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The Crystal of Life
Escaping Altetza: The Crystal of Life Series Prequel
Every year, the Beztiqi royal family holds a festival honoring their ancestors. But while the family tree—golden and glorious—towers over the city, mixed-bloods like Lendelam, sullied by a people who once roamed the land, aren’t allowed to attend.
Tenma, the oldest living ancestor of her tainted bloodline, has been imprisoned for nearly a millennium.
The Beztiqi queen, like her predecessors, is using his existence as fuel to continue ostracizing the mixed-bloods. But Lendelam has a plan—a scheme so insane that if she’s caught, Queen Azella wouldn’t hesitate to execute her.
On the last day of the festival, she’s going to break into the prison...and set Tenma free.
Tenma, the oldest living ancestor of her tainted bloodline, has been imprisoned for nearly a millennium.
The Beztiqi queen, like her predecessors, is using his existence as fuel to continue ostracizing the mixed-bloods. But Lendelam has a plan—a scheme so insane that if she’s caught, Queen Azella wouldn’t hesitate to execute her.
On the last day of the festival, she’s going to break into the prison...and set Tenma free.
- GenresScience Fiction
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2022
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 1, 2022
Swallowed this one in one big mouthful and it was insanely delicious. an incredible and well-written sci-fi fantasy by Dartanyan Johnson
Once every year the Royal family of Beztiqi holds a festival to honor and celebrate their ancestors. The festival ends with the summoning of The Family Tree which records the lineage of all Pure-Blood Beztiqi. Contained in an area by the Bezitqi unable to leave are the Mixed-Bloods excluded from the festival and the rest of the Beztiqi society because they are believed to be sullied by ancestors living in Altetza long ago. Lendelam a Mixed-Blood girl has a plan, to free her people from the tyranny and conditions they live under and make all people mixed and pure equal. To do this she plans to release Tenma, the oldest living ancestor of her tainted bloodline, who has been imprisoned for nearly a millennium. On the final day of the Festival the plan she has been preparing for, for a long time, will finally be executed.
(I havent read the main series yet, so this review is only based on this prequel.)
This was an exquisite read. I swallowed it all in one big mouthful and it was insanely delicious. The world-building is incredible, The strong culture, lore, and myths that are woven into the world and its characters give great depth to the story.
The characters themselves are unique and special and were written so well and descriptive that I quickly formed beautiful images of the people and the world in my head.
The story never has a dull moment and starts with an intriguing and interesting plot that made me invest myself in the story quickly and without much effort. Even in the little pages it was written in so much manage to happen without it feeling too crowded and fast-paced.
One thing I wished was explained a bit more in detail is how the magic works, who has magical abilities, who doesn't, and where the magic come from. I found the magic system interesting, especially the whole idea of these masks. so I'm sad it didn't get enough explanation and depth, it would have made the story even better. but that is probably the only thing I have a finger to put on.
Overall the book was Incredibly well written, I'm so excited to see how this world is gonna evolve and where it's gonna go. Dartanyan Johnson did an incredible job writing this book and I truly recommend it to anyone wanting to read a quick Sci-Fi Fantasy book. I'm, not a huge fan of comparing stuff because everything is unique, but the story and culture gave me vibes of Avatar, not The Last Airbender, but the one with blue men. If you liked that movie this is a read for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Once every year the Royal family of Beztiqi holds a festival to honor and celebrate their ancestors. The festival ends with the summoning of The Family Tree which records the lineage of all Pure-Blood Beztiqi. Contained in an area by the Bezitqi unable to leave are the Mixed-Bloods excluded from the festival and the rest of the Beztiqi society because they are believed to be sullied by ancestors living in Altetza long ago. Lendelam a Mixed-Blood girl has a plan, to free her people from the tyranny and conditions they live under and make all people mixed and pure equal. To do this she plans to release Tenma, the oldest living ancestor of her tainted bloodline, who has been imprisoned for nearly a millennium. On the final day of the Festival the plan she has been preparing for, for a long time, will finally be executed.
(I havent read the main series yet, so this review is only based on this prequel.)
This was an exquisite read. I swallowed it all in one big mouthful and it was insanely delicious. The world-building is incredible, The strong culture, lore, and myths that are woven into the world and its characters give great depth to the story.
The characters themselves are unique and special and were written so well and descriptive that I quickly formed beautiful images of the people and the world in my head.
