Seasoned veteran fans of the Dark Crystal like myself will enjoy this story. I was only mildly skeptical at first because I was wondering about the canon nature of the book (for those of you that don't know, there is A LOT of Dark Crystal content out there that can be confusing on what is and isn't official)- but it ties it all in so well. It takes place in the canon timeline during the Age of Resistance. It tells the story of Gurjin's sister, who leaves her homeland of the Drenchen swamps of Sog, in search of her brother to clean his name of a crime he is accused of. This is an important fact for the Netflix series and interconnects with that plot- which I will not spoil for you. The book is very well-written, fresh, and satisfying. It was a fairly quick read sitting at 258 pages. It even comes with a glossary and appendix in the back for easier understanding of some of the original terminology!
As for the chronologically conscious reader- this book works to read whenever you choose, before or after the show/movie. I would say if you watch the series before the novel, you will be more accustomed to the characters and not have much spoilage? The novel does not give much new information the show doesn't, unless it's about the more unseen characters. Even then the 'spoilage' is not anything that you aren't already going to find out since the plot basically takes place alongside the events happening in the Age of Resistance. It's more of a matter of which you prefer: Do you want to visually SEE it, or do you want to READ it first? It was published before the show was released but sets the platform for that plotline. I read the novel after the Netflix series and it definitely aided with the visuals for the imagination whilst reading.

I'd even say this novel can be one for fantasy fans looking for a decent high-fantasy novel to read that may not even be familiar with the Dark Crystal. It maybe the entry point you need.
Definitely put it on your to-read list! ( )

Der dunkle Kristall ist für mich irgendwie ein richtiges Wohlfühlbuch. Es liest sich super angenehm, wodurch man wirklich gut durch die Seiten kommt, und es eigentlich auch in eins durchlesen könnte. Es fliegt auf eine gute und leichte Art an einem vorbei, entführt aber auch direkt in die Welt der Gelflinge. Gerade Sogg hat mir so sehr gefallen, ich konnte es mir direkt ganz genau vorstellen. Ich liebe solche Orte, da trifft der Sumpf mit den Behausungen der Gelflinge vollkommen meinen Geschmack. Die schönen Illustrationen, die in Abständen vorkommen, helfen zusätzlich, sich manche Dinge besser vorstellen zu können und geben dem Ganzen eine ganz neue Atmosphäre, eigentlich sogar mehr Tiefe.

Es hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, und das, obwohl ich mir etwas mehr Spannung gewünscht hätte. Diese ist zwar immer wieder, mal mehr und mal weniger offen da, aber schwächer als bei manch anderem Buch. Trotzdem hat es mich absolut nie gelangweilt. Ich habe immer wahnsinnig gern weiter gelesen, hatte wirklich Spaß dabei und gerade am Ende kam dann doch noch mal etwas mehr Schwung in die Geschichte.

Ära der Schatten ist vor allem der Anfang einer Reise und der Beginn der Geschichte. Man sieht viel von den Gelflingen, lernt etwas über die Stämme dieser und sieht ein wenig was von der Welt. Ich vermute, dass im nächsten Buch etwas mehr passieren wird und dass es dort noch ein paar Überraschungen geben wird, auch wenn ich das natürlich nicht sicher wissen kann - es ist einfach mein Eindruck von diesem doch sehr gelungenen Einstieg in die Geschichte. Wer neue Wesen und Welten mag, ist mit diesem Buch sicher gut bedient, denn ich habe noch keine Geschichte gelesen, in denen Wesen irgendwie vergleichbar mit Gelflingen und Skeksen wären. Allerdings hätte ich es schön gefunden, wenn man sich die Gelflinge auch ohne Illustrationen noch besser hätte vorstellen können. Ohne der auf dem Cover abgebildeten Protagonistin, oder die Bilder im Buch, hätten sie rein von der Beschreibung bei mir recht anders ausgesehen, weil ich gerade Anfangs noch kein richtiges Bild durch die Beschreibungen bekommen konnte.

Insgesamt ist es aber eine wirklich schöne Geschichte, die man durchaus mal lesen kann. Ich für meinen Teil bin schon sehr gespannt auf den zweiten Band, der ja zum Glück im Oktober erscheint. So kann ich mich durch die kurze Wartezeit auch über das offene Ende hinwegtrösten. ( )

I really enjoyed returning to the world of Thra. I grew up watching 'The Dark Crystal' movie countless times and a few months ago watched first season of 'The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.' So whenever the author described a place or living thing I was able to very easily call to mind very clear images. There were 2 or 3 times where the logic didn't fully flow. Like the Gelflings not knowing what a Mystic was until suddenly they used the word without there being an indication they were told what they were. Due to the large cast of characters, having seen the TV show I think definitely made it easier for me to keep up with and remember who was who - though I did still a few times have to pause and remember details about a specific character.

I also really liked the author's approach to world building. Creatures and objects are brought up casually and ones that are not important are given just enough context for readers to categorize the type of creature or object. And ones that are more important are slower revealed and explained each time they come up again.

I am excited to continue this series. ( )

Be still my ever lovin’ child's heart. This book took me back to my freaked out happy childhood place where the skeskies were crazy scary looking villains, and gelflings were the heroes to save the world. This is a prequel series to the original 80’s Jim Hensen masterpiece the Dark Crystal. I put off reading it because I didn’t want my childhood memories ruined. They are happily intact and I am extremely glad I have books 2, 3, and 4 on hand.

This action packed story looks at what made the dark crystal go dark in the first place. It explains the type of gelflings, and how the skeskies were able to hide their nefarious deeds for so long. We start with a whip smart gelfling from the Sog named Naia. Her race is outcast gelflings. The poor relations if you will. But she has had a happy life. She craves adventure that her twin brother Gurjin gets to have as a guard at the Castle of the Crystal. But things are not all right. A traveler comes by the name of Tarva, to find Gurjin and bring him back to the gelfling leader to answer for his treasonous crimes against the Castle of the Crystal.

On a quest to save her brother, and speak for her people, Naia will make new friends, discover new enemies, and find out why the crystal is dark. This is a rip roaring adventure kids and adults can get into.

As for the new Netflix series, I still have not watched it. I know that the series is based off these books, but here is my concern. Funko put out new pops for this show. Only one of two new pops is mentioned in this book: The Hunter, and Rian. Rian is a barely known side character, and the hunter is important. Chamberlin shows up, and the characters do use Agrah’s name but mostly as a deity, rather than a living person. I plan to watch this show. I have been dying to see it. But I shall wait. I want to read it as the authors intended. If you have not seen the original movie, I might suggest watching it before picking up this series.
#BBRC #Madeintoamovie
#MountTBR
#KillyourTBR ( )

World-building worthy of the original movie. The characters are unique and fun but blend seamlessly into the established world. The action, dialogue, and atmosphere are well-balanced. Thoroughly enjoyable whether on not you're a fan of the movie/show. ( )