adr1an's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
neothe0ne's review
3.0
The plot and illustrations of this novel are spectacular, but the writing is pretty amateur. The dialogue is stilted and the author tells rather than shows, except when his illustrations replace text, and then it feels awkwardly under-explained. I think kids will love this novel, and since this is the author's first book, I could see him really doing great things in the literary world.
xianliya's review against another edition
I liked the illustrations and hoped for a treasure planet like experience. I found the plot to be lacking and not intriguing at all.
ravenpaw23's review against another edition
3.0
It was a good kids graphic novel. Lots of unanswered questions throughout. There were interesting perspectives but I have no interest in reading books that follow.
imzadirose's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED this book! Very very enjoyable. Loved the story, really liked the characters. A few of them annoyed me at times and one was an ass, but other than that, they were great. Great premise and just all around great book. Loved it all and definitely hope there's more!
kayelletea's review against another edition
2.0
Couldn’t finish. Great concept. Great art. Terrible writing. I’ll watch the hell out of this movie.
sean67's review
3.0
Again another really interesting premise somewhat let down by execution in a story which never really engaged and was a struggle to make it through. Apparently the first in a series, although it looks as if number two has not arrived yet, or is not listed as being linked with this book.
ollie_again's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The reason why I didn't DNFed this book is the art, that is the main seller of it because the story itself was not very good. Don't get me wrong, the idea of three timelines clashing and creating an exciting diverse world of dinosaurs walking among men walking among robots and cyborgs was a great idea. It has everything a kid could want to read about: futuristic skateboards, technology, robots, dinosaurs, pirates, and planes... it was adventurous as heck in that sense.
My main issue is that the story did not hold together, it was a hotchpotch of exciting things but there was no strong string that would make it cohesive and engaging to read. Especially during the action scenes I sometimes didn't know what was happening because the writing was not very good. Sometimes I felt I'm going more off the pictures themselves rather than the text. The author is an incredible visual artist but his writing just did not do justice to the artwork. So, it is worth reading for the pictures but do not expect masterful writing.
Some choices in the story concerning Black people rubbed me the wrong way too, the message of 'well I lived through slavery, so be grateful you don't have it that bad now' it's maybe meant well but pretty shitty take regardless imo. The story is pretty diverse overall but maybe in places, it's done heavyhandedly.
My main issue is that the story did not hold together, it was a hotchpotch of exciting things but there was no strong string that would make it cohesive and engaging to read. Especially during the action scenes I sometimes didn't know what was happening because the writing was not very good. Sometimes I felt I'm going more off the pictures themselves rather than the text. The author is an incredible visual artist but his writing just did not do justice to the artwork. So, it is worth reading for the pictures but do not expect masterful writing.
Some choices in the story concerning Black people rubbed me the wrong way too, the message of 'well I lived through slavery, so be grateful you don't have it that bad now' it's maybe meant well but pretty shitty take regardless imo. The story is pretty diverse overall but maybe in places, it's done heavyhandedly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Child death, and Death
Minor: Vomit, Racial slurs, and Slavery
monniebiloney's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Art: 5/5
Setting: 5/5 (this was the coolest setting I have seen in a book so far. If there is one reason to read this book, it's for the setting)
Plot: 4/5 (nothing special, but nothing particularly anoying about it either) [this is fine as the setting carrys the book]
Characters: 3/5
Note: If you are a boy, the characters might not bother you that much.
The main cast was anoying. I dislike it when the story states "women are their own people" but then lay the blame of all their actions on the main character. Like, the characters of the story treats the female characters like they can do "nothing wrong" and lays all the blame of diago and as a female it felt very anoying.
Lusy as a character can and has made her own discussions. Stop being like "oh diago you have to apologize. It's your fault" like UGH. It would be different if the female characters were not independent. Like ok, then you can blame all their actions on who ever told them to do stuff.
But diago isn't the boss of lusy and lusy doesn't even listen to him. Lusy isn't his daughter, nor is he her boss or leader or anything like that. diago is literally like a month younger then her or something.
The amount of diago being held to higher standards then the other characters was soo annoying. Like, the characters were all given a test part way through the book. Peter, Luzy, Girl B we're told "train nder this person, and I'll quiz you on what you learned" and Diago was told "make a generator on your own." And we are told that this is 'Impossible' by Ajex. Like what. Why isn't diago given like "train under Ajex and I'll quiz you how your repairs" like every other kid character? Like, Rude.
Setting: 5/5 (this was the coolest setting I have seen in a book so far. If there is one reason to read this book, it's for the setting)
Plot: 4/5 (nothing special, but nothing particularly anoying about it either) [this is fine as the setting carrys the book]
Characters: 3/5
Note: If you are a boy, the characters might not bother you that much.
The main cast was anoying. I dislike it when the story states "women are their own people" but then lay the blame of all their actions on the main character. Like, the characters of the story treats the female characters like they can do "nothing wrong" and lays all the blame of diago and as a female it felt very anoying.
Lusy as a character can and has made her own discussions. Stop being like "oh diago you have to apologize. It's your fault" like UGH. It would be different if the female characters were not independent. Like ok, then you can blame all their actions on who ever told them to do stuff.
But diago isn't the boss of lusy and lusy doesn't even listen to him. Lusy isn't his daughter, nor is he her boss or leader or anything like that. diago is literally like a month younger then her or something.
The amount of diago being held to higher standards then the other characters was soo annoying. Like, the characters were all given a test part way through the book. Peter, Luzy, Girl B we're told "train nder this person, and I'll quiz you on what you learned" and Diago was told "make a generator on your own." And we are told that this is 'Impossible' by Ajex. Like what. Why isn't diago given like "train under Ajex and I'll quiz you how your repairs" like every other kid character? Like, Rude.