The Tourist Trail: A Novel

Editorial Reviews. Review. "What's impressive about this novel [is that] it occupies so much literary territory. It is at once a romance, an adventure story.
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As the book progresses, the lives of the characters begin to intertwine and the emotional twists and turns become just as enveloping for the reader as the dangerous battles at sea. As the characters learn and adapt, so does the reader. I promise that you will finish the book with a different perspective regarding our responsibility to life in the sea. If you love animals you will enjoy The Tourist Trail even more.

Yet our self-awareness and rationality have led us to question the morality of our interaction with nature, and to understand that our own success is often unsustainable. The narrative also demonstrates the importance of fighting for justice for animals within the bounds of the law in a moving show of compassion for all those who advocate for animals. Weaving between four main characters, the book is an exciting tale of intertwined fates…The book is perfect for any reader as it covers multiple genres including adventure, romance, and environmentalism.

Ashland Creek Press is an independent, vegan-owned publisher of ecofiction, which includes books in all genres about animals, the environment, and the planet we all call home. We are passionate about books that foster an appreciation for worlds outside our own, for nature and the animal kingdom, and for the ways in which we all connect. Ashland Creek Press is a member of Hometown Reads. Join the ACP mailing list. Free shipping is available. View all 4 comments. Mackey Love your review. I would follow the penguins too! Sep 11, Katie B Mackey wrote: Sep 12, I wrote this book.

I love this book. As a rule I read nonfiction to learn. Fiction is for entertainment. It can help you understand As a rule I read nonfiction to learn. It can help you understand a point of view that, given your life experiences, would be difficult. By putting yourself in the shoes of another you can better understand them.

They even take the food the fish eat. Nov 08, Barbara rated it really liked it. A cool story about "eco-terrorists" that's well written.

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Great plot, fascinating setting,and very well-written characters with strong personalities that ring very true. Plus, it has penguins in it! I confess, I am guilty of judging books by their cover. The cover of The Tourist Trail is quiet and unassuming. Glad to know I was wrong.

Biologist Angela Haynes lives in her own little world. She spends her days at a research station--The Tourist Trail-- in Patagonia counting and observing the behaviors of penguins. Angela lives in a world with little human contact or deep human relationships. She ha I confess, I am guilty of judging books by their cover. She has a crush on a colleague, Doug, but chooses not to act on it because he is younger. Her only real connection is with a male penguin--Diesel. But even Diesel manages to find a mate, leading to pangs of jealous for Angela.

Her bubble is about to burst when mysterious animal activist Aeneas appears. Having been labelled an "eco-terrorist," Aeneas is on the run not only from the law, but most of all from FBI agent Robert Porter. The charismatic, and equally volatile Aeneas has developed a loyal following through his group, the Cetacean Defense Alliance basically they don't like whale poachers. But his group has gone beyond the normal boundaries of protest.

Resorting to violence, arson and murder--all in the defense of animals.

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Early on Aeneas comes off as a zealot, but his interactions with Angela offer a softer side to him. He helps her care for the penguins, and develops an understanding for her connection with Diesel. Angela initially fights her attraction to Aeneas, but the enigmatic man is too much to resist. She heads off with him on a ship to Antarctica, with Robert on their trail.

Robert is looking for redemption, having let Aeneas slip through his fingers before. While undercover as "Jake," Robert lets his feelings for the beautiful Noa, cloud his judgment. As Jake he can do all the things Robert can't--be carefree and take life as it comes. The book lost me a little bit in Part II, which is when we are introduced to Ethan. The young computer programmer has fallen in love with Anna--another CDA follower.

It took me a couple of chapters to realize the author John Yunker had gone back in time. After being invested in Angela, Aeneas and Robert, I thought the book was shifting focus. The conclusion is filled with action. Robert's relentless pursuit, and it's conclusion are very suspenseful. I was trying not to speed through the last 30 pages, but I wanted to know what happened. I won't give it away, but it is very satisfying. The story is told from the point of view of Angela, Robert and Ethan. I was surprised, that Aeneas didn't get a turn at-bat, but the different points of view offer a complete picture of him.

