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xzannahx's review
3.0
Well, this was a fun read. The Bone Wars was enjoyable, but I wouldn't say it's excellent.
I enjoyed:
-The premise: the possibility that mythological creatures are rooted in facts, and we just haven't discovered it yet.
-I was really pleased to see that the author definitely knows their paleontology, with an abundance of accurate science which made this fun to read (they have a background in it too!).
-The Bone Wars does go a bit off-rails on a 'National Treasure'-like adventure, which I enjoyed to a certain extent.
Things to think about before picking this book up:
-This is advertised as Young Adult, but it definitely reads like Middle Grade. That isn't a bad thing, but not everyone enjoys it.
- I really disliked the multiple POV's which were difficult to follow, and made some parts of the story drag. I might be alone in this, but I just wanted to get back to the paleontology.
- The paragraph structure of my ARC was off with quite a few errors, making it difficult to read at times. I'm sure this will be fixed in the published copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkshares for providing a copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed:
-The premise: the possibility that mythological creatures are rooted in facts, and we just haven't discovered it yet.
-I was really pleased to see that the author definitely knows their paleontology, with an abundance of accurate science which made this fun to read (they have a background in it too!).
-The Bone Wars does go a bit off-rails on a 'National Treasure'-like adventure, which I enjoyed to a certain extent.
Things to think about before picking this book up:
-This is advertised as Young Adult, but it definitely reads like Middle Grade. That isn't a bad thing, but not everyone enjoys it.
- I really disliked the multiple POV's which were difficult to follow, and made some parts of the story drag. I might be alone in this, but I just wanted to get back to the paleontology.
- The paragraph structure of my ARC was off with quite a few errors, making it difficult to read at times. I'm sure this will be fixed in the published copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkshares for providing a copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
zemthings's review
4.0
Listen.
This was everything I wanted. Erin S. Evan promised and delivered on all points. That's all I should have to say, but there's more.
The premise had me hooked, and based on the cover, title, and blurb, I knew I had to read this book ASAP (whether it was an eARC or I bought my own copy). Once I got into it, the POVs were slightly confusing, and there were many, but I am also not a huge fan of POV switches and prefer a book to come from one POV. For the target audience, Molly will be their new obsession and favorite character. I loved her, and I know that if I was a teen again, this book would be my everything.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Inkshares, and Erin S. Evan for the eARC!
This was everything I wanted. Erin S. Evan promised and delivered on all points. That's all I should have to say, but there's more.
The premise had me hooked, and based on the cover, title, and blurb, I knew I had to read this book ASAP (whether it was an eARC or I bought my own copy). Once I got into it, the POVs were slightly confusing, and there were many, but I am also not a huge fan of POV switches and prefer a book to come from one POV. For the target audience, Molly will be their new obsession and favorite character. I loved her, and I know that if I was a teen again, this book would be my everything.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Inkshares, and Erin S. Evan for the eARC!
kariniwonderland's review
3.0
Jurassic Park meets The DaVinci Code with a touch of dragons. That's a pretty accurate description of The Bone Wars. The book is an easy read and combines facts and fiction in an entertaining way. The characters were a bit cliché, but honestly, I didn't mind. The only "downside" was that it felt like the book ended too abruptly. I know it's the first book in The Pirates of Montana series, but this part could have been wrapped up a bit more.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
drakoulis's review
3.0
My rating is generous given that this is an ARC.
I couldn't resist reading a story about paleontology and cryptozoology. I love dinosaurs so the blurb had me hooked. Unfortunately, the story left a lot to be desired.
There are a lot of details about paleontology, digs, the technical and scientific aspect of the process of unearthing dinosaur fossils. There is also a sort of trbute to the history of paleontology, the forefathers of the science who lived in the 19th century and sometimes don't get the recognition they deserve.
Sadly, the story had two big issues for me:
- the characters are bland, I didn't find myself to care about any of them. The author tried to highlight Molly's value by making the actual scientists look...naive? stupid? The "help" Molly provided was...Googling myths and history? If she wanted to make her remarkable, she should have upped the research challenges.
- the plot regarding the historical trail looks it's inspired by Da Vinci Code, but only at the surface and is very basic. There is minaml depth, the motives of both the good guys and the villains are quite simplistic.
A fair rating would be closer to 2 stars, but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt since it's not to be published until next year.
Thank you NetGalley and Inkshares for the ARC!
