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queques's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this deeper dive into a favorite world of mine. Even though this is a prequel and we know how it ends for the gelflings, there was still enough surprise and tension to make this an interesting read.
reixma's review against another edition
5.0
5 *
I read this as part of a reading challenge. The prompt was to read a book with a beaked animal on the cover, so this was the one I chose.
This book was published before the Netflix series "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance", but is based on the stories and events in this book, and others in the series.
As I have already seen the Netflix series, I already know the background storyline. Also, as I have already seen the film "The Dark Crystal" from which all these spin-offs are based, I know the world and the storyline well.
As a hardcore fan of the original film, the Netflix series and "The Creation Myths" books, I am naturally bias towards this book and the rest in its series, so reviewing this will be a challenge!
To start with, it helps to already have a basic knowledge of the world (Thra), it's politics, geography and ecology as this isn't greatly elaborated on within the book. There is an index and appendix to help you out which is appreciated. It is also important to know that this story takes place some time (decades perhaps?) before the events of the original film.
The story focuses on a Gelfling 'princess' called Naia who hears word that her twin brother Gurjin has gone missing from the Crystal Castle where he is employed as a guard. You see things mostly from her perspective which is really interesting, as she has grown up within the boarders of her mothers' realm, her mother being the Maudra (Queen). Naia's knowledge of the world outside of these boarders is gained from messages her brother sends home, her mother, and the messengers from the other realms and clans around Thra.
As she leaves to find more information of Gurjin's whereabouts, you see the world around her as she sees it as it opens up around her, and what she thinks of the other clans and wildlife she encounters.
The story doesn't focus on much outside of Naia's travels and experiences which does help with trying to understand her and how she tries to understand what is around her. There is a bigger problem than why her brother has vanished, but he is also the one who can answer why he had to leave in the first place...
I read this as part of a reading challenge. The prompt was to read a book with a beaked animal on the cover, so this was the one I chose.
This book was published before the Netflix series "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance", but is based on the stories and events in this book, and others in the series.
As I have already seen the Netflix series, I already know the background storyline. Also, as I have already seen the film "The Dark Crystal" from which all these spin-offs are based, I know the world and the storyline well.
As a hardcore fan of the original film, the Netflix series and "The Creation Myths" books, I am naturally bias towards this book and the rest in its series, so reviewing this will be a challenge!
To start with, it helps to already have a basic knowledge of the world (Thra), it's politics, geography and ecology as this isn't greatly elaborated on within the book. There is an index and appendix to help you out which is appreciated. It is also important to know that this story takes place some time (decades perhaps?) before the events of the original film.
The story focuses on a Gelfling 'princess' called Naia who hears word that her twin brother Gurjin has gone missing from the Crystal Castle where he is employed as a guard. You see things mostly from her perspective which is really interesting, as she has grown up within the boarders of her mothers' realm, her mother being the Maudra (Queen). Naia's knowledge of the world outside of these boarders is gained from messages her brother sends home, her mother, and the messengers from the other realms and clans around Thra.
As she leaves to find more information of Gurjin's whereabouts, you see the world around her as she sees it as it opens up around her, and what she thinks of the other clans and wildlife she encounters.
The story doesn't focus on much outside of Naia's travels and experiences which does help with trying to understand her and how she tries to understand what is around her. There is a bigger problem than why her brother has vanished, but he is also the one who can answer why he had to leave in the first place...
kelseyraerussell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
blueemeralda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kapellosaur's review against another edition
3.0
I hadn't realised this when I bought the books, but this is the series that the Netflix adaptation was based on. The narrative in this book was sufficiently different to the series that I didn't feel like I knew what was going to happen next, with a different set of main protagonists to the TV series.
This was clearly written as part one of a set of books, and unfortunately that stands against this book as an individual entity. The vast majority of the book is setting up characters and situations, which wouldn't be a problem if it were the start of a longer book, but the narrative basically cuts off at the first major reveal ().
I liked that we had a strong female character as the main protagonist during this novel; the author also built well on the world of the original film, and remained faithful to the lore of the novelisation too (I particularly liked the working in of the word vliya - the life essence as named in the novelisation - into the term vliyaya for various Gelfling magics). I found irksome that the author italicised every instance of non-English words (vliyaya, maudra, bola, etc) in a way that I've not seen in modern sf&f. It was jarring, especially given that the narrative was from the point of view of Gelfling to whom the words wouldn't be unusual.