The Tourist Trail by John Yunker

Angela's view is one of love, confusion and at times fear. With Robert, Aeneas is that old foe he can't get rid of. At first Ethan fears Aeneas, but even he can't resist the charm. If you don't already, you will come away from this novel with a better understanding for nature. I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Tourist Trail by John Yunker

Aug 30, John M. In my mind, good characters populate a good book. Yunker has drawn some memorable characters It's easy to connect with them, to both empathize and sympathize with them, to admire them and to loathe them. The Tourist Trail offers eco-terrorism suspense, interpersonal conflict, conflicting emotions and high seas action. Not normally the type of fiction I read, I was nonetheless drawn to the people and the places they inhabit. I began to enjoy being pushed out of my genre comfort zone.

The narrative flows smoothly, reminding me of the spoken word. I liked Yunker's book, and I recommend it to my Goodread's friends. Showed good side [the Patagonian station banding the penguins and its rationale: There are several romances in the mix, but nothing gratuitous. The ecological bits intrigued me the most. Jun 24, Jeanne rated it it was amazing. Really loved this book. The characters are flawed but normal, and entirely likable. All in all, it was a good read! Apr 17, Sue rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was a great story of animal activists, naturalists and researchers, and FBI agents set in the wondrous beauty of Patagonia and Antarctica with a bit of a love story between two of the main characters.

I enjoyed the storyline which moved along mostly at a steady pace although the book slowed down somewhat in the middle but picked up again as it steamed towards the end. I liked the characters, especially Angela, and watched them all change and grow as the story moved forward. It was interesti This was a great story of animal activists, naturalists and researchers, and FBI agents set in the wondrous beauty of Patagonia and Antarctica with a bit of a love story between two of the main characters.

It was interesting seeing eco tourism through different eyes and getting a new perspective on fishing and whaling in the region, as well as discovering the motivations of those joining the eco warriors. There were some touching moments between a naturalist and her penguins and there was a lot of empathy coming through for the wildlife and the trials they suffer in nature as well as by human hands. The book was well written and I loved the ending. A very enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who loves Antarctica and who is interested in our precious wildlife in the southern most parts of our world.

Jun 12, Julie Barrett rated it really liked it. The Tourist Trail by John Yunker Starts out with Angela and she's viewing the penguins as they are going through mating season. One is waiting for his mate and they know it won't return so he will find another next year. She is taking inventory of the penguins and the species there. Alternating chapters and Robert is on his way to Buenos Aries.


  • The Tourist Trail: A Novel by John Yunker.
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He has many nightmares about the ice and it envelops him til one wakes him on the plane. He lands at the Argentina far southern parts at the research camp. He's an uncovered investigator and needs to keep under the radar. Scenes go back in time to the present, alternating so you are brought up to date as to when they all travel together.

Learned so much more about oil spill on animals. Lots of action and adventure, mysteries and a bit of romance. Like learning about the habits and habitat of the penguins, interesting facts. Got this review copy via InstaFreebie and this is my honest opinion. Aug 11, Margi Prideaux rated it it was amazing Shelves: The Tourist Trail is superb. The book is billed as a literary thriller about endangered species in the world's most remote areas, and those who put their lives on the line to protect them, but it is so much more.

Yunker is a very skilful, thoughtful writer, and The Tourist Trail delivers a poignant consideration of the dark and light, the right and wrong, the flawed and the noble motivations of anyone living a full life within ourselves and within the environmental movement. Jun 10, Gmr rated it really liked it Recommends it for: This novel ties together the beauty of nature with the reality that is life in all its raw splendor. The bulk of the events occur in Patagonia at the Penguin Research Station, both are places that actually exist too check out The Penguin Project for details on the penguin census the author took part in Here we find biologist Angela Haynes following her passions and working with the local penguin population when a stranger This novel ties together the beauty of nature with the reality that is life in all its raw splendor.

