City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende

“City of the Beasts” is a young adult novel written by Chilean author Isabel Allende. Published in 2002, the book is the first installment in Allende’s “Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar” trilogy.

The story follows the adventures of fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold, who travels with his grandmother, a journalist named Kate Cold, to the Amazon rainforest. They join an expedition led by a renowned anthropologist, Dr. Ludovic Leblanc, to search for a legendary creature known as the Beast. Along the way, Alexander encounters indigenous peoples, mythical creatures, and ancient mysteries.

“City of the Beasts” is praised for its richly imagined setting, engaging characters, and themes of adventure, friendship, and environmentalism. Allende weaves elements of magical realism into the narrative, blending realism with fantastical elements to create a captivating and thought-provoking story.

The novel explores issues such as environmental conservation, indigenous rights, and the clash between modernity and traditional ways of life. It has been well-received by readers of all ages and has been translated into numerous languages.