While I was generally satisfied with the worldbuilding, I think a couple of things felt out of place. Firstly was the deification of Aughra. While this may have been hinted at in the original film, it wasn't something I'd picked up on and I certainly didn't think it needed to be made so explicit in these novels. Secondly, I struggle to understand how the Gelfling could have been so factionalised along sub-species lines, when dreamfasting allowed instant empathy between all creatures. The TV adaptation touched a little on this; I hope we see at least some clues of how clans were turned against each other during the rest of the book series.
As a lovely bit of extra material, the illustrations provided every few chapters for key narrative moments were beautiful.
Overall, a good book as the introduction to a series, but doesn't stand on its own.
This was clearly written as part one of a set of books, and unfortunately that stands against this book as an individual entity. The vast majority of the book is setting up characters and situations, which wouldn't be a problem if it were the start of a longer book, but the narrative basically cuts off at the first major reveal (
Spoiler
that the Crystal of Truth has been corrupted and the Skeksis are draining Gelfling and Podlings - the first episode of the Netflix series was essentially an expansion of the dreamfast memories in the final couple of chaptersI liked that we had a strong female character as the main protagonist during this novel; the author also built well on the world of the original film, and remained faithful to the lore of the novelisation too (I particularly liked the working in of the word vliya - the life essence as named in the novelisation - into the term vliyaya for various Gelfling magics). I found irksome that the author italicised every instance of non-English words (vliyaya, maudra, bola, etc) in a way that I've not seen in modern sf&f. It was jarring, especially given that the narrative was from the point of view of Gelfling to whom the words wouldn't be unusual.
While I was generally satisfied with the worldbuilding, I think a couple of things felt out of place. Firstly was the deification of Aughra. While this may have been hinted at in the original film, it wasn't something I'd picked up on and I certainly didn't think it needed to be made so explicit in these novels. Secondly, I struggle to understand how the Gelfling could have been so factionalised along sub-species lines, when dreamfasting allowed instant empathy between all creatures. The TV adaptation touched a little on this; I hope we see at least some clues of how clans were turned against each other during the rest of the book series.
As a lovely bit of extra material, the illustrations provided every few chapters for key narrative moments were beautiful.
Overall, a good book as the introduction to a series, but doesn't stand on its own.
tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Torture
eileenmccoy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
amihanbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is one of my favorite shows of all time, and I will forever be salty that it wasn’t renewed for a second season. I grew up with Brian Froud’s books, and especially love his artwork in, “Good Faeries Bad Faeries.” Seeing Froud’s conceptual designs rendered in the incredible fantasy world of Thra fills me with such child-like wonder. At the same time, the story deals with weighty themes of spirituality and the fragmented nature of the human psyche. It really is an amazing balance between magical effects, potent subject matters, and the intricate craft of puppetry.
With that being said, I so badly needed a Dark Crystal fix after the series was cancelled. This book, which takes place at the same time as the series, was the perfect remedy for that! J.M. Lee clearly has so much love and respect for the world of Thra, and he was able to immerse me in the world as if I were watching the show all over again.
One of my favorite things about the universe is the duality between the Skeksis and the Mystics, so I was thrilled they made an appearance in this book. I’m honestly fascinated by psychology, especially Jungian’s idea of the “Shadow Self”, and I think The Dark Crystal handled this theory SO creatively through UrVa the Mystic and his shadow self, SkekMal the Hunter. SkekMal, in my opinion, is the most badass Skeksis to ever exist.
With that being said, I so badly needed a Dark Crystal fix after the series was cancelled. This book, which takes place at the same time as the series, was the perfect remedy for that! J.M. Lee clearly has so much love and respect for the world of Thra, and he was able to immerse me in the world as if I were watching the show all over again.
One of my favorite things about the universe is the duality between the Skeksis and the Mystics, so I was thrilled they made an appearance in this book. I’m honestly fascinated by psychology, especially Jungian’s idea of the “Shadow Self”, and I think The Dark Crystal handled this theory SO creatively through UrVa the Mystic and his shadow self, SkekMal the Hunter. SkekMal, in my opinion, is the most badass Skeksis to ever exist.
eyesofcrows's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love how much this fleshes out and captures the vibe of the Dark Crystal. It is a compelling plot and the descriptions were amazing. I appreciated what each character contributed to the plot and the provided illustrations to help visualize these strange creatures. It’s able to convey ideas and information in a way that allowed me to understand and stay in universe. I’ve yet to read the next book but I love everything I was able to discover.
It’s an overall easy read and definitely one I couldn’t put down. It’s a little slow in the beginning but I gobbled down the last 150 pages in a snap. Very good.
It’s an overall easy read and definitely one I couldn’t put down. It’s a little slow in the beginning but I gobbled down the last 150 pages in a snap. Very good.