A shot at Disney and not a shot at Disney, but really a shot at Disney.

World: The world building in this book is truly fantastic. This time, Hiaasen takes on the enormous amusement parks and the not-so-nice things they do, as well as the false front they present to customers. But it's not just that. Once again, Hiaasen shows his love for playing with the Florida environment, and we get a deeper look into the development of these parks and their other projects. The characters here are delightfully quirky and very much in the Hiaasen style. The elements that make up the world are wonderfully over the top, which adds to the charm. It's all really good stuff.

Story: This is a Hiaasen story through and through, with all the familiar beats. However, this time there's a Disney (but not really Disney) twist to the tale. Once again, we have an environmental issue, and the corrupt people in Florida who allow it to happen. I really enjoyed the world aspect of this story, so having the same basic story with a different veneer really worked for me. I love amusement parks, but now that I've seen what might be going on behind the scenes, I'm a bit more cautious. The humor in this book is once again great. It's insane, quirky, and over the top, which allows the satire to really sink in.

Characters: Skink is awesome, and he's a part of this story, which is a definite plus. The new characters here are also a lot of fun. They fit right into the Hiaasen mold, which is great. We have the crazy killers, the corrupt rich person, and the well-meaning but somewhat lost and loser main characters. It's all here, and I love these characters.

This was a really fun book. It's essentially the same book as before, but with a Disney not Disney spin on things.

Onward to the next book!

No actual feedback because I read this when I was 12. At that time, I was just casually flipping through my mom's books and came across this one. And to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. The story had something that captured my imagination and made me eager to turn the pages. I can still recall the excitement I felt as I delved into its pages. It was a memorable experience for me at that young age. And just recently, I found it again in my mom's collection, which brought back those wonderful memories. Although I don't have any specific feedback now, I know that this book had a special place in my heart when I was 12.

Always a fun read with a deeper moral. It's truly a delight to see Skink here. If you're not familiar with Skink, let me tell you. He is a fictitious governor of Florida who, being extremely fed up with politicians sacrificing the environment, left office and retired to the swamps. There, he lives on roadkill, teaches those who spoil the environment a valuable lesson, and entertains readers. I really loved the portrayal of the stereotypical crooked real estate developer. He thinks nothing of fouling the Keys by building golf courses and condos on what was once the wild and beautiful Florida. He reminds me of a certain politician, although their backgrounds are different. Any Floridian who values the real Florida, not just plastic theme parks and golf courses, should read all of Carl Hiaasen's work. It offers a unique perspective on the state and its issues, and makes us think about the importance of protecting our environment.

Ridiculously entertaining second novel of Hiaasen’s Florida Skink series.

This novel is truly a gem within the Florida Skink series by Hiaasen. It offers a wild and hilarious ride that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

The story is filled with unique and colorful characters, each with their own quirks and personalities. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns that will have you laughing out loud.

Hiaasen's writing style is vivid and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the Florida landscape and the crazy antics that take place within it.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, comedy, or just a good story, this second novel in the Florida Skink series is sure to please. It's a must-read for anyone looking for a fun and entertaining read.

It was a truly fun and easy read.

Carl Hiaasen has a remarkable talent for creating engaging stories that draw you in from the very beginning.

The way he weaves together humor, adventure, and interesting characters makes his books a joy to read.

Once I manage to get through the backlog of books that are already sitting in my house, I will definitely be looking forward to reading more by Carl Hiaasen.

I can't wait to see what other exciting tales he has in store for his readers.

His writing style is so unique and captivating that I know I'm in for a treat with each new book.

So, for now, I'll focus on clearing out my current pile of books and then embark on a new adventure with Carl Hiaasen's works.

Carl Hiaasen is truly one of my all-time favorite authors.

I simply adore his incredibly crazy characters and the outlandish situations he creates. This particular book is no exception.

I'm relatively new to the world of Skink, but I'm already hooked and determined to read all the other books in this series.

In addition, I'll eagerly devour any other Hiaasen books that I can manage to get my hands on.

This book is not only funny but also offers a unique and entertaining look at voles, money-grubbing real estate idiots, and of course, the vibrant and sometimes wacky world of southern Florida.

Hiaasen's writing style is engaging and full of wit, making it a joy to read from start to finish.

I can't wait to see what other adventures and hilarity he has in store for us in his future works.

As usual, the story unfolds in a delightfully twisted, funny, and fast-paced manner.

It makes me wonder if the author's real life is as colorful and full of such zany adventures.

To be honest, some parts of it were a little gorier than what I typically enjoy. However, despite that minor drawback, it was still another great piece of entertainment.

The author has a unique talent for creating characters and situations that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

The humor is sharp and unexpected, and the twists and turns in the plot add an extra layer of excitement.

