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[Following is a volunteer review of "The Crystilleries of Echoland" by Dew Pellucid.]

Dew Pellucid takes you on a mesmerizing journey into a land of fantasy, known as Echoland. The Crystilleries of Echoland is a gripping young adult novel about a boy named William Cleary, who finds himself on the adventure of not only a lifetime, but one of destiny. The key is in the Crystilleries.

At the age of 2, Will and his sister, Emmy, mysteriously disappeared. One week after their disappearance, Will returned with a falcon and a wolf, who become his pets. The rest of his life turns upside down, as he is the only child to have returned from such an event. Right before his 13th birthday, Will decides to try to retrace his steps back in an attempt to locate his sister. He succeeds, but finds himself in a strange land and his pets aren’t animals anymore. Learning of his importance, it is up to Will to break a years old curse and restore Echoland to the rightful king.

The Crystilleries of Echoland deserves a 4 out of 4 rating. This book transports you into Will Cleary’s life. Immediately you feel for him. Here is a kid whose life has been consumed by the tragedy of his lost sister. Then, upon trying to find her, he ends up back in Echoland and learns of the Law of Death, Echoes, and Sounds. When a Sound dies, so must their Echo. This is a horrific law that only Will is able to stop. This would seem easy, but Fate Sealers are out to get him, his pets’ real lives are on the line, and so is his echo’s. All of this is so well-written that it is impossible to set down. Each chapter leaves you with more questions than the next. This is consistent all the way through the end.

There is not much to not like about this book. What I loved most is that it is phenomenally original. Having two different world’s that combine together into one is a seemingly difficult task. However, Dew Pellucid manages to do just that and add in a slew of obstacles in this adventure. Will must face fate sealers, beings that are contracted to kill him and his echo. He must manage to hide his identity while undercover and manage to solve how to help his echo. Even when you think his problem is solved, it turns out Will has to travel even further into Olám Shoné, a land locked under key and their only hope.

What I liked least was how hard it was to follow along in the beginning. There are so many new ideas and characters that happen so quickly, that it is important to read slowly. At one or two points I had to re-read the same line or two to make sense of it. However, this is really nothing major and does not take away from the book at all. As you continue to read every question that you may have his answered and makes perfect sense.

The Crystilleries of Echoland caters mostly to young adults. There are some instances that may be seen as a smidgen violent. Apart from that, kids as young as 9 or 10 will definitely enjoy this book. I firmly believe many adults will love this book as well. Overall, those who love science-fiction adventure stories filled with magic, struggle, and adversity will immediately add this to their top 5.

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The Crystilleries of Echoland
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Like kjweber's review? Post a comment saying so!

I am about halfway through reading this one and I have to agree - it is hard to follow along at some points, which is why I will have a hard time rating it 4 stars.

I feel like a lot of instances the author says something without explaining it. As if it is assumed that we should know what she is talking about. I think she knows everything about the world she has created, but forgets that we readers do not.

RL Stein paints an elaborate picture of Hogwarts for us in her series, but I cant help but feel that with echo land we are just receiving a sketch. Its a little disappointing for me!

I enjoyed this book very much. There are parts that are hard to follow. Many people have struggled with the beginning. I struggled with the action scenes. That may be because I listened to the audiobook version instead of reading it, which changes the experience a little bit.

From the review, I see that this a wonderful story to enjoy.

It will be pleasing to learn how the character, William, was able to overcome all this obstacles.

Also, like the recommended audience of 9yrs. This is a very suitable book for even young minds.

Lastly, thank you for this review.