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Dinosaur Dystopia
World War III is over. Weary, recently promoted, and more than ready to go home, Corporal John Ledge is sent to an island in the middle of the pacific which is meant to be home to dinosaurs. Supposedly a lost world sheltered from evolution, the corporal and his men soon discover that this place is far from what they were told, and reality is much, much worse.
- GenresScience Fiction
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2021
10 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 7, 2021
Well, that was fun. This isn't great literature, but it is a fun popcorn book. It reminds me of men's pulp fiction of the 80s era. Post WWIII U.S. army fighting dinosaurs, and dino flu while trying to figure out what their corrupt commander is up to.
Cons: The dinos could have been described more. Mostly they are just named and it's up to you to remember or go find out for yourself. Our ideas about what Dinosaurs look like have changed a lot during my lifetime. It's possible that James Poslusny didn't want his book to turn out to be wrong ten years from now, so he left things vague, so you could picture them the way you are used to, right or wrong, or look up whatever is current yourself. Maybe he assumes everybody knows as much about Dinosaurs as he does.
Pros: The dialog is great. The witty banter never becomes sarcastic or mean-spirited. Sarcasm and mean-spirited banter is lazy, and used way too much, especially in cinema and television. It was refreshing to get away from it, especially in an action story.
James Poslusny did an amazing job of making five essentially identical army privates seem like individuals. When the main character is first introduced to the men he will be commanding I was wondering why we were bothering to learn the names of people who were obviously destined to be dino food. Using mostly dialog, again, the dialog is really well done, the team members all become distinct individuals. When they do get eaten, you kind of care about them, or at least know which one got eaten.
A terrifying portrayal of war trauma. Personally, I have no idea if it's accurate, but James Poslusny effectively conveys the idea that surviving a war without physical or visible injuries doesn't mean that you've survived the war without injuries.
Props for the obscure Batman reference "Chortle at the Joker's Boner".
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes Dinosaurs, likes forty-year-old men's pulp fiction, or who wants to read an action-adventure story where the characters get along and work well together.
Cons: The dinos could have been described more. Mostly they are just named and it's up to you to remember or go find out for yourself. Our ideas about what Dinosaurs look like have changed a lot during my lifetime. It's possible that James Poslusny didn't want his book to turn out to be wrong ten years from now, so he left things vague, so you could picture them the way you are used to, right or wrong, or look up whatever is current yourself. Maybe he assumes everybody knows as much about Dinosaurs as he does.
Pros: The dialog is great. The witty banter never becomes sarcastic or mean-spirited. Sarcasm and mean-spirited banter is lazy, and used way too much, especially in cinema and television. It was refreshing to get away from it, especially in an action story.
James Poslusny did an amazing job of making five essentially identical army privates seem like individuals. When the main character is first introduced to the men he will be commanding I was wondering why we were bothering to learn the names of people who were obviously destined to be dino food. Using mostly dialog, again, the dialog is really well done, the team members all become distinct individuals. When they do get eaten, you kind of care about them, or at least know which one got eaten.
A terrifying portrayal of war trauma. Personally, I have no idea if it's accurate, but James Poslusny effectively conveys the idea that surviving a war without physical or visible injuries doesn't mean that you've survived the war without injuries.
Props for the obscure Batman reference "Chortle at the Joker's Boner".
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes Dinosaurs, likes forty-year-old men's pulp fiction, or who wants to read an action-adventure story where the characters get along and work well together.
June 23, 2021
Fascinating and exciting read
4 stars! I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. The synopsis seemed interesting, and, as a fan of the Jurassic movies, I figured this would be an exciting book. And it did not disappoint! I ended up summarizing the first few chapters for my preteen son when he asked what I was reading. From there, he was hooked, and we read the remaining three quarters of the book together in one day. The author is very descriptive and I was able to visualize everything perfectly. There was a fair amount of gore in the book, which I wasn’t quite prepared for, but I can understand why it was necessary. Overall, I’m thankful I had a chance to read this one (especially since my son wanted to read it with me).
