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The Dino-Rift #1
Dino-Rift
The Rift. A gateway to a prehistoric world. For years, SauraCorps has kept its existence confidential while touting themselves as a run-of-the-mill dinosaur museum. For two Utah teens, Kamren and Vivienne, a care-free night to themselves quickly turns into a daunting trek through an exotic, unfamiliar time. Not only do they stumble upon SauraCorps’ nefarious agenda, they also encounter major discrepancies concerning the past that would rewrite history books as we know them. Kam and Viv’s reliance on each other through the primeval environment also tests their friendship in unexpected ways. Will they survive and make it home…together?
Dino-Rift is set in the same universe as Derek Borne's "The Ultimate Agent" series.
Dino-Rift is set in the same universe as Derek Borne's "The Ultimate Agent" series.
346 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2021
26 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Derek Borne
16 books155 followersHey hey! Derek Borne here, and I'm a Canadian author of Sci-Fi novels. When I'm not writing, I spend time with my lovely wife and moody bearded dragon Ziggy (She's always looking at me like I'm an idiot). Other times, I'm eating pizza, belting out Broadway showtunes, playing guitar, eating pizza, watching anything to do with Marvel superheroes, and making movie references daily. Oh, and eating pizza.
And for added emphasis...... pizza
And for added emphasis...... pizza
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
November 6, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Through “Dino Rift”, the reader gets a refreshing tour to a world that would capture the minds of sci-fi funs, but also those of young adults looking for a clean escape from their technology-driven world.
Read full review in the 2021 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Through “Dino Rift”, the reader gets a refreshing tour to a world that would capture the minds of sci-fi funs, but also those of young adults looking for a clean escape from their technology-driven world.
Read full review in the 2021 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
July 27, 2021
So, this book didn't quite work for me and I figured out why: I wanted it to be a graphic novel. Some readers are going to LOVE this book and the adventure, the bad guys, the ones who finally make the morally-right decisions, seeing the seriously cool sketches of dinosaurs, the onomatopoeias, and the teenage love.
Here's why I want this to be a graphic novel versus a novel:
1 - the third person POV kept switching focus for whose thoughts were coming through. If I'm in a character's head, I want to just be in one and have everyone else be a mystery, unless they change at chapters or something so we have more scenes focused on on POV. GNs can do this really well with thought bubbles.
2 - some of the story really focuses on the adults who play a role in what's happening. I think YA GNs can jump around easier with adult POVs versus the teens' POV. Plus, seeing the tech that they were using in the adult-POV scenes would have been cool.
3 - we could've seen more details and more facts about the dinos Theo wrote about in his notebook rather than having to rely on conversation to convey those details (again, they were cool sketches to begin with and each note could've taken up a full page, even).
4 - the rifts opening up would have been more power as visuals - especially since those chapters focused on present-day people experiencing the new rifts. The visuals would be seriously cool and would fit well with GN sci-fi.
5 - the romance that builds could have been expressed via the artwork and a few thought bubbles, but since we didn't have that, it felt like too much. I'm all about love stories within sci-fi and fantasy, but the constant reflection on feelings versus them focusing on the fact they're surrounded by dinosaurs and are being attacked by various creatures seems to play second fiddle.
6 - the onomatopoeias would be perfect for those action scenes. Perfect.
And, I do need to note that the Quetzalcoatlus is a pterosaur. Pterosaurs are separate from dinosaurs as animals. Both, I believe, can be considered reptiles and birds (dinosaurs as non-aviary, of course).
Whew. Ok, that's my review! I hope it makes sense because I can totally see why so many readers really liked it, this was just my honest opinion.
Also, I received an ARC in exchange for this honest opinion.
Here's why I want this to be a graphic novel versus a novel:
1 - the third person POV kept switching focus for whose thoughts were coming through. If I'm in a character's head, I want to just be in one and have everyone else be a mystery, unless they change at chapters or something so we have more scenes focused on on POV. GNs can do this really well with thought bubbles.
2 - some of the story really focuses on the adults who play a role in what's happening. I think YA GNs can jump around easier with adult POVs versus the teens' POV. Plus, seeing the tech that they were using in the adult-POV scenes would have been cool.
3 - we could've seen more details and more facts about the dinos Theo wrote about in his notebook rather than having to rely on conversation to convey those details (again, they were cool sketches to begin with and each note could've taken up a full page, even).
