Yet again, Riley Black has written a book that is simultaneously engaging and informative. "When the Earth was Green" is a worldwide view of plants (and animals) evolution throughout time. Black's novel takes us on a journey, complete with textbook quality information, starting with the first land-going plant hundreds of millions of years ago. From there, she takes us on a tour of plants and the evolution of those critical to the development of plants we see every day. Sprinkled throughout her novel are fun fictional stories told from the viewpoints of those time-appropriate plants and animals that help the reader to feel as if they are actually there. Each chapter is short, and frankly, ! wish some of the information provided in the Appendices at the novel's conclusion were incorporated into each chapter, rather than added as an afterthought. However, short chapters do not indicate poor quality - rather, Black condenses so much information into a story-like section that provides you with enough information to pique your curiosity but not enough to overwhelm or bore you. My only critique of the book is that pictures of the many plants and animals referenced were not included (I know, I know-it's not a picture book), so I found myself Googling ancient plants and animals multiple times in every chapter.
Overall, "When the Earth was Green" is a solid 3.75 star book thanks in part to the conversational tone, textbook quality information and overall ease to read.
I received this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks to Riley Black, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the early copy.