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5 reviews for:
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance The Novel (light novel)
Tomoco Kanemaki, Tetsuya Nomura, Shiro Amano, Kazushige Nojima
3.86 AVERAGE
5 reviews for:
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance The Novel (light novel)
Tomoco Kanemaki, Tetsuya Nomura, Shiro Amano, Kazushige Nojima
3.86 AVERAGE
Like most KH novelizations - DDD gives you the quick snapshot of each world visited, while trying to focus its limited read time on key plot points. DDD is the game I have most trouble keeping with the plot, but felt the novelization has helped a great deal in keeping it all straight! It even offers some additional internal monologue I don’t recall from the game that’s always a delight.
Unfortunately, and this is not the novel’s fault, I wish there was a manga too to illustrate the game’s events.
Unfortunately, and this is not the novel’s fault, I wish there was a manga too to illustrate the game’s events.
I have a deeper appreciation for "Dream Drop Distance" after reading the novel. The novel gave a more meaningful aspect to the plot in the video game. I had some questions with some of the events that happened during Sora's journey and the book gave me the answers I needed. I also got a better idea of Riku's internal struggle with his inner darkness and how Mickey hasn't forgiven himself for what happened to his friends in "Birth By Sleep". Riku and Mickey have a strong bond and it needs to be appreciated more. The best part of the story for me are the cameo appearances of the characters from "The World Ends With You" (play the games and watch the anime if you haven't). Joshua and Neku interacting with Sora and Riku was just how I pictured it. The illustrations were beautiful as always.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I am an apologist for this game and need everyone to know it.
Firstly, the reason I gave this book 4.5 stars was because of the drop mechanism. While it's one of the most controversial aspects of the game, it's so sweet watching Sora and Riku trade off their journeys with one another, Sora defeating one boss and calling over to Riku, who then defeats one and tells Sora that they can do anything. It's fun watching them like this, separate but almost together, still supporting one another. Of course, this aspect would've been a hassle to write out, as it would involve POV hopping every other chapter which would make it harder to follow the character development so quietly being built (especially on Riku's part). Separating the stories into two halves is the obvious choice, but oh, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as to what could have been.
Now, what was: the novel follows the exact same plot of 3D, adding one or two extra moments that wasn't there (specifically with Riku and his Dream Eaters, which was such cute moments... Sora is normally the one allowed to interact with them, being the more outgoing of the two, but the novel allowed Riku to play around with his and just... aww, look at him being a softy...), and the descriptions of the bosses were really funny. But once again, this novel gains insight into what the characters are thinking, and it shines in that regard, not in being a retelling.
And further, this novel does an excellent job of balancing Sora's Sora moments with 'deeper', more harsh feelings he's not entirely used to, given he's never processed the events of literally his entire life. He's kind and he's sweet and he's forced to reckon with these emotions that are entirely too big for him.
And now, the moment of reckoning, Riku's side: it's perfect. I have a lot I can say about it, ranging from him being allowed to be a loser to him being allowed to be the hero. I can talk about how nicely Riku's arc is laid out on display, with there being a clear 'aha!' moment for him in regard to stereotyping the Darkness, in which he finally realizes that light and darkness need to co-exist with one another and that they do co-exist with one another, and that he's accepted who he is. I can talk about how sweet he is towards Sora (not to be a SR endgame believer, but, y'know, SR endgame), how he has so much fear in regard to losing him and yet, he just believes in Sora so much, and values him so highly...
But I'll let some quotes speak for themselves.
Before I move on from my SR agenda, I know it's the exact same as the game, but Riku answering those three questions from Roxas, Ventus, and Xion, and them all having something to do with Sora... yeah, no, still not over it. The way it was written, with Riku just going, 'yeah. there was no other way for me to answer.'
In response to Roxas:
In general, I have a lot I can say about Riku, but all I have to say right now is the book depicts him perfectly. Please. Please read it.
Also, one last thing, Lea's side of the story also gets narrated and it's as painful as it is good. It makes me scream, it makes me sob, so that's peak Kingdom Hearts. 5/5
Where is my heart destined for?I'm not going to lie, the reason I decided to read this book first (instead of going in order of the games) was because I heard it had some...choice characterizations for Sora and Riku from some friends. And WOW, did Kanemaki not disappoint.