I couldn't resist reading a story about paleontology and cryptozoology. I love dinosaurs so the blurb had me hooked. Unfortunately, the story left a lot to be desired.
There are a lot of details about paleontology, digs, the technical and scientific aspect of the process of unearthing dinosaur fossils. There is also a sort of trbute to the history of paleontology, the forefathers of the science who lived in the 19th century and sometimes don't get the recognition they deserve.
Sadly, the story had two big issues for me:
- the characters are bland, I didn't find myself to care about any of them. The author tried to highlight Molly's value by making the actual scientists look...naive? stupid? The "help" Molly provided was...Googling myths and history? If she wanted to make her remarkable, she should have upped the research challenges.
- the plot regarding the historical trail looks it's inspired by Da Vinci Code, but only at the surface and is very basic. There is minaml depth, the motives of both the good guys and the villains are quite simplistic.
A fair rating would be closer to 2 stars, but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt since it's not to be published until next year.
Thank you NetGalley and Inkshares for the ARC!
harborwriter's review
I loved the premise of this one. I found the story a bit slow-paced--there was a lot of description of the paleontology, which I found interesting but wished did more to advance the plot.
frecklesnfantasy's review
4.0
4 out of stars
This book was very dense in the beginning, but picked up pace around page 92.
While I enjoyed the plot, the POV changing almost every chapter was confusing, especially since there was nothing to indicate who the POV is. You have to figure it out yourself, which is annoying.
Molly is a fiery protagonist and I would read the 2nd book just to see her more. Farnsworth and Oliphant are both kind of annoying because they have their own history that interferes with a lot of the groups adventure.
The PLOT TWIST THOUGH, I did NOT see that coming and neither will you!
I encourage perspective readers to push through the first few chapters because it's truly worth it.
ARC Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very dense in the beginning, but picked up pace around page 92.
While I enjoyed the plot, the POV changing almost every chapter was confusing, especially since there was nothing to indicate who the POV is. You have to figure it out yourself, which is annoying.
Molly is a fiery protagonist and I would read the 2nd book just to see her more. Farnsworth and Oliphant are both kind of annoying because they have their own history that interferes with a lot of the groups adventure.
The PLOT TWIST THOUGH, I did NOT see that coming and neither will you!
I encourage perspective readers to push through the first few chapters because it's truly worth it.
ARC Provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
stewardofbooks's review
4.0
Unique fossils, mysterious secret societies and a mismatched group of fossil hunters on a mission to prove that they did really find what they found. High school student Molly Wilder is excited to spend her summer as an intern at a fossil dig. She discovers something special but before the team can identify their strange fossil, it is stolen. A wild chase follows as the they start hunting for more evidence of this species.
I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced and fun and full of interesting twists and turns. As an ecologist with some knowledge of paleontology, I loved all the details around the field itself but also the history of paleontology. While I liked the different points-of-view, they weren't indicated well and it took a while to figure out who was narrating which section. I loved the characters and the plot and I am looking forward to the next book!
I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced and fun and full of interesting twists and turns. As an ecologist with some knowledge of paleontology, I loved all the details around the field itself but also the history of paleontology. While I liked the different points-of-view, they weren't indicated well and it took a while to figure out who was narrating which section. I loved the characters and the plot and I am looking forward to the next book!
tvolkert's review
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Inkshares for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
This book spoke to my inner child. I always loved learning about dinosaurs and paleontology. This was a fun book that fans of Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones will enjoy, It was a fun adventure story that did take some suspension of disbelief (what professor is taking a 16 year old on an international trip without parental permission?). It was also a very informative novel; I learned a lot about fossils along the way. Which I enjoyed, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.
The book is told in the first person but switched between four characters perspectives. I did not understand why the author chose that method. I think it would have been better being told in the third person. Some of the character perspectives were annoying and I found myself skimming past some of their internal monologues.
This book spoke to my inner child. I always loved learning about dinosaurs and paleontology. This was a fun book that fans of Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones will enjoy, It was a fun adventure story that did take some suspension of disbelief (what professor is taking a 16 year old on an international trip without parental permission?). It was also a very informative novel; I learned a lot about fossils along the way. Which I enjoyed, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.
The book is told in the first person but switched between four characters perspectives. I did not understand why the author chose that method. I think it would have been better being told in the third person. Some of the character perspectives were annoying and I found myself skimming past some of their internal monologues.
cj13's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
jkellyjr's review
3.0
Jurassic Park Meets Eragon? Nope.
