An engaging plot that grabs you from the start.
If you were granted a single wish, what would it be? Fame? Money? Looks? For high school sophomore Bax Allen, a refresh from his mundane life, and possibly a date with kind-hearted Scarlet Lane, would top his wish list. A little extra cash to help his overworked single mom would be nice, not to mention the chance to find out more about his estranged dad. And maybe a break from his ongoing and embarrassing fainting spells. So when a creepy old man offers Bax a gaudy trinket with an implied worth and a direct connection to his absent father, Bax dubiously accepts the odd gift. He expects nothing, but hopes that this strange object might offer something good. A seemingly worthless piece of costume jewelry with no financial value, the ring proves to be an ancient artifact that can summon the services of a living, breathing genie! Unsure of what he’s seeing, Bax brings in a couple of friends to affirm that he’s not losing his mind each time he calls his genie from the ring. While this quirky genie doesn’t inhabit a shiny lamp or boast a repertoire of memorable broadway tunes, it does offer Bax an opportunity to change his life. The question is, how will he use this unbelievable gift? And more important, what’s the catch?
From Brick & Darkness is about as well-rounded as a novel can be. From the smooth integration of exciting magical elements to an engaging plot that grabs you from the start, this captivating novel will demand your complete attention until the final shocking pages. If J. L. Sullivan is going for a casual and relatable style in this young adult urban fantasy, the author hits the mark in a big way! Bax and his friends are three exceptionally well-conceived characters that feel like friends we’ve known forever, even though we’ve just met. Ashley’s big personality and quick wit really complement Bax’s calm nature. It made me laugh every time she would blurt out the word “freakin’” or begin spewing unwanted facts and statistics. There is tension, action, greed, fear, temptation, emotional growth, and disappointment, but mostly this book is a whole lot of fun. Effortlessly inclusive and massively entertaining, From Brick & Darkness wraps a childhood fairytale up in a slick modern package, offering readers of any age a most enjoyable escape.