Overall, I would highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable read.

I've now read just over half of Carl Hiaasen's novels.

After careful consideration, I've come to the conclusion that I have a preference for his more recent work. Additionally, I always have a soft spot for his juvenile fiction.

The cut-off point seems to be around the year 2000. Although, I must admit that I did enjoy most of "Lucky You" (1997).

"Native Tongue", being one of the earliest of his novels (#4), shares many of the same themes as his later works. These themes include environmentalism, corruption, animal rights, and big business.

In this particular novel, the big business in question is a mob-run amusement park that has a voracious desire to outgrow Disney, regardless of the cost.

On the opposite side of the fence, there are a pair of thugs who are working for a crazy environmentalist. While her cause may be just, her methods are hardly any better than those of the head of the Amazing Kingdom.

Unfortunately, the book suffers from having too large a cast of characters and an abundance of side plots. As a result, I ended up skipping around to focus on the characters who interested me the most.

This made the reading experience a bit disjointed at times, but overall, I still found "Native Tongue" to be an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Hiassen is always entertaining. His works are filled with unique characters, engaging storylines, and a touch of humor that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Whether it's a mystery, a thriller, or a satire, Hiassen has the ability to create a world that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

His writing style is distinct, with vivid descriptions and clever dialogue that bring his characters to life. Hiassen's attention to detail is remarkable, making it easy for readers to picture the settings and events in their minds.

Moreover, Hiassen often uses his novels to shed light on important social and environmental issues. He has a way of making these topics accessible and interesting, without sacrificing the entertainment value of his stories.

In conclusion, Hiassen is a master of the craft, and his books are a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story. Whether you're looking for a lighthearted escape or a deeper exploration of the human condition, Hiassen has something to offer.

I honestly wasn't expecting much from this book. In fact, I was actually anticipating some quirky, terribly written, hipster garbage from the 90's. As it turns out, I should just stop assuming I know what's inside of a book before I read it.

Native Tongue is fast-paced in entertainment from the first page to the last. Although the characters are more-or-less quirky, they're all interesting and enjoyable. The moral cause, a bit of mystery, some detective-type work, a romantic subplot, and, of course, the humor - all of the elements to make a good story are here.

It's easy to see that Hiaasen wrote this book with a clear image in his mind of what his cast looked like and the places they each inhabited. And though that image didn't necessarily transfer vividly into words, the story picked up the slack by being incredibly entertaining and uncomplicated.

It also seems as if he wrote it perfectly enough to be adapted into film, but not in a displeasing sense. In fact, I'm sort-of sad no one's made a movie out of this book yet.

Overall, I'm definitely glad I added this book to my summer reading list and will certainly be reading more of his books.

The second book in the Skink series is a truly remarkable piece of literature.

It is filled with wild adventures that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story takes us on a thrilling journey through various settings, introducing us to a cast of colorful characters.

The author's use of humor adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the narrative. The witty dialogues and comical situations will have you laughing out loud.

Not only is the book wild and humorous, but it is also great fun to read. The fast-paced plot and unexpected twists make it impossible to put down.

Whether you are a fan of adventure novels or simply looking for an entertaining read, the second book in the Skink series is definitely worth checking out.

3.5 stars

Joe Winder, a journalist thoroughly disillusioned with mainstream news, opts for a change and takes on a role as a publicity writer for a Disney-esque theme park. This park not only features various attractions but also has animal exhibits, one of which showcases endangered voles. However, these voles are stolen by a pair of burglars hired by an environmental extremist. The burglars, being rather dim-witted, mistake the voles for rats and, in a moment of idiocy, decide to have some "fun" by throwing one of the "rats" into a passing convertible just for kicks.

Winder and his boss, Charles Chelsea, then embark on writing a series of publicity articles with the aim of twisting the situation to generate more revenue for the theme park. The theme park owner is solely focused on making a profit and spares no effort in using any gimmick, regardless of its legitimacy. The park security consists of thugs, with the chief security man being a steroid-addicted bodybuilder.

Moreover, the theme park owner is also in the process of developing a "waterfront" condominium complex. When they bulldoze the land near Winder's favorite fishing spot, he decides to take matters into his own hands and go rogue.

The situation quickly descends into chaos. But fortunately, Skink, the ex-governor who has now become an environmental vigilante and hermit, makes timely appearances to bail Winder out of trouble.

While I generally enjoy Carl Hiaasen's books, Native Tongue was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I'm not entirely sure why. The story is well-written, and the characters are the typical collection of eccentric individuals. This is Book 2 of the Skink series, and I have read almost all the books in the series out of order. Interestingly, the books seem to work well as standalones as very few characters carry over from one book to the next. Oh well, despite its flaws, this is still a fun book with a story that is full of laughs.