Book Information
The Bone Wars was written by Erin S. Evan. It’s due to be published on April 11, 2023 and is 300 pages. Evan spent her childhood summers in Montana digging fossils. As an adult, she has worked in the field and in environmental and non-profit sectors. The Bones Wars is her first novel. Thanks to Inkshares for providing me with an advance reader copy for review.
Summary
Sixteen-year-old Molly Wilder is on the adventure of her dreams. She is on her way to Montana to be an intern at a paleontology dig. She knows her stuff, has a bit of experience, and earned her way by winning a contest. Little does she know that the internship may be the most boring part of her summer as she is about to discover a fossil like few have seen which will trigger a chain reaction that no one could predict. The fossil has a horned skull, black bones, and a huge wingspan. It’s not anything that the experienced paleontologist recognizes, and Molly is convinced, to the amusement of others, that it’s a dragon.
Molly and the others don’t know that similar fossils were found back in the 1830s. They were kept secret…..something that others might still be motivated to do with Molly’s discovery today……
My Thoughts
This is a somewhat complex book told from multiple points of view and jumping through multiple timelines. It’s an intriguing story and the kickoff of a series. Evan clearly knows her stuff as it pertains to dinosaurs and paleontology though I did cringe at some of the handling of delicate historical artifacts. It’s a whirlwind of activity spanning from Montana to several international destinations. There are secrets revealed and secret organizations afoot. If you are into (really into) dinosaurs, you will like this book.
The book is clearly a young adult novel. One that may not cross over to large adult audiences like Harry Potter, but that could be successful with teens. Its characters are somewhat flat and stereotypical vs layered or developed though perhaps that’s left for future books in the series. The book kind of struggles to pick an audience. The writing from Molly’s point of view will likely appeal to the YA audience. I’m not sure the point of view of the middle-aged scientist will appeal to them quite as much.
It's a solid book, especially for a first novel. I will look forward to the next book in the series.
Recommendation
Do you like dinosaurs? Dragons? Secret Organizations? World Travel? Secrets and twists? Are you within the Young Adult target audience? Then you will likely enjoy The Bone wars.
Rating
3 Black Fossil Stars
Book Information
The Bone Wars was written by Erin S. Evan. It’s due to be published on April 11, 2023 and is 300 pages. Evan spent her childhood summers in Montana digging fossils. As an adult, she has worked in the field and in environmental and non-profit sectors. The Bones Wars is her first novel. Thanks to Inkshares for providing me with an advance reader copy for review.
Summary
Sixteen-year-old Molly Wilder is on the adventure of her dreams. She is on her way to Montana to be an intern at a paleontology dig. She knows her stuff, has a bit of experience, and earned her way by winning a contest. Little does she know that the internship may be the most boring part of her summer as she is about to discover a fossil like few have seen which will trigger a chain reaction that no one could predict. The fossil has a horned skull, black bones, and a huge wingspan. It’s not anything that the experienced paleontologist recognizes, and Molly is convinced, to the amusement of others, that it’s a dragon.
Molly and the others don’t know that similar fossils were found back in the 1830s. They were kept secret…..something that others might still be motivated to do with Molly’s discovery today……
My Thoughts
This is a somewhat complex book told from multiple points of view and jumping through multiple timelines. It’s an intriguing story and the kickoff of a series. Evan clearly knows her stuff as it pertains to dinosaurs and paleontology though I did cringe at some of the handling of delicate historical artifacts. It’s a whirlwind of activity spanning from Montana to several international destinations. There are secrets revealed and secret organizations afoot. If you are into (really into) dinosaurs, you will like this book.
The book is clearly a young adult novel. One that may not cross over to large adult audiences like Harry Potter, but that could be successful with teens. Its characters are somewhat flat and stereotypical vs layered or developed though perhaps that’s left for future books in the series. The book kind of struggles to pick an audience. The writing from Molly’s point of view will likely appeal to the YA audience. I’m not sure the point of view of the middle-aged scientist will appeal to them quite as much.
It's a solid book, especially for a first novel. I will look forward to the next book in the series.
Recommendation
Do you like dinosaurs? Dragons? Secret Organizations? World Travel? Secrets and twists? Are you within the Young Adult target audience? Then you will likely enjoy The Bone wars.
Rating
3 Black Fossil Stars