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Endangered Creatures
"There is a world within a world, within a world. Known only to a few highly skilled Keepers... and here be dragons."
For Connor Bradley, starting a new job as an animal waste relocation operative at London Zoo's Endangered Creatures Programme, life is about to take a turn for the weird.
For Connor Bradley, starting a new job as an animal waste relocation operative at London Zoo's Endangered Creatures Programme, life is about to take a turn for the weird.
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 20, 2013
About the author
Stephen Dunkley
4 books7 followersStephen Dunkley started out as a barman but stopped when he was enjoying beer too much. He then tried his hand at developing websites but enjoys that too much. Being a firm believer in the mad idea that work should feel like it, he took up writing.
Read an excerpt from Endangered Creatures
Read an excerpt from Endangered Creatures
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 14, 2013
The premise of “Endangered Creatures” is a fabulous idea for a story. A secret world living under our noses. Dunkley gives us a good background on the creatures that is both plausible and entertaining. These dragons and most other creatures are thinking beings living much like the humans around them. The leader and father of the dragons, Bob, decides that there is no sense to wiping out humanity when they’re so bad for a dragon’s health so why not use them to their benefit. Make an alliance with those who want to rule a trade to get what you want, a quiet life.
While I truly enjoyed the premise of the novel, the execution left something to be desired at times. Toward the start of the novel, Bob has a theological discussion with the King that seems forced. When Bob was negotiating with the King, the conversation fell into natural rhythms but the start of the scene read as a bit shrewish on the part of Bob and while he’s openly mocking I had the sense that the author was trying to find the lines that would be too far and waffles to the point where the King comes off having the savvy and intelligence of a clown waving in the wind so that the commentary is negated.
The good news is that from the moment Connor’s difference is “discovered,” (toward the last 1/3 of the book) the story comes into its own. The flow and pacing improves and the awkward Bambi on Ice feeling of the writing earlier in the story evaporates. By the end of the story a full promise of fun, adventure and overall difference is fulfilled. I have seen this work compared to Douglas Adams but I’d lean more toward Jasper Fforde for conveying a similar fun. I will tell my followers that they should stick with this author because with this was good whatever he does next is going to be spectacular. Practice has paid off.
While I truly enjoyed the premise of the novel, the execution left something to be desired at times. Toward the start of the novel, Bob has a theological discussion with the King that seems forced. When Bob was negotiating with the King, the conversation fell into natural rhythms but the start of the scene read as a bit shrewish on the part of Bob and while he’s openly mocking I had the sense that the author was trying to find the lines that would be too far and waffles to the point where the King comes off having the savvy and intelligence of a clown waving in the wind so that the commentary is negated.
The good news is that from the moment Connor’s difference is “discovered,” (toward the last 1/3 of the book) the story comes into its own. The flow and pacing improves and the awkward Bambi on Ice feeling of the writing earlier in the story evaporates. By the end of the story a full promise of fun, adventure and overall difference is fulfilled. I have seen this work compared to Douglas Adams but I’d lean more toward Jasper Fforde for conveying a similar fun. I will tell my followers that they should stick with this author because with this was good whatever he does next is going to be spectacular. Practice has paid off.
April 8, 2014
The author of Endangered Creatures sent me a copy last year to read and review it. Of course I said yes, I love to read after all, but writing a review? Hmm, that is still a hard thing for me to do as English is not my mother-tongue.
Anyway, this novel has just 209 pages which I started in December last year, in bath, in a hotel in Frankfurt and since then over 3 months has past untill I finally got to the last page. The problem with me is, I can't finish something which I really like. I love to know that I've still got a few pages left to read. So, now I have actually finished it, I only have to find something new that is worth to look forward to. The thing which has stroked me, was the typical dry, cynic English humour and the art of stringing English words. Most books I read are in American-English, but when it comes to humorous books, I definitely prefer the English. The weirdness of the story, and the playfull, cynical references towards human behaviour, believes and religions are very appealing to me. It's impossible not to laugh constantly and wonder what twisted mind is able to come up with those. The thing that has left open for improvement though is the end of some story lines: it build up a story around the knights, the angels and Connor, but while I'm totally interested and want to know how that plot will grow, it started with another character. Still good, but I would like to read more about them: the chapters end too soon. Mr Stephen Dunkley, thank you so much for your e-book; it has been an enjoyable honour to read it. Please write more books and don't spare blank pages!
Anyway, this novel has just 209 pages which I started in December last year, in bath, in a hotel in Frankfurt and since then over 3 months has past untill I finally got to the last page. The problem with me is, I can't finish something which I really like. I love to know that I've still got a few pages left to read. So, now I have actually finished it, I only have to find something new that is worth to look forward to. The thing which has stroked me, was the typical dry, cynic English humour and the art of stringing English words. Most books I read are in American-English, but when it comes to humorous books, I definitely prefer the English. The weirdness of the story, and the playfull, cynical references towards human behaviour, believes and religions are very appealing to me. It's impossible not to laugh constantly and wonder what twisted mind is able to come up with those. The thing that has left open for improvement though is the end of some story lines: it build up a story around the knights, the angels and Connor, but while I'm totally interested and want to know how that plot will grow, it started with another character. Still good, but I would like to read more about them: the chapters end too soon. Mr Stephen Dunkley, thank you so much for your e-book; it has been an enjoyable honour to read it. Please write more books and don't spare blank pages!
January 19, 2014
This book was great and entertaining.
Have not had this much fun reading a book in a long time.
The author did a great job with the characters, their development and the plot. Very well writen allowing the book to come alive in your mind.
It was entertaining with loads of chuckles that kept me wanting more.
I would recommend it as a must have for any collection.
Have not had this much fun reading a book in a long time.
The author did a great job with the characters, their development and the plot. Very well writen allowing the book to come alive in your mind.
It was entertaining with loads of chuckles that kept me wanting more.
I would recommend it as a must have for any collection.
December 6, 2013
The premise of the book, that there is a hidden society of mythical creatures continuing to live among us, or in a 'protective' captive breeding programme, requires the reader to suspend disbelief. After the first chapter or so my disbelief had been abandoned like the owner of a silver saloon who leaves it in the carpark of a vast shopping mall, and then goes home by bus,
The feeling I got from this book was the same pleasure I felt when Pratchett first broke onto the scene, Dunkley is a new author and his imaginary world creates something new entirely. I greedily read the entire book in two sessions, which would have probably been one sitting had not the device I was reading on run out of juice part way through,
I'm not going to spoil the book by giving away too much of the plot or storyline, but if you like humour and need something to take you out of yourself for an hour or two, this book will be for you.
I hope the author writes some more, as this is a fresh, newly-minted imaginary world. It's light-hearted and believable in an unbelievable way.
My main observations would be that the opening scene was a bit sparsely written; Dunkley's style improves further into the book. There are a few sentences that didn't quite hang together in English as she is commonly written, which stopped the flow of reading somewhat, but for a first book and a self-published one at that, this is an accomplished bit of writing. I'd have liked 'more' - the book could have been fleshed out quite a lot - some of the characters for instance could have been developed further which would have added to the enjoyment of the reader.
There was a little too much dwelling on the motif of being clever at the cost of religion, in particular Christianity. This seemed to come across as a hobby-horse of the author which had been levered into the book without really adding to it. I hope in future writing this theme is omitted. I'm not religious, but feel this topic was overplayed.
I'm looking forward now to the next book from this author. I'd certainly recommend that you read this one.
The feeling I got from this book was the same pleasure I felt when Pratchett first broke onto the scene, Dunkley is a new author and his imaginary world creates something new entirely. I greedily read the entire book in two sessions, which would have probably been one sitting had not the device I was reading on run out of juice part way through,
I'm not going to spoil the book by giving away too much of the plot or storyline, but if you like humour and need something to take you out of yourself for an hour or two, this book will be for you.
I hope the author writes some more, as this is a fresh, newly-minted imaginary world. It's light-hearted and believable in an unbelievable way.
My main observations would be that the opening scene was a bit sparsely written; Dunkley's style improves further into the book. There are a few sentences that didn't quite hang together in English as she is commonly written, which stopped the flow of reading somewhat, but for a first book and a self-published one at that, this is an accomplished bit of writing. I'd have liked 'more' - the book could have been fleshed out quite a lot - some of the characters for instance could have been developed further which would have added to the enjoyment of the reader.
There was a little too much dwelling on the motif of being clever at the cost of religion, in particular Christianity. This seemed to come across as a hobby-horse of the author which had been levered into the book without really adding to it. I hope in future writing this theme is omitted. I'm not religious, but feel this topic was overplayed.
I'm looking forward now to the next book from this author. I'd certainly recommend that you read this one.
November 29, 2013
It's a bit easy to go overboard with first time authors and comparisons. It'd be very easy to say that Endangered Creatures is a very accomplished debut novel that sits somewhere between Terry Pratchett and Tom Holt in tone, and owes a heavy debt to Douglas Adams' particular brand of humorous observations.
But easy comparisons are boring.
Endangered Creatures is a very accomplished debut novel. It's funny, well plotted, and packed with a well-rounded (if not always overly deep) menagerie of characters, and rattles along nicely without ever overstaying its welcome.
There are some minor issues - some of the main cast are never really fleshed out, and one or two jokes fall a bit flat, but these flaws are comfortably outweighed by the charm and humour displayed throughout.
Some attempts at humour - especially ones that poke fun at religion - can come across as snide, smug and superior, but not in this case. Endangered Creatures doesn't sneer. It sidles up to you, throws a welcoming arm around your shoulder and says "you'll never believe what I've just seen."
