Review by michelle alcoser -- The Crystilleries of Echoland
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michelle alcoser
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- Latest Review: The Crystilleries of Echoland by Dew Pellucid
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Review by michelle alcoser -- The Crystilleries of Echoland
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Crystilleries of Echoland" by Dew Pellucid.]
4 out of 4 stars
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What I enjoyed most about the book, The Crystilleries of Echoland by Dew Pellucid, are the vivid descriptions of not only characters, but of the parallel worlds that serve as not just a setting, but as an essential plot point. Pellucid does a masterful job of providing an abbreviated exposition and moving quickly into action. Will Cleary, the main character and a shadow, is introduced with a mysterious backstory, a boy kidnapped with his twin sister, who has returned to his family. His mysterious return, his parents preoccupation with finding his still missing sister, and his unique pets set the stage for dark and magical journey between the Shadowland and Echoland realms.
The book opens with his backstory and his quest to find his sister and bring her home to his parents. Will quickly discovers that there is more to the pets that he keeps than meets the eye. He learns that there are two worlds, populated by shadows and echoes. Echoes are almost transparent twins to their shadow counterparts and each live in their respective worlds that are connected by bridges.
Pellucid allows the reader to learn about the two realms with Will. As he comes to understand the interconnected planes of Echoland and Shadowland and the dangers that threaten him in both realms, the reader is able to experience a sense of confusion alongside Will that heightens the suspense. While the lack of understanding of the rules of this world is at times frustrating, it is also the reality that Will faces in his journey. It is difficult for WIll, and the reader, to know who to trust, what the consequences of choices will be, where the bigotry of the echoes towards shadows comes from, and how he will accomplish his mission. This sense of confusion is what I liked least about this text, but the story was engaging enough to motivate me to push through the confusion.
This text is appropriate for middle school and mature elementary aged students. The vocabulary and sentence complexity are appropriate for this age group. There is moderate violence, characters are injured, and murder is a real threat for the shadows and their echoes. The descriptions of these scenes are vivid, but do not go so far as to be considered graphic or gratuitous. The violent scenes relate to the plot and underscore the dangerous circumstances the character and his cohort find themselves facing. Individuals who enjoy reading mysteries with magical components will enjoy this novel.
I would rate The Crystilleries of Echoland 4 out of 4 stars. The novel is rich with suspenseful action, likable characters, and intrigue.
******
The Crystilleries of Echoland
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
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What I enjoyed most about the book, The Crystilleries of Echoland by Dew Pellucid, are the vivid descriptions of not only characters, but of the parallel worlds that serve as not just a setting, but as an essential plot point. Pellucid does a masterful job of providing an abbreviated exposition and moving quickly into action. Will Cleary, the main character and a shadow, is introduced with a mysterious backstory, a boy kidnapped with his twin sister, who has returned to his family. His mysterious return, his parents preoccupation with finding his still missing sister, and his unique pets set the stage for dark and magical journey between the Shadowland and Echoland realms.
The book opens with his backstory and his quest to find his sister and bring her home to his parents. Will quickly discovers that there is more to the pets that he keeps than meets the eye. He learns that there are two worlds, populated by shadows and echoes. Echoes are almost transparent twins to their shadow counterparts and each live in their respective worlds that are connected by bridges.
Pellucid allows the reader to learn about the two realms with Will. As he comes to understand the interconnected planes of Echoland and Shadowland and the dangers that threaten him in both realms, the reader is able to experience a sense of confusion alongside Will that heightens the suspense. While the lack of understanding of the rules of this world is at times frustrating, it is also the reality that Will faces in his journey. It is difficult for WIll, and the reader, to know who to trust, what the consequences of choices will be, where the bigotry of the echoes towards shadows comes from, and how he will accomplish his mission. This sense of confusion is what I liked least about this text, but the story was engaging enough to motivate me to push through the confusion.
This text is appropriate for middle school and mature elementary aged students. The vocabulary and sentence complexity are appropriate for this age group. There is moderate violence, characters are injured, and murder is a real threat for the shadows and their echoes. The descriptions of these scenes are vivid, but do not go so far as to be considered graphic or gratuitous. The violent scenes relate to the plot and underscore the dangerous circumstances the character and his cohort find themselves facing. Individuals who enjoy reading mysteries with magical components will enjoy this novel.
I would rate The Crystilleries of Echoland 4 out of 4 stars. The novel is rich with suspenseful action, likable characters, and intrigue.
******
The Crystilleries of Echoland
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Crystilleries of Echoland by Dew Pellucid
