Praise for * * Shadows of the Dark Crystal:

• “With deft nods to the original Dark Crystal movie and a passionate attention to detail, the author has fashioned an impressive prequel. Fans (who will instantly recognize certain elements) and newcomers alike will find themselves immersed in a new narrative, with new protagonists and dangers to face. Readers who crave otherworld fantasy such as Jaleigh Johnson’s The Mark of the Dragonfly and Paul Durham’s The Luck Uglies will enjoy discovering this new series.”
  — School Library Journal
  
  “While young readers probably won’t have seen the film, the books might lead them to it; even if they don’t have that point of reference, Henson’s world is richly imagined here, and it will be well worth the projected four books to explore the landscape, characters, and storylines.”
  — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
  
  “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”
  — Booklist
  
  Before you watch the upcoming Netflix series, read the original novels from J. M. Lee (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) that intertwine with the events of the series.**

Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal: Shadows of the Dark Crystal is set years before the events of the classic film and follows the journey of a young Gelfling woman who leaves her secluded home to uncover the truth surrounding the disappearance of her brother who has been accused of treason by the sinister Skeksis Lords. **

From School Library Journal

Gr 6–9—Journey to Thra, a deeply magical world where one young gelfling woman is about to begin an epic quest that will shake Thra to its roots. Naia yearns to see the world beyond the swampland she calls home, yet she knows her role is to remain and become the matriarch of her people. However, when word comes that her twin brother has been accused of treason, Naia is the only one who can make the arduous journey to the Castle of Crystal. Determined to clear her brother's name and set things right, Naia finds all that she knows thrown into question. What is the dark and malevolent force that is creeping through the land? What connection does it have to the great crystal and the Skeksis Lords in the castle? What she learns will put her very life at risk and set in motion events that will determine the fate of her world. With deft nods to the original Dark Crystal movie and a passionate attention to detail, the author has fashioned an impressive prequel. Fans (who will instantly recognize certain elements) and newcomers alike will find themselves immersed in a new narrative, with new protagonists and dangers to face. Pencil sketch interior illustrations will help readers visualize uncommon characters. This author's debut fantasy title is the first of four that chronicle the early history of the Dark Crystal, but it remains to be seen if he can pull off an upbeat adventure when the dark future is already established. VERDICT Readers who crave otherworld fantasy such as Jaleigh Johnson's The Mark of the Dragonfly and Paul Durham's The Luck Uglies will enjoy discovering this new series.—Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library

About the Author

J. M. (Joseph) Lee is a staff writer and creative consultant on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance , a 10-episode Netflix prequel series scheduled for 2019. He is a novelist, writing mentor, illustrator, and graphic designer with a background in linguistics and film. As a writer, he finds the most rewarding stories in fusion genre, from nostalgic historical fantasies to gritty sci-fi westerns. On the side, he enjoys dabbling in experimental short fiction and drinking a lot of coffee.

Cory Godbey creates fanciful illustrations for picture books, covers, comics, editorial, advertising, animated shorts, and films.