Will I find the answer by opening the doors of sleep and stepping through? When my Mark of Mastery exam is over, will I have my answer?
I want to hurry ahead, but there's some small part of me that's still hesitating. Am I afraid?
Or is it...something else?
Firstly, the reason I gave this book 4.5 stars was because of the drop mechanism. While it's one of the most controversial aspects of the game, it's so sweet watching Sora and Riku trade off their journeys with one another, Sora defeating one boss and calling over to Riku, who then defeats one and tells Sora that they can do anything. It's fun watching them like this, separate but almost together, still supporting one another. Of course, this aspect would've been a hassle to write out, as it would involve POV hopping every other chapter which would make it harder to follow the character development so quietly being built (especially on Riku's part). Separating the stories into two halves is the obvious choice, but oh, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment as to what could have been.
Now, what was: the novel follows the exact same plot of 3D, adding one or two extra moments that wasn't there (specifically with Riku and his Dream Eaters, which was such cute moments... Sora is normally the one allowed to interact with them, being the more outgoing of the two, but the novel allowed Riku to play around with his and just... aww, look at him being a softy...), and the descriptions of the bosses were really funny. But once again, this novel gains insight into what the characters are thinking, and it shines in that regard, not in being a retelling.
Sora could sense darkness enveloping his body.Sora's side: Sora gets a lot of hate in this game because he acts like 'an idiot'. And while I could go off on a rant as according to the game's lore, this is a review for the book, not the game. But even then, the book does an excellent job of rationalizing his 'stupid' choices. His moment in the Grid where he goes off to find CLU without knowing where he's going is characterized as brave instead of foolish, him not understanding the parallel worlds is characterized as Sora just being Sora and caring about saving his friends. Even Riku calls Sora a little stupid but nothing outside the realm of what we know - this book does a good job of showing us that all Sora is doing is being himself, and caring about saving everyone he can.
What's happening to me...? Am I falling...falling into darkness...again...?
"Riku..."
Finally, Sora called out to his dear friend. Riku had always come to save him. One more time... Riku. I'm sorry, Riku. I...
Sora gave the two a long look. "What are you saying? You and Goofy wouldn't have come back if you weren't ready to save him! We're friends - friends for life, remember?"this entire sequence was tugging at my heartstrings, Sora loves them and all his friends so much...
Yeah, we're friends for life. In this world and in all the rest. We'll always, always be friends. That will never change.
And further, this novel does an excellent job of balancing Sora's Sora moments with 'deeper', more harsh feelings he's not entirely used to, given he's never processed the events of literally his entire life. He's kind and he's sweet and he's forced to reckon with these emotions that are entirely too big for him.
Roxas's smile returned a bit. "Sora, see?" he said. "That's why it has to be you."(What's really impressive is the fact that this is perfect foreshadowing for his breakdown in KHIII, while being written by someone who wasn't working on the games in 2012. When I say Kanemaki gets these characters, I mean it.)
The Nobody gripped Sora tightly by both hands. In that moment, a wave of thoughts flowed into Sora. Is this...sorrow? It's awful. My chest is aching. What do I-?
Roxas was gone. He had vanished and left only his sadness.
And now, the moment of reckoning, Riku's side: it's perfect. I have a lot I can say about it, ranging from him being allowed to be a loser to him being allowed to be the hero. I can talk about how nicely Riku's arc is laid out on display, with there being a clear 'aha!' moment for him in regard to stereotyping the Darkness, in which he finally realizes that light and darkness need to co-exist with one another and that they do co-exist with one another, and that he's accepted who he is. I can talk about how sweet he is towards Sora (not to be a SR endgame believer, but, y'know, SR endgame), how he has so much fear in regard to losing him and yet, he just believes in Sora so much, and values him so highly...
But I'll let some quotes speak for themselves.
"Aw, at least hear me out! I'm looking for a girl named Rhyme. She's the key to the Portal. And on the other side, who knows who we'll find? Maybe even your friend Sora."Riku how did you want him to say his name??? No one says Sora like you do,,,
Riku looked back with a sharp inhale. Joshua had said the name as if it were nothing.
