I don’t think I’ve ever read a middle-grade book featuring
dinosaurs as all of the characters. Scientists believe a giant meteor may have
struck the earth, drastically altering the climate, and killing all of the dinosaurs.
This book presents is an alternate reality where the meteor doesn’t kill all of
the dinosaurs as the survivors have adapted to the new world. These creatures
have the ability to talk and think and species have merged into three groups.
Two of the three are herbivores while carnivores form the last group of
mostly-independent predators. While dinosaurs have developed the humanlike
characteristics of speech and community, they’ve also acquired the ability to
wage war. Eleri, the main character, is able to ponder the concept of killing
and envisions the value of all lives.
Readers will enjoy the wonderful underdog story where the
main characters are expected to die. They’re all exiled to the Deadlands for
different offenses but their herds assume they’ll never survive the barren,
dry, toxic lands full of meat-eating carnivores. Eleri, disgraced runt son of a
prince, is kicked out for warning an enemy about an impending danger, and Tortha,
the enemy heir to his herd, is banished for not killing Eleri when ordered to. To
complicate the situation, they’re from opposing herds and have deep-seated
feelings of animosity for each other. Tortha’s destiny makes it more difficult
to adapt to an alliance since she’s trained to become a warrior and has a
grumpy personality. Sorielle is a seemingly naive, kind creature but she has an
amazing mathematical brain. Lerithon is a world traveler and speaks in
philosophical tones while providing spiritual and navigating guidance for the
others.
The author creates mystique through events and characters to
keep readers wondering. Eleri notices a secret meeting between unlikely
characters that doesn’t make sense to him. He also observes some carnivores
that seem to be working together even though he’s always been told that doesn’t
happen. A minor character flies overhead with the intent of selling secrets to
opposing sides in the war. He’s able to view happenings on the prairie and in
the mountains and he accepts a deal with a hidden character to ensure Eleri
dies. However, watching Eleri and his new team causes him to have second
thoughts so readers will have trouble predicting what he will do with this new
information.
What didn’t work as well:
I have a hard time visualizing the dinosaurs as they
interact, especially as talking, sentient creatures. It might have helped if
the author had included pictures of different dinosaurs in the beginning along
with identifying their different herds. The introduction already has very
general descriptions of each animal but illustrations would help readers
envision the lesser-known ones.
The Final Verdict:
The author expertly develops personalities for the main
characters, especially the star, Eleri. Readers will empathize with them as
they’ve all been exiled from their friends and families and they struggle to
survive the Deadlands. The plot builds to an exciting climax and the resolution
leads nicely into a sequel. I recommend you give this book a shot.
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