The Dam Keeper: World Without Darkness

I can't believe that I failed to write an actual blog review for the first entry in this series, because I fell for it hard. Kondo and Tsutsumi have created this beautiful world that is also filled with darkness. It's a world that pits cute, sometimes fuzzy, lovable characters against an entity that is so mysterious that it's terrifying. I never thought I could have as many feelings about a pig as a main character as I do now. It's absoutely wonderful.

Before anything else, I have to commend the illustrations in both these books. They are more of a watercolor style, so everything is gorgeously blended and has a mystical feeling. I fell in love with the art style before, and I fell in love with it all over again this time around. It sets show more the mood beautifully, especially as this particular volume is very much about the journey these characters are part of. Kondo and Tsutsumi have captured my heart fair and square. I'm all in.

As for the story of The Dam Keeper: World Without Darkness, Pig, Fox, and Hippo ended the last book lost and on a mission to get back home. The huge cliffhanger ending of the last book had me ravenous for more, and so I was more than eager to get started with this installment. Although I had an inkling at the back of my mind that this book would be a little slower than the first, it still set me back for a bit. As I said above, this book is very much about the journey. A lot of traveling, a lot of discovery, and only a little of the intrigue that I loved the first time around. This installment takes patience to get through, although the illustrations definitely help.

I warn you all, there is another massive cliffhanger ending. Be prepared now, and then settle in with me to wait for the next part of the story! Was this installment perfect? Perhaps not, but that doesn't negate the fact that I am utterly in love with this whole story. When Pig, Fox and Hippo are ready to move on to their next adventure, I'll be here waiting. show less

I can't believe that I failed to write an actual blog review for the first entry in this series, because I fell for it hard. Kondo and Tsutsumi have created this beautiful world that is also filled with darkness. It's a world that pits cute, sometimes fuzzy, lovable characters against an entity that is so mysterious that it's terrifying. I never thought I could have as many feelings about a pig as a main character as I do now. It's absoutely wonderful.

Before anything else, I have to commend the illustrations in both these books. They are more of a watercolor style, so everything is gorgeously blended and has a mystical feeling. I fell in love with the art style before, and I fell in love with it all over again this time around. It sets show more the mood beautifully, especially as this particular volume is very much about the journey these characters are part of. Kondo and Tsutsumi have captured my heart fair and square. I'm all in.

As for the story of The Dam Keeper: World Without Darkness, Pig, Fox, and Hippo ended the last book lost and on a mission to get back home. The huge cliffhanger ending of the last book had me ravenous for more, and so I was more than eager to get started with this installment. Although I had an inkling at the back of my mind that this book would be a little slower than the first, it still set me back for a bit. As I said above, this book is very much about the journey. A lot of traveling, a lot of discovery, and only a little of the intrigue that I loved the first time around. This installment takes patience to get through, although the illustrations definitely help.

I warn you all, there is another massive cliffhanger ending. Be prepared now, and then settle in with me to wait for the next part of the story! Was this installment perfect? Perhaps not, but that doesn't negate the fact that I am utterly in love with this whole story. When Pig, Fox and Hippo are ready to move on to their next adventure, I'll be here waiting. show less

This is the second book in The Dam Keeper series and was a very well done continuation of that series. I continue to really enjoy the illustration, the adventure, and the mystery behind the Dam Keepers.

Our characters have ventured outside of Sunrise Valley into the great unknown. As they follow around a deranged lizard they meet a plethora of intriguing characters and find out that there is a vast world outside the one they know. They also struggle to get home in time to warn Sunrise Valley of the impending attack.

It was fun to venture out to the world outside of Sunrise Valley. I continue to really enjoy the illustration style and the story. I love the adventure and am curious to see where all the “hints” Pig is finding lead to. My show more only complaint about this book is that it is a bit slow.

Overall this is a very well done continuation of the Dam Keeper series. I enjoyed it a lot and plan on continuing the series! show less

The first volume didn't do much for me, but it was a quick read, and I had this second volume on hand from the library, so I just went ahead and slammed through it on a walk during a break at work. It was just more of the same: generic young adventurers meet what are supposed to be colorful characters and hit several detours during a quest to return home. The murky coloring may set a tone for this series, but I still find it a hindrance to appreciating the art.

I could almost see checking out the third book if it is the conclusion, but if I never come across it I certainly won't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

Maybe it would help to watch the short film this is based on?