Description

About the Author

Brian Falkner was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, and now lives in Australia. He is the award-winning, best-selling author of several action-adventure novels, including the Recon Team Angel series and Brainjack.

Product Description

* WINNER of the Young Adult section of the New Zealand Book Children's Awards 
* Shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards
* A Junior Library Guild Selection

Fifteen year old Willem lives in hiding in a small Belgian village on the edge of the great Sonian Forest. Willem and his mother have been living in secret for most of his life, since his father, a famous magician, fell out of favour with the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

It is a world not much different from our own, in which small 'saurs' are a part of everyday life. Some are farmed, some are pets, others, more dangerous are avoided. There are rumours of even greater 'saurs' roaming the uncharted islands of the Americas.

When a girl from the village is killed, it becomes obvious that there are hidden terrors in the forest and that they are connected with Napoleon's plans to conquer Europe. 

But Willem has a secret that could interfere with the emperor's plans and Napoléon will stop at nothing to find him.

War is coming, and young Willem is no longer safe, for Gaillemarde is just a stone's throw from the fields of Waterloo -- fields which will soon run red with blood.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—What if dinosaurs never went extinct? What if they lived in the wilds of the European forests? What if Napoleon used dinosaurs as weapons during the Battle at Waterloo? Battlesaurus answers all of these questions and more. The story begins shortly before the infamous battle of Waterloo, in a small village in northern France. The people of the village never had to worry much about the dinosaurs who roamed the forests on the edges of town, until the day the body of a young woman is found mauled by some horrific monster. This first death unleashes a chain of events, culminating in a giant carnivorous dinosaur invading the village. When a young man successfully defeats the dinosaur, he must flee the country before Napoléon has him destroyed for his knowledge. Part historical fiction, part dinosaur fantasy mash-up, this book will appeal to history buffs and dinosaur fanatics alike. The battle scenes between Napoléon''s army and the British are depicted in incredible detail, making readers feel as if they are right in the midst of the fight. While the dinosaurs are obviously not historically accurate, they are a humorous addition to the history of the Napoleonic Wars. VERDICT The first of a promising duology that readers will find thrilling and positively addicting.—Annalise Ammer, City of Rochester Public Libraries, NY

Review

“Falkner gives Napoléon a toothy secret weapon in this decidedly alternate history.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Part historical fiction, part dinosaur fantasy mash-up, this book will appeal to history buffs and dinosaur fanatics alike. The battle scenes between Napoléon''s army and the British are depicted in incredible detail, making readers feel as if they are right in the midst of the fight . . . The first of a promising duology that readers will find thrilling and positively addicting.” ―School Library Journal

“This alternative history asks, what if Napoléon won the battle at Waterloo . . . The novel quickly ramps up to suspense, immersing the reader in the swiftly moving plot. Characters are very well drawn, capturing the reader''s sympathy. With an ending wide open for a sequel, complete with a plot-thickening cliff-hanger, one can only hope that Falkner is a swift writer.” ―Booklist

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 54.4 out of 522 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

Gina5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase A great escape from reality!! Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2017 To be honest, I bought this book when I was drunk & forgot about for about 8 months. I am so glad I bought this book because it is amazing! I started it because I needed something not serious & I haven''t been able to put it down. The beginning is a little slow & odd in... See more To be honest, I bought this book when I was drunk & forgot about for about 8 months.
I am so glad I bought this book because it is amazing! I started it because I needed something not serious & I haven''t been able to put it down. The beginning is a little slow & odd in explaining the story. But once you get a couple chapters in, its addicting.
Well worth the read. One person found this helpful Helpful Report John McLuckie5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase I quite liked it. Not only is it an engaging story Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2016 I quite liked it. Not only is it an engaging story, but it offers interesting insights into everyday life in that era. I hope to buy the sequel. Helpful Report Becky B.Top Contributor: Graphic Novels3.0 out of 5 stars Think Jurassic Park + French Revolution + Sudden brutal betrayal/serial killer story Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2017 In a small village that can''t decide whether it is Dutch or French, a mother and son have made their home for several years. They have changed their names and hidden their relationship to the famous conjurer Geert, because Geert made Napoleon rather angry a few years ago.... See more In a small village that can''t decide whether it is Dutch or French, a mother and son have made their home for several years. They have changed their names and hidden their relationship to the famous conjurer Geert, because Geert made Napoleon rather angry a few years ago. Willem has grown up in the village, best friends with two cousins, Francois and Jean, who like adventure and a little danger. They do things like venture into the saur occupied forest to hunt raptor eggs. Willem has had a few brushes with the most dangerous of saurs, the firebird, and lived to tell about it thanks to conjurer tricks his father taught him that can mesmerize saurs. But then something new starts to pick off villagers. It''s obviously bigger than a raptor and can climb so it isn''t a firebird...what is hunting their village and where did it come from? Meanwhile, Napoleon has been sprung from his prison and is rallying his troops again, and the British troops have heard of this and are also gathering. And Willem will have to risk giving away his true identity if he wants to help save his village from the saur hunting it.