4 stars! I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. The synopsis seemed interesting, and, as a fan of the Jurassic movies, I figured this would be an exciting book. And it did not disappoint! I ended up summarizing the first few chapters for my preteen son when he asked what I was reading. From there, he was hooked, and we read the remaining three quarters of the book together in one day. The author is very descriptive and I was able to visualize everything perfectly. There was a fair amount of gore in the book, which I wasn’t quite prepared for, but I can understand why it was necessary. Overall, I’m thankful I had a chance to read this one (especially since my son wanted to read it with me).
April 6, 2021
Overall, I really enjoyed this! I deeply love how cooperative and nice to each other everyone in the group of soldiers is. I know they’re respectful soldiers anyway so they "should" work together -- But as a trope, I personally almost always hate “team members have conflicting personalities and don't get along until pretty far into the journey” ensemble casts. That doesn't happen here. This ensemble cast here is REFRESHING. This truly is what knocks this book up to the full 5 out of 5 for me.
Additionally, the action scenes are excellent. I gasped out loud at how well they come out of nowhere to shock you -- that’s definitely how the characters feel and it's appropriate in tone here. Without spoiling too much, the descriptions of the illness are fantastic too. Very vivid imagery, very effectively done!!
If there's anything I can critique, it's this: I actually found that I wish this was longer! I wish there was a little more buildup to why they have to go to the island in the first place, in the beginning. At the beginning I found the dialogue to be a bit exposition-heavy, although that does get done pretty fast. The pacing is overall fine and we get little interactions that make these characters have memorable personalities and dreams, but actually, I wanted more of that, even if it meant slower pacing! That maybe instead of diary entries for Dr. Anna we could have had "flashback scenes" showing her, more opportunities for characters to have conversations and such. (But the way it is now is fine too.)
Still, I really enjoyed this -- I think for the plot/exposition stuff I would have rated it a 4.5/5 but I love the teamwork and the character interactions so much, I find that other stuff matters less to me!
Additionally, the action scenes are excellent. I gasped out loud at how well they come out of nowhere to shock you -- that’s definitely how the characters feel and it's appropriate in tone here. Without spoiling too much, the descriptions of the illness are fantastic too. Very vivid imagery, very effectively done!!
If there's anything I can critique, it's this: I actually found that I wish this was longer! I wish there was a little more buildup to why they have to go to the island in the first place, in the beginning. At the beginning I found the dialogue to be a bit exposition-heavy, although that does get done pretty fast. The pacing is overall fine and we get little interactions that make these characters have memorable personalities and dreams, but actually, I wanted more of that, even if it meant slower pacing! That maybe instead of diary entries for Dr. Anna we could have had "flashback scenes" showing her, more opportunities for characters to have conversations and such. (But the way it is now is fine too.)
Still, I really enjoyed this -- I think for the plot/exposition stuff I would have rated it a 4.5/5 but I love the teamwork and the character interactions so much, I find that other stuff matters less to me!
April 25, 2021
“Some implosions are slow. They’re a series of events, which, on their own, do no harm. But put together, they can cause the most extraordinary change.”
This is a fun and interesting read! I love stories that unearth a place with a purpose lost to disaster and secrecy. It is fascinating to discover what these places were alongside the characters who are challenged to survive the finding out. The plot is very exciting and I can tell the author cares about his characters a lot. Each one is crafted just a little beyond the stereotype. I kept picturing this as a film. The aspects of language and storytelling the author values seem like they would translate really well to screen. I would have liked to get to know the characters, actions, and environments a little more through narrative detail and a little less through dialog (unless the book becomes a major motion picture of course!). I recommend this book to anyone who loves uncovering mysterious research operations in remote and dangerous locations, and anyone who is intrigued by dinosaur/human interactions.
I rate this book a 3.5 rounded up to 4.
This is a fun and interesting read! I love stories that unearth a place with a purpose lost to disaster and secrecy. It is fascinating to discover what these places were alongside the characters who are challenged to survive the finding out. The plot is very exciting and I can tell the author cares about his characters a lot. Each one is crafted just a little beyond the stereotype. I kept picturing this as a film. The aspects of language and storytelling the author values seem like they would translate really well to screen. I would have liked to get to know the characters, actions, and environments a little more through narrative detail and a little less through dialog (unless the book becomes a major motion picture of course!). I recommend this book to anyone who loves uncovering mysterious research operations in remote and dangerous locations, and anyone who is intrigued by dinosaur/human interactions.
