest Gump meets Woody Allen in this endearing story about a sea turtle seeking to be reunited with the love of his life.
When Akela is separated from his migrant soulmate, Kalea, he will do anything to be reunited with her. Journey with this charming and neurotic sea turtle as he crosses paths with celebrities, politicians, and other moments in history with unbreakable determination to be reunited with his love.
REVIEW
I wasn't sure what to expect when the author requested that I read his novel about the travels and travails of a Green Sea Turtle, but the premise was intriguing. I mean how could I resist seeing 20th century American history through the eyes and thoughts of a sea going reptile? While that is a major theme running throughout the book, it's the emotional experiences Akela goes through in this wonderfully creative take on humanity that pulled me in. Add in some entertaining characters, both human and animal (a couple of my favorites are a gator named Earl, and a group of vultures known as The Good Time Gang), and what transpires is part whimsical fantasy, and part poignant introspection. A journey full of expectations, dangers, surprises, and self -realizations await you dear reader, making for an enjoyable read. 4 stars

If you love introspective fiction and/or sea turtles, this will definitely be something you'll want to pick up.

That's it. That's my review. (jk jk)

On amore serious not, this is a great novel and it's all about Akela's journey to find those he thinks are part of his purpose, in the beginning it's his mother, later on it's his mate, and along the way he meets a variety of people and animals who help/hinder him on his journey. He learns there is more to life than being afraid of the open water and that in order to get what you want, there will work and possibly sacrifice along the way. Most importantly though was Akela's realization of who he was along this journey, what was important to him and what he discovered about himself at the end. I would say the ending really was lovely and the book did make my heart break a little at times but I also smiled and laughed as Uytdewilligen incorporates famous people with Akela who becomes a bit infamous to the humans, he spends time as being accused as part of grand Soviet schemes all the way to becoming the poster child for ocean pollution but I won't give away more than that, you'll have to read it to see how Akela ends up in these situations.

Overall I found this to be a very thoughtful read, it causes a lot of self reflection if you enjoy it and I certainly fell in love with Akela himself.

I received this book from the Publishers via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.