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A review by katykelly
Every Hidden Thing by Kenneth Oppel
4.0
Historical fossil hunt and warring families' young lovers bond over dinosaurs
4.5 stars
A rather different genre for young adults - palaeontology. Two sets of dinosaur hunters, the Quaker Bolts (father and son) and the Cartlands (father and daughter) both end up in the Badlands looking to discover new species and gather for themselves fame, fortune and respect.
Samuel Bolt falls for Rachel Cartland the first time they meet, but their fathers are bitter enemies of old and want their children to spy on each other to preserve a headstart in their work.
As is often the case, forbidden love is the most tempting kind, and Sam and Rachel, while both desperately fixated on their digging work, do find themselves unable to keep away from each other.
With dangers from the Sioux and other native tribes nearby, snakes and ravines - who will find the famed Black Beauty dinosaur skeleton first?
A refreshing concept for a book, I enjoyed the feminist angle on the story, with Rachel a keen academic held back by the customs of the time. She and Sam are appealing both as a couple and as individual driven to prove themselves to parents equally obsessed, and to achieve something in their own rights.
There are some scenes of a sexual nature, making this best suited to older teenagers.
The historical period is well created, with wagons and provisions very Victorian, the world of the woman frustratingly limited for most.
It feels at the end as though more books may be to come, though also is complete within itself.
One to recommend to ages 14 and older.
4.5 stars
A rather different genre for young adults - palaeontology. Two sets of dinosaur hunters, the Quaker Bolts (father and son) and the Cartlands (father and daughter) both end up in the Badlands looking to discover new species and gather for themselves fame, fortune and respect.
Samuel Bolt falls for Rachel Cartland the first time they meet, but their fathers are bitter enemies of old and want their children to spy on each other to preserve a headstart in their work.
As is often the case, forbidden love is the most tempting kind, and Sam and Rachel, while both desperately fixated on their digging work, do find themselves unable to keep away from each other.
With dangers from the Sioux and other native tribes nearby, snakes and ravines - who will find the famed Black Beauty dinosaur skeleton first?
A refreshing concept for a book, I enjoyed the feminist angle on the story, with Rachel a keen academic held back by the customs of the time. She and Sam are appealing both as a couple and as individual driven to prove themselves to parents equally obsessed, and to achieve something in their own rights.
There are some scenes of a sexual nature, making this best suited to older teenagers.
The historical period is well created, with wagons and provisions very Victorian, the world of the woman frustratingly limited for most.
It feels at the end as though more books may be to come, though also is complete within itself.
One to recommend to ages 14 and older.