4 - the rifts opening up would have been more power as visuals - especially since those chapters focused on present-day people experiencing the new rifts. The visuals would be seriously cool and would fit well with GN sci-fi.
5 - the romance that builds could have been expressed via the artwork and a few thought bubbles, but since we didn't have that, it felt like too much. I'm all about love stories within sci-fi and fantasy, but the constant reflection on feelings versus them focusing on the fact they're surrounded by dinosaurs and are being attacked by various creatures seems to play second fiddle.
6 - the onomatopoeias would be perfect for those action scenes. Perfect.
And, I do need to note that the Quetzalcoatlus is a pterosaur. Pterosaurs are separate from dinosaurs as animals. Both, I believe, can be considered reptiles and birds (dinosaurs as non-aviary, of course).
Whew. Ok, that's my review! I hope it makes sense because I can totally see why so many readers really liked it, this was just my honest opinion.
Also, I received an ARC in exchange for this honest opinion.
February 5, 2022
This is a fantastic tale filled with adventure, cunning, loyalty, dinosaurs, action, loss, discovery and so much more!
What starts out as an evening of mischief becomes the adventure of a lifetime for Viv and Kam.
The feisty pair get abandoned through a rift into a prehistoric world where the unlikeliest of bonds are formed.
It’s jam packed with sound effects and terminology which appealed to the inner child in me.
This book is perfect for teens looking for some sassy adventure or adults wanting to recapture the youth they wished they’d had.
What starts out as an evening of mischief becomes the adventure of a lifetime for Viv and Kam.
The feisty pair get abandoned through a rift into a prehistoric world where the unlikeliest of bonds are formed.
It’s jam packed with sound effects and terminology which appealed to the inner child in me.
This book is perfect for teens looking for some sassy adventure or adults wanting to recapture the youth they wished they’d had.
June 30, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book about dinosaurs. I loved the storyline and the characters. I couldn’t put it down and I enjoyed reading this book.
February 14, 2025
"Mistakes can define someone, but definitions can change."
4.75 stars (rounded up because I do what I want) - Can I gush for a second though? I don't know why it took me so long to read this book! I have had a signed copy on my shelf for months. Since a new spin-off of the series is coming out, I decided to go ahead and read it. This is a YA Science Fiction novel and BONUS...it's got DINOSAURS!!!
The writing here is really great and deep in some parts...a lot more than I anticipated. The banter between the characters made me grow to like all of them. The development of the characters was top tier considering it is a fairly short book. The connections made along the way made for some of my favorite parts (no spoilers or I would elaborate further). The world and science facts in the book also show the author really did his research when writing this and that made the book all the better. The plot never stopped moving and I don't recall there being a "dull moment" throughout. The twists were also appreciated as I do love a good twisty book.
I also loved loved loved the references to "The Lion King" and "Dr. Who", etc. too. (My inner nerd really was squealing inside. 😆) I even got a little misty eyed on some parts of the book. Mainly towards the end (iykyk).
Overall, a great entry into this series and I am excited to read further and experience more of this author's works.
“Let your emotions be what they are. When you try to deny them, even if you think you need to ‘push them down’ or ‘be strong’, you’re denying yourself of getting past those emotions. And you’re also denying yourself of being you.”
4.75 stars (rounded up because I do what I want) - Can I gush for a second though? I don't know why it took me so long to read this book! I have had a signed copy on my shelf for months. Since a new spin-off of the series is coming out, I decided to go ahead and read it. This is a YA Science Fiction novel and BONUS...it's got DINOSAURS!!!
The writing here is really great and deep in some parts...a lot more than I anticipated. The banter between the characters made me grow to like all of them. The development of the characters was top tier considering it is a fairly short book. The connections made along the way made for some of my favorite parts (no spoilers or I would elaborate further). The world and science facts in the book also show the author really did his research when writing this and that made the book all the better. The plot never stopped moving and I don't recall there being a "dull moment" throughout. The twists were also appreciated as I do love a good twisty book.
I also loved loved loved the references to "The Lion King" and "Dr. Who", etc. too. (My inner nerd really was squealing inside. 😆) I even got a little misty eyed on some parts of the book. Mainly towards the end (iykyk).
