Review : Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Tittle   : Listening for Lions
Author : Gloria Whelan
Publication date : October 10, 2006 by HarperCollins

When I read the first few chapters of Listening for Lions, I was so sure that I would love this book dearly. Who wouldn't fall in love for such a drama where a girl who was left as an orphan in Kenya, a country rich of exotic culture. This is the second book I read which is set in Africa. When I hear the word "Africa", well, I was sure that the book was going to be very adventurous.

Rachel Sheridan was a thirteen year old girl who lived with her parents in Kenya. Her father was a missionary and also a doctor who with her mother, worked at the only hospital in Tumaini. Her parents then died of influenza leaving her with nothing. Rachel then made to leave for England by a greedy couple by posing as their deceased daughter to gain them a good amount of inheritence. Sounds like an interesting plot, doesn't it?

I have to be honest that I love the beginning of Listening for Lions. It has a strong and hooking start which makes me convinced that it's a great book. I like the way Whelan describe Kenya, it's picture perfect. I can hear the lion roars and how hot the weather is. And it gets even better when it comes to the part where she met the greedy couple.

Still, there's another half of the book to be talk about. I think in the middle of the book, the plot is getting slower and slower. There's no exciting moment at all and it really disappoints me. I mean, I feel cheated. This book has all the potentials to be an exciting story : an orphan, deceitful couple, Africa, early 1900. I kept on telling myself this novel it should've been exciting! But still, something is missing. Instead of a great adventure, is somehow just a summary of Rachel's life. No twist and turn, no drama, no story.
Listening for Lions

A pity! :(

Since I love the first half of the book, let's give it 3.  Have you read this book?