I rate this book a 3.5 rounded up to 4.
April 30, 2021
Liked this action Sci-Fi story which a realistic outcome of military research. a team of six soldiers are sent to a remote island to destroy the animal population. Genetically reintroduced dinosaurs from various time periods. Once left at their destination with supplies, they slowly discover other surprises. Dead humans with blue skin color, unknown research facility, and the cover story for their mission. Slowly tracked down by the predatory dinosaurs, limited map information that was supplied for trip, and teamwork in dangerous territory make these soldiers pulled from the scenes of WWIII, trauma and psyche damaged individuals that must comprise a well-oiled machine to escape. this was a free book to read and review. I have no connection to anything connected to it. I liked the "what-if" qualities I remember from my earliest sci-fi reading years again. well done.
June 18, 2021
Superb dinosaurs
In the aftermath of World War 3, John Ledge is sent on one last military assignment to hunt dinosaurs on a strategically important pacific island. What he finds there is lies and death.
This book is the story of John Ledge and how he copes with the horrors of war as he transitions back to civilian life.
John’s personal journey is well told.
The writing is very bare bones, which works in the first half of the book but at times becomes like notes in the second half, especially during some important plot developments.
The dinosaurs were the stars of this book. They were believable creatures with complex behaviors and abilities. I loved every scene they were in.
In the aftermath of World War 3, John Ledge is sent on one last military assignment to hunt dinosaurs on a strategically important pacific island. What he finds there is lies and death.
This book is the story of John Ledge and how he copes with the horrors of war as he transitions back to civilian life.
John’s personal journey is well told.
The writing is very bare bones, which works in the first half of the book but at times becomes like notes in the second half, especially during some important plot developments.
The dinosaurs were the stars of this book. They were believable creatures with complex behaviors and abilities. I loved every scene they were in.
April 1, 2021
Starts off like a ripoff of jurassic park but gets better
When I started reading the book, I questioned if it was going to be a ripoff of the lost world (jurassic park). However, as the book continued, the plot became more involved then just man versus dinosaur.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
When I started reading the book, I questioned if it was going to be a ripoff of the lost world (jurassic park). However, as the book continued, the plot became more involved then just man versus dinosaur.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway
June 25, 2021
The military wouldn’t lie about an island full of dinosaurs, would they? Find out in Dinosaur Dystopia. It’s a rip-roaring encounter with one genetically engineered species after another, intertwined with a mystery that the characters must solve to have any hope for survival.
I usually do a little reading before bed. The problem with a book like this is I didn’t want to put it down! I stayed up late two nights in a row, but it was worth it. There is never a dull moment. The story flows logically from scene to scene, inspiring me to keep turning the pages. The author does a good job with fashioning a visual setting and making interesting characters.
Watch out for gore! The writer excels at creating some gruesome imagery. But this is one of the factors that will keep you biting your nails. I highly recommend Dinosaur Dystopia.
I usually do a little reading before bed. The problem with a book like this is I didn’t want to put it down! I stayed up late two nights in a row, but it was worth it. There is never a dull moment. The story flows logically from scene to scene, inspiring me to keep turning the pages. The author does a good job with fashioning a visual setting and making interesting characters.
Watch out for gore! The writer excels at creating some gruesome imagery. But this is one of the factors that will keep you biting your nails. I highly recommend Dinosaur Dystopia.
April 3, 2021
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. This book starts off with big Jurassic Park vibes, and initially feels a bit cheesy. As it goes on, it gets much, much better. I will say that I wasn’t prepared for some of the more graphic scenes described by the main character, Ledge, as he processes his war-induced PTSD. Dinosaur Dystopia was a lot more military focused than I expected and more than I would have preferred. I enjoyed the depictions of the dinosaurs and the island, and the ultra spooky vibes that surrounded the island and its mysteries. However, I didn’t love how the book ended, as everything just wrapped up much too nicely. Overall, this book was a fun and quick read! I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
January 30, 2021
Dino Dystopia
Now I liked this book. No hard cursing and an intriguing story. Guess what, the bad guy got his. This is definitely an author to follow. Would I recommend this book? Oh yeah!!!!
Now I liked this book. No hard cursing and an intriguing story. Guess what, the bad guy got his. This is definitely an author to follow. Would I recommend this book? Oh yeah!!!!
