Hello everyone,
Greetings from Finland. I have been a DT fan since 2002 after listening The Glass Prison. After that I've devoured everything they put out, including all albums, live DVDs, Ytsejam releases and books (including 3 different versions of the Lifting Shadows book). I'm a long time stalker on this forum, but finally reached out to become a member and post few things regarding the Astonishing novel. I actually ordered 2 by accident. One of them is 15/750 of the signed copies of the book. The other one I don't know, because I haven't opened it.
I find many people have been worried if the story of the Astonishing is good enough to produce a great novel. Don't worry, it is. Peter Orullian has fleshed out both the setting, the characters and the story itself to a point it's a very interesting read. I don't want to spoil anyone who wants to wait for e-book or paperback version of the novel so I put my five cents in the spoiler tag
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Firstly, Orullian takes his time to flesh out and characterize the G.N.E.A continent and the most important cities and places and also a little bit outside of it. There is collaboration between several great Empires on different sides of earth, including Europe. But there are also many resistance movements Ravenskill Militia being only one of them.
The story begins with a scene where Xander is born in very uneasy circumstances. A fracture is generated in the bond between two brothers, Arhys and Gabriel, when the older tries to persuade the younger to resuscitate his dying wife with his song but the attempt fails. After the incident Arhys becomes this cold, calculating resistance leader who is constantly pushing Gabriel to develop his magical song to be used as a weapon in a fight against the Empire.
Also the royal family of the Great North Empire is fleshed out nicely. The funny names they have are so called ”second names” which speak to the value or attribute or capabiity of a person. Nafaruys was a way of warning a population that they'd best be cautious under the new emperor. Arabelle is capable of seeing all sides of the argument without bias and Faythe is a royal diplomat who is settling arguments between nations. Daryus is the only one without a second name and is therefore eager to show his quality with different demonstrations of power the main one being the ”Strength Program” which can make NOMACS killing machines that demolish a human being from the inside with their music.
The novel pictures nicely how the Empire and Ravenskill Militia both have good intentions for the future, but the methods are different. Nafaruys tries to have a control over scarce resources and settle the arguments through Faythe's trancendent diplomat abilities while Arhys and the resistances try to overthrow the dictatorship.
The story unwinds like in the album to the point where two sides are supposed to have a meeting in the Heavens Cove. At this point all hell breaks loose because of Daruys' schemes and misunderstandings between factions. There begins an all out war on the Endless Isleland, the place where Ravenskill is located. This chapter is particularly nice read because you see or hear none of it in the album.
All in all the story is very well written, entertaining, moving and very nicely done considering the source material. The new and fleshed out chapters are the ones that stand out the most. My favourite one may be the scene where Arhys is hunting down the two snipers that have been threatening him during the conversation between Daruys about the fate of Xander.
If I have to nitpic, in my opinion the story may come to an end a bit too abruptly. While there are 32 chapters only the last three of them happen in the Heaven's Cove while in the album there were 10 songs dedicated to that climax moment. After reading long quiet chapters which took their time to paint scenery and characters, it feels almost rushed. And while the magical abilities of Gabriel's songs are underlined the whole story the healing of his own voice in the end is not very well explained.
Despite these little nitpics I'm glad I bought the book. It compliments the album and it's story beautifully adding to the lore and characters. There is also a bonus chapter which tells the story how Nafaruys abandoned his music player and became this cold hearted tyrant.
There are also an interview with all DT members. While JP and JR are these humble masters that are very involved in the story and structure of the album, JLB seems to mostly talk about his difficulties in singing and his forthcoming solo material.
It makes me uneasy to read JMX's and MM's interviews 'cause I got the feeling they were not very pleased not to be a part of the writing process. For example when asked JMX which was the most challenging part in The Astonishing he answered that it was a challenge interpreting what John and Jordan wanted to do with the album and what was going on musically. MM was most proud of being able to improvise the recording of the drums as he had no idea what the intended result of the songs was. Also when asked about advice for aspiring songwriters he said ”It depends on the job one has to do for sure. If you're hired, do what you're asked. If it is for joy and personal fun, then write music that you like to listen to and play.” It's not hard to see which one it is for him with the Astonishing O_o
Even if I love the Astonishing as an album and accomplishment I'm glad they will be back writing the next album together because I sense the frustration in those interviews.
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Bottom line, the novel of the Astonishing is very good read, for me worth the money and effort. It's a shame so few are going to read it. I'm gonna treasure it, (them) like all my DT stuff, forever