Overall, a great entry into this series and I am excited to read further and experience more of this author's works.
“Let your emotions be what they are. When you try to deny them, even if you think you need to ‘push them down’ or ‘be strong’, you’re denying yourself of getting past those emotions. And you’re also denying yourself of being you.”
August 7, 2021
I really liked this one. It had me hooked right from the start. Kamren and Vivienne (Kam and Viv) are two teenagers who decide to sneak into a dinosaur museum at night. The museum is run by SauraCorp. When sneaking in they run into E-A who is also sneaking in. With E-A their adventure turns out to be much more than they expected. I liked these two. Kam and Viv are good friends and I loved their interactions. This book was an action-adventure and a really good read.
August 3, 2021
Dinosaurs. Time travel. Action. Adventure. Evil corporations. Teenage angst.
Count me in!
The premise of the story is fun and exciting, also any fans of Jurassic Park and the British television show Primeval won’t want to miss out on this great novel!
Basically, teenage best friends Viv & Kam go for some low-key shenanigans and end up in a high stakes adventure. Tossed through a dimensional rift, these two teenagers and an adult protagonist are dropped who knows how many years in the past when dinosaurs were roaming the earth. There is a shady corporation up to no good, a lost father, and amazing dinos just looking for a friend.
I am not one to ever put spoilers in a review and so I will continue on that path.
The world building was amazing and knowledge of the dinosaurs (including really rad sketches) was excellent. The main characters are multi-faceted and extremely relatable. I had fun reading the different points of view, including the villains! As a retired Librarian I always want to drop a little rating and reading level (as reviews are for readers). There was some light swearing, teenage tingles, and action adventure throughout. I would rate this book 14+ and a reading level of at least eighth grade, because some of those dinosaur names are wacky to pronounce.
This is a fun and rewarding read that *may* be a standalone, but I would happily welcome a series about dimensional time-space rifts, dinosaurs, and characters that really find a place in your heart.
As an aside, this book ties into the author’s previous series of ten books, starting with The Ultimate Agent.
100% recommend! Happy reading!
Count me in!
The premise of the story is fun and exciting, also any fans of Jurassic Park and the British television show Primeval won’t want to miss out on this great novel!
Basically, teenage best friends Viv & Kam go for some low-key shenanigans and end up in a high stakes adventure. Tossed through a dimensional rift, these two teenagers and an adult protagonist are dropped who knows how many years in the past when dinosaurs were roaming the earth. There is a shady corporation up to no good, a lost father, and amazing dinos just looking for a friend.
I am not one to ever put spoilers in a review and so I will continue on that path.
The world building was amazing and knowledge of the dinosaurs (including really rad sketches) was excellent. The main characters are multi-faceted and extremely relatable. I had fun reading the different points of view, including the villains! As a retired Librarian I always want to drop a little rating and reading level (as reviews are for readers). There was some light swearing, teenage tingles, and action adventure throughout. I would rate this book 14+ and a reading level of at least eighth grade, because some of those dinosaur names are wacky to pronounce.
This is a fun and rewarding read that *may* be a standalone, but I would happily welcome a series about dimensional time-space rifts, dinosaurs, and characters that really find a place in your heart.
As an aside, this book ties into the author’s previous series of ten books, starting with The Ultimate Agent.
100% recommend! Happy reading!
January 19, 2025
I don’t even know where to begin because I absolutely adored this book. I have been obsessed with Jurassic Park since I was a small child to the point I know every word, every dinosaur and so this was right up my street. Such a fun story and very easy to follow along.
The main characters were just so likeable and even the “bad guy” had his good moments by the end. Reading this as an adult just gave me such a warm feeling and this would’ve been my absolute dream as a teenager. I now need a pet Nandy because so freaking cute. The fact she was a crocodilian type dinosaur made it perfect as my personal obsession with reptiles. Ninja dogs need to be a real thing please.
The extra nerdy extras made me smile with the doctor who references throughout and of course Jurassic park. This was such a fresh take on a dinosaur book and added a new perspective to what we know about dinos. I really need to get myself book 2 now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
His name is Borne....Derek Borne, and he wrote a sci-fi novel about dinosaurs! I'd give it 4.5 stars if Goodreads would let me.
Fans of Jurrassic Park and other Dino related movies/books will get a kick out of this. Derek's book reads just like a screenplay! I could visually see everything happening as I read it like I was watching a movie.
