What do you think?
Rate this book
Songs of the Seven Gelfling Clans
Uncover the secrets of the seven Gelfling clans with an inside look into the world of Thra from Jim Henson's The Dark Age of Resistance, streaming on Netflix.Many trine ago, a song teller sought to explore the world of Thra and uncover the secrets of the Gelfling throughout the seven clans. Venture back in time with photos, sketches, and art from Jim Henson's The Dark Age of Resistance in this exclusive, collectible book for Dark Crystal fans everywhere.
Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2020
7 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Lee
10 books210 followersJ.M. spent his formative years searching for talking animals and believing he could control the weather. After pursuing nerdy interests in comparative film studies, screenwriting, and Shakespeare, he graduated with a much nerdier degree in linguistics.
In addition to writing novels, he enjoys teaching his dog new vocabulary words and updating his snooty coffee blog.
The Dark Crystal Author Quest
In 2013, the Jim Henson Company and Grosset & Dunlap launched the Dark Crystal Author Quest. The winner would be awarded a publishing contract to write the first official prequel novel to Jim Henson’s beloved fantasy classic The Dark Crystal (1982). After winning the contest and completing the first novel, Shadows of the Dark Crystal, Joe signed on for three more. The third installment in the quadrilogy, Tides of the Dark Crystal, out now. The finale of the series, Flames of the Dark Crystal, is scheduled for summer 2019.
Joe is also a staff writer and creative consultant on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a 10-episode Netflix prequel series released in August of 2019.
In addition to writing novels, he enjoys teaching his dog new vocabulary words and updating his snooty coffee blog.
The Dark Crystal Author Quest
In 2013, the Jim Henson Company and Grosset & Dunlap launched the Dark Crystal Author Quest. The winner would be awarded a publishing contract to write the first official prequel novel to Jim Henson’s beloved fantasy classic The Dark Crystal (1982). After winning the contest and completing the first novel, Shadows of the Dark Crystal, Joe signed on for three more. The third installment in the quadrilogy, Tides of the Dark Crystal, out now. The finale of the series, Flames of the Dark Crystal, is scheduled for summer 2019.
Joe is also a staff writer and creative consultant on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, a 10-episode Netflix prequel series released in August of 2019.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2020
When Jim Henson first introduced us to the world of Thra in his groundbreaking film The Dark Crystal, it was obvious that this was a world alive with flora and fauna beyond what was just seen in the story being told onscreen. The world of Thra was then explored and expanded in the young adult novels by J.M. Lee and in the Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. We were introduced to the Seven Clans of the Gelfing and saw more of the varied lands of Thra. New creatures were encountered, new cultures experienced, new corners explored. And all hinted at even more to be discovered in this world.
The Songs of the Seven Gelfling Clans dives deeper into this magnificent world, sharing the songs and stories of their cultures, traditions, and history. The world of Thra is so richly imagined, so deeply populated, so thoroughly created, that every new insight seems to suggest even more stories to be told.
This book is an engaging read and a satisfying return to the World of The Dark Crystal.
The Songs of the Seven Gelfling Clans dives deeper into this magnificent world, sharing the songs and stories of their cultures, traditions, and history. The world of Thra is so richly imagined, so deeply populated, so thoroughly created, that every new insight seems to suggest even more stories to be told.
This book is an engaging read and a satisfying return to the World of The Dark Crystal.
March 4, 2025
This is an excellent companion to the Age of Resistance television series, and it's great to get to know more about the clans, especially as they won't be further explored in a second season. Having the book be told by an unknown character adds a lot of depth to the exploration of foreign cultures while also keeping the subject matter from coming across as clinical.
However, I had some issues with the illustrations and their lack of synchronicity with the writing. Sometimes the images outright contradict the text -- a fruit is described as one color but painted in another -- while other times a picture has no explanation at all, or a location or creature that could have benefitted from an explanatory image has none provided.
