ALA Booklist (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Something is very wrong with planet Thra. Normally peaceable animals are turning violent, the Dark Woods are even more dangerous than usual, and the protectors of the land, the Skesis, have accused Naia's twin brother of treason. As Naia travels to the Castle of the Crystal to confront the accusers, she gains a traveling companion, learns the horrible secret of the dark crystals, and makes heart-wrenching decisions to try to rescue her world. This is described as prehistory for Jim Henson's 1982 film The Dark Crystal, and it is an above-average high-fantasy tale. At times the place and character names are challenging, but fans of the earlier works will be right at home among the Gelfling, Drenchen, and Vapra tribes. Characters and situations are compelling, and this first of a planned four-volume series aptly sets the stage and the conflict and tugs strongly on the heartstrings, setting readers up for more great adventures. Final illustrations from Froud and Godbey, the film's conceptual designer, were unavailable for review.

Kirkus Reviews (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

A young Gelfling girl discovers hidden evils in this prequel to Jim Henson's 1982 film The Dark Crystal. Naia, training to become the matriarch of her clan, has never ventured beyond her swamp home. When her brother's accused of being a traitor to the Skeksis Lords—creatures entrusted with the care of the life-giving crystal that runs through the world—Naia's mother sends Naia and her father to stand in his stead. But her father and their escort are (conveniently) harmed, and Naia must travel on alone. On her journey, described in rich prose that paints a vivid picture, including the physical differences among the diverse Gelfling races, Naia discovers all is not well—worst of all, the crystal vein has taken on an amethyst hue, spreading corruption. While Naia and Kylan, a storyteller who becomes her travel partner and friend, are both likable and fallible, the Skeksis all seem interchangeable: disappointingly one-dimensional, gluttonous, and unmannerly. The book ends in a sequel setup. The many new words and concepts in this intricate fantasy world can be overwhelming, though much can be gleaned through context. And while the plot and characters are rather basic, the intriguing world and lush, descriptive, often even flowery prose make up for some of what's lacking. Godbey's occasional black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere. Fans of this first installment will be glad of the movie while waiting for the book's sequel. (Fantasy. 10-14)

Voice of Youth Advocates (Wed Jul 06 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Lee's epic fantasy is set in the same magical world of the 1982 classic puppet fantasy, The Dark Crystal. Taking place many years before events in the movie, the book tells the story of Naia, a Drenchen Gelfling whose twin brother, Gurjin, has been accused of treason by the Skeksis overlords. Naia is surprised to find herself called as a witness in her brother's trial, and so undertakes a long journey from her home in the swamp to the Crystal Castle. Along the way, she meets a runaway storyteller from the Spriton clan, and together they discover something deeply troubling is happening deep in the heart of their planet. The Crystal, that gives life and magic to everything, is broken, and all that they love and value is in danger of being destroyed.The strength of Henson's original film was in the detailed worldbuilding, and in this, Lee has followed closely in Henson's footsteps. The imaginative flora and fauna of Thra, with its multiple suns and moons, is richly detailed within the book's pages. At times, the story gets a bit bogged down in the details, but the narrative of the hero's journey rises to the top. Secondary characters lack much depth, but Naia's development arcs triumphantly across the chapters. Though fans of the movie will likely best appreciate this origin tale, this first book will be sure to draw new readers to the series.Heather Christensen.Although this fantasy lacks excitement, the characters are easy to get attached to. What seems like simple jealousy between siblings develops into a much deeper problem that affects the characters' whole world. Like The Hobbit, the story is more about the details of the journey than the end result. 2Q, 4P.Glenda Ayon, Teen Reviewer.