A Prehistoric Odyssey: Gone to the Great Dying

by Kale Link

Time travel may seem like a magical concept, but when Owen Walker and his friends are mysteriously transported 252 million years into the prehistoric past, a harsh reality sets in. In the Permian desert, they must contend with dehydration, apex predators, and an impending mass extinction, the largest the world has ever seen. Will Owen and his classmates be able to come together and survive? Even if they do, will they ever be able to find a way home? Only time will tell.

346 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2022

About the author

Kale grew up on a farm in eastern Kansas with his family, where he enjoys spending time outdoors gardening and collecting fossils. He often takes vacations to national parks to learn about the natural world. He has been telling stories throughout his life, and began writing his first book in seventh grade. Kale has now graduated high school, and is attending Fort Hays State University studying paleontology and working at the Sternberg Museum (where you can also find his book). When he's not in school, he's travelling to far-flung places for paleontology internships. Gone to the Great Dying is his debut novel.

Reviews

[jeri murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I got this book not knowing what to expect. I loved it and lived it . I actually had tears in certain places in the novel. Please Please dear Author continue this series. We are waiting to go d Owen.

[Givemheadaches · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Prehistoric Odyssey was an overall fun read and a book, that I would highly recommend people to read. I would say that for the majority of the book I found myself throughly entertained, while it left me wanting more at the end. Truly a well done job.

That being said there is a bit of room for improvement. It is the first novel that the author, Kale, has written so I’ll give him a bit of slack. It certainly was more enjoyable then other books that aren’t self-published, but if I had a bit of advice to give, it would be for future books is to practice pacing of the story and developing the characters.

The pacing of the book was a bit jarring, as in, the beginning felt pretty rushed to get right to the story, some parts in the middle felt drawn out, and the ending was a bit rushed. The characters felt a little bland and there seemed to be too many of them, which more than likely contributed to them being a little bland. I wished the beginning of the book spent a few chapters introducing us to these characters, before they were sucked through the portal. Establishing them makes it easier for readers to see who is who, because I honestly thought Zach and Chase were the same person in the beginning of the book.

Otherwise, it was fun to read. The environment, the thrills, the sense of danger around every corner kept me reading more. As stated, it was a fun read and book for everyone.

[Norm S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book. An entire 7th grade class is pulled through a portal to the Permian period just before the greatest extinction event in earth's history. The kids seemed older more like high school junior or senior students.

[Shawn Rebman · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book I just found at a gift shop in a museum, this book was pretty awesome.

[fran zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

What a read! Enjoyed every moment.so sorry it ended! Or did it? Not sure but will look to see . The adventure must continue