This book was a great read for my 7 yo son and I. The story kept us on our toes wanting to know what happens next and we were so upset that the next book wasn't available yet so we could read the next installment. (We've got the next release date in the calendar) It's refreshing to read a book that kept my son gripped and wanting more. I would recommend this book to both boys and girls and definitely for children who you want to develop a love of books.

First things first, thank you to NetGalley for providing a free eARC of this book in return for an unbiased review.

I picked this book up as the concept sounded cute and interesting, and as a Geography student, the environmental viewpoint was really inviting. Sadly, I was disappointed by this book. Although I went into this book knowing that it was intended for children aged 7-9, I still felt that it was too childish for this audience. The writing was also sub-par in quality, and I hate when this happens in children's literature as it feels like the author believed their full efforts weren't needed for "just" a kids book.

There were sections of this book which should have been great emotional moments, with the characters feeling confused, shocked, worried, excited or more. However, this never seemed to happen and emotions were very muted. One such example of this: '"Oh." Magnus was very excited.' ... was he? Was he really? With various sectors like this, I feel like this book could have really benefited from further input from editors and the writer having more experience with writing, both in general and for children. 

I feel like this book is more aimed at 4-6 year-olds, as there is almost no emotional depth and the language used (with an exception being dinosaur species)  being very simple. There were plot setups for future books which older children would likely be able to spot with ease and the character of Em has what feels like no development.

Moving onto the good points of this short read. The concept of this book is actually really good! As mentioned above, I love the environmental aspect of the book which pushes the use of renewable energy and challenges the consumer-driven world we live in. The concept of the series is also really good, with multiple (seemingly parallel) universes and a well fleshed-out villain who is perfect for a kids book. There were a few really interesting scenes, one involving the Jewelled Book of the Universe and Em, and another involving a clever deception of the bad guys at the end! 

I feel like this book could have been so much better and had so much potential. Possibly the book was rushed, or it was the authors first work and the editorial team didn't analyse the writing as well as they could. The plot line is there, and with a little more development the characters are also. Fingers crossed that as this series continues on the author will develop and improve and make this an interesting kids series that I would happily recommend to my friends with children. I hope S. L. Browne manages to pull this off and end up with a really unique, fun and interesting children's series with a brilliant environmental message behind it.

Inventive and interesting . Clear and descriptive writing.

3.5 /5
I really enjoyed my time reading. The characters and plot everything was great. Unfortunately I found myself sometimes not connecting to the story. I honesty couldn't even pin point what it was. But overall a great story and would recommend!

Way too simplistic writing style and the whole global warming multi earth thing was borning

I love the idea of this book - the plot is interesting and the environmental themes combined with the other worlds and dinosaurs are great. I'd love to see a bit more action in it to really engage readers and to vary the pace a little, as whilst the concept is great and it's a very short read a lot of children at my school really prefer books where there's more happening.

Far more interesting and complex than I expected. I think this would be a great read-aloud book with children as some of the diverse topics might need to be addressed as it occurs for full understanding on the story line and character development.

Too Harry Potter like... At least the first chapters, so after that it was hard for me to keep that idea of my head.
This is a book my kids wouldn't enjoy, I didn't find it enjoyable.
And who is the author anyway? I like to know a little bit of who is writing but I search and there's not even a picture. That enjoyed me from the very begging...

I recieved this book as an ARC on NetGalley

This book will be later reviewed by my 11 year old daughter because it is more of a children's adventure book.
The MC Magnus is only 8 years old and comes from a different Earth where the children are hatched vs born. And there is this mysterious jeweled book that nobody can read.

I can say that this is a quick read for elementary/middle school aged kids.
In this first book, there was not a lot of adventure or action. You meet the villain, and some side characters. OH YEAH there's dinosaurs. but other then that.... nothing really happens.
This book has potential. Review will be updated again from a child's POV