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A review by leandrathetbrzero
The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
FLAMING FEATHERS!! Perfect for fans of Land Before Time and Jurassic Park!
When Eleri is exiled to the Deadlands for treason, all expect him to perish quickly. In fact, one mysterious dinosaur calling themself Shadow pays a Wind Whisperer to be sure it happens. Out aspiring storyteller not only survives, however. He finds a family where he least suspected it, creating his own herd with other dinosaurs who were rejected by their kind for one reason or another. The band of exiled youths also stumble upon a discovery that places everyone's survival in their claws...
It took me a few chapters to fully get used to this narrative following dinosaurs as main characters, especially one so complex with its history, politics, culture, and legends. Once I felt familiar with each main character, however, I absolutely loved their dynamic. The conversations among the group of exiles were handsdown my favorite, from the snarky comments to those made with empathetic understanding and mutual vulnerability. This very much reads as Land Before Time slightly aged up to the younger teen age range, and that is a compliment of the highest order!
I can easily see middlegrade lovers of all things dinosaurs, fantasy/science fiction, and adventure. And I will be recommending the library where I work to buy this series for our collection if we do not already have it.
When Eleri is exiled to the Deadlands for treason, all expect him to perish quickly. In fact, one mysterious dinosaur calling themself Shadow pays a Wind Whisperer to be sure it happens. Out aspiring storyteller not only survives, however. He finds a family where he least suspected it, creating his own herd with other dinosaurs who were rejected by their kind for one reason or another. The band of exiled youths also stumble upon a discovery that places everyone's survival in their claws...
It took me a few chapters to fully get used to this narrative following dinosaurs as main characters, especially one so complex with its history, politics, culture, and legends. Once I felt familiar with each main character, however, I absolutely loved their dynamic. The conversations among the group of exiles were handsdown my favorite, from the snarky comments to those made with empathetic understanding and mutual vulnerability. This very much reads as Land Before Time slightly aged up to the younger teen age range, and that is a compliment of the highest order!
I can easily see middlegrade lovers of all things dinosaurs, fantasy/science fiction, and adventure. And I will be recommending the library where I work to buy this series for our collection if we do not already have it.
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence