These dinos don't want to talk over coffee

This Audiobook was provided by the author at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

A small coffee shop is suddenly transported back in time to the Cretaceous Period, now a group of strangers must work together in order to survive and maybe even get back home.

From the beginning this book is a non-stop action thriller, delivering plenty of dinosaur action and gruesomely detailed deaths, so don't get too attached to any one character, and place your bets on the next one to become dino meat.

What holds this story back is its own predictability (hinted even in this books official summary page no less), it allows you to know in advance the general direction the book is headed and removes part of the suspense. The last part of the book throws away the tropes, and was gripping and masterfully told, making me wish there was a little more to listen to.

Narration by Nick Podehl is great. He is very clear and dramatizes the characters (something I really enjoy in an audiobook).

To summarize - good thriller with a great ending and excellent narration.

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2 people found this helpful

Highly recommend!

Time travel at it's best! I enjoyed this book more than any in quite some time! The author gave me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.. I cannot wait for another novel from Geoff Jones! HIGH 5!!! HATS OFF and well done!

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A Fun and Distracting Fiction Story

This was one of those books that sat on my TBR pile for a while before I gave it a shot and now I'm a little sad that I waited this long. It was a really entertaining read.

The story follows a group of people who were transported back in time to the age of Dinos. They have to figure out what the heck happened to them and how to get back home in one non-eaten piece.

Sometimes you need a book that is just total fiction to take your mind off of everything that is going on around you. This was definitely that book. It reminded me a bit of an old TV show that I watched where they were just randomly driving on a road and they "fell" into the past in the age of Dinos. This was similar where it was obviously strong fiction but just so darn enjoyable.

Definitely an action-packed fictional tale with pretty strong character building (anytime you can write a good character this isn't super likable to start always gets my attention).

Overall, a good book to distract you in these trying times. Combine that with Podehl's narration and you have a winner.

I was voluntarily provided with a free copy of this book. It has not affected my review in any way. If you enjoyed this review, please vote for it! Every vote helps.

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Everything I hoped it would be and more!

Firstly I have to admit I am somewhat biased here, I was obsessed with dinosaurs as a child having seen Jurassic Park countless times, which remains my favorite film, and I've read both the Crichton books more than once. That being said this is a fantastic book; the characters are easy to relate to or at least recognize, everyday people who've found themselves seemingly trapped in the Late Cretaceous, which is teeming with dinosaurs. This is not some expertly trained paramilitary force accompanied by experts that have all the answers. In fact as the perspectives change, so does the knowledge of the characters, so while one character whose experience as a parent has led them to become more or less the resident dino-expert might know what a pterosaur is, many of the others might just recognize one as some sort of strange bird thing.
Another important and realistic aspect is that the animals behave like... well animals, while some are fiercely territorial, others are harmless. The carnivorous ones, of course, get some good time in as the primary antagonists, but they act within reason and don't go out of their way to pursue small and strange, albeit easy prey. As the other reviews mention, there is a character who explores the darker side of this fantasy, which is sadly, also not entirely out of the ordinary as far as people are concerned. Every character embodies traits we find just like those in the people one might encounter in a typical U.S. coffeehouse, both the good and the bad. As some of the characters get picked off in suspenseful, exciting, and honestly often unexpected ways, it is usually more than just an entertaining thrill (with the understanding that this is a book about humans and dinosaurs interacting and the expectation is that thing will go wrong), you will miss these characters, some people you like die too early and some you root for and want to make it to the end are cruelly killed off. Good, solid plans often go south and bad ideas can lead to unexpected outcomes.
The narration is superb and perfectly done, none of the characters are squandered and none are over embellished, the eventual group leader is smart, warm, and funny, while the morally corrupt scummy bastard's internal thoughts are just as callous as you would expect them to be. Nick Podehl does a marvelous job.
Get this book, you were saving that credit for today, I guarantee it!

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1 person found this helpful

A different time travel story

For those who enjoy time travel and the possibilities/side-effects, this book gives a nice twist to that type of plot. The book starts off painfully slow and a little disjointed, but picks up. It has a very real and believable ending. The reader is great!
Enjoy!!

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Enjoyable!

Just a fun book to listen to. I enjoyed it immensely. The narrator did a great job and I would definitely listen to any book he narrated again. No heavy reading here, but a good read, for sure!

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Decent, But Not Excellent

I'm a little at odds with myself in regards to this book. It was definitely entertaining enough to keep me attentive, but I wouldn't say that it was anything like a great work of literary genius.

The book starts with the owner of a small coffee shop in Denver. One morning while serving customers, the coffee shop and everyone in it are transported back in time to an era filled with jungles and dinosaurs. I thought the concept was interesting, but a little cheesy.
Most of the story read like Jurassic Park or the Lost World, but not quite as well thought out.
Most of the characters were very predictable, stereotypical, and one-dimensional.
Also, the ending was practically a rip-off from the second Jurassic Park movie...

Narration was top notch, despite the story.

Having said all of that, I did enjoy this book, but probably won't re-listen like I do most of my audiobooks...

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, publisher, or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. I was NOT required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work.

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Simply wonderful!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Dinosaur Four to be better than the print version?

I only own the audio version but the narrator did an AMAZING job! It truly felt like each character as a different person and the tone matched each scene perfectly. 11/10, wonderful, wonderful job.

What did you like best about this story?

Narration was excellent and made me feel like I was there. It was also a really really fun book, I just loved the story.

Have you listened to any of Nick Podehl’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't, but will definitely look for any new titles he is a part of.

If you could take any character from The Dinosaur Four out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Lisa or William.

Any additional comments?

I was provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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3 people found this helpful

Realistic sci-fi!

Would you listen to The Dinosaur Four again? Why?

I might. It's a long story and great for a road trip.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Al. It's been a couple weeks since I finished but I think his name was Al. He was just creepy but done well by author and narrator.

Which character – as performed by Nick Podehl – was your favorite?

Same as above. Al

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's too long for one sitting in my world.

Any additional comments?

The Dinosaur Four is a clever science fiction novel. A small diner is sent into the past with a few patrons inside. The authors detail into the Cretaceous period is what really made the novel for me. He used fine details whether true or not made me believe the story and the animals of the time. Although, I think he knows his stuff. For me believable and probable are what makes a good sci-fi. I have a science background and know enough not to be fooled by knock-off sci-fi. This was the real thing.

He also designed great characters that were individual. I found myself laughing even though the scene was gory because of the characters and their thoughts. Lots of backstabbing going on. Nick Podehl helped to bring out the personalities at the same time has a fab narrator voice.

Overall very entertaining and highly recommended for sci-fi and time-travel fans.

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3 people found this helpful

Ok if you like time travel...

Any additional comments?

I was given a complimentary copy of this audiobook by the narrator in exchange for my honest unbiased review. This isn't a bad book for the authors debut. I'm not a fan of time travel or dinosaurs for that matter. I gave this book and good go, but never could connect with any characters or sections of the plot. I had a hard time finishing this book, but anyone having a more vivid imagination than I would probably enjoy this book!

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