Scan barcode
A review by reixma
Shadows of the Dark Crystal #1 by J. M. Lee
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...