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shaunie991's review
3.0
DNF @ 40%
This book doesn’t really work as an audiobook. It’s clear from the audio that we miss crucial visual text that is probably best seen than heard. The story seemed relatively compelling and interesting, but it is really easy to get lost or confused on where they are or what they’re talking about at any given time, especially near the end of each chapter where the visual text would have appeared.
I don’t think I’ll pick up a physical copy at my local bookstore. It just wasn’t for me. Definitely more for someone who enjoys mystery, adventure, and high fantasy.
(ALC received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review. Thank you.)
This book doesn’t really work as an audiobook. It’s clear from the audio that we miss crucial visual text that is probably best seen than heard. The story seemed relatively compelling and interesting, but it is really easy to get lost or confused on where they are or what they’re talking about at any given time, especially near the end of each chapter where the visual text would have appeared.
I don’t think I’ll pick up a physical copy at my local bookstore. It just wasn’t for me. Definitely more for someone who enjoys mystery, adventure, and high fantasy.
(ALC received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review. Thank you.)
sharron_joy_reads's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.25
Bob Corman poured his heart and soul into his creation The Shadow Glass, a fantasy adventure set in a war torn land, the film flopped and Bob never recovered. Following his death, his son Jack, broke and homeless returns to his childhood home, Kettu House and finds the puppets of the film are alive and in this world. As the villains of Iri plan to take over our world Jack, his cousin Amelia and a fanboy Toby along with the heroes of the film battle to save our world and theirs.
Oh this is pure nostalgia, this evoked such wonderful memories of the 80’s. A time of epic fantasies like Labyrinth and Dark Crystal (two of my favourites), great soundtracks, puppets that seemed so real and humans pulled into lands of make believe.
It is a battle between good and evil, fought out in the modern world with humans and creatures joining together on a quest. Join them as they gather the pieces of the legendary Shadow Glass, defeat the evil Queen and her minions and try to save both worlds from destruction.
It is a funny, dramatic and compelling adventure that also deals with grief, loss, regret and redemption. The characters both human and creature are complex and fascinating, you really care what happens to them, I personally loved the Kettu, brave and bold warriors but I would love a pet Lub (read to find out!)
A total delight to read that had me smiling in remembrance of my teenage years scouring the shelves of my local video shop for films to escape into. This is a love letter to a cherished childhood, read it and wallow in the memories!
leightonlawliet's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
rlh1994's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
drakoulis's review
4.0
The Shadow Glass is available from today!
The Shadow Glass is a fast paced adventure and a homage to the 80s fantasy horror classics like The Labyrinth.
When one-time puppet fantasy film creator Bob Corman dies, his son returns to his childhood home hoping to sell the most famous puppet to a collector and use the money to make a fresh start in his life.
But he is confronted with an impossible reality: the puppets have come to life, heroes and villains, and the clock is ticking for Jack to find the prop of the Shadow Glass, and stop the evil creatures from taking over the world of Iri and seeding chaos in this one.
Jack wants nothing to do with his father's legacy, the memory of his father being sour: Bob became an alcoholic and progressively more and more obsessed with his creation, neglecting everyone and everything else. If he wants to succed in his quest though, he will have to make peace with Bob and his brainchild.
With him are his studio exectuvie cousin, an excited and adorable teenage fanboy with his nerdy friend group, and a bitter old rival of Bob.
The book is fast-paced, fun and enthralling - it feels more like a movie. If one little thing is missing is a bit of depth for the supporting characters (I'd like to know more of Toby and Huw!).
Overall, I'm very happy I got to read this book and I think it would make a great film if it is ever optioned !
Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Shadow Glass is a fast paced adventure and a homage to the 80s fantasy horror classics like The Labyrinth.
When one-time puppet fantasy film creator Bob Corman dies, his son returns to his childhood home hoping to sell the most famous puppet to a collector and use the money to make a fresh start in his life.
But he is confronted with an impossible reality: the puppets have come to life, heroes and villains, and the clock is ticking for Jack to find the prop of the Shadow Glass, and stop the evil creatures from taking over the world of Iri and seeding chaos in this one.
Jack wants nothing to do with his father's legacy, the memory of his father being sour: Bob became an alcoholic and progressively more and more obsessed with his creation, neglecting everyone and everything else. If he wants to succed in his quest though, he will have to make peace with Bob and his brainchild.
With him are his studio exectuvie cousin, an excited and adorable teenage fanboy with his nerdy friend group, and a bitter old rival of Bob.
The book is fast-paced, fun and enthralling - it feels more like a movie. If one little thing is missing is a bit of depth for the supporting characters (I'd like to know more of Toby and Huw!).
Overall, I'm very happy I got to read this book and I think it would make a great film if it is ever optioned !
Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
neolx's review against another edition
This was very predictable and derivative. I count The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth as some of my favorite movies of my childhood and still to this day, and was hoping this book would do similar things. Instead, the world building is a carbon copy of these earlier stories (kettu = gelfling, skalion = skeksis, etc etc) without adding anything new or fresh. The scenes all felt drawn out and focused on the protagonist’s hangover and the pain of his injuries and how confused and apathetic he was, while character development took a back seat and plot beats were painfully predictable and slow to come. I didn’t expect much from this but was hoping at least for a well-written, fun, portal fantasy romp. Instead, I found myself slogging through a bad imitation that leaned more amateur horror than nostalgic dark fantasy.
horse_in_the_library's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A fun read and cute concept, but thoroughly average in my opinion. Action wasn’t written fantastically and character writing was hit and miss. Had some lovely moments though and kept me reading!
bookboop's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5