The story never has a dull moment and starts with an intriguing and interesting plot that made me invest myself in the story quickly and without much effort. Even in the little pages it was written in so much manage to happen without it feeling too crowded and fast-paced.
One thing I wished was explained a bit more in detail is how the magic works, who has magical abilities, who doesn't, and where the magic come from. I found the magic system interesting, especially the whole idea of these masks. so I'm sad it didn't get enough explanation and depth, it would have made the story even better. but that is probably the only thing I have a finger to put on.
Overall the book was Incredibly well written, I'm so excited to see how this world is gonna evolve and where it's gonna go. Dartanyan Johnson did an incredible job writing this book and I truly recommend it to anyone wanting to read a quick Sci-Fi Fantasy book. I'm, not a huge fan of comparing stuff because everything is unique, but the story and culture gave me vibes of Avatar, not The Last Airbender, but the one with blue men. If you liked that movie this is a read for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 22, 2022
Wouldn't you do all you could to bring justice to the world?
This was a super fast read for me, which doesn't happen all that often! Dartanyan's writing is really captivating and his characters are clearly very well worked out! Even for a short introduction to a series I got really into the whole plot.
It all moves very fast and, while I say that, I never felt it was rushed or anything like that. It was very fast but also very necessary to maintain that speed! It's action driven and the fact that it was fast made me feel all the action surrounding the characters at every step!
You like being emotionally slapped?? Hard?? Well you got it here! Some very emotional parts in here (no spoilers) and very well worked in writing, to the point that it feels human and not fiction! Very well done!
As for the sci-fi aspects, it's on the easy to medium sci-fi I think, at least for now in this Book 0, it's not overly complicated and the only big aspect of it, so far, is the making of portals! The spaceships so show up, but aren't very explored in here, which might mean that Book 1 and so on should have more spaceships and maybe more complicated sci-fi, or not! Have to read to judge it fairly!
Plot-wise it's very interesting and sheds a whole lot of light on racism and the branding of different people when compared to a ruling party! I got easily angry with the rulers of Altetza, right in the beginning of it all and for obvious and VERY relatable reasons! It's easily comparable to racism in our own and very real world! So congrats Dartanyan for achieving a literary bridge to understanding what's like to be on the abused side of racism and in that helping in destroying it for good!
I won't rate it higher than 4-stars only because I believe that all alone, the book 0 doesn't achieve much in terms of story and needs the rest to build itself to what appears to be quite the adventure! While I rate 4-stars, it's a strong and powerful 4-star!
Thank you BookSirens and Dartanyan for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This e-book was freely given to me through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review!
This was a super fast read for me, which doesn't happen all that often! Dartanyan's writing is really captivating and his characters are clearly very well worked out! Even for a short introduction to a series I got really into the whole plot.
It all moves very fast and, while I say that, I never felt it was rushed or anything like that. It was very fast but also very necessary to maintain that speed! It's action driven and the fact that it was fast made me feel all the action surrounding the characters at every step!
You like being emotionally slapped?? Hard?? Well you got it here! Some very emotional parts in here (no spoilers) and very well worked in writing, to the point that it feels human and not fiction! Very well done!
As for the sci-fi aspects, it's on the easy to medium sci-fi I think, at least for now in this Book 0, it's not overly complicated and the only big aspect of it, so far, is the making of portals! The spaceships so show up, but aren't very explored in here, which might mean that Book 1 and so on should have more spaceships and maybe more complicated sci-fi, or not! Have to read to judge it fairly!
Plot-wise it's very interesting and sheds a whole lot of light on racism and the branding of different people when compared to a ruling party! I got easily angry with the rulers of Altetza, right in the beginning of it all and for obvious and VERY relatable reasons! It's easily comparable to racism in our own and very real world! So congrats Dartanyan for achieving a literary bridge to understanding what's like to be on the abused side of racism and in that helping in destroying it for good!
I won't rate it higher than 4-stars only because I believe that all alone, the book 0 doesn't achieve much in terms of story and needs the rest to build itself to what appears to be quite the adventure! While I rate 4-stars, it's a strong and powerful 4-star!
Thank you BookSirens and Dartanyan for the opportunity to read and review this book!
This e-book was freely given to me through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review!
October 20, 2022
Escaping Altetza is everything I need from a prequel/novella AND MORE! I came across this book while looking around BookSirens for a new ARC (advance review copy) and loved the synopsis and cover. From the very beginning my interest was piqued.