Sci-fi is not a genre I have read a lot of but this was a lot of fun. Was it cheesy at times? Absolutely. But did I enjoy the cheesiness and pop culture references to other nerdy sci-fi stuff? Also absolutely.
Little bit of teen romance with a dash of time travel some evil corporation trying to sell dinosaurs. Oh it has it all. I would say anyone ages 9 and up would enjoy this fun fast read! It was clever and very informational about the different dinosaurs and even included drawings which I really enjoyed.
Definitely recommend.
Fans of Jurrassic Park and other Dino related movies/books will get a kick out of this. Derek's book reads just like a screenplay! I could visually see everything happening as I read it like I was watching a movie.
Sci-fi is not a genre I have read a lot of but this was a lot of fun. Was it cheesy at times? Absolutely. But did I enjoy the cheesiness and pop culture references to other nerdy sci-fi stuff? Also absolutely.
Little bit of teen romance with a dash of time travel some evil corporation trying to sell dinosaurs. Oh it has it all. I would say anyone ages 9 and up would enjoy this fun fast read! It was clever and very informational about the different dinosaurs and even included drawings which I really enjoyed.
Definitely recommend.
September 7, 2022
ROARRR! If you watched all the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World movies but need more to satisfy your gargantuan hunger, fear not. Enter: Dino-Rift! Two teenagers, Kamren and Vivienne, are thrust into the past, straight into the land of dinosaurs, where they face gnashing teeth, not-so-friendly hunters, a corrupt company and a budding romance. The book also has wonderful dino-illustrations. I struggled a bit with the headhopping between multiple characters and sometimes out of place emotions, but I doubt a dino-loving teen will notice. For 12 to 15-year-olds (younger, if a child loves dinosaurs and doesn't mind a coming-of-age romance).
August 14, 2023
This was such a fun reading experience! I loved Kam, Viv, EA, Theo, and most of all the freaking amazing dinosaurs.
For any Jurassic park fans this book really had it all, grand adventures, suspense, a little romance, and dinosaurs! Really loved the take on dinosaurs being friendly until provoked.
Also I was able to read the print version of this book which included great dinosaur artwork which really added to the experience.
I am very excited to read the next book!
For any Jurassic park fans this book really had it all, grand adventures, suspense, a little romance, and dinosaurs! Really loved the take on dinosaurs being friendly until provoked.
Also I was able to read the print version of this book which included great dinosaur artwork which really added to the experience.
I am very excited to read the next book!
March 19, 2025
This was such a fun story! Even the small romance aspect didn't seem out of place. Reading it almost felt like a mix of Jurassic Park and Maze Runner.
I will say, I wish I had read this instead of listening to the audiobook though. The narrator really took me out of it sometimes because her voice was very annoying. But not wanting to hurt the author with a return, I powered though. If you read this book, and I strongly suggest you do, don't do the audiobook.
I can't wait to read book 2!
I will say, I wish I had read this instead of listening to the audiobook though. The narrator really took me out of it sometimes because her voice was very annoying. But not wanting to hurt the author with a return, I powered though. If you read this book, and I strongly suggest you do, don't do the audiobook.
I can't wait to read book 2!
December 28, 2023
Dino-Rift introduces readers to SauraCorps, a greedy corporation, using time rifts to bring dinosaurs into the present and sell them off to the highest bidder. However, if you know anything about time-travel, you know that messing with the space-time continuum can bite you in the ass. And that's exactly what happens.
An ex-scientist of SauraCorps, Theo, gets banished into the time rift after becoming a whistleblower. His daughter, Emily-Ann, hatches a plan to break into SauraCorps, go through the time rift, and bring back her father, but not before two teenage dweebs (Kamren and Vivienne) blackmail her into sneaking them into SauraCorps for some teenage mischief. When Sebastian Sharpe (a SauraCorps Exec) catches all three of them, they, themselves, are banished into the time rift with no way back home, that is unless they find Emily-Ann's father, Theo, in the rift. The unexpected trio (Kamren, Vivienne, and Emily-Ann) find themselves stuck in the past meeting weird insects, some interesting dinosaurs, and find out just how evil SauraCorps truly is.