I've traveled through the worlds more than once, and I've learned plenty along the way.What I especially love is how at the end, Riku corrects himself. His sadness (whatever his sadness may be, cough) isn't something he should hide away and it isn't something that makes him weaker. In regards to the rest of the KH community, Riku is kind of the 'macho man' so while Sora is the feeler, Riku doesn't really. But no, Riku feels so much sadness, and he carries it with him all the way through to his way to dawn.
Light and darkness aren't seperate; they're two sides of the same coin. Those negative emotions like fear, sadness, doubt - they're part of the darkness in my heart. What's made me stronger was keeping that sadness contained, locking it away - no, by embracing it and carrying it with me.
Light and darkness are perfect complements to each other - the shadows are always greatest next to the light, and light shines out brightest in the dark. I know what that means now, truly.I honestly don't know what else to say about this part except some incoherent screaming and keyboard slams. I GOT THOSE CHARACTERIZATIONS I WAS PROMISED... AAARKLJSDFK
When those dark feelings come over you, only your heart can decide whether to let them sink deeper into the darkness or to bring them out into the light of the sun. Accepting both is what it means to have a heart. It’s what gives us strength.
Even wanting to protect those you care about is a form of pride, in a way. I don’t think anyone can honestly say it’s not. Same with wanting to be stronger.
Joy and sorrow, anger and hatred - whether those feelings become your light or your darkness is for you to decide. The strength of your heart is what allows you to choose.
That’s why I choose to let the light shine onto my own darkness.
And Sora, that light is you.
Before I move on from my SR agenda, I know it's the exact same as the game, but Riku answering those three questions from Roxas, Ventus, and Xion, and them all having something to do with Sora... yeah, no, still not over it. The way it was written, with Riku just going, 'yeah. there was no other way for me to answer.'
In response to Roxas:
"Losing something that’s important."In response to Ventus:
At his answer, Roxas disappeared. Yeah. What I’m most afraid of is losing what I care about.
Riku began to walk from the bridge to the beach. He remembered playing tag here with Sora countless times.
There was only one answer - what mattered to him more than anything and what terrified him to lose. "My close friends."And in response to Xion:
"To recover something important that I lost."And the usage of the light motif that he just said is Sora?... yeah, yeah, okay, okay. holding my hands up and walking away.
As soon as he gave his response, light engulfed him, and he found himself back on the beach.
In general, I have a lot I can say about Riku, but all I have to say right now is the book depicts him perfectly. Please. Please read it.
Also, one last thing, Lea's side of the story also gets narrated and it's as painful as it is good. It makes me scream, it makes me sob, so that's peak Kingdom Hearts. 5/5
Even Nobodies feared the darkness slowly taking them over, but he’d never thought his black coat would come in handy. Now he would have at least a little protection.pausing here for a second, 'what a human thing to feel,' OUCH... there's been a few other stories in the KH universe where there's Nobodies waking up into their human bodies and then the first thing they feel is fear and hurt and pain and such, and they're like 'wow, what it means to be human.' something something, being human and having a heart is accepting pain and darkness and carrying on... okay, okay, continuing...
Yes, Axel was now truly flesh and blood, which meant that the idea of losing himself to the darkness frightened him. He broke into a smile - what a human thing to feel.
Still, he needed the power of darkness to open these corridors. Without it, he wouldn’t be able to travel from Radiant Garden to other worlds. The darkness in his heart gave him that power, and he had at least enough for this.Like I said. It's as painful as it is good. Overall, I enjoyed this book as much as I thought I would and even more and I'm glad to own it so I can keep re-reading it and screaming.
Was any human truly free of darkness in their heart? Wasn’t that the nature of sadness and regret? At the same time, he also harbored doubts about the claim that Nobodies didn’t have hearts.
That’s what he had been told many times, and he used to believe that was just the way it was.
But was a heart something that could be truly lost? He had felt sadness and loneliness, he knew - but didn’t you need a heart for that? Or was it just the imitation of one provided by his memories?
There was a fleeting ache deep in Axel’s chest.
Hadn’t he felt this same pain as a Nobody, too?
I'll say, there was like one chapter with unique insight, but at this point I'm reading these novels mostly out of obligation.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This novelization for Dream Drop Distance does great work at balancing game canon with the canon of previous novelizations from the author. It could be easily finished in a single day if you are invested enough in the story.