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Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara is the fourth Dinotopia book by James Gurney. It was published on September 1, 2007.

Plot summary[]

Attention:  This article, or section, may contain spoilers! Read on at own risk!

Hugo Khan—the mysterious and reclusive emperor of Chandara, an empire long since isolated from the rest of Dinotopia—has heard of Arthur Denison and Protoceratops Bix’s exploits, and extends a personal invitation for them to visit his court. Along the way, the duo will encounter several new Dinotopians, including an old magician (Cornelius Mazurka) and his companion Therizinosaurus (Henriette), who live together within the ruins of an old city called Bilgewater, which is built completely out of salvaged ships that the inhabitants believe will carry them into another world. They will also discover Jorotongo, a consistently festive, completely nomadic village comprised of shipwrecked pilgrims, and their descendants, from the Sunflower (sister ship to the Mayflower).

Eventually, they meet Lee Crabb en route to Sauropolis, who escapes from his Stygimoloch guards and steals the emperor’s invitation. Without proper passes for the border guards, Arthur and Bix are forced to sneak through the swamp of Blackwood Flats while evading packs of carnivorous Allosaurus. After passing through the mountain city of Thermala, the duo encounter Nibor Dooh, a bandit who steals the possessions of passing travelers and compensates them with the spoils of his previous victim. Although the thief ends up stripping Arthur of his various scientific tools and equipment, he is given a set of desert robes which will allow him and Bix to visually blend in with a Chandaran caravan, and successfully pass the border guards undetected.

They stop by the ruins of Ebulon, where Arthur finds his son Will and partner Sylvia Romano preparing for an air-jousting tournament. Soon after, they make their way to the capital city of Chandara. By the time they arrive, they find themselves with little possessions left to barter, save for ideas, so Arthur sets up shop in the Marketplace of Ideas. During the night, the writings at Arthur's stand catch the attention of the emperor; he and Bix are formally invited into the court.

Once in the emperor’s presence, Arthur and Bix are dismayed to discover that Lee Crabb has also entered the court under the guise of Arthur himself. It is revealed that he is wanting to stockpile weapons, reasoning that he is preparing for a Tyrannosaurus invasion. Hugo Khan finally reveals himself to be a small Microraptor, and the real Denison promptly exposes Crabb as an imposter. Khan punishes Crabb, assigning him the role of chef for a band of Acrocanthosaurus Shaolin-monks; the group are alleged to have killed and eaten their previously-employed chef, after he failed to satisfy their appetites.

To commemorate Arthur and Bix's presence at the court, Khan flies out during the night to find a child in sorrow. The next day, Arthur, Bix, and a handful of the Emperor's selected entertainers arrive at the house of Rita Rose and Jeffer, an orphaned Europasaurus hatchling who has lost the ability to walk. At the end of the day, Khan expresses his wish for Chandara to be reopened, culturally and socially, to the rest of Dinotopia. Arthur and Bix accept the Emperor's offers to stay in Chandara for a while longer, in order to fully experience the city and its inhabitants.

Prehistoric animals[]

Gallery[]


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