This book was very hard to read with characters that were not to my liking. I am sure there are some readers that will appreciate the efforts of animal preservation and the individuals involved on these pages. Just not a clear plot to follow. "A copy of this book was provided by St. Martin's Press with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."

I have enjoyed Taylor Brown’s previous novels. However, this one fell flat for me. The premise as outlined in the blurb didn’t yield a satisfying plot and there was no buildup to an ending.

When I was much younger, I would visit a zoo, and other places where animals were displayed and be happy to see those bars that held them back from me. They couldn't hurt me, but as I grew older, I soon realized how awful it was to cage these animals. My heart would break and as I looked intently at these creatures, I saw sadness, a deep sadness that entrapped behind these bars was a way of life for these creatures. Those feeling made this book even more heart rending for me. For they, unlike me, could never go home again.

Anse Caulfield is a rescuer. He is a Vietnam veteran, intent on his mission of being a man who saves exotic animals. He has established a sanctuary for lions, elephants, and other exotic animals and has called it Little Eden. There the animals are provided for, given love, attention, and most of all an environment of semi freedom. When Anse's prize lion escapes and is killed by an assistant, it sets in motion a deep desire in Anse to replace this beloved animal.

There are not only animals in the world of Little Eden. There are other people dedicated to the lives of the animals they save and rescue, even if not legal, their intent is the life of the creatures they have sworn to guard. There is Malaya, a former soldier, once a chaser of people who poached animals in Africa. There is Tyler, a veterinarian, important to Anse and much more than a doctor to his charges, and there is Lope, a falconer, a worker of drones. These people live their lives in service to the animals in their care and engage in a conflict to rescue animals trapped in lives of desperation, hunted for their body parts, their trophy value, their breeding ability, and as a lure or deterrent to nefarious business dealings.

There are notes of fantasy as Taylor Brown seems to crawl into the minds and hearts of not only his characters, but also the animals of the present and past. It is a tribute to what animals once were, where they came from, and how they roamed this planet free with the power of life within them. It's a look at the earth we now occupy where animals are often valued for what they can bring to their owners in the way of money, trapped in a world not of their making, having no way to escape. It is a sad commentary of where we are and how no matter what we seem to do, animals of the past, present and future are in danger. .....and is it not so that we, too, are animals? Are we not in the same kind of danger as our animals?

I recommend this beautifully written story to all those who not only love animals but also fear for the future of all. It is a tale containing harshness and riveting detail that is often times hard to read as often the truth is. It is the story of life, of dedication, of a person crying in the wilderness for the creatures of the past, present, and what is to come.

Thank you to Taylor Brown, St Martin's Press, and NetGalley for a copy of this book due out on March, 20, 2020.

read in the past several years.
So, I was thrilled when I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Knowing that I was going to devour this book, I set it aside for a short time, until I could have an uninterrupted period of time to devote to it.
The plot is interesting. The rescue of endangered animals such as tigers, lions, and elephants. And Brown doesn't let me down in his descriptions of scenes. Man, I love his ability to make me feel like I am there.
Ah, how do I describe this without ruining it for you? I'll try to be as vague as possible. Where I became disappointed was in the choppy moving from scene to scene, never really resolving any situations. There were characters who were introduced, and then just dropped, never to be heard from again. I never really got the sense of where the book is going, what it's supposed to be building up to? And the ending, where I hoped all the loose threads would be pulled together, was entirely underwhelming. The book just drifted away with no resolution. It left me feeling disappointed, and rather sad because I had such high hopes for it. And because I know that Brown can do so much better. It really pains me to have to write this review, but I have to be honest in my opinions for my followers.
Even so, he remains one of my favorite authors, and I eagerly await his next effort. I hope that this book was just an anomaly, that maybe he was rushed due to deadlines. I hope that he takes his time next time, and writes to the level that I know he is capable of.

Taylor Brown is a wonderful writer.
I loved Fallen Land and God’s of Howell Mountain, and for this reason when offered this book to read, I didn’t hesitate to grab it..not really knowing what it was about.
I admired these characters for their devotion to these wild/exotic animals and the dedication to their rescue, but I didn’t feel connected to them and the story moved extremely slow for me, but I did learn a lot.
However.. I will read anything this author writes.. he’s just that good.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC!

