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The Crystal of Life #1
Crestahn Kingdom
A crystal shard of almost insurmountable power. An ancient being trapped in a black mask. And an intergalactic war that unveils a family’s dark secret.
When she was young, Lendelam believed she’d be the heroine who would end the tyranny against those who shared her interspecific bloodline. To accomplish that, she had to drain her ancestor’s essence from six crystal shards that were spread throughout the galaxy. However, after a botched mission led to the deaths of her friends, her pipe dream was soon forgotten.
Years later, Lendelam is a successful freelance portal maker, and a happy wife and mother. But when she is contacted by the king of Crestahn to conjure a portal near one of the crystal shards she had neglected to deplete, her past comes barreling back to haunt her. The king wants to use the essence as a weapon that could potentially end the war, but she refuses to help him kill billions in a battle she wants no part of. Accustomed to getting his way, the king forces her hand, and heartbroken, Lendelam makes the hardest decision of her life.
When she was young, Lendelam believed she’d be the heroine who would end the tyranny against those who shared her interspecific bloodline. To accomplish that, she had to drain her ancestor’s essence from six crystal shards that were spread throughout the galaxy. However, after a botched mission led to the deaths of her friends, her pipe dream was soon forgotten.
Years later, Lendelam is a successful freelance portal maker, and a happy wife and mother. But when she is contacted by the king of Crestahn to conjure a portal near one of the crystal shards she had neglected to deplete, her past comes barreling back to haunt her. The king wants to use the essence as a weapon that could potentially end the war, but she refuses to help him kill billions in a battle she wants no part of. Accustomed to getting his way, the king forces her hand, and heartbroken, Lendelam makes the hardest decision of her life.
- GenresFantasy
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2020
29 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 31, 2022
First and foremost I'd like to thank everyone who gave this book a chance! Everytime I see a sale, I get both excited and nervous...😬
Anyway, my journey into this series has been interesting. When I started my writing career in 2020, at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, rather than go with the flow in a high-selling genre, I decided to write something different—something personal—something from the heart. I took elves and science fiction, mashed them together, sprinkled a touch of magic, and poured in my real-life concerns. The Crystal of Life Series is about overcoming adversity, and that in the pursuit of self-discovery, sometimes you must lose yourself first.
As an African American, with the understanding that my people's culture, religion, and self-worth had been stripped away and replaced with something foreign—a poisoned chalice—I often feel like I don't belong anywhere...like I'm constantly reaching for something unobtainable. Perhaps it's the sense of unity within a tribe I've been longing for—a longing for what was lost? I built my fantasy world to compensate for that uncertainty. I can't rewrite our past, but maybe I can imagine us rediscovering ourselves in the future.
I hope you all enjoy this series, and I apologize for all the detailed fighting. I'll try to calm it down as the series progresses. I won't apologize for all the tears you'll shed throughout this journey, though, both happy and sad. If I have to experience it, it's only right that you do too.
Anyway, my journey into this series has been interesting. When I started my writing career in 2020, at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, rather than go with the flow in a high-selling genre, I decided to write something different—something personal—something from the heart. I took elves and science fiction, mashed them together, sprinkled a touch of magic, and poured in my real-life concerns. The Crystal of Life Series is about overcoming adversity, and that in the pursuit of self-discovery, sometimes you must lose yourself first.
As an African American, with the understanding that my people's culture, religion, and self-worth had been stripped away and replaced with something foreign—a poisoned chalice—I often feel like I don't belong anywhere...like I'm constantly reaching for something unobtainable. Perhaps it's the sense of unity within a tribe I've been longing for—a longing for what was lost? I built my fantasy world to compensate for that uncertainty. I can't rewrite our past, but maybe I can imagine us rediscovering ourselves in the future.
I hope you all enjoy this series, and I apologize for all the detailed fighting. I'll try to calm it down as the series progresses. I won't apologize for all the tears you'll shed throughout this journey, though, both happy and sad. If I have to experience it, it's only right that you do too.
July 14, 2022
I recently found Dartanyan on TikTok describing this series. As a fan of anime and star wars I felt it would be right up my alley.
There are many solid scenes in this book. I really loved the beginning of the novel setting up Sha’ellas character. She is a total badass. I also found Gretig charming.
