Reviews

Dinotopia: The World Beneath by James Gurney

catsnflags's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lupuslibrorum's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

In this book, the prose is mere accompaniment to 160 incredible paintings.

holdenkillfield's review against another edition

5.0

The artwork is breathtaking and the story is very immersive and complex. Just as in the first book I enjoyed learning more about the secrets of Dinotopia and all the inhabitants (human and dinosaurs.) I'm looking forward to continuing this series unsure of what will happen next or where it will take me. This story is for all ages to enjoy and learn from as it has themes of friendship, perseverance, and standing up to bias to name a few. A great read in one sitting.

bluestarfish's review against another edition

5.0

I thought I may as well read this one again while I was at it. I so want one of those underwater submersible things they have... It's the paintings which really do it for me in these two books.

beingshort's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

teachinsci's review

4.0

The continued adventures of Arthur and Will Denison. In this book, Arthur is returning to the underworld of Dinotopia to explore the history of the island. He is joined by Lee Crabb, Bix, and a woman named Orianna. Their adventures reaching and exploring that world are matched only by their discoveries.
The artwork in the book is still the best part, making this more of a graphic novel. The story is OK, although the idea of the destroyed very advanced society is pushed to its extremes and it ends up changing some of the history from the first book.
I first read this when I was much younger and more willing to ignore (in memory at least) holes in plot and story. This time, decades later, I realize that the size of Dinotopia would guarantee its discovery by the 19th century (where this is set). In fact, one wonders things like why the alphabet is directly translatable to English or how breeding populations of so many species of dinosaur could exist on one island unchanged for (for the cretaceous species) 65 million years, let alone the more than that for earlier periods species mentioned in a book. Why do the dinosaurs care about humans at all? How have they advanced so little in technology in ask that time as well?
Still, a nice simple story with amazing artwork. Thus worthy of the 4 stars.

glowbird's review against another edition

4.0

Read this aloud to the five year old. We loved it. The story is exciting but not too scary and the art is spectacular. I’ve owned this book since I was a tween but only got around to reading it completely now.

yohhhanna's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I guess it's just lacking that nostalgia feeling for me. the drawings are still awe-inspiring tho

scriptrix's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted

5.0

eileenmccoy's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

5.0