Richly imagined and packed with adventure Escape to the River Sea is Carroll's finest novel to date

-- Charlotte Eyre - Editor's Choice, The Bookseller Published On: 2022-03-18

A book that is as thrilling, adventurous and exhilarating as the Amazon itself. This glorious story has been woven together by a master-storyteller. I'm in awe. -- Lisa Thompson

Lively, skilled storytelling -- Nicolette Jones - Sunday Times

Emma Carroll’s Escape to the River Sea is not only a joyously animal-packed adventure story, but also a mesmerising evocation of the original Journey to the River Sea. Brave, lonely Rosa, who might well have stepped out of an Eva Ibbotson book, takes us with her to find new friends and old, and also to experience the traditions, people and fragility of the gorgeous, perilous River Sea world.

This is unputdownable story telling. I loved it.

-- Hilary McKay

All the magic, heart and scope of Ibbotson’s classic adventure – I read it in one breathless sitting -- Natasha Farrant, Costa Award-winning author of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk

What a joy it is to return to the River Sea! Emma Carroll's thoughtful tribute to Eva Ibbotson's much-loved classic is perfectly pitched. Full of glorious adventure, it's a true delight. -- Katherine Woodfine

Carroll has created something truly magical and seeming impossible - a book that is both the perfect follow-up to Ibbotson's classic, and yet entirely original. Rich, beautiful and compelling - I read it in one go. Absolutely brilliant. -- Katya Balen

Likeable (and very unlikeable characters) with depth of personality, engaging personal journeys, a beautiful setting and heart-stopping adventure come together to create a captivating story. So often, teachers ask for recommendations for books to accompany an Amazon, South American or Jungle topic. Escape to the River Sea will now be at the top of my suggestion list. A modern story with a classic feel, it takes children deep into the rainforest, surrounding them with the hum of life that can only be found there. -- Kate Heap - https://scopeforimagination.co.uk Published On: 2022-05-12

Children's Book of the Week - 5th June -- Nicolette Jones - The Sunday Times

Heartwarming, atmospheric and full of magic - Book of the Week - The Week Junior

Escape To The River Sea weaves together the hopes and fears of a young girl, giving a fascinating insight into the life of the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest. It takes the reader on a colourful and thrill-packed journey, as Rosa and her young friends battle to thwart the bad guys. The book pays fitting homage to the late Eva Ibbotson, whose own work and life inspired this story. -- Roddy Brooks - Associated Press

It’s a joy to rediscover ­Ibbotson’s original characters Maia and Finn alongside a new generation in this gripping adventure - The Daily Mail

Richly imagined and packed with adventure Escape to the River Sea is Carroll's finest novel to date

-- Charlotte Eyre - Editor's Choice, The Bookseller

... lively, skilled storytelling evokes something of Eva's spirit... It moves on a generation and cleverly takes as its heroine a girl whose life echoes Ibbotson's. Children's Book of the Week. -- Nicolette Jones - The Sunday Times

I absolutely loved, Escape to the River Sea, I’ve been a fan of Emma’s writing for many years but this completely exceeded my expectations. So atmospheric, rich & vivid I felt like I’d been transported to the Amazon jungle as I watched the scenery unfold before my eyes. It manages to evoke all of your senses enabling the reader to completely lose themselves in the story. Brilliantly written, sublime characterisation and a super climax that was absolute perfection. It had such a wildness about it, a truly epic adventure that will stay with me for a long time. -- Jo Clarke - booklover Jo blog

Inspired by Eva Ibbotson's much-loved Journey to the River Sea, this lush, exciting adventure follows Rosa Sweetman, a Kindertransport girl, as she travel from England to the Amazon rainforest... A thrilling, rich novel for 9+ from the queen of historical fiction. -- Imogen Russell Williams - The Guardian

It’s a joy to rediscover ­Ibbotson’s original characters Maia and Finn alongside a new generation in this gripping adventure, set against the lush backdrop of the Amazon, packed with wartime detail and a powerful environmental message. -- Sally Morris - Daily Mail Online

Written by Emma Carroll, this sequel to Eva Ibbotson's classic Journey to the River Sea features favourite characters such as Maia, Finn and Clovis, as well as some new ones. Heartwarming, atmospheric and full of magic, it also explores the importance of conservation. Whether or not you've read the original book, this wonderful story will stick in your mind. -- The Week Junior - The Week Junior

