Dinosaurs are some of the coolest creatures to have ever lived. For generations, these extinct beasts have been inspiring us through scientific discoveries, artwork, and museum constructions. It’s no surprise dinosaurs have made a huge splash in popular culture, with blockbuster films like Jurassic Park, television shows such as Primeval, and video games such as Dino Crisis. showcasing these almost mythical creatures for our viewing pleasure. But dinosaurs have made their mark in books too and not just scientific ones but fiction too. These are some of the best series centered around dinosaurs that aren’t Jurassic Park.
5. The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle
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The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, is a classic of dinosaur literature. The novel concerns an expedition into a hidden South American plateau where prehistoric creatures such as dinosaurs survive. The group must brave the perils of the titular lost world, fighting off hostile dinosaurs, dealing with the deadly terrain, and even contending with a group of primitive ape-like humanoids. Although there are many problems with this books not least the racist attitudes and the out of date depictions of the animal, the book remains a must-read for dinosaur fans and is extremely exciting in parts, especially the dinosaurs’ deadly attacks on the expedition party.
4. Dinosaur Tales by Ray Bradbury
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Dinosaur Tales by dinosaur enthusiast Ray Bradbury contains some seminal pulp works by the renowned author. The work contains stories about dinosaurs he’s written over the years, such as The Fog Horn, Tyrannosaurus rex, and the famous The Sound of Thunder. Each story is a great piece, science fiction classics in their own right and each centered around dinosaurs in some way. The best of the collection is The Sound of Thunder, telling about the consequences of time travel and giving a name to the ‘butterfly effect’ but the others are well worth reading for any dinosaur fan.
3. The Dinosaur Lords by Victor Milan
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The Dinosaur Lords by Victor Milan is described by George R.R. Martin as “a cross between Jurassic Park and Game of Thrones.“ And he’s correct. The series takes place in a world based on the 14th century Middle Ages except for the presence of domesticated dinosaurs! Dinosaurs take the place of domesticated animals, with triceratops cavalry, tyrannosaur mounts, and apatosaurus beasts of burden. Its a great concept, a medieval world full of action and intrigue but with dinosaurs involved!
2. Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker
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Raptor Red is a very unique novel. Instead of a human protagonist, the story unfolds through the eyes of a dinosaur. Seen through the eyes of a female raptor called Red, the novel focuses on her journey through the harsh prehistoric landscape. Although you may think it difficult to connect with an animal, much less a dinosaur, this book makes you really feel for Red’s struggle for survival in the unforgiving prehistoric wilderness. It’s a unique book and one any dinosaur fan should be checking out.
1. Dinotopia by James Gurney
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Created by illustrator and writer James Gurney, Dinotopia is a series set in the titular Dinotopia, inhabited by shipwrecked humans and sentient dinosaurs living side by side. Creating a beautiful, fully-realized world, Dinotopia paints a picture of a true paradise, with many things to explore such as great caverns, a huge reef, deserts, and towering mountains. Each book has a different protagonist, focusing on such things such as a pterodactyl riding academy and getting lost in the wilds of Dinotopia. Although the books are aimed at young adult readers, they contain great world building elements to appease young and old alike.
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