Here we find biologist Angela Haynes following her passions and working with the local penguin population when a stranger washes up on their otherwise peaceful shores. He's not just any man though Will she risk her life, her career, and the birds that she loves just to protect this one man?

On Story 717: Trail Stories: The Making of Lonesome Dove

Turn the page and we discover another storyline unfolding with Ethan and Noa In either case the ending may be traumatic than either counted on. Then we have FBI agent Robert Porter who let a renowned criminal slip through his fingers once and is determined it won't happen again. Sometimes it's the smallest most unexpected connections we make that bind us for life.

The multiple character story lines all weave together by book's end though it's not always apparent how the author will pull it off. Trust me, he does and with enough flair to keep you interested. The beauty of the landscapes and creatures seen is not lost on the reader nor is the attention to detail paid when reviewing the knowledge imparted on the lives of these beautiful, resilient and yet fragile creatures. You'll walkaway with not only a great story under your belt but a wealth of knowledge and perhaps even a renewed desire to lend a helping hand to preserve their ecosystems.

All in all, I'd say this is one for young adult readers through adults. The few sensuality tinged scenes are managed demurely so the the message of the story remains in the spotlight. What is that message? Well to me it was one of following your passions and making a difference in the world during our brief time here. For more information on this title as well as links to other eco and wildlife causes, be sure to check out the authors website. Feb 06, Marty Essen rated it it was amazing Shelves: A few weeks back I searched Amazon.

Amazon doesn't have such a category! I love fiction that holds your interest, with a compelling plot, but also contains enough reality to be informative. The Tourist Trail does that and more. From a personal standpoint, I could relate to this book. This was especially true when one of the characters was t A few weeks back I searched Amazon. This was especially true when one of the characters was trying to be vegan, only to have a small mistake expose his imperfect quest.

Having been involved with an activist group that almost lost its direction because of frequent spats between vegans and non-vegans, I thought Yunker did an effective job on this subplot. Good characters, and even good causes, are seldom perfect. I have also been to many of the locations described in this book.

Experiencing them again, through Yunker's writing, brought those locations back to life. Despite all the realism, The Tourist Trail's plot twists were obviously fiction--and that's a good thing. You'll find yourself guessing: So pick up The Tourist Trail and be swept me away! If John Yunker keeps writing, he could soon be the standard-bearer for eco-fiction. I'm looking forward to his next book. Exploring the Seven Continents Jul 09, Dallas Rising rated it really liked it.

You can tell it's a first novel; there was more telling than showing in several instances - a bit more nuance would have been welcome, but since I've never written a novel, I'm not going to slam someone for giving it their best shot and going for it. The subject matter is near and dear to my heart and it's clear that the plot was heavily influenced by Sea Shepherd. Paul Watson has come under some criticisms that parallel one of the mains character's behaviors - and the hero worship and high prof You can tell it's a first novel; there was more telling than showing in several instances - a bit more nuance would have been welcome, but since I've never written a novel, I'm not going to slam someone for giving it their best shot and going for it.

Paul Watson has come under some criticisms that parallel one of the mains character's behaviors - and the hero worship and high profile activist men sleeping with multiple, often younger, women who are enamored with them is common, too. Worth reading if only for the novelty of reading animal rights fiction. May 14, Brie Eccles rated it liked it.

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I wasn't as imprssed by this book as I wanted to be. It had a very negative depressing undertone that had nothing to do with the subject matter animal rights, activists, sea animals in danger, etc. I had hoped it would be more of a popular science book with maybe a romance thrown in? A lot of unanswered questions, but not in a good way. Jun 12, Naulayne Raiche Enders rated it really liked it. When I read the book description for this book one of the statements was that it would change the way you viewed the ocean.

Even with my background in biology, I can say that was a very true statement. The descriptions of whale hunting today were very graphic. The book gives a great view of arctic life especially of penguins and whales and wraps it in a story of following your beliefs and passions.