Kindertransport girl Rosa Sweetman is swept up in an Amazon adventure in this exhilarating story inspired by Eva Ibbotson's classic Journey to the River Sea. -- The i - The i

Escape to the River Sea weaves together the hopes and fears of a young girl, giving a fascinating insight into the life of the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest and the deadly world of international espionage. It takes the reader on a colourful, thrill-packed journey, as Rosa and her young friends battle to thwart the bad guys. The book pays fitting homage to the late Eva Ibbotson, whose own work and life inspired this story. -- Charlotte Heathcote - Daily Record

This is a splendid novel. I approached it warily for Eva Ibbotson is one of my most loved writers. But Emma has in no way detracted from Journey to the River Sea. Her characters are living breathing people and they are all her own – with the possible exception of Miss Minton who remains very much Eva’s creation. The other characters from Journey to the River Sea have matured and developed and in that sense are all Emma’s. And the plot of Escape to the River Sea does not depend on the earlier novel for its enjoyment or comprehension. Emma Carroll does not try to write like Eva Ibbotson but her characters are very reminiscent of Eva’s in their strength and bravery. -- Jane Sandell - Pictures and Conversations blog

Escape To The River Sea weaves together the hopes and fears of a young girl, giving a fascinating insight into the life of the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest and the deadly world of international espionage. It takes the reader on a colourful and thrill-packed journey, as Rosa and her young friends battle to thwart the bad guys. The book pays fitting homage to the late Eva Ibbotson, whose own work and life inspired this story. -- The Glasgow Herald - The Herald

COMBINE all the vibes of a classic masterpiece with a thrilling, animal-packed adventure that speaks loudly and movingly about the threats to our precious rainforests, and what do you have? The fabulous Escape to the River Sea, a rich and imaginative evocation of Eva Ibbotson’s award-winning book, Journey to the River Sea, which was written over twenty years ago and brought to life the author’s memorable vision of the extraordinary beauty of journeying through the Amazon. And what a mesmerising, thrilling sequel this is from bestselling historical fiction author Emma Carroll who uses Ibbotson’s story as her inspiration and endows it with a timely eco warning, and a fresh and invigorating post-war twist...With the stunning artwork of Katie Hickey on the book cover, a richly imagined and magical story that children will return to again and again, and its important messages about saving the rainforests, this is both a super gift book and a wonderful teaching aid. -- Pam Norfolk - Lancashire Post

In Escape to the River Sea, Emma Carroll has achieved a perfect balance of her own voice and staying true to Eva Ibbotson's original story. The story features familiar characters and locations from Journey to the River Sea whilst introducing the next generation.
Rosa is a very engaging young girl, whose hopeful nature has kept her optimistic about being reunited with her mother and sister, and whose love of animals has sustained her during her loneliness. With the new-found freedom of her trip to the Amazon, Rosa flourishes in a way she was not able to at Westwood. Each setting is vividly described with the beauty of the rainforest and its creatures celebrated whilst highlighting the threats it is facing.
Emma Carroll also broadens the story, developing a new thread and mystery to solve, but I don't wish to give any spoilers..! One not to miss, Escape to the River Sea is a fabulous read!

-- Susan Wilsher - Reading Zone

A tribute to Eva Ibbotson’s original title, this book stands on its own merits. Adventurous females play strong parts and the quick action at the end throws everything Rosa – and probably the reader - had assumed into the air, turning it around completely. -- SLA - SLA

It takes the reader on a colourful and thrill-packed journey, as Rosa and her young friends battle to thwart the bad guys. The book pays fitting homage to the late Eva Ibbotson, whose own work and life inspired this story. -- Lincolnshire Echo - Lincolnshire Echo

Carroll is a gorgeously atmospheric writer and the dangers of the journey, from piranha fish to real human evil, are vividly described. This is one for children of ten and up with an appetite for japery, spies and adventure. -- Philip Womack - Literary Review

Packed with hugely interesting historical facts and a twisty, turning plot-line, this book is a fabulous read. Even if your child isn’t necessarily into historical fiction, the intrigue, adventure and lush rainforest imagery will be sure to keep them captivated. It’s a five-star read from us! -- Mini Travellers - Mini Travellers