Review of The Crystilleries of Echoland

[Shereen Zeyady]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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I Couldn't Put It Down

From the very first chapter, readers of The Chrystilleries of Echoland by Dew Pellucid are dipped into a world of fantasy as they follow the protagonist, Will Cleary, into a parallel universe, a world of see through people (Echoes) who are foils of actual Earth people (Sounds). Cleary finds himself in a whirlpool of mystery and intrigue as he tries to solve the case of the disappearing children including his own twin sister. On his quest, Cleary allies with several helpers that take different shapes and forms and meets several formidable adversaries in addition to myriad magical creatures.

If readers suspend their disbelief and immerse themselves in the magical world of Echoland, they are in for a thrilling roller coaster ride since the plot has several twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. It is definitely a page turner. Even when there was a dip in the fast pace of the events, readers are tricked into thinking that the plot is starting to drag on, only to realize that it was in preparation for a new climax that takes readers through several more loops. Similarly, when readers think that the resolution has finally arrived, they are swept away on one final adventure before the big finale. Furthermore, the novel does tackle several crucial themes, such as bildungsroman, bullying, discrimination, and of course, "Good Versus Evil".

On the other hand, readers need to be prepared for a book that is packed with a huge number of creatures and several flashbacks on the time line that they need to keep track of.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars . Personally, I find the only two disadvantages of the book as actual advantages. First and foremost, when the pace of the events slackens a bit mid plot, it allows the reader to catch his/her breath. Secondly, the plethora of well depicted fantastical creatures enriches the plot rather than confuses the reader. The author is also careful to make smooth transitions when there is a flashback so that readers do not lose track of the time line.

This book was written with young adult readers in mind and it is definitely a good read for young adults. However, older readers who are fans of the fantasy genre would definitely equally enjoy it as much as Harry Potter or Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children have been enjoyed by readers of all ages.

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The Crystilleries of Echoland
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