However, I had some issues with the illustrations and their lack of synchronicity with the writing. Sometimes the images outright contradict the text -- a fruit is described as one color but painted in another -- while other times a picture has no explanation at all, or a location or creature that could have benefitted from an explanatory image has none provided.
November 3, 2020
This was such a wonderful book, it expanded the lore and history of Thra, the world of the dark crystal. I am so happy that there is now so much new lore about this world and it’s people, their history and their culture.
A must read for dark crystal fans.
4.5/5
A must read for dark crystal fans.
4.5/5
January 30, 2021
If you like the Dark Crystal and the world of Thra, this is a delightful look at each of the seven Gelfling clans.
May 24, 2021
Written by J.M. Lee, who is actually a well-known name to those familiar with the Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. He has written novels (he won the award for the best novel on the Darkcrystal.com site) and he is even responsible for creating the actual language of the Podlings used throughout the Age of Resistance saga.
This book follows an un-named Gelfling as they travel throughout Thra and spend time learning the ways of each of the seven Gelfling clans. Complete with interesting sketches, and oodles of interesting information, as well as the "clan song" of each clan.
It is done very well to introduce you to Thra and the clans, but J.M. Lee also does a good job so that children can read it--or it can be read to children--who might be interested in the Age of Resistance saga.
This book follows an un-named Gelfling as they travel throughout Thra and spend time learning the ways of each of the seven Gelfling clans. Complete with interesting sketches, and oodles of interesting information, as well as the "clan song" of each clan.
It is done very well to introduce you to Thra and the clans, but J.M. Lee also does a good job so that children can read it--or it can be read to children--who might be interested in the Age of Resistance saga.
July 10, 2021
A perfect lore book. I ate this up in one sitting! You would think that J.M. Lee really did live in Thra at some point.
March 13, 2024
A good exploration of Thra
I really enjoyed following along as the song teller learned out the other clans. I also appreciated the way the sections were set up.
I really enjoyed following along as the song teller learned out the other clans. I also appreciated the way the sections were set up.
September 8, 2025
Great companion to The Dark Crystal
February 11, 2021
I’m reading this book because I had watched “The Dark Crystal” movie from the 80s and the “The Dark Crystal” Netflix series. This book is for fans, whether you’re a die hard or casual one. I never thought of the Gelfling clans as being this diverse and complex; I hope if Netflex continues the series that we will be seeing more of the concepts presented in the book.
August 9, 2020
I have really been into Thra lore ever since watching the Netflix series and this is a great companion book to Age of Resistance. This gives the various Gelfling clans so much more distinction: the proud Stonewood, the fierce Spriton, the knowledgeable Vapra, the cave-inhabiting Grottan, the seafaring Sifa, the desert-dwelling Dousa, and the swampish Drenchen.
I’m not a big poetry fan, so the songs themselves weren’t a draw for me, but I like the historian narrator’s voice. As she travelled between clans and learns the nuances of each Gelfling culture, she immerses the reader in the ethos that makes the clans so different from one another. The illustrations and vivid colors are another reason this book is delightful. It’s a must-have for any Dark Crystal fan.
I’m not a big poetry fan, so the songs themselves weren’t a draw for me, but I like the historian narrator’s voice. As she travelled between clans and learns the nuances of each Gelfling culture, she immerses the reader in the ethos that makes the clans so different from one another. The illustrations and vivid colors are another reason this book is delightful. It’s a must-have for any Dark Crystal fan.
November 1, 2025
One of the most funnest books I’ve ever read. I read it while I was first going to the Hatlen center for the blind and it was definitely one of the many things that helped me adjust.
Like our protagonist I knew how it felt being so far away from home and learning how to adjust to the new.
Also the dark crystal is one of my favorite movies and shows. I felt like I was actually in Thra and learning about all the seven clans.
Definitely a must read.
Like our protagonist I knew how it felt being so far away from home and learning how to adjust to the new.
Also the dark crystal is one of my favorite movies and shows. I felt like I was actually in Thra and learning about all the seven clans.
Definitely a must read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews