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Balance of Light
I found myself completely caught up in a story that’s both wildly imaginative and emotionally grounded. The book picks up right after the events of Jigsaw of Light, with teenage protagonist Zeb Ross now back in Cornwall but quickly swept into another quest involving ancient crystals, Atlantean tech, and global mystery. From remote islands in the Pacific to secret underwater civilizations, Zeb and his companions, Kaia and her father Professor Garcia, travel through wormholes using a mystical surfboard as they try to unlock the secrets of a long-lost civilization and prevent another catastrophic planetary reset.
I really enjoyed the way this book blended myth with modern storytelling. It’s like Atlantis met Indiana Jones, but with teenage leads and a strong environmental thread running through it. The author writes with cinematic flair. Scenes leap off the page with vivid imagery, especially underwater or during high-stakes encounters. And while the plot leans heavily into fantasy and sci-fi territory, there’s a core of emotional realism that grounds it all. Zeb’s inner conflict, his loss, his drive to find purpose, it all felt honest, even with glowing surfboards and time-twisting wormholes involved.
A few moments between Zeb and Kaia felt like they came from a YA romance checklist, and some of the villains had that over-the-top vibe that made them hard to take seriously. But I also kind of loved that. The book doesn’t shy away from big emotions, grand gestures, or high drama. It feels like the author just went for it, fully embracing the epic scope of the story. There’s a confidence to that I admire.
Balance of Light is a thrilling and heartfelt adventure that delves deep into myth, memory, and meaning. It’s for readers who like their fiction fast, vivid, and unafraid to ask big questions about humanity’s place on the planet. If you’ve got a love for the ocean, ancient mysteries, or stories where young people carry the fate of the world on their shoulders, then this book is worth the dive.
Pages: 332 | ASIN : B0DHV4CLCM
Never Believe a Lie Twice
Kathleen Troy’s Never Believe A Lie Twice follows the rough-and-tumble journey of Sage Christopher, a sharp-witted thirteen-year-old suddenly orphaned and thrust from a seedy life in Las Vegas into a sleepy Connecticut town with relatives he’s never met. Sage’s dad, Marty, a grifter with a knack for making terrible choices, dies in a drunk driving accident, leaving behind a duffel bag full of mysterious clues tied to a decades-old disappearance. As Sage tries to dodge the foster system, he gets shipped off to Evansville where he finds new family, old secrets, and the creeping sense that someone dangerous may still be watching. What unfolds is part mystery, part coming-of-age, all heart.
I went into this book expecting a fairly straightforward YA mystery, but Troy surprised me. Her writing is snappy and clean, with a rhythm that grabs you right from the first jail cell scene. Sage’s voice is pitch-perfect, equal parts street-smart and vulnerable. There’s a thread of dry humor running through the entire book that kept me chuckling even when things got dark. The pacing never lagged, and the scenes often flipped with just the right mix of tension and heart. Troy doesn’t dumb things down for young readers either; she lets Sage wrestle with real danger, real grief, and real moral dilemmas. That kind of honesty, especially from a young protagonist, was refreshing.
What I loved most, though, was the way Troy builds her characters. Sage isn’t just another scrappy orphan hero; he’s damaged, sometimes too clever for his own good, and constantly teetering between trust and survival. The supporting cast, especially Pops and Gram, are warm without being sappy. I found myself rooting for Sage to get his happy ending, but I also wanted him to stay a little rogue-ish. There were a few plot turns that felt slightly convenient, but I forgave them because the heart of the story was so strong.
Never Believe A Lie Twice is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. It has guts, charm, and a whole lot of soul. I’d recommend it to readers twelve and up who love mysteries with a bit of grit and a lot of warmth. Fans of Louis Sachar or Kate DiCamillo will feel right at home here. And honestly, adults could do worse than spending an evening with Sage Christopher. I did, and I loved every minute of it.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B09RQS93KQ
A Love Letter to the Sea
Jigsaw of Light follows a fifteen-year-old boy who receives a cryptic message asking for help from his father, who disappeared three years ago. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The DNA of this story has actually been in my head since I was a boy. While some kids may think it would be cool to have a magic carpet or a flying broomstick or something similar, I always wondered what it would be like to have a surfboard that could shoot off across oceans and go anywhere in the world. I’ve also always been fascinated with Atlantis and stories of ancient civilizations and myths. And lastly, like many people, I look at all the crazy stuff that is happening today, and I wonder what we’d actually need to do in order to save the world and make it better. And these were the key elements that inspired Jigsaw of Light. Of course, to find out exactly how all these things come together, you’ll have to read the book!
What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?
I approach characters like the advice I would give to anyone going to a party: dress up, not down, as you can always take some clothes off! So, I go into a lot more detail with my characters than ever makes it onto the page. I draw up a whole backstory so I know exactly who they are, what they’ve done, dreams, fears, motivations and so on. I’m quite a visual person, so I also make sure I can see them vividly in my mind. I often take certain personality traits from people that I know or have met before (but couldn’t possibly name names!) and play around with these (often magnifying them). I find this also helps when I’m trying to visualize how they speak, which then helps with dialogue.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Jigsaw of Light is a love letter to the sea and the calming, healing powers it has. Zeb is basically fairly broken at the start of the story and throughout his journey the ocean plays a big part in his healing process. Loss is another theme and for me surfing provides a good metaphor. You can catch a great wave and then that wave is gone forever. But knowing that there will always be more waves, is a good mindset to equate to life. And much of the subject matter in the book, history, myth, quantum mechanics, and so on, it’s all waves. Probably the main theme of the book is about balance, or rather duality. How good and evil can’t exist without the other, chaos and order, desire and apathy, sweet and sour, hot and cold – everything needs balance and this is key to many of the mysteries explored in the story. And surfing is all about balance. Basically, I think if I had titled my story The Philosophy of Surfing, that still would have made sense!
Can you tell us what the second book will be about and when it will be available for fans to purchase?
Hopefully, Jigsaw of Light provides a satisfactory ending, but it is merely the start of a series, and so (no spoilers here!) some of the things that are not fully revealed by the end will be explored in the second. The second story picks up about six months after Jigsaw of Light ends. Zeb, and the characters still around at the end of Jigsaw, are continuing to seek out the mysteries of Atlantis and its lost technology and knowledge. The trail leads them to a mysterious island where a deadly new threat is emerging. War is coming and Zeb must pick a side. But nothing is as it seems.
The second story will be released in the second half of 2024.
Hunted by ruthless assailants who will stop at nothing to obtain this technology, Zeb goes on the run. He teams up with Kaia, a Hawaiian surfer who may know what happened to his father. Soon they find themselves in a high-stakes race around the world to complete the mythical Jigsaw of Light, a deadly test that will change the world for the better or destroy it.
Jigsaw of Light
Jigsaw of Light by JC Button is a compelling blend of contemporary urban fiction and young adult fantasy. It centers on Zed, a 15-year-old student who receives a coded message from his father, presumed lost at sea years earlier. This discovery sets Zed on an unexpected path, revealing his father to be more than just an ordinary fisherman. As Zed delves into his father’s enigmatic possessions, he uncovers a responsibility of great magnitude, compelling him to complete the ‘jigsaw’ to avert looming catastrophes.
Button skillfully crafts a narrative brimming with suspense and intrigue. The book’s vivid, graphic descriptive style enhances its action-packed scenes, making the chaotic events more tangible for the reader. The author’s use of detailed descriptions not only vividly portrays locations but also adds a layer of enchantment to the storytelling. Incorporating elements of mythology, Button infuses the story with a sense of magic, mystery, and mystique, elevating it beyond the ordinary. The diverse array of characters, each with their own distinct and engaging personalities, further enriches the narrative, adding depth and variety to the story. While the book thrives on its thought-provoking plot and engaging dialogue, complete with unexpected twists, it does leave some questions unanswered, potentially paving the way for future sequels. This open-ended conclusion may leave some readers yearning for more closure but also keeps anticipation high for the next installment.
Jigsaw of Light stands out for its captivating storyline and imaginative use of mythological elements, making it a notable addition to the genres of urban fiction and young adult fantasy.
Pages: 326 | ASIN : B0CJBZFG4D
The Mines of Jedira
The Mines of Jedira, is the thrilling sequel to The Jediran Quest. This time, we find ourselves at the newly established Zeta Colony, where our protagonist, Braven, is ready to face new challenges and embark on daring adventures. However, it becomes evident that Zeta Colony is no ordinary place; it’s shrouded in secrets and mystery, leaving us to wonder what lies beneath the surface. As Braven’s seemingly normal life begins to crumble, a web of secrecy and betrayal unfolds. Is Braven prepared for this formidable quest, one that demands he use every ounce of his strength to protect his loved ones and secure their survival?
Cal Davis once again takes us on a wild and enthralling journey through The Mines of Jedira, introducing us to the enigmatic Zeta colony. Building upon the success of the first book, this installment takes the narrative to even darker and more intriguing places.
What truly shines in this book is the author’s improved writing style. It effortlessly immerses readers in the alien landscapes and cultures of this captivating world. The plot is engaging, and the twists keep you hooked. The author’s portrayal of fear, love, and adventure is masterfully executed.
While I felt that the novel was exhilarating overall, I felt that world-building and atmosphere could have been built out more, but this could also be due to the book’s brevity. The narrative focuses primarily on events and plot progression, leaving a bit less room for the characters to fully develop their personalities.
The Mines of Jedira is a worthy sequel that doesn’t disappoint. It takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and intrigue, showcasing the author’s growth in storytelling and world-building. It’s a thrilling addition to the series that will leave you eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Pages: 214 | ASIN : B0C3YBH1N7
Sky Curse
In the year 2045, mankind has depleted the resources of Earth, and humans are looking to move off the planet in hopes of a fresh start. This is the setting for this thrilling young adult novel. The chosen five are Brian, Jamal, Alex, Kev, and Cecilia in Janet Kravetz’s titular series. Cecilia Miller is a teenage female protagonist in this dystopian future book. Titan is regarded as humanity’s last hope, but everyone can’t afford to travel there. Even more so, not everyone desires to. Duncan Macdougall, a Localist, wants Cecilia and the other four chosen candidates to stop the fulfillment of an old Mayan prophecy and save Earth and its inhabitants. Five Mayan crystals that contain the technology to save the planet are sought after by the chosen five who journey to Mexico in their search.
Sky Curse has a slow-burn beginning, but that gave me time to adjust to the world-building presented by Kravetz. It is futuristic hard science fiction, but it also contains aspects of fantasy and has a measure of reality mixed in. This teen novel is an exceptionally well-written, imaginative, and wholly original work. Along with Cecilia, I was transported to an unfortunate Earth. Cecilia is portrayed as a blonde with blue eyes, which is a little cliché. However, she still has her imperfections and is intelligent, and contributes well to the authenticity needed to make a protagonist come to life. And not to forget, Tony provides the humor and is Cecilia’s go-to companion.
The thought-provoking plot lines will get readers to consider climate change from beginning to end. Although it is hypothetical, nothing seems out of the ordinary or overly complicated. The reader starts to believe that what they are reading might very well be the kind of world we are leaving for future generations, which has a dramatic effect. The novel is written for older teens and younger adults, but Kravetz’s insightful developments and topics are broad enough to appeal to readers with more demanding tastes in literary nuances.
Sky Curse is the exciting start of a new young adult science fiction series, The Chosen Five. Filled with action, drama, paranormal, and fantasy elements there is something for all readers in this novel. Follow the chosen five as they try to save Earth and prevent the apocalyptic destruction of humanity. I can’t wait to see what the series has in store!
Pages: 395 | ASIN : B0B9638NC7
LITERARY TITAN 