The story follows a young woman named Lendelam, a mixed-blood (denoted by the Queen as a mongrel race of the Beztiqi due to the fact that they carry on the Yoqnish bloodline), and her crew of trusted pure-blood Beztiqi’s as they embark on the dangerous task that will mark the start of their journey through many light years and universes to change the world they live in.
Dartanyan Johnson created characters that are relatable and the world building was fantastic. This prequel, book 0 in his series The Crystal of Life, was a very quck read that kept me wanting to know what would happen next. Escaping Altetza is a Sci-Fi Technology, Dark Space Fantasy that is sure to capture (and keep) your attention. I cannot wait to read Book 1 and find out what happens to Lendelam and her friends.
Thank you to BookSirens and Dartanyan Johnson for the ARC copy of this book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
The story follows a young woman named Lendelam, a mixed-blood (denoted by the Queen as a mongrel race of the Beztiqi due to the fact that they carry on the Yoqnish bloodline), and her crew of trusted pure-blood Beztiqi’s as they embark on the dangerous task that will mark the start of their journey through many light years and universes to change the world they live in.
Dartanyan Johnson created characters that are relatable and the world building was fantastic. This prequel, book 0 in his series The Crystal of Life, was a very quck read that kept me wanting to know what would happen next. Escaping Altetza is a Sci-Fi Technology, Dark Space Fantasy that is sure to capture (and keep) your attention. I cannot wait to read Book 1 and find out what happens to Lendelam and her friends.
Thank you to BookSirens and Dartanyan Johnson for the ARC copy of this book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
August 23, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was so good that I felt like I was reading through the script of a movie. I'd actually love if it became a series or movie.
It was full of diverse, creative characters, with strong personalities that drove the plot and emotion of the story in a direction that kept me wanting more.
Dartanyan Johnson does a great job of crafting a puzzling environment that leave the readers trying to figure out what's going on, as the characters do the same. What's different from this book than some other fantasy books that I've tried to get into, previously, is that it is a logical building and unfolding of the story, because it's done with character building and development. I was thankful for the various political, romantic, personal development, and family dynamic elements that were placed in the story.
While I am new to this author, after reading this prequel, I am definitely moving into book 1 of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was full of diverse, creative characters, with strong personalities that drove the plot and emotion of the story in a direction that kept me wanting more.
Dartanyan Johnson does a great job of crafting a puzzling environment that leave the readers trying to figure out what's going on, as the characters do the same. What's different from this book than some other fantasy books that I've tried to get into, previously, is that it is a logical building and unfolding of the story, because it's done with character building and development. I was thankful for the various political, romantic, personal development, and family dynamic elements that were placed in the story.
While I am new to this author, after reading this prequel, I am definitely moving into book 1 of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 23, 2022
Oh! was my reaction when the story suddenly stopped. I need to know what happens next. I can't wait to read the rest of it. I read this prequel in one go.
It was well written. My heart racing when they went stealing and trying to escape.
I hope to find out what happened to Markel. Did he make it somehow, or not?
This is a great start for a great story.
Job well done!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was well written. My heart racing when they went stealing and trying to escape.
I hope to find out what happened to Markel. Did he make it somehow, or not?
This is a great start for a great story.
Job well done!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 17, 2022
Escaping Altetza is the Prequel of The Crystal of Life Series by Dartanyan Johnson. I found this prequel lays a strong foundation for the series. I felt that the author helped me understand the Beztiqi and Tenma. The story might be short, but, Dartanyan Johnson packed tons into the prequel. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
August 13, 2022
This is a truly interesting project. I say " project " since the story is clearly not finished. It reads more like a chapter than a full story but it is advertised as first in a series.
A little more background would probably be helpful but I am guessing that will be filled in the following books. The characters are being developed and I look forward to reading more in those stories.
I received an advanced copy for this review and am voluntarily leaving this review.
A little more background would probably be helpful but I am guessing that will be filled in the following books. The characters are being developed and I look forward to reading more in those stories.
I received an advanced copy for this review and am voluntarily leaving this review.
November 17, 2022
I wish this was longer and I didn't have to wait so long for it. It was a good intro to a book series, quite solid, thus I give it five stars based on what I read and not how impatient I am. Full of action, a solid dilemma, with the haphazard impulsiveness that comes from young adult characters believe they can change the world.
November 11, 2022
Escaping Altetza is the prequel novella to The Crystal of Life series. It is the perfect taste of what the series has to offer. Escaping Altetza really sets the stage to understand the politics and power struggles, the pureblooded Beztiqi vs. the non-purebloods, as well as the history that led up to the moment in which the story begins.