_______
This Jurassic Park homage includes just the right amount of (appropriate) teenage romance, time-travel, dinosaurs, and corporate greed. Enough to get YA readers thinking critically about corporations' motives and the human tendency to underestimate things we know nothing about. I don't normally read a lot of YA because I feel like I'm reading very rudimentary literature BUT Derek Borne's writing style, pace, and world-building elevate this book. I was in awe of the dinosaur facts I found riddled throughout the book without making the book boring; Borne did an amazing job of sneaking in facts at just the right time from different characters.
AND OMG THE CHARACTERS. Talk about genius character development. One of the main characters, Kamren, a teenager with not much emotional maturity develops into a young man old enough to notice the romance that blossomed between him and his best friend, Vivienne. Who doesn't love a best friends-to-lovers trope, right? It was so cute to read their own little story among the broader story. It gives a nice, cozy tone to a story of a greedy corporation willing to destroy the space-time continuum for more cash than they would ever know what to do with. I truly can't wait to read the next book.
Overall rating: 4.75/5 ⭐️
An ex-scientist of SauraCorps, Theo, gets banished into the time rift after becoming a whistleblower. His daughter, Emily-Ann, hatches a plan to break into SauraCorps, go through the time rift, and bring back her father, but not before two teenage dweebs (Kamren and Vivienne) blackmail her into sneaking them into SauraCorps for some teenage mischief. When Sebastian Sharpe (a SauraCorps Exec) catches all three of them, they, themselves, are banished into the time rift with no way back home, that is unless they find Emily-Ann's father, Theo, in the rift. The unexpected trio (Kamren, Vivienne, and Emily-Ann) find themselves stuck in the past meeting weird insects, some interesting dinosaurs, and find out just how evil SauraCorps truly is.
_______
This Jurassic Park homage includes just the right amount of (appropriate) teenage romance, time-travel, dinosaurs, and corporate greed. Enough to get YA readers thinking critically about corporations' motives and the human tendency to underestimate things we know nothing about. I don't normally read a lot of YA because I feel like I'm reading very rudimentary literature BUT Derek Borne's writing style, pace, and world-building elevate this book. I was in awe of the dinosaur facts I found riddled throughout the book without making the book boring; Borne did an amazing job of sneaking in facts at just the right time from different characters.
AND OMG THE CHARACTERS. Talk about genius character development. One of the main characters, Kamren, a teenager with not much emotional maturity develops into a young man old enough to notice the romance that blossomed between him and his best friend, Vivienne. Who doesn't love a best friends-to-lovers trope, right? It was so cute to read their own little story among the broader story. It gives a nice, cozy tone to a story of a greedy corporation willing to destroy the space-time continuum for more cash than they would ever know what to do with. I truly can't wait to read the next book.
Overall rating: 4.75/5 ⭐️
June 16, 2022
Dino-Rift by Derek Borne Narrated by Isabella Tugman
5-Stars
This exciting fantasy novel quickly pulled me in. I listened to it via audible and loved the detail the narrator provided. The Dino noises really brought it to life.
The author did a fantastic job with the eb and flow of the story. He provided us with characters that went through difficult and traumatic events forcing them all to grow. The chemistry between Viv and Cam was addictive from the start. Not only was this book a time travel adventure, but it also had some coming of age, and clean romance themes. There was a focus on the importance of family and being honest with yourself.
This book had very little foul language and the scenes where people were killed weren’t vivid at all. It was more of a fade to black situation.
My favorite characters were Viv and Sebastian. Sebastian was one of the antagonists and seeing the difference the events had on his character melted my heart. Viv was spunky and I loved her Zena Warrior scene. If you’ve read the book you’ll know which scene I’m referencing.
Such and addicting and engaging story. I highly recommend it!
5-Stars
This exciting fantasy novel quickly pulled me in. I listened to it via audible and loved the detail the narrator provided. The Dino noises really brought it to life.
The author did a fantastic job with the eb and flow of the story. He provided us with characters that went through difficult and traumatic events forcing them all to grow. The chemistry between Viv and Cam was addictive from the start. Not only was this book a time travel adventure, but it also had some coming of age, and clean romance themes. There was a focus on the importance of family and being honest with yourself.
This book had very little foul language and the scenes where people were killed weren’t vivid at all. It was more of a fade to black situation.
