Mata Nui, this is fantastic.

It has a sort of magical tone that hasn't been seen since the early years, but it creates a new feel quite unique from those. It brings something entirely new and I love it, even if it is just a little kids-book. If I had to describe it, I'd say that it's not altogether mythical, but more dreamlike. It reminds me of something I've seen in BIONICLE, but I can't quite put my finger on it... Maybe a bit like Toa of Art's stuff, actually.

Speaking of art, Jerbraz's work here is amazing. The book uses a lot of cool colors like deep blues and purples, along with occasional eye-pleasing shades of green. The characters look amazing here and the location, with its bizarre trees and gleaming city, lends a very surreal tone to everything. Everything, from the weird colors to the visual style, looks like it came straight out of one of my dreams. This book is practically tailor-made for me.

Now, while I unfortunately am not allowed to scan in images or give story details, I'll give my thoughts here on the plot as best I can.

It's quite simple, being a children's story, but like Greg has stated, it works more along the lines of a fable than an action-adventure like the main storyline. In the end there's a little moral and such, as can be expected from a kid's book, but it doesn't come across as preachy or condescending. Nothing's too heavy-handed.

Also, yes, it does bring in a new sapient species, which we're all happy about, I'm sure. (Actually it brings in two, I believe, but I'm not sure which Greg was referring to- One was kind of lazy and soulless, but resembled a Matoran, and another was industrious and benevolent, but seems to be a Rahi. You choose which is sapient, I guess.)

Now, my favorite new being brought in is rather strange. I don't want to spoil what he (it?) is, but I'll just say he's awesome and a bit ghostly. It leaves his actual identity out and really everything about him is rather ambiguous, but I'll tell you he's quite a bit wiser than Takanuva. He's very mysterious and as such reminds me of the 2001-style approach to characters. We never learn quite what he is, but we're given the space to fill him in with our imagination. I tend to think he's supernatural.

Also, while there's a brief little fight in the middle, in the end the conflict is resolved through a cunning trick Takanuva plays on the bad guys using his powers. Quite refreshing, I must say. This book really has a lot of what I've been looking for in BIONICLE lately.

Anyways, I can honestly say this is one of my favorite things in recent years. I adore this book already. (So yes, Bunda, I do recommend it to you. For more than just the pictures, as I initially expected.)

Only one thing I disliked: The cover is very bland. I wish they had Jerbraz illustrate a beautiful cover for it instead of reusing the old Takanuva & Ussanui box-cover. I hope it still sells well...

So I'm looking forward to more picture books in the coming years.