The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner

50 years after the Fallen Star crashed into Earth and obliterated the majority of dinosaurs, the survivors have developed speech and divided into warring herds, vying for the remaining resources.

When small dinosaur Eleri is exiled from his Mountain herd for his allegedly-traitorous actions, he is banished to the desolate Deadlands populated by ravenous carnivores. There he finds unlikely allies in three other exiles and a spy, despite them originally belonging to opposing groups.

As they travel through Melki-Wegner’s vividly imagined world, their distinct personalities emerge. The inspiring storyteller Eleri, mighty triceratops warrior Tortha, keeper of legends and sage philosopher Lorithon, and gentle mathematical savant, Sorielle make a motley group. However, they discover how they can work together and achieve their goals, drawing on previously untapped inner strengths.

After a somewhat slow start, the action is fast-paced and varied, and plot twists are delivered when warring factions and mercenary spies clash. The dinosaurs’ characters are well-developed and distinct. They use their various strengths to overcome numerous physical attacks, potential starvation and dehydration, and lethal obstacles such as barren wastelands, tar pits and poisonous gases. Their unique and endearing personalities emerge as they ponder such philosophical issues as the importance of family, the morality of killing, the roles of traitor, informer and betrayer and the role of storytelling and mythology in keeping a group’s history alive.

YA fantasy novelist Melki-Wegner has created a comprehensive world and engaging characters for the first book in her Deadlands dinosaur adventure trilogy. The plot takes a little while to get up to speed, and there are numerous references to death and killing, but for middle-grade readers looking for high-stakes dinosaur action as well as those more interested in character development and relationships, this is a recommended read.

Themes: Dinosaurs, Family, Friendship, Teamwork.

Margaret Crohn