Taylor Brown is a true storyteller. The book is very atmospheric and the characters realistic. I will be seeking more of this author’s work.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is not an easy book to read. It’s pretty gruesome with multiple scenes of animal abuse, wild animals being tortured by poachers for the parts of the animal that will bring them big cash. Given the subject matter, this is not one I would normally read. I was compelled to read it, though, because Taylor Brown is such a gifted writer whose prose , even the gritty descriptions are just not to be missed. On the other hand, there is beauty here in the majesty of these exotic animals and in the passion and desire of the characters to protect and save them. It’s a moving story of their deep commitments to protect, save, set free these amazing creatures - wolves, tigers, lions. It’s an expose of barbaric poachers, of those exploiting the animals . There’s a message here, of course, but no preaching. The story and the writing are enough to get that across. The characters are complex and while we get the back story for Anse Caulfield, former jockey and Vietnam vet and Malaya, an Iraq war vet, I didn’t feel like I fully got a sense of them and I wanted to know more about them. Ironically, I got a better sense of Mosi , a lion at the center of one of their rescue missions. Maybe that’s what Brown intended. Recommended to fans of Brown’s writing. [book:Fallen Land|25632620] remains my favorite of Brown’s novels, but I believe that he is a born storyteller and I’ll read whatever he writes.

Read my friend Cathrine’s review. It tells about this in an eloquent way.

I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley .

A family, or group, of lions is called a Pride.

From the Africa of elephants and rhinos who are hunted and massacred for their horns and tusks, to the Eastern seaboard of America where animals are kept for amusement, to a large animal sanctuary owned by a man with no hidden agenda. He just loves each and every one of his animals, and is constantly adding to the population. Every time he hears of an animal in distress, being exploited for the pleasure of some person or other, he's on his way to a rescue.

I read this EARC courtesy of St. Martin's Press and Net Galley. pub date 03/17/20

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: March 17, 2020
Taylor Brown’s new novel, “Pride of Eden”, is beautifully written and intensely creative. I can honestly say I have never read anything even remotely close to it before. For one thing, outside of children’s stories, I don’t think I have read a novel that is, in parts at least, narrated by an animal.
Anse Caulfield is a retired jockey and Vietnam vet, now the owner and operator of “Little Eden”, a sanctuary for exotic pets. When his prized lion disappears and is shot dead in a misunderstanding, Anse becomes desperate to not only replace his beloved animal, but to widen his search for other exotics. Malaya, a seasoned “poacher hunter”, joins Anse in his search and soon the two are traveling throughout the Southern U.S, finding exotic animals and rehoming them with Little Eden, while forming both human and animal bonds with each other and those they seek to protect.
“Pride of Eden” speaks to the deepest connection between humans and animals, our co-dependent relationships with animals and our deep biological connectivity. The mistreatment of exotic animals in this novel will make any animal lover (myself being one), develop a deep-seated inner rage and will definitely help cement the relationship the reader forms with the characters as they seek revenge on the scum of society (poachers and animal abusers alike).
That being said, although the novel had a lot of positives about it, I found it to be a middle-of-the-road read. It did not seem to have a climax, and the entertaining bits of the novel (in my opinion, the rescuing of the animals) took a backseat to trying to ingratiate the reader with the animal-human connection plotline. The characters were likable, but the back and forth of the storytelling (the before and after story of each characters’ past) broke up the flow, and I was not a fan of the parts of the story that were (indirectly of course) narrated by any of the exotic animals.
“Pride of Eden” is the novel that introduced me to Taylor Brown, although I’ve had “Ghosts of Howl Mountain” on my TBR list for months now, and it hasn’t completely turned me off. I love Brown’s descriptive writing and unique subject matter, and will definitely check out his past and future works, with realistic expectations.