July 29, 2021
Dinosaur Virus
This book was okay , Just not what I thought it would be, it's more about a virus that attacked the dinosaurs and then the people got it, with a little bit of everything else thrown in. It's a short book and still took around half of the book for the virus to surface.
There are several storylines thrown together. The main characters felt one dimensional and it felt like when one storyline was moving along the author entered another storyline to try to keep you interested and it just got a little confusing.
Not really able to recommend this book, but if you choose to read it maybe you'll find it more interesting
This book was okay , Just not what I thought it would be, it's more about a virus that attacked the dinosaurs and then the people got it, with a little bit of everything else thrown in. It's a short book and still took around half of the book for the virus to surface.
There are several storylines thrown together. The main characters felt one dimensional and it felt like when one storyline was moving along the author entered another storyline to try to keep you interested and it just got a little confusing.
Not really able to recommend this book, but if you choose to read it maybe you'll find it more interesting
February 10, 2022
Dinosaurs on a Secret Deserted Island? Yes, please!
Not my normal jam, but ended up being one heck of a ride! Private John Ledge, a normal army grunt, was promoted to Corporal and sent with five others to a secret island. Their mission: Kill the dinosaurs.
Easy, right? Not so much.
The team finds more than dinosaurs on this island. Fighting for their lives becomes a race against time. Dinosaur Dystopia was an action-packed read full of rich imagination, intrigue, mystery, and characters you want to succeed. Highly recommend!
Not my normal jam, but ended up being one heck of a ride! Private John Ledge, a normal army grunt, was promoted to Corporal and sent with five others to a secret island. Their mission: Kill the dinosaurs.
Easy, right? Not so much.
The team finds more than dinosaurs on this island. Fighting for their lives becomes a race against time. Dinosaur Dystopia was an action-packed read full of rich imagination, intrigue, mystery, and characters you want to succeed. Highly recommend!
April 11, 2021
Unique read
July 8, 2023
In this short, dystopian novel, World War III has ended and the world looks very different than it does today, both geopolitically and in terms of inhabitants. Dinosaurs are back!
This book is a fun, entertaining read. The short sentences create a rhythm that kept me engaged in the action-filled story. Poslusny’s storytelling cadence and the subtle humor he weaves into the story are strengths of his writing style. It creates the effect of feeling like you are hearing this story while sitting around a campfire from an animated narrator who has survived to share this harrowing tale.
I also learned a few new breeds of dinosaurs - I’d never heard of a Utahraptor before reading this book.
Simply put, this book is rampant, reptilian chaos. Like your favorite disaster-action film, Dinosaur Dystopia provides an entertaining distraction from the drudgeries of the real world.
Full disclosure: I know the author and his family in real life. Because of this connection, I debated whether to leave a review. I decided to do so because I know how much reviews help authors, especially indie authors, and I didn’t think it was fair not to leave one just because I know his family. And, as someone who has reviewed all of the books I’ve read over the last several years, I thought the absence of a review might send the erroneous message to my Goodreads friends that I didn’t like it.
I tried not to let my relationship influence my opinion of the book. The best way for you to decide is to read it for yourself!
This book is a fun, entertaining read. The short sentences create a rhythm that kept me engaged in the action-filled story. Poslusny’s storytelling cadence and the subtle humor he weaves into the story are strengths of his writing style. It creates the effect of feeling like you are hearing this story while sitting around a campfire from an animated narrator who has survived to share this harrowing tale.
I also learned a few new breeds of dinosaurs - I’d never heard of a Utahraptor before reading this book.
Simply put, this book is rampant, reptilian chaos. Like your favorite disaster-action film, Dinosaur Dystopia provides an entertaining distraction from the drudgeries of the real world.
Full disclosure: I know the author and his family in real life. Because of this connection, I debated whether to leave a review. I decided to do so because I know how much reviews help authors, especially indie authors, and I didn’t think it was fair not to leave one just because I know his family. And, as someone who has reviewed all of the books I’ve read over the last several years, I thought the absence of a review might send the erroneous message to my Goodreads friends that I didn’t like it.
I tried not to let my relationship influence my opinion of the book. The best way for you to decide is to read it for yourself!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews