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debz57a52's review
4.0
Like most people my age, I loved The Dark Crystal when it came out in movie theaters, and I've likely seen it at least a dozen times since. Henson was a genius, and his team were the bomb. I've gotta give it to J. M. Lee - he delivers in this book, too.
I'm not a superfan, though, so if there's some kind of conflict in this book / this series with the canon or whatever, you won't get any of that disparaging with my review below.
Getting into the book was a little disorienting at first, as with most high fantasy books. The land of the Gelflings is familiar, but I never paid much attention to the map of the area, the different clans and creatures. Within the first chapter or two, we are introduced to the hierarchy of each clan, the "religion" of the world, some of the stereotypes and racism (for lack of a better word) between the tribes, and a part of the map that we had never seen in the movie, the Bog. Naia is quite a character to get to know, with her awareness of her future role in the clan, her connection with her twin brother, her talents with a bola weapon, and her love of her home. She's a great first hero to latch on to, coming from a reader's point of view. As the story develops and we meet more important characters (Tavra, Kylan, and the rest), all the different mini conflicts and stories begin to make sense and connect a tiniest bit to the movie that I know so well. By the end of the book, I was hooked on the story and was glad I'd borrowed the whole series from the library at the same time.
I'm not a superfan, though, so if there's some kind of conflict in this book / this series with the canon or whatever, you won't get any of that disparaging with my review below.
Getting into the book was a little disorienting at first, as with most high fantasy books. The land of the Gelflings is familiar, but I never paid much attention to the map of the area, the different clans and creatures. Within the first chapter or two, we are introduced to the hierarchy of each clan, the "religion" of the world, some of the stereotypes and racism (for lack of a better word) between the tribes, and a part of the map that we had never seen in the movie, the Bog. Naia is quite a character to get to know, with her awareness of her future role in the clan, her connection with her twin brother, her talents with a bola weapon, and her love of her home. She's a great first hero to latch on to, coming from a reader's point of view. As the story develops and we meet more important characters (Tavra, Kylan, and the rest), all the different mini conflicts and stories begin to make sense and connect a tiniest bit to the movie that I know so well. By the end of the book, I was hooked on the story and was glad I'd borrowed the whole series from the library at the same time.
mysta's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Disappointing, to say the least.
I love The Dark Crystal, both the original movie and the Netflix show, so of course when I saw there were novels, I had to read them (especially if there was a chance that there might be one that picks up where the Netflix show ended).
It had been a few years since I watched TDC and I couldn't remember much other than the basic plot, but since the novel was described as something to be read before watching the series, I assumed that would be fine. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I just found it... boring. I also felt like something was "missing", like there were references to the series or movie that I couldn't remember but were essential to my understanding of the novel.
So I decided to re-watch The Dark Crystal, assuming that if I could remember more details of the series, I might enjoy the next novel more.
Unfortunately, that only increased my disappointment. It became clear very quickly that the novel and the series are very different. Now, I know the novel was published several years before the series was released, and I don't know whether the two were being developed simultaneously or separately, so I don't blame the author/book for being different since it came first. I assume the series is the "final word" as far as cannon goes though, and it annoys me to no end that it feels like the novel and the series are meant to "fit together", telling different parts of the same story. But there are so many contradictions and discrepancies, from when and where characters meet, to the way certain plot-points unfold, even to the personalities and abilities of the characters, that it's really unfortunate they took this approach of seeming to "leave room" for the novel in the series while changing things to the point that both couldn't possibly take place in the same universe. All this is to say, fans of the Netflix series: go into this with the expectation that while the concept and overarching plot are the same, it is a very different story that will directly contradict the way things happen in the series many times.
If this novel had been more interesting in its own right as a stand-alone story, I'd be willing to continue on with the rest of the novels. But unfortunately it just didn't stand well on its own, in my opinion, and while I am craving more Dark Crystal content after my re-watch of the series, I don't think continuing with these novels will satisfy that craving.
I love The Dark Crystal, both the original movie and the Netflix show, so of course when I saw there were novels, I had to read them (especially if there was a chance that there might be one that picks up where the Netflix show ended).
It had been a few years since I watched TDC and I couldn't remember much other than the basic plot, but since the novel was described as something to be read before watching the series, I assumed that would be fine. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I just found it... boring. I also felt like something was "missing", like there were references to the series or movie that I couldn't remember but were essential to my understanding of the novel.
So I decided to re-watch The Dark Crystal, assuming that if I could remember more details of the series, I might enjoy the next novel more.
Unfortunately, that only increased my disappointment. It became clear very quickly that the novel and the series are very different. Now, I know the novel was published several years before the series was released, and I don't know whether the two were being developed simultaneously or separately, so I don't blame the author/book for being different since it came first. I assume the series is the "final word" as far as cannon goes though, and it annoys me to no end that it feels like the novel and the series are meant to "fit together", telling different parts of the same story. But there are so many contradictions and discrepancies, from when and where characters meet, to the way certain plot-points unfold, even to the personalities and abilities of the characters, that it's really unfortunate they took this approach of seeming to "leave room" for the novel in the series while changing things to the point that both couldn't possibly take place in the same universe. All this is to say, fans of the Netflix series: go into this with the expectation that while the concept and overarching plot are the same, it is a very different story that will directly contradict the way things happen in the series many times.
If this novel had been more interesting in its own right as a stand-alone story, I'd be willing to continue on with the rest of the novels. But unfortunately it just didn't stand well on its own, in my opinion, and while I am craving more Dark Crystal content after my re-watch of the series, I don't think continuing with these novels will satisfy that craving.
emilybulger's review
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
prettyflyforascienceguy's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
destiny44's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
chelcey_bun's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
marydrover's review
3.0
I was going to say that I probably had too high expectations for this book, but then I read about how the Jim Henson Company went on this Author Quest to find the perfect author to write the story, and now I’m even more frustrated at how poorly written this was. The story relied heavily on the fact that its readers have seen the original movie. And while I have, that was probably almost 20 years ago, and I was a small child when I first saw it. Yes, there were illustrations in the book, which helped–and which were beautiful–but the world and the races both were not described well. It was really hard for me to find my footing in this book and to understand what it looked like. I could follow the plot well enough, but it was pretty hard to figure out what the Skeksis Lords, the different Gelfling characters, and uvRa (is that his name?) looked like, not to mention the Dark Wood, Sog, and the Crystal Castle. Stone-in-the-Wood was pretty easy, but that’s because we only spent a chapter there.
Overall, I gave this novel 3 stars because I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It was interesting to dive back into the world of the Dark Crystal, and to find out where it all began. If you’ve never seen the movie, though, I don’t recommend this as you’ll feel pretty lost.
Overall, I gave this novel 3 stars because I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It was interesting to dive back into the world of the Dark Crystal, and to find out where it all began. If you’ve never seen the movie, though, I don’t recommend this as you’ll feel pretty lost.
mariahsnerdynotes's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
gingin's review
5.0
I'm a sucker for anything Dark Crystal so I couldn't wait to jump into this series! I loved it, and the illustrations were lovely! This book focused on Naia, or as I like to refer to her, my sister-in-law. (Gurjin is bae, I don't care that he's a puppet. He's beautiful. Fight me.)
This story follows Naia as she sets off on an adventure, to find the truth and clear her brothers name.
She manages to get a traveling companion, Kylan (also a babe)
, along the way, and adventures and hard truths are, indeed, had! I can't wait to start the next book.
This story follows Naia as she sets off on an adventure, to find the truth and clear her brothers name.
She manages to get a traveling companion, Kylan (also a babe)
, along the way, and adventures and hard truths are, indeed, had! I can't wait to start the next book.