Every Hidden Thing by Kenneth Oppel Reviewed by Haven Miller

This summer I had the burden of reading Every Hidden Thing by Kenneth Oppel. As you may have interpreted, I disliked this book, as I found it unrealistic, bland, and the uttermost irritating book. Nevertheless, this book brings two children, Rachel Cartland, and Samuel Bolt. Both Samuel and Rachel's fathers are competitive rivals, which is quite the contrary compared to Samuels and Rachel's relationship. In addition, both of their fathers are heavily indulged in the archaeologist lifestyle. There is Rachel’s father, Mr Cartland, a professor at Yale with a substantial inheritance. Yet in comparison, Mr Bolt does not have a degree, therefore unable to receive the occupation of professor. Though how do these two contradictory children collide? 

During the span of this book, Mr Bolt received a large rex tooth. This package came from Ned Paskket with an invitation to the excavation site, though he also invited Mr Cartland. Which brought them to collide. Yet, Cartland had an entire army at his toes in addition to a group of yale students. Rather, Mr Bolt had a minimal team of 4 people, counting his son. With the knowledge that Plaskett invited both Bolt and Cartland, it is self-evident that their camps intertwined. With both groups trying to uncover the black beauty (an ancient first nations folk tale) in some presumptuous ways. Samuels father encouraged Samuel to develop his archaeological passion into a profession. Yet, Rachel was heavily encouraged to get married off and have children, opposing her desire to go to university in Ecology (natural sciences.) Yet, was eventually able to go to the excavation site.

Throughout the story, unknown by the fathers, the two children would engage in conversation in addition to canoodling. This leads them to despise their father’s actions, which then brings them to conceive plans of escaping each of their father’s intensive care. Furthermore, planning for Samuel to ask Rachel for her hand in marriage, so their eternal love can go beyond their father’s and they can fulfil their dream to excavate together and find the black beauty. And since they had help from an eccentric millionaire, they would have the ability to make money off their projected find. 

I disliked this story, more accurately how unrealistic the story was, such as the fact that the two young children marry each other, which is extremely ludicrous.