Battlesaurus--Rampage at Waterloo

April 1, 2015
Falkner gives Napoleon a toothy secret weapon in this decidedly alternate history.It seems that Europe's surviving saurs are, with but rare exceptions, small and harmless. Not so the ravening monsters still extant in the mysterious Amerigo Islands across the sea-a circumstance that Bonaparte exploits upon his return from exile with a corps of dino-mounted cavalry that makes all the difference at Waterloo. Rather than exploit the melodramatic possibilities of this premise, though, the author chooses to bury them in a slowly developing adventure centering on Willem, a Flemish lad with a yen to be a stage magician like his vanished father and a knack for hypnotizing the local reptiles that also, it turns out, works on Napoleon's beasts. The whole battle itself is confined to two localized scenes. Falkner cranks up the pace in the late going while adding such juicy bits as a hunt for a ring through piles of severed limbs and a climactic chase through Antwerp's rousingly feculent sewers. Unfortunately, readers will first have to wade through eye-glazing accounts of Willem's earlier years, changing relationships with neighbors and friends, and the patterns of Walloon village life with only occasional glimpses of a larger picture. The episode ends with Willem escaping to England beneath the triumphant Napoleon's very nose in hopes that his secret can turn the tide. A long slog to the good parts. Naomi Novik's Temeraire series for adults offers a similar premise (with dragons rather than dinos) and quicker rewards. (Historical fantasy. 12-14)

March 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-What if dinosaurs never went extinct? What if they lived in the wilds of the European forests? What if Napoleon used dinosaurs as weapons during the Battle at Waterloo? Battlesaurus answers all of these questions and more. The story begins shortly before the infamous battle of Waterloo, in a small village in northern France. The people of the village never had to worry much about the dinosaurs who roamed the forests on the edges of town, until the day the body of a young woman is found mauled by some horrific monster. This first death unleashes a chain of events, culminating in a giant carnivorous dinosaur invading the village. When a young man successfully defeats the dinosaur, he must flee the country before Napoleon has him destroyed for his knowledge. Part historical fiction, part dinosaur fantasy mash-up, this book will appeal to history buffs and dinosaur fanatics alike. The battle scenes between Napoleon's army and the British are depicted in incredible detail, making readers feel as if they are right in the midst of the fight. While the dinosaurs are obviously not historically accurate, they are a humorous addition to the history of the Napoleonic Wars. VERDICT The first of a promising duology that readers will find thrilling and positively addicting.-Annalise Ammer, City of Rochester Public Libraries, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2015
Grades 9-12 This alternative history asks, what if Napoleon won the battle at Waterloowith dinosaurs? In 15-year-old Willem's world, dinosaurs, called saurs, roam the forest near his village. Many of them are small and harmless, although others, such as the firebird, are lethal. The son of an illusionist who fled Napoleon's court, Willem shares his father's flair for stage magic and the ability to hypnotize saurs. When his village is attacked by an enormous saur, one never seen before, Willem uses his talent to help destroy the beast. Then the villagers learn that Bonaparte has escaped from Elba and is aiming to retake his army, using gigantic saurs. Willem embarks on a desperate and dangerous journey to help the British oppose the erstwhile emperor. The leisurely pace of the beginning of the novel quickly ramps up to suspense, immersing the reader in the swiftly moving plot. Characters are very well drawn, capturing the reader's sympathy. With an ending wide open for a sequel, complete with a plot-thickening cliff-hanger, one can only hope that Falkner is a speedy writer.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)