For some reason, I was under the impression this was a middle grade series. It isn''t. The not so subtle hints that the mayor is sleeping around town with several wives other than his own, and the level of violence (think Jurassic Park + French Revolution scenes) make this definitely YA. I really liked the first half of the book which felt like a Jurassic Park set in the 1800s. The town residents have to deal with saurs as a normal part of life and figure out how to survive with them nearby. It was very fun. But halfway through there''s a sudden major betrayal that came out of nowhere and that traitor continues to quietly hunt others they deem not worthy of living for the greater good. I would have been ok with this if there were some hints prior to that that this person had such fanatical political leanings. But nope. And so it felt like the author suddenly decided to throw it in with no build up and it was jarring, and it didn''t feel necessary to the plot. There was plenty of danger and excitement without this. At that point we also spend more time with French and British troops, and there was a very weird 2 page description of the beginning of a battle as art-like which was weird and a bit sick (perhaps the author was trying to make a point of the skewed perspective of some crazy soldiers???). The story then goes on to have the village turned into a temporary war hospital so readers do get to see how ugly war is through Willem''s eyes and survivors of a battle. Overall, I did like Falkner imagining what if dinosaurs were still around and were used in war, and the main character Willem is likable and noble (I also liked two of the British soldiers Willem befriends in the hospital, Lt. Frost and Jack), but I could have done without some of the unnecessary twists and turns. Trying to decide whether or not I''ll read book two. Probably, but I feel no need to snatch it up right away.

Notes on content: About 4-5 minor swear words. No sex scenes, but as mentioned it is all but spelled out that the mayor is sleeping around with multiple women. It''s also hinted that some of the girls go to other towns to make money in certain ways (though one is clarified that she "just" went to pose for artists naked). One brutal unforseen stabbing by the traitor that comes out of nowhere. At least 5 different saur attacks result in deaths and some of those deaths are a bit graphically described. There''s also a few battle scenes, with deaths described there. And then there''s Willem helping the doctors remove arms, legs and such that are beyond saving after battles, which is somewhat described. Not for the faint of heart. 2 people found this helpful Helpful Report K. M. Martin4.0 out of 5 stars Alternate History with Dinosaurs Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2015 This alternate history story has the French winning the Battle of Waterloo because of their secret weapons - dinosaurs. Willem and his mother have been hiding in a small village since Willem''s magician father angered Napoleon. Willem had learned a lot from his father and... See more This alternate history story has the French winning the Battle of Waterloo because of their secret weapons - dinosaurs. Willem and his mother have been hiding in a small village since Willem''s magician father angered Napoleon. Willem had learned a lot from his father and wants to be a magician too. He has a unique talent for taming the smaller saurs that inhabit the area and has used his talent on some of the larger more dangerous creatures too.

His talent has made him a special target for the French commander of the the dinosaurs. He doesn''t want Willem to escape his control and share his knowledge with the British. Along with a blinded British officer and a British artilleryman who is caring for him, they need to get to the sea and find a way to get to England.

This story was filled with adventure and the sheer horror of war. The descriptions of the Battle of Waterloo and the horrific effects on the wounded soldiers was vivid and harrowing. Willem and crews flight from the French was packed with action.

We also get to see what it is like for ordinary people when their country becomes a battleground the the rulers keep switching sides. The Mayor of their small town was a great example of someone whose loyalties shifted with every breeze.

I felt that the pacing of the beginning of this book was quite slow. There was a lot of setup before the action of the story really began. Once it did, though, the pacing got fast and furious. Fans of war stories would be a good audience for this one. One person found this helpful Helpful Report Paul D. Ellis5.0 out of 5 stars Dinosaurs at the Battle of Waterloo - what''s not to like? Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2015 I initially thought this book would be a bit of a one-trick pony, but it''s first-rate alternative history that adults will enjoy as much as children. I have not read all of Brian Falkner''s books, but this is my favorite so far. I notice other reviewers have... See more I initially thought this book would be a bit of a one-trick pony, but it''s first-rate alternative history that adults will enjoy as much as children. I have not read all of Brian Falkner''s books, but this is my favorite so far.

I notice other reviewers have commented about the slow pacing at the front of the book. I''m guessing these are Recon Team Angel readers (books where there is action on every page). I thought the pacing was perfectly suited to a story about a 19th century Belgium village situated in a forest full of monsters. There are quiet village scenes and action-packed scenes of saurian terror. This is a story that is begging to be made into a Blockbuster movie. It''s Jurassic Park meets The Village and it''s a winner! 2 people found this helpful Helpful Report C.J. Demo5.0 out of 5 stars Jurassic World History Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2015 This book is totally awesome and worth looking into. Brian Falkner re-imagines the Battle of Waterloo with dinosaurs. It is not history, of course, but it is a fun and adventurous story. I admit, at first it was slow going, but as I kept reading, it got more fast-paced and... See more This book is totally awesome and worth looking into. Brian Falkner re-imagines the Battle of Waterloo with dinosaurs. It is not history, of course, but it is a fun and adventurous story. I admit, at first it was slow going, but as I kept reading, it got more fast-paced and more exciting. The characters are well developed and the dinosaurs are just plain awesome. If readers put aside the idea that it has to be historically accurate, then it’s an entertaining and riveting story. One person found this helpful Helpful Report LarryLorenz3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2016 Good read Helpful Report corliss15.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Epic book I picked up by accident Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2019 So I''m walking through the library and I see this book. Battlesaurus. I had to check it out, and it was pretty great - I had no idea what to expect but it was entertaining and I always was sad when I had to put it down. I ended buying this and the sequel, although I... See more So I''m walking through the library and I see this book. Battlesaurus. I had to check it out, and it was pretty great - I had no idea what to expect but it was entertaining and I always was sad when I had to put it down. I ended buying this and the sequel, although I haven''t had a chance to read the sequel just yet, but I would recommend this crazy adventure fantasy dino story for sure. Helpful Report

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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer3.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Three Stars Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2016 A whilst an enjoyable yarn, it suffered with slow pacing and characters that were never fully developed Report Martin L.5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Recipient was very pleased. He loves history Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2017 Bought as a gift. Recipient was very pleased. He loves history, and said it was a good fun take on the battle of Waterloo. Report

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