I absolutely loved “Gods of Howl Mountain”. I was right there when those big powerful cars sped around the corners of the mountain roads, hauling that shine from the still to the backwoods bars. I was surprised when I read the subject of Taylor Brown’s new novel, ”Pride of Eden”. What a huge about-face. But there I was again, riding the back roads through the marshes of Georgia and Florida in search of the illegal collector, dogfighter, and scum of the earth animal abuser. Taylor writes with such enthusiasm and feeling, you can’t help but feel affected.
A good bit of homework went into the writing of this novel. I learned so much about elephant and rhino tusks, organized African hunts, illegal animal body parts trading, dog fighting, and wild animal trapping.
The characters (human and otherwise) that Taylor has created for his novel are scarred, strong in body but sensitive in compassion and so very perfect for the roles they play. The plot, the interactions, the strengths, and the weaknesses are in harmony.
For people who stand up for the unspoken, for animal rights, for the respect of nature and her kin, this book is both a wake-up call and a heartwarming story. I envied the relationship his characters had with the animals, both domestic and wild. He exposes the other side of the blade, too- those who use that relationship to abuse and confuse the natural order.
Taylor Brown has the uncanny ability to put you in the middle of the action, feel the air, smell the odors, and react to the pain of his subjects. What a beautiful talent and a beautifully written story of salvation.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for making it available.)

I'm a wimp, but I just can't read about poaching exotic animals. Made me sick to my stomach at the thought of it, and I fear a lot of the readers of our collection would feel the same.

Forgive me.,,,,

I have much respect for Taylor Brown. I’ve read her other books and enjoy them.


This book is not the right fit for me..,
I’m not going to finish it.

I’m also retiring from Goodreads at the end of this week. Leaving officially, Friday, October 18th

Thank you for your years of generosity

Sincerely,
Elyse

Enthralling, captivating right from the very beginning. Taylor Brown has woven a beautiful story about Anse a Vietnam vet and the forgotten animals of the world. You don’t want to put it down and when you have to you can’t stop thinking about it and what will happen next. Pride of Eden is beautifully written, painting a picture right before your eyes, as if you are really there. Will definitely be going back to read all of Taylor Brown’s previous novels.

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
-- Genesis 1:26

The Fact Sheet for Big Cat Public Safety Act states these statistics: ”There are 7,000 tigers (in the United States), more than live in the wild in the rest of world.”…”In fact, the U.S. is thought to be home to more captive tigers than are found in the wild.” The Humane Society estimates the largest population of tigers in the U.S. is in Texas, where anyone can own a tiger.

While the focus of this story involves the poaching of wildlife, the trade of skins, the sale of body parts for various reasons, along with the heinous conditions some of these animals are condemned to by those who capture them, it is also a condemnation of those people who have captured these animals, and then mistreated them. Those who have obtained them in order to financially profit, watching as their population is disintegrating. This situation sounds horrifying, sad, and it is.

But, this is Taylor Brown, and while this is shared with his requisite gorgeous prose, this story is riveting as well, as he slowly unveils the stories of the lives of both the animals on the wildlife sanctuary that is managed by Anse Caulfield, former Vietnam veteran. Anse’s memories of his time in Vietnam add more to the story, as do the day-to-day operations of Little Eden. Anse’s pride and joy is Henrietta, a lioness, who lives on the sanctuary on the coast of Georgia, and who has managed to escape as this story is just beginning to unfold.

Among the others involved with the sanctuary is Malaya, also a veteran, but who served in Iraq. She is equally invested in their roles as protectors of these animals and the world they live in, it is their sacred duty. The sanctuary veterinarian is Tyler, a woman who is close with Anse, although she doesn’t always agree with things he does. But, the focus in this story isn’t primarily about the people, the focus is less on their personal lives than it is on their joint concern for these animals.

This is one of those books that pulled me in completely from the first pages. Taylor Brown’s ability to weave this tale with the omniscient truth of the darkness that permeates this story, showing me these places, the wilderness and the beliefs on both sides of this story, and yet infusing this with just enough light. A very thought-provoking book, and as in life, not all stories end with a big ribbon tied in a bow, resolving every obstacle. This leaves us to reflect on our feelings on this topic, and about our roles as guardians of these animals, and of this world. As in his ‘The River of Kings,’ there is a strength in how this story is shared, there’s not a lot of soft, poetic, sweetness – but his devotion to this topic, to these majestic beasts of nature who, in addition to mankind, were created for their own place and purpose on this earth – that, to me, is both lovely, and the ultimate expression of love.