My favorite characters were Viv and Sebastian. Sebastian was one of the antagonists and seeing the difference the events had on his character melted my heart. Viv was spunky and I loved her Zena Warrior scene. If you’ve read the book you’ll know which scene I’m referencing.
Such and addicting and engaging story. I highly recommend it!
July 1, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 Stars!
Dino-Rift can be summarized as a modern day, young adult Jurassic Park.... if the park was actually a rift in time.
There is some really neat world building that happens in Derek Borne's newest book. Complete with a time-warping concept that is incredibly creative, and a benevolent new spin on the way we see dinosaurs.
Get ready for an action packed adventure, following two teens who find themselves quickly in a situation where they are in way over their heads. Borne has a way of creating really likeable creatures that I wish I could pull out of the book and keep in my house (remember those little Nessies from his UA cryptid files?!). The main characters are super likeable, and the Villain(s) have a few unexpected twists that lead to a really neat ending.
I'd also recommend a physical copy of this book, because it include some dino-sketches that are really fun to look at!
There is definitely some G-rated teen romance, and a tiny bit of angst. Although this isn't my usual genre, it was a really fun read!
Dino-Rift can be summarized as a modern day, young adult Jurassic Park.... if the park was actually a rift in time.
There is some really neat world building that happens in Derek Borne's newest book. Complete with a time-warping concept that is incredibly creative, and a benevolent new spin on the way we see dinosaurs.
Get ready for an action packed adventure, following two teens who find themselves quickly in a situation where they are in way over their heads. Borne has a way of creating really likeable creatures that I wish I could pull out of the book and keep in my house (remember those little Nessies from his UA cryptid files?!). The main characters are super likeable, and the Villain(s) have a few unexpected twists that lead to a really neat ending.
I'd also recommend a physical copy of this book, because it include some dino-sketches that are really fun to look at!
There is definitely some G-rated teen romance, and a tiny bit of angst. Although this isn't my usual genre, it was a really fun read!
January 27, 2022
What should have been a fun evening for the two best friends, Kamren & Vivienne, ends up being unbelievable & maybe a bit terrifying?
They end up, through space & time, in a world full of dinosaurs! Real life dinosaurs…
I’m not saying anything more than this: time travel, dinosaurs, an evil corporation & their thugs and a little romance on the side? What else could you possibly want?!
Absolutely loved this book! Funny/lovable characters (people & dino’s). Fun and easy read. So, definitely recommend!
They end up, through space & time, in a world full of dinosaurs! Real life dinosaurs…
I’m not saying anything more than this: time travel, dinosaurs, an evil corporation & their thugs and a little romance on the side? What else could you possibly want?!
Absolutely loved this book! Funny/lovable characters (people & dino’s). Fun and easy read. So, definitely recommend!
September 16, 2022
I love this book! It was fun, exciting, and adventurous. The plot was interesting and well thought out.
The characters were complex and very well fleshed out, 3-D.
This is such a page turner that I read it in one sitting! So, if you like Jurassic Park, Primeval, and Doctor Who then this is a book that you will definitely want to add to your TBR.
I am so glad that my daughter gave this to me as a gift while I was ill because I have read it multiple times and enjoyed it each and every reread.:
And the sequel is out November 2022!!
100% Recommend ages 10 and up!
The characters were complex and very well fleshed out, 3-D.
This is such a page turner that I read it in one sitting! So, if you like Jurassic Park, Primeval, and Doctor Who then this is a book that you will definitely want to add to your TBR.
I am so glad that my daughter gave this to me as a gift while I was ill because I have read it multiple times and enjoyed it each and every reread.:
And the sequel is out November 2022!!
100% Recommend ages 10 and up!
July 29, 2024
Um, what an absolutely fantastic read! I DEVOURED this book both on kindle and through audible! Derek is a master of fast paced action and believable comedy and I honestly had such a good time. He provides a fresh perspective on scifi and ethics without things being hard to grasp.
This is a super enjoyable read! (Also, this is the first book I’ve read with “head hopping” and he did a great job of keeping things from getting confusing!)
This is a super enjoyable read! (Also, this is the first book I’ve read with “head hopping” and he did a great job of keeping things from getting confusing!)
April 21, 2022
What an absolutely quirky and wonderful read. This is a great YA story full of adventure, pop culture, and dino noises. I loved every single second of it. If you want a wholesome story with teenage misadventure and character redemption I defiantly recommend this book. This is a YA book in every since of the word and a delightfully fun read.