Highly recommended, and I'm already looking forward to the follow-up.
But easy comparisons are boring.
Endangered Creatures is a very accomplished debut novel. It's funny, well plotted, and packed with a well-rounded (if not always overly deep) menagerie of characters, and rattles along nicely without ever overstaying its welcome.
There are some minor issues - some of the main cast are never really fleshed out, and one or two jokes fall a bit flat, but these flaws are comfortably outweighed by the charm and humour displayed throughout.
Some attempts at humour - especially ones that poke fun at religion - can come across as snide, smug and superior, but not in this case. Endangered Creatures doesn't sneer. It sidles up to you, throws a welcoming arm around your shoulder and says "you'll never believe what I've just seen."
Highly recommended, and I'm already looking forward to the follow-up.
November 23, 2013
Stephen Dunkley is a first-time author. Endangered Creatures is a fantasy/science fiction story. Stephen Dunkley entertains by taking us into a world that exists in our world, within a world—the important question: do dragons exist, and if they do—do they come in pink? This humorous book is the first of the Endangered Creatures series. I'm looking forward to the upcoming novel. This book is one of my three top picks for 2013. (50 Self-Published Books Worth Reading 2013/14 nominations of Indie Author Land).
March 4, 2018
A delightful read! This is exactly what I was looking for — a short adventure with a bit of whimsy and a helping of British humour. Plus, manticore!
February 13, 2014
I Was given an e-copy of this book by the author Stephen Dunkley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the use of so many creatures that are believed to be mythical beings like the dragons, dodo's, the yeti and dryads to name a few. They are described in ways which make you question their being and go against what you have previously read or been told, which in turn makes your mind start questioning things.
The end of each chapter has a clue about the next and therefore they link into each other quite well.
I found the way the locality of the area where the creatures lived (Regents Park, London) to have been written in an interesting way as I have never thought of it as an "old place". And also, the other local locations were places I knew of and got thinking as to what the events mentioned actually were.
There were some lines that have really stuck in my mind and made me smile, for instance the linking of Knights in armour to ready to bake meals for Dragons, Dodos to battery farm Turkeys in Norfolk, and he Dryads being linked to being like rugby players and lumberjacks as they are a female nymph!
The line (quote) "....often mistaken for Lumberjacks. Although they never, ever cut down trees. After all, it would be easy to make a mistake and end up cutting the feet off a hibernating relative." (end quote) really made me chuckle and think of the fun I could have if I was Dryad and if my own relatives were hibernating at times!
The other line that I really liked was (quote) "I'm sorry, but dragons don't come in pink." (end quote), this is just utter brilliance and a great conversation stopper, and a line I would love to find a use for!
Knowing that the author was previously a barman, it made me wonder how many of the creatures were based on punters from the bars and/or his own drinking buddies!!! The whole book had a feel of being along the same lines as a Terry Pratchett book.
I finished reading it in 1 day as I didn't want to put it down, which is usually a sign of a good book, as it means it has caught my full attention. It was an easy read, was entertaining with humor throughout that flowed well with the storyline. I'm looking forward to reading another installment if there is one.
I loved the use of so many creatures that are believed to be mythical beings like the dragons, dodo's, the yeti and dryads to name a few. They are described in ways which make you question their being and go against what you have previously read or been told, which in turn makes your mind start questioning things.
The end of each chapter has a clue about the next and therefore they link into each other quite well.
I found the way the locality of the area where the creatures lived (Regents Park, London) to have been written in an interesting way as I have never thought of it as an "old place". And also, the other local locations were places I knew of and got thinking as to what the events mentioned actually were.
There were some lines that have really stuck in my mind and made me smile, for instance the linking of Knights in armour to ready to bake meals for Dragons, Dodos to battery farm Turkeys in Norfolk, and he Dryads being linked to being like rugby players and lumberjacks as they are a female nymph!
The line (quote) "....often mistaken for Lumberjacks. Although they never, ever cut down trees. After all, it would be easy to make a mistake and end up cutting the feet off a hibernating relative." (end quote) really made me chuckle and think of the fun I could have if I was Dryad and if my own relatives were hibernating at times!
The other line that I really liked was (quote) "I'm sorry, but dragons don't come in pink." (end quote), this is just utter brilliance and a great conversation stopper, and a line I would love to find a use for!
Knowing that the author was previously a barman, it made me wonder how many of the creatures were based on punters from the bars and/or his own drinking buddies!!! The whole book had a feel of being along the same lines as a Terry Pratchett book.
I finished reading it in 1 day as I didn't want to put it down, which is usually a sign of a good book, as it means it has caught my full attention. It was an easy read, was entertaining with humor throughout that flowed well with the storyline. I'm looking forward to reading another installment if there is one.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews