The protagonist of Brett Salter’s teen fantasy, The Search for Synergy, is 13-year-old Rome, who is struggling with the world and his place in it.  Then he meets Julian and discovers there’s a reason he feels he doesn’t belong – he’s more than just a boy, he’s actually a dragon living amongst humans, and Julian is secretly his knight. Julian introduces him to Mr. Jones who works with both boys to develop their powers.  Together they strive to achieve synergy in order to fight the dark forces that threaten the world.

The first part of the book is dedicated to developing Rome as a character and setting up the difference in upbringing between him and Julian’s rich family. The friendship between the boys feels authentic, and the pair are very likeable. By the time the action moves into the battles with the terrifying creatures from the Void, you are really rooting for them.

The story is like a cross between The Lord of the Rings and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The fantasy element is satisfyingly fantastical, and the action is nail-biting. But for me, the real star of the story is the friendship that develops between Rome and Julian. Individually they are just typical flawed boys, but – as with all great friendships – their talents compensate for each other’s weaknesses. Rome encourages Julian to be brave and test his limits, and Julian brings an honest, light-hearted joy. Together they are invincible.

The battles between good and evil are well-written and thrilling, and there is just enough secrecy and hiding from the adults to make it a great read for young teens. It also manages to be a little educational with the connections to Arthurian legend.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt that some of the language used between Julian and his father was a bit odd at times. It does show how Julian is a completely different person than his father thinks him to be, but I would have liked it to have been done in a more subtle way.

As the first book in the Talisman Series, The Search for Synergy should also work as a standalone book, but there are loose ends left hanging and questions left unanswered that really make you crave that follow up novel. The Search For Synergy is a fantastically imaginative and thrilling young adult coming-of-age novel.

Pages: 220 | ASIN: B071W9HZVC