September 29, 2023
Loved this book. Fast paced and easy to read. Lots of great lovable characters. Wasent sure how I’d feel as Iv never read a Dino book but honestly was so enjoyable to read. Love that you get to learn about different dinos that aren’t the typical popular ones. Such a fun fast read
January 14, 2026
Read this as a read aloud with my son, we both give it 5 stars!!! We love the action, all the different Dino species and the time rifts!
It kept us so engaged in the story. His favorite part was with the Gigantosaurus!
It kept us so engaged in the story. His favorite part was with the Gigantosaurus!
September 11, 2024
Absolutely loved this book there was loads going on and I really loved the illustrations throughout the book
October 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Will update soon!
Will update soon!
November 8, 2024
If you love dinosaurs you will love this story, It is perfect for every age, and did I mention dinosaurs?
June 28, 2021
Seriously? A book about dinos can make me cry?
I can tell you now it’s truth. I’m a hard person to get emotion out of in any form. So for an author to pull this off, the book has to be good.
The world building of fantastic. When you go into the world you can almost feel the change. It was like a movie playing in my head and I could “see” what was described.
Character development was amazing. Kids talk like kids, adults talk like adults. No weird meshing of them all together.
I read a lot of books, sometimes upwards of 5-6 a week. And it’s been literally months since I’ve felt connected to characters. Feeling like you have to hold your breath if that is what they are doing.
Derek is a wizard, that’s all I got. He can make you believe you are walking with dinosaurs!
I can tell you now it’s truth. I’m a hard person to get emotion out of in any form. So for an author to pull this off, the book has to be good.
The world building of fantastic. When you go into the world you can almost feel the change. It was like a movie playing in my head and I could “see” what was described.
Character development was amazing. Kids talk like kids, adults talk like adults. No weird meshing of them all together.
I read a lot of books, sometimes upwards of 5-6 a week. And it’s been literally months since I’ve felt connected to characters. Feeling like you have to hold your breath if that is what they are doing.
Derek is a wizard, that’s all I got. He can make you believe you are walking with dinosaurs!
May 4, 2025
Such a fun, fresh, YA Sci-fi novel with dinosaurs as you’ve never seen before. It was also chock full of nerd culture references which had me smiling. For an independent novel, the editing was quite good!
Aside from some head hopping with the third person narrative, it was an enjoyable read. It definitely reads younger, but adults can enjoy it too. I know I did.
Aside from some head hopping with the third person narrative, it was an enjoyable read. It definitely reads younger, but adults can enjoy it too. I know I did.
July 14, 2021
Dino-rift was another exciting book by Derek Borne. His other books were about super heroes and spies and this one is about dinosaurs.
How can you not love dinosaurs?
Just imagine if you were taken out of your reality and tossed into the past…specifically the prehistoric past.
That is what this book is all about. It is exciting, suspenseful, and has a comical element to it as well.
A favorite quote from the book that sums it up is,” There’s times when life presents a door to you.”
Well done Derek Borne, I can’t wait to read the next one.
How can you not love dinosaurs?
Just imagine if you were taken out of your reality and tossed into the past…specifically the prehistoric past.
That is what this book is all about. It is exciting, suspenseful, and has a comical element to it as well.
A favorite quote from the book that sums it up is,” There’s times when life presents a door to you.”
Well done Derek Borne, I can’t wait to read the next one.
October 25, 2021
MY RANKING 4 STARS
I have been following this Author for a few years now, but this was the first book of his I’ve read. I enjoyed it! The main characters are a couple of teenage best friends. They get up to regular teenage mischief which leads them to meet another major character, E-A. What starts as a fun adventure for the kids turns into a blast from the past and has them fighting for their lives. The nostalgia of dinosaurs and time travel just added to the allure of it. I liked the spin the Author made with the dinosaurs by making them different than what we were taught. I liked that most of the characters bonded with a Dino. Mo was my favorite out of all the Dino friends. Having a corrupt organization being the villain of the story was PERFECT. Some scenes with the SauraCorp workers abusing the dinosaurs were pretty sad. My husband is a major dinosaur fan, so it was fun to talk to him about them as I was reading. He enjoyed making fun of me because I did not know there were other types of raptors apart from velociraptors. So not only was this book entertaining it was also a learning experience. I also enjoyed the illustrations of the dinosaurs. I found it very helpful since my knowledge of dinosaurs I found out was very limited.