Pub Date: 17 Mar 2020

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC provided

I’d like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. This is
my first time reading anything by this author. Beautiful, descriptive style that pulls you right into the story. It’s about a small group of people who work for a wildlife sanctuary. Their objective is to rescue wild animals who have been abused, poached etc. It was a captivating read but at the same time it was highly graphic and upsetting. Not an enjoyable read. Parts of the book are so vivid I had nightmares. It’s focus was more on the animals as opposed to the people which gave it a different feel. There was no definitive end to the book and it left a lot of unanswered questions.
3.5*

Taylor Brown is one of the most talented writers I've encountered. I've enjoyed all of his books and PRIDE OF EDEN is no exception. From the start, I was fascinated by the cast of characters and the animals in the wildlife sanctuary. Brown has created a mesmerizing and unusual world. The story is shot through with hints of imminent disaster which keeps the reader turning the pages. Even if you're not interested in the environmental/political issues, read this novel for the story itself.

What happens when environmental activism and the passion of a group of outsiders come together? Taylor Brown explores this idea in his book Pride of Eden, as we move closer and closer to the cataclysm that is our natural disaster. It is clear that not only is this a political and social issue, but is now finding its way into fiction. And no one is better suited to take on this task then Taylor Brown and his visionary style that merges melodious prose with the stark reality of our natural calamity. This novel examines the extremes of protecting apex predators and the people who live on the edge to save them. Wrought in stunning vision of the natural world and the tainted reality that has oppressed the great animals that are now prey to poachers, land development, the black market, and hunting fanatics.

Anse Caulfield is a retired racehorse jockey and Vietnam veteran who rescues exotic big cats, elephants, and other animals to bring them to his wildlife sanctuary Little Eden on the Georgia coast. When his prized lion escapes and meets a tragic end, Anse becomes obsessed with filling the void in his life. He is joined by other outcasts and animal activists. Malaya, a former solider who spent time in Africa hunting poachers, comes to the sanctuary with a vision of helping Anse fulfill his dream. A few others join the team, a veterinarian and a falcon expert spend time in this strangely idyllic and sometimes frightening world. Among the great lions, ancient crocodiles and other exotic animals, it is clear that the sanctuary is the only place for these souls to comprehend what is happening and what they can do for these animals. Each of these well developed characters has a primordial sense of the world that they are trying to restore. They see the world through the eyes of their rescued animals. For some it is means taking care of these rare and exotic creatures. For some, it is a more extreme vision. As this team begin to rescue animals, it is clear that they are moving into dangerous territory.

Taylor Brown has created a visionary sense of a decaying natural world where the apex predators have been cast into sideshows and trinkets for collectors. This band of outsiders, with no place to go but to sanctuary are the vanguard of something lost in a culture that has turned its back on the natural world. Brown uses language to slip between the reality of teeth and claw - to a lost past where the natural apex creatures were mythical apparitions that are all but gone. Moving Brown's tension filled prose to mythical vistas, this book is very hard to put down. As we herald in an era of environmental extremism, this novel speaks to the men and women who are on the front lines willing to save these beautiful and dangerous animals at any cost. To pull this off Brown has created memorable and deeply moving characters.

Brown’s previous novel, Gods of Howl Mountain remains one of my personal top picks last year. Pride of Eden is another epic novel that draws you into the fears and hopes of people living on the edge of the world. Once again Brown proves that this is a great place to tell compelling and visionary stories.

How interesting to read a book more about animals in captivity and what conditions they are in sometimes. Also how the People so forget about them. Yes, their are alot of advocates who support our wildlife but I don't think its made public enough. There were Interesting characteristics and gorgeous descriptive scenery. Florida is a beautiful state! I really recommend this book! And other books by Taylor Brown. I got hooked on his River of Kings first. Thank you NetGalley and Publishers!!

I really enjoyed Pride of Eden by Taylor Brown. I thought it was a very different book than I had ever read before. The story itself was revolutionary. And the characters weren’t different than other books I have read, but the writing style was extremely unique. I think at times the story seemed rushed, or almost forgotten, but the style of writing made up for it and kept me on my toes. It was one of those books that I really was interested to find out more and more. I had previously read Taylor Brown’s Gods of Howl Mountain. That was one of my favorite books. While this was different, it still had the same interesting qualities that makes Taylor Brown an excellent writer. Am hoping to read a new one from him soon!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Taylor Brown for providing me with an advanced reading copy.