I was really looking forward to reading this.

Alternate history always peaks my interest, as well as stories set during the American Civil War. Then you throw dinosaurs into the mix? Whaaaat?!

And yet…I had a hard time finishing the book. I just couldn’t get into it, despite the nearly nonstop action. Perhaps it was the author’s choice of using anachronistic dialog that kept taking me out of “the moment,” as theater people would say (As I write this, I do realize that dinosaurs during the Civil War is anachronistic as well, but do I have a problem with THAT? Oh, no, not me!). Older does note at the end of the book that this was a deliberate style choice, although I’m blanking on what his reason was (Silly me, returning the book to the library before writing this!). I think it was so young readers could relate to the characters better? I could be wrong.

Anyway, I regret giving this such a low rating. Maybe as a kid, I would have eaten this up and enjoyed it far more; but alas, I’m an adult (though that term is debated by my friends and coworkers), an obnoxious book snob (I’m the one who says that I’ve never seen the movie, “but I’ve read the book.” Yeah, I’m that guy), and a history nerd with overly-high expectations.

I wouldn’t have a problem recommending this book to young readers who like action though. And I would be curious to see how it’s liked by the younger crowd.