One quote that I highlighted from the book was,
“A Fire doesn’t know it’s a fire until the spark has been lit.”- E-A
I saw where this is in the same universe as the Authors other books. I am excited to check those out as I continue to follow and support Derek Borne.
I have been following this Author for a few years now, but this was the first book of his I’ve read. I enjoyed it! The main characters are a couple of teenage best friends. They get up to regular teenage mischief which leads them to meet another major character, E-A. What starts as a fun adventure for the kids turns into a blast from the past and has them fighting for their lives. The nostalgia of dinosaurs and time travel just added to the allure of it. I liked the spin the Author made with the dinosaurs by making them different than what we were taught. I liked that most of the characters bonded with a Dino. Mo was my favorite out of all the Dino friends. Having a corrupt organization being the villain of the story was PERFECT. Some scenes with the SauraCorp workers abusing the dinosaurs were pretty sad. My husband is a major dinosaur fan, so it was fun to talk to him about them as I was reading. He enjoyed making fun of me because I did not know there were other types of raptors apart from velociraptors. So not only was this book entertaining it was also a learning experience. I also enjoyed the illustrations of the dinosaurs. I found it very helpful since my knowledge of dinosaurs I found out was very limited.
One quote that I highlighted from the book was,
“A Fire doesn’t know it’s a fire until the spark has been lit.”- E-A
I saw where this is in the same universe as the Authors other books. I am excited to check those out as I continue to follow and support Derek Borne.
December 16, 2022
Plot.
Okay so, dinosaurs. They really aren’t a thing. There are fossils in museums, right? Well, that’s what Kamren and Vivienne decide to check out one night, instead of going to a party. (Because dinosaurs are better, even if they are… dead?)
SauraCorps is a dinosaur museum run by a bunch of assholes – you’ll see. (And I am not even spoiling anything… as a reader you should just ASSUME they are assholes).
So anyways, they end up sneaking into the dinosaur museum with some random stranger who won’t tell Kam and Viv why she is there. (Bad teenagers! DON’T YOU KNOW ABOUT STRANGER DANGER?!) Hmmmmm.
Once they get in there…. that’s when everything goes DOWN… or should I say back? *insert smirky face here* hehehe.
My thoughts..
Okaaaaaay, this was an emotional roller coaster for me. It started with me not even knowing the book existed, to instantly ordering it, to it arriving two days early, to having to go slow through the book because I literally didn’t want it to end.
Okay so, dinosaurs. They really aren’t a thing. There are fossils in museums, right? Well, that’s what Kamren and Vivienne decide to check out one night, instead of going to a party. (Because dinosaurs are better, even if they are… dead?)
SauraCorps is a dinosaur museum run by a bunch of assholes – you’ll see. (And I am not even spoiling anything… as a reader you should just ASSUME they are assholes).
So anyways, they end up sneaking into the dinosaur museum with some random stranger who won’t tell Kam and Viv why she is there. (Bad teenagers! DON’T YOU KNOW ABOUT STRANGER DANGER?!) Hmmmmm.
Once they get in there…. that’s when everything goes DOWN… or should I say back? *insert smirky face here* hehehe.
My thoughts..
Okaaaaaay, this was an emotional roller coaster for me. It started with me not even knowing the book existed, to instantly ordering it, to it arriving two days early, to having to go slow through the book because I literally didn’t want it to end.
April 26, 2025
This book is totally awesome! If I could rate it higher than 5 stars I would. I literally didn't want this book to end. It didn't take me long to read but I felt like the last half of the book had to be stretched out because I didn't want it to finish. I've never read a book by Derek Borne but I'm already saving more books of his to my lists.
If you're a Dino lover then this is just for you. This is definitely on par with Jurassic Park and Jurassic World! The characters are believable and stay true to their nature. I'm just hoping Derek Borne is writing more because I'm waiting for the next!
If you're a Dino lover then this is just for you. This is definitely on par with Jurassic Park and Jurassic World! The characters are believable and stay true to their nature. I'm just hoping Derek Borne is writing more because I'm waiting for the next!
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