“******WOW****I want to travel on the rays of the sun!********
This book is one of the best books I have read. I love the way this book transports you to another world. The descriptions the author uses to describe the landscapes and the feelings of the characters are vivid and lively. The story line is brilliant and teaches a moral truth! The ending is sooo heartfelt that I was almost in tears. I absolutely loved this story. Some of the other reviewers complained that the African names were an issue for them but I thought that the names of the characters added dimension to them. After all, they were in Africa and giving the characters African names seemed fitting to the storyline. This book is a brilliant masterpiece and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to have read it. Anyone that is into historical fiction would love this book, it also has a touch of spirit that brings it to life. This story starts out in the 1400's when a tribe is running from slave captors. The tribe goes up the mountain and is transported to another dimension. This world is similar to ours but very peaceful and untouched by pollution and greed. The newcomer tribe makes friends with the King and when the King is faced with a hardship the newcomers help. They are asked to stay and make this new place their home. Mbtani eventually becomes King and his descendants carry on their peaceful ways of life.
The book fast forwards to 1999 when a team of archaeologist are looking for new discoveries of ancient civilizations. They stumble into this cave and are transported to this other dimension. They are welcomed by the King and are given everything they need until they can go home. Some of the team are untrustworthy and are only interested in their resources. The kings daughter falls in love with one of the archaeologists. The King is faced with a hardship of allowing this member to stay and become one of them or send him home. The ending is better than you would expect but I don't want to give anything away.
This is a MUST READ book. This book is a treasure, it is a true Gem. A book you want everyone to read but don't want to lend them your copy because it is to precious.”

“I enjoyed reading this book. The transitions between historical and modern day were well done. The utopian society imagined by the author was at times both terrifying and inspiring. It was an interesting story and a testament to courage.”

“The strength of this book is the author's imagination. I won this through goodreads first reads, and the reason I applied for it was the plot, which is so different to anything I've read before. I wasn't disappointed. The storyline was captivating and I especially liked the first few chapters of the book, where it is still unclear what's going to happen but there's a lot of action and suspense. I did feel that the middle dragged a little, with some aspects of the 'other place' being explained many times, as if we wouldn't understand what was going on the first time we read it. I'll definitely remember the imaginative storyline for a long time, so if you're looking for something a bit different I would recommend it for you.”

“…This book is a real page turner with unique, complex story about ordinary people finding different, wonderful world with ancient culture and lifestyles. Also it's a very unique love story facing cultural differences and bringing two people together even when everything else is against them. It was really good to enter world of Ashais described so well with all the history, people and ancient creatures living with them in peace and beautiful landscapes. This book really made me live in this world for a few days. I am really looking forward to read a sequel to this book.”

“There was a bit of James Hilton's Lost Horizon to The Crystal Bird. The author has created a world ripe for further exploration, so it will be interesting to see if further books about the Ashais' is forthcoming. The shifting from one time period to another was not distracting, but the similarity of some of the names required some backtracking. A good story with compelling characters, and a setting that is idyllic.”

“I loved the mythos and real history that were intermixed in the beginning of this book. It made for a very different read. What's central is that the myth and real history comes together in what could be best described as a lost world. Yes, I did find it rather fascinating. Being someone who's into archaeology I kept looking for more of the tidbits of where the Ashais came from which were numerous places in ancient times. On top of it there was a good story line. I'm not sure I'd want to come back from that place either.”

“Anew twist on utopia. Very well thought out with interesting and memorable characters. I would recommend this book for you to read. This Utopia is in Africa which is a great place to place it. The characters revolve wonderfully during the book with several intriguing twist and turns. Anymore and I would spoil the story for you. Oh just to spark your interest there are caves and mists and lions involved.”