The battle scenes were well executed. I also found many of the mask metaphors really compelling and well written.
My biggest issue with the novel was the pacing and the characters’ choices. Certain scenes in the beginning of the novel could have been condensed to give Gratig more room to be the true protagonist of the story. I think his parents story would have made an excellent prequel novella.
This novel had the enemies to lovers trope caused by forced proximity. The forced proximity didn’t make sense to me because as a trained assassin I had a difficult time understanding Sha’ella’s choices which lead to the forced proximity. Also the relationship felt very rushed from enemies to lovers. And a lot seemed to occur in a very short amount of chapters. I am still uncertain how long they were together before the final battle scene. It seems that they may have been together for at least a year maybe more. If that was the case, it felt like the other half of the story hung in stasis just waiting for them to return.
I did feel like the pace picked up on their return but there were little consequences in regards to the enemies to lovers trope (at least in this book, I know there is a second). I did really like the plot twist in the epilogue. Which is intriguing and make me curious to see what would happen next.
I am giving the book 3.5 stars a solid read if you like anime, Star Wars and battle scenes.
There are many solid scenes in this book. I really loved the beginning of the novel setting up Sha’ellas character. She is a total badass. I also found Gretig charming.
The battle scenes were well executed. I also found many of the mask metaphors really compelling and well written.
My biggest issue with the novel was the pacing and the characters’ choices. Certain scenes in the beginning of the novel could have been condensed to give Gratig more room to be the true protagonist of the story. I think his parents story would have made an excellent prequel novella.
This novel had the enemies to lovers trope caused by forced proximity. The forced proximity didn’t make sense to me because as a trained assassin I had a difficult time understanding Sha’ella’s choices which lead to the forced proximity. Also the relationship felt very rushed from enemies to lovers. And a lot seemed to occur in a very short amount of chapters. I am still uncertain how long they were together before the final battle scene. It seems that they may have been together for at least a year maybe more. If that was the case, it felt like the other half of the story hung in stasis just waiting for them to return.
I did feel like the pace picked up on their return but there were little consequences in regards to the enemies to lovers trope (at least in this book, I know there is a second). I did really like the plot twist in the epilogue. Which is intriguing and make me curious to see what would happen next.
I am giving the book 3.5 stars a solid read if you like anime, Star Wars and battle scenes.
May 20, 2022
I found Dartanyan on tiktok and after seeing one of his videos I immediately went to search for this first instalment of the series! This is a good space opera, the concepts and characters are a great base to this world Dartanyan has generated.
There’s strong female leads who surpass their male counterparts. Although I would have preferred to have more character development, especially after a 5year space travel and a child; this would definitely cause a person to grow.
The best part was a quote that I will use from now on “a leader without followers is just a man going for a walk” *perfection*
However the romantic scenes were a bit cringeworthy - just the mention of a character using their toes to play with pubic hair made me want to skip the rest of that chapter.
There’s strong female leads who surpass their male counterparts. Although I would have preferred to have more character development, especially after a 5year space travel and a child; this would definitely cause a person to grow.
The best part was a quote that I will use from now on “a leader without followers is just a man going for a walk” *perfection*
However the romantic scenes were a bit cringeworthy - just the mention of a character using their toes to play with pubic hair made me want to skip the rest of that chapter.
January 11, 2024
First I need to say- I’m not a big “action” book girlie but the battle scenes here!!!! I’m a fan. This SciFi epic fantasy is just what I needed to start of my reading for the new year. Dartanyan Johnson delivers rich world building without info dumping, retelling of Yoruba lore, intriguing political situations, emotional romance, and heart pounding battles. Recommended for anyone who enjoys Star Wars, Dune, Black Panther and Star Trek- because it gives allll those vibes. I can’t wait to see where the journey goes next, because Johnson has someone made me both root for and against the FMC! I need Sha’Ella to rip off those blinders and become the ruler I know she can be!
September 18, 2022
Descriptive world-building, detailed fight scenes, and the main characters, Gretig and Sha’ella, are both strong.
I enjoyed the book overall and believe it to be a solid start for the next books in the series. The section on Gretig’s parents was compelling, and I would like to see more of their origin as it pertains to the shards and masks. I hope to find some of this backstory in Escaping Altetza.
Keep doing what you’re doing. This is an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed the book overall and believe it to be a solid start for the next books in the series. The section on Gretig’s parents was compelling, and I would like to see more of their origin as it pertains to the shards and masks. I hope to find some of this backstory in Escaping Altetza.
Keep doing what you’re doing. This is an enjoyable read.
May 6, 2023
As a writer, I haven't been reading for enjoyment as much as I would like lately, and I'm glad I picked this one up. The sci-fi and fantasy blend took me out of my headspace, and let me imagine a world outside of my own, which I needed. Great worldbuilding and characters makes that easy. It is a really good read, and I will read the rest of the series.
June 28, 2024
Crestahn Kingdom ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this Space Opera blind because it was my first. It did not disappoint and I very much look forward to future adventures I know the author will take me on with the rest of the series.
🔹 Bad-to-the-bone FMC
🔹 Forced Proximity
🔹 Intergalactic Politics & War
🔹 Fist Fighting Foreplay
🔹 Multi POV
🔹 12 Kingdoms
I went into this Space Opera blind because it was my first. It did not disappoint and I very much look forward to future adventures I know the author will take me on with the rest of the series.
🔹 Bad-to-the-bone FMC
🔹 Forced Proximity
🔹 Intergalactic Politics & War
🔹 Fist Fighting Foreplay
🔹 Multi POV
🔹 12 Kingdoms
July 17, 2024
Loved the world building and since reading the prequel it helped better understand the storyline. The characters are well developed. This is my first space opera and I thought I would find it hard to follow along but I was sooooo wrong. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and so looking forward to reading the next one!
March 14, 2023
Warrior Princess goes on a mission to defend her family's honor and accidentally falls in love. Great world full of tech, politics, and mysterious magic. The action is very fun. The characters feel real and relatable. First act in an epic series.
April 13, 2024
Immersive world-building and expertly crafted action sequences. The characters are memorable with heart-wrenching moments that leave the reader wanting to know what happens next. A fantastic start to "The Crystal of Life," series.
June 24, 2023
Royal elves in space during a war? Yes please!
August 9, 2023
Very good read
I enjoyed this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes space opera and fighting for glory and honor.
I enjoyed this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes space opera and fighting for glory and honor.
September 26, 2024
Not my go-to genre but I really enjoyed this read. It was a refreshing change of scenery from what I typically read
December 1, 2023
A sci fantasy epic not for the faint hearted
I could sum up this review in three words.
Nobody is safe.
Seriously though, even in moments where a main character's life is clearly in danger, there's no sense of security in their being a main character. You truly fear for their lives. And not just for Mr. Johnson's brilliant emotional framing. But because, well, not all of them survive.
I'm gonna stop before I spoil anything on that front.
The story spans both years and light-years, kingdoms and generations, culminating in a sympathetic -- but not too sympathetic -- villain and a brutal final battle. I'll for sure be continuing this series soon.
(There's also the occasional sex scene. Not much detail, but the textual nudity is there. I'm neither here nor there about it.)
I could sum up this review in three words.
Nobody is safe.
Seriously though, even in moments where a main character's life is clearly in danger, there's no sense of security in their being a main character. You truly fear for their lives. And not just for Mr. Johnson's brilliant emotional framing. But because, well, not all of them survive.
I'm gonna stop before I spoil anything on that front.
The story spans both years and light-years, kingdoms and generations, culminating in a sympathetic -- but not too sympathetic -- villain and a brutal final battle. I'll for sure be continuing this series soon.
(There's also the occasional sex scene. Not much detail, but the textual nudity is there. I'm neither here nor there about it.)
April 25, 2024
I’m way late on reading this series, so I was able to start with the prequel Escaping Altetza. Having that background made the earlier parts of this novel, especially when the story moved between time periods a bit easier to follow. This was a 4.5 star read for me. The pacing was hard to follow sometimes, and it was impossible tell how long they had spent on the unknown planet. I had so many questions coming out of that chunk of time, especially the transition to needing medical care (trying to keep from spoiling some important points). I’m excited to see where the story goes.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews