Review: An exciting and captivating addition to the series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 18, 2013
GLITTER & DOOM is a captivating short novella told in two parts - Glitter, from April's point of view and Doom, from Kent's. It offers readers a peek at the world from two characters who play an important role in the series' outcome and gives insight into events that take place outside of the main story but are integral to it.This story allows readers to get to know both characters a little bit more, to see how they first met and to see just what parts they played in the events leading up to the climactic conclusion at the end of the first book, MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH. And it gives them a few more reasons to detest both Prospero and Malcontent.Glitter let's readers see how April and Elliott became the people they were when they are first introduced in book one. It reveals a moment from their earlier lives that is both horrifying and heartbreaking. It shows a different side of April than the one most often seen through Araby's point of view. And it doing so, it makes her a much more relatable character.Doom gives readers Kent's backstory and let's them make a stronger connection to a character who only plays a supporting role in the novels. It let's readers see what his motivations are and why he feels the way he does. And by getting this short peek at his history and his early encounters with April, he becomes a much more three-dimensional character than he is in the novels.GLITTER & DOOM is a quick but riveting read that will offer up a different reading experience depending upon whether it is read prior to the final book in the series or after, though it can be read either before or after DANCE OF THE RED DEATH. It is both a heartwarming and bittersweet story that delivers danger, excitement, suspense and romance in each of its two parts.And while not essential to an overall enjoyment of the series, the stories and characters in GLITTER & DOOM add quite a bit to it, making it a must read for fans.This novella also includes a short excerpt of Chapter One from DANCE OF THE RED DEATH.