JPHoppe 09/06/2021
Hyrule "quasi" Historia
My younger days were marked by a bunch of things, but Link's journeys constitutes an integral part of my memories. You could imagine how I longed to read this book, the definite history of Link, Ganon, Zelda, the Goddesses, and their utmost creation, Hyrule.
Well, the book is divided in four sections. Surely, the core of the book is the chronology. Lacking an official statement of the creators, the fandom debated for years about the series chronology. The Hyrule Historia brought the (at least for now) definite answer. And it is beautiful. Later installments have already messed up things a bit, but the reader will find comfort in see that almost everything falls into place.
Two sections are about concept art and development of installments. First about Skyward Sword, at the time the latest release, and then about the series in general. A very interesting reading as well.
The later section lacks a punch, in my opinion. Since A Link to the Past, most installments had a manga companion as well. They are worth a read, but I didn't mind if they were missing from this book. As they aren't canon, I don't really care about them. However, if someone appreciates this type of content, they will surely be delighted.
My only possible complain is that they only grazed the surface. There is so much more to be known about the series. Origins of names, designs, dungeons, itens, and so much more. Almost everything is known through the games. It's better to clarify that this desire of mine is no demerit at all.
This is a beautiful book, a must in the shelves of Zelda's die hard fans.
Now, onward to the next books!