The characters are diverse and unique, coming from each side of the Beztiqi divide, yet have come together to achieve a common goal. Lendelam is fierce and strong, and she’s fed up with the treatment of her people. I’m excited to find where her grit and tenacity take her in the series!
Special thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. All thoughts in this review are honest and my own.
The characters are diverse and unique, coming from each side of the Beztiqi divide, yet have come together to achieve a common goal. Lendelam is fierce and strong, and she’s fed up with the treatment of her people. I’m excited to find where her grit and tenacity take her in the series!
Special thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. All thoughts in this review are honest and my own.
December 24, 2023
Categories rated on a 10 point scale. Averaged and then translated into Star Rating. See CAWPILE by Book Roast.
I read this book as an ebook via Kindle Unlimited.
Lendy is one of my favorite heroines of the year. Young and determined, she forms a plan and gathers compatriots that will help her achieve her goal.
This world is intriguing, with racial politics at its center and injustices recognized, this series is going on my TBR for next year!
When it comes to science fiction, most think it will be all science and little fiction. Indie and self-published authors are changing that erroneous though process. Johnson is among that tribe changing the narrative.
The plot is pretty straight forward but how we get there is not. Lendy & Co. show us the definition of "Pivot!" Which of course kept bringing me back to the story. 63 pages in Kindle, which is eyeball reading; I have a hard time with that as I get older, so that should tell you something.
Lendy & Co. have their own logic data set, their own reasons for going on this journey, and every one of them is sound and personal.
I really enjoyed this far more than I expected to. I want more of the Tree and the Crystals!
Character: 7.4
Atmosphere: 7.4
Writing: 9.2
Plot: 9.6
Intrigue: 9.4
Logic: 9.9
Enjoyment: 9.3
Points: 62.2/70
Cat. Avg.: 8.89/10
Stars: High 4.5 Rounded Up
I read this book as an ebook via Kindle Unlimited.
Lendy is one of my favorite heroines of the year. Young and determined, she forms a plan and gathers compatriots that will help her achieve her goal.
This world is intriguing, with racial politics at its center and injustices recognized, this series is going on my TBR for next year!
When it comes to science fiction, most think it will be all science and little fiction. Indie and self-published authors are changing that erroneous though process. Johnson is among that tribe changing the narrative.
The plot is pretty straight forward but how we get there is not. Lendy & Co. show us the definition of "Pivot!" Which of course kept bringing me back to the story. 63 pages in Kindle, which is eyeball reading; I have a hard time with that as I get older, so that should tell you something.
Lendy & Co. have their own logic data set, their own reasons for going on this journey, and every one of them is sound and personal.
I really enjoyed this far more than I expected to. I want more of the Tree and the Crystals!
Character: 7.4
Atmosphere: 7.4
Writing: 9.2
Plot: 9.6
Intrigue: 9.4
Logic: 9.9
Enjoyment: 9.3
Points: 62.2/70
Cat. Avg.: 8.89/10
Stars: High 4.5 Rounded Up
December 27, 2023
Finished 12/26/23 - My first peek into the world of The Crystal of Life by Dartanyan Johnson. This was a very short novella that I feel barely scraped the surface of his space opera trilogy, and I had debated with myself whether to start here or read the first book before jumping to the prequel. Because this is so short I feel like it didn't have enough time to break down the world building enough for me to grasp what is going on, but it gave me an idea of the basics. I know without a doubt my perspective and feelings towards this novella will change once I've read the first book, but for now a solid 3 stars for concept and the cool abilities the main character in this one had. I am very curious to continue.
February 7, 2024
I bought this book because of how stunning the new cover is. Please look it up!! Now that I’ve finished the book, I’m so glad I did! I love when a book leaves me wanting to know more. I’m invested in these characters and their pursuits. I want them to win knowing that they may be way off in their direction. I still want that for them. Escaping Altetza is the prequel of the series, and now I can’t wait to start Book 1.
January 9, 2023
Amazing
The world building is phenomenal. The stakes are so high. I love the way the world's magic accents the science fiction in a believable way.
The world building is phenomenal. The stakes are so high. I love the way the world's magic accents the science fiction in a believable way.
February 28, 2024
This was such a great book and an easy read. I loved the quick world-building that sucks you in from the beginning. Not to mention the cover is stunning!
Cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
Cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews