Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
Not my favorite Homer Hickam book, but it was a reasonably good read. I guess I just expected a bit more depth from the characters. The change in setting from coal miner country to a Montana ranch was interesting, but considering that the author likes to dinosaur hunt in that area himself, he was quite familiar with the process and the landscape, and that really showed. In fact the dinosaur hunting was the most interesting part of the book.
Although I enjoyed this one (for the most part), it was a very awkward read. There are really three stories being told here, one of which I felt was unnecessary, and another just silly.
Number one, we have the story of the science - the trials and triumphs of the dinosaur hunters. That's what I bought this one to read, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. The detailed description of the digs was very well done, and the narratives about how those dinosaurs lived and died were fantastic.
Number two, we have a story of frustrated cowboy love. While I can fully appreciate how it was intended to add some sexual tension to the story, it was unnecessary. The relationship between Mike and Jeanette is cold and one-sided, and his affair with the town mayor is probably one of the weakest aspects of his character, especially coupled with his spite for her husband. Toss in two hot, fliratatious, conveniently available young women to assist with the dig, along with a tryst between Jeanette and Pick (the dinosaur diggger himself), and it just gets soap operaish.
Number three, we have a silly subplot involving an ex-porn mogul, the Russian mob, rich Mexican dinosaur smugglers, a family of anti-government survivalists, and an inexplicably cruel and crooked majoy. Perhaps, if it hadn't been resolved in such a cartoonish fashion, and if there had been some real consquences of everbody's actions, this might have been easier to stomach, but it just didn't work for me at all.
Having said all that, the dinosaur elements were strong enough to carry the book. It's not my favourite Hickam work, but still a (mostly) enjoyable read all the same.
Number one, we have the story of the science - the trials and triumphs of the dinosaur hunters. That's what I bought this one to read, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. The detailed description of the digs was very well done, and the narratives about how those dinosaurs lived and died were fantastic.
Number two, we have a story of frustrated cowboy love. While I can fully appreciate how it was intended to add some sexual tension to the story, it was unnecessary. The relationship between Mike and Jeanette is cold and one-sided, and his affair with the town mayor is probably one of the weakest aspects of his character, especially coupled with his spite for her husband. Toss in two hot, fliratatious, conveniently available young women to assist with the dig, along with a tryst between Jeanette and Pick (the dinosaur diggger himself), and it just gets soap operaish.
Number three, we have a silly subplot involving an ex-porn mogul, the Russian mob, rich Mexican dinosaur smugglers, a family of anti-government survivalists, and an inexplicably cruel and crooked majoy. Perhaps, if it hadn't been resolved in such a cartoonish fashion, and if there had been some real consquences of everbody's actions, this might have been easier to stomach, but it just didn't work for me at all.
Having said all that, the dinosaur elements were strong enough to carry the book. It's not my favourite Hickam work, but still a (mostly) enjoyable read all the same.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked it. It was a western mixed with archeology. No real plot twists. All sex was closed door.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Excrement, Vomit
Minor: Trafficking
Trafficking only mentioned as one character is a former prostitute
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One star seems almost excessively harsh because I did not hate reading this book. However, I can't give the author any more credit because it is just lazily written. The "good guys" are so idealized as to be wooden and flat. The plot itself doesn't really build coherently. Nothing really happens except dropping hints for the first 85% of the book. Then in the blink of an eye the plot becomes pure action before suddenly deflating with a silly deus ex machina. On top of that, the ending is almost completely unsatisfying. This book seems like the author had an interesting premise for a book and sold it to his editor but couldn't really find a way to flesh out that premise.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was selected because it was a free download. I wanted to stop chasing new books and look back. Well, it wasn't a good start. Hopefully, some gems await me. Now about The Dinosaur Hunter.
It dragged. The plot was not sufficient to carry to whole story. Three-quarters into the story, although not a violent person, I was wanting someone to die. At the end, I wanted the main character to be the one to die. But, I finished it. There were some positive (short) parts where Homer surprised me. It also earned me a piece of chocolate for finishing it.
It dragged. The plot was not sufficient to carry to whole story. Three-quarters into the story, although not a violent person, I was wanting someone to die. At the end, I wanted the main character to be the one to die. But, I finished it. There were some positive (short) parts where Homer surprised me. It also earned me a piece of chocolate for finishing it.
a little too dry for me. by two-thirds of the way through the book all you have are 3 dead cows and some dinosaur bones. I hated the narrator's tone. he wanted people to remember he was a cop, but he was wishy washy on helping find the murderer in the last third of the book. also, his strong feelings for one of the dinosaur girls was so abrupt it took me off guard. one minute he is trying to decide which of the two he likes more (whomever he can bed fastest), the next he loves her? it felt ingenuine. there were also lots of paleontology references and descriptions of rocks. I guess I was hoping for more of a jurassic park thrilling pace, and what I got was a plodding cowboy book.