Every Hidden Thing

By Kenneth Oppel

Deep in the Badlands, embedded in rock and sand, lies the skeleton of a massive dinosaur, larger than anything the world has ever seen. For Samuel Bolt it's the dinosaur that could put him and his father into the history books. But Samuel and his father aren't the only ones on the trail. Rachel Cartland is dreading a future of housewifery or spinsterhood. But the Rex could be her ticket to finally explore her love of science and adventure. Samuel and Rachel are pushed closer together as their paths cross and the rivalry between their fathers becomes more intense. And with both after the same prize, any romance seems destined to fail. Can they find the skeleton-and with it a new life together-or will the rivalry tear them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Fickling Books
• Release date: Mar 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781910989593

Kenneth Oppel

Kenneth Oppel is the author of numerous books for young readers. His award-winning Silverwing trilogy has sold over a million copies worldwide and been adapted as an animated TV series and stage play. Airborn won a Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award and the Canadian Governor General’s Literary Award for children’s literature; its sequel, Skybreaker, was a New York Times bestseller and was named Children’s Novel of the Year by the London Times. He is also the author of Half Brother, This Dark Endeavor, Such Wicked Intent, and The Boundless. Born on Canada’s Vancouver Island, he has lived in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada; in England and Ireland; and now resides in Toronto with his wife and children. Visit him at KennethOppel.ca.

Reviews for Every Hidden Thing

[kaylaraeintheway · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Two paleontologists, both alike in snobbery, in the dangerous badlands where we lay our scene. From forth the prideful loins of these two foes, a pair of star-crossed lovers...Well, I don't want to spoil anything. Suffice it to say, I really liked this story about Rachel Cartland and Sam Bolt, the offspring of the dueling scientists, and their adventures in the unsettled territories of the American West, on a quest to find the greatest dinosaur of all. This made me want to read more about the Bone Wars and the actual scientists on which Cartland and Bolt were based. I appreciated how Rachel was portrayed most of all; she is smart, determined to prove herself in a "man's field", and does not possess a single romantic bone in her body. Sam, bless his heart, is thoroughly in love with her, but still sometimes falls victim to the restrictive gender norms of the time. Throw in social commentary on the conflict between the Native Americans and the destructive "new" Americans, and you have a recipe for a fun, thoughtful read.

[et.carole · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A nice charming little novel about two teenagers finding love and dinosaurs. I enjoyed the swapping of the traditional male invested in his work and woman in love with him tropes. I also enjoyed that this novel was both romantic and realistic, and how by following the two main characters past their marriage, the book comes to a more satisfying conclusion.