posted on 21 Jun 2019

Dino Knights by Jeff Norton

Just imagine a medieval world of warring kingdoms fighting for territory, brave knights committed to keeping the land safe and humble stable-boys who rise up through the ranks to become one of the land’s heroes. Got it? I bet you’ve got the same picture in your head as I have. Well, now scrap that picture because you’ve missed the most important thing – these brave knights ride dinosaurs and the enemy uses pterodactyls as aircraft!

In Dino Knights, the first instalment of a new series by Jeff Norton, we meet humble stable-lad Henry Fairchild who can only dream of being one of the select Dino Knights that guard the land of Brecklan where the coveted Brecklan Berry grows. What Henry doesn’t know – or anyone else for that matter – is that he’s actually something of a dinosaur whisperer and can coax even the most savage seeming dino to be no more dangerous than a pussycat.

But it’s not long before his previously unknown skills are required when the knights escorting Lord Harding and Lady Anwyn find themselves confronted by a pretty grumpy T.Rex. Henry steps in and tames the savage beast, earning himself instant promotion from the stables to the company of knights.

And that’s only the start of the adventures. There’s plenty of knockabout humour and pretty outrageous treachery from the lord of the Swamp States as the action ramps up and the quest to rescue Brecklan’s Lord and Lady from the villainous Neville Avingdon.

Dinosaurs and knights might not be an original combination but for children of a certain age (8+ or thereabouts) it’s absolutely unbeatable and Jeff Norton knows how to put them together in an irresistible sort of way. Toss into the mix a nice blend of team work, banter and knockabout and I suspect younger readers will be captivated.

There’s a nice touch at the end of the book with the inclusion of ‘Dinosaur Spotting In Panterra: A practical Field Guide’ by Stable Boy, Dino Knight Henry Fairchild and you’ll also find a little puff for the next in the series, Dino Knights, Forged in Battle which will also be available from Awesome Reads.

 

Terry Potter

June 2019