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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
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
Light and Dark, Good and Bad
Witch of Ware Woods, follows an 18-year-old girl whose magical powers can no longer be hidden, seeking refuge in magical woods she must learn to control her powers. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Witch of Ware Woods is strongly inspired by the forest behind my grandparent’s house in Massachusetts. As a child, I spent a lot of time in that forest and found it to be magical.
Another big inspiration for this series is my ancestor, Mary, who was hung as a witch in 1720 at the young age of seventeen. I felt compelled to help her – to somehow change her outcome. I wondered if instead of being persecuted she had found refuge in the forest. Witch of Ware Woods is how I envisioned a better life for her.
Sarah is used to being alone but wants desperately to belong and have a sense of family. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I think Sara’s struggles are very relatable in that we all battle self-doubt while striving for acceptance and love. And to achieve this, we must first accept and love ourselves, faults and all, which is no easy task. While Sara faces many external tests and challenges, it is her inner development that is most important.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of my favorite themes is the play between light and dark, good and bad, and all the glorious shades of grey that drive characters. I think this tension lives in all of us to a certain degree and books that explore this are a way for readers to experience the triumphs and failures of certain decisions—to go on an adventure with the characters—from the comfortable distance of a cozy couch. This multifaceted theme plays heavily in Witch of Ware Woods.
Supporting themes include the power of choice and believing in yourself; the importance of family and friends; the wonder of magic and nature and the striking connection between the two.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Death and Dragons is the next book in the Witch of Ware Woods series and will be available in February 2023. I’m very excited to share this next installment where Sara has a crash course in how to be a High Witch and is tested by new allies and enemies alike.
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Eighteen-year-old Sara is not normal, and she’s losing her grip on hiding her inexplicable power. Hunted by a dark witch and facing devastating losses, Sara finds refuge in Ware Woods—a spellbinding forest protected by witches, shapeshifters . . . and thorny secrets. Here she discovers true magic and an electric connection with Thomas, a wickedly charming and equally headstrong witch from a dangerous family.
But Sara is an outsider who has brought darkness and a fatal prophecy to the forest. To prove she belongs in Ware Woods, Sara is tested and pushed to master new magics, all while concealing the monstrous force that makes her undeniably different.
As the dark witch closes in on her and an insidious blight threatens Ware Woods, Sara must release her full power—and either save the forest and everyone she loves or destroy everything.
Witch of Ware Woods is a contemporary fantasy escape filled with fast-paced wonder, fierce characters, deadly magic, forbidden romance, and a world so fresh you can smell the pine trees.
Witch of Ware Woods
Sara, an eighteen-year-old girl, tried to keep her everyday life safe as best as she could despite her unexplainable powers. With the help of her parents, she has long isolated herself from others, opting for homeschooling over attending the local high school and favoring a dog’s company over any other person’s. However, when Sara’s abilities can no longer be hidden, her parents decide to take a trip, which comes with a tragic and shocking end. Sara must learn to build new relationships, accept her losses, and harness her powers to either save or doom her and the people she has recently met but immediately become something she has been missing —family.
Witch of Ware Woods, by Sonja F. Blanco, is a well-crafted fantasy story about family. This novel was a great surprise due to its inclusion of close-knit families who built a community within themselves. Unfortunately, when it comes to teenagers and magic, characters are often neglected and detached from their biological families, left to fend for themselves and discover their potential on their own. This is not the case with Witch of Ware Woods, where the characters supported one another and made sure to address their issues collectively.
Blanco’s world-building is phenomenal; there is a lot to take in initially as you get a feel for the magical woods. The author dedicates a reasonable amount of time to describing Ware Woods. Detail is paid to every nook and cranny, the homey feel of the families’ culture, providing readers with excellent visualization of what living there is supposed to be like, with or without the magic.
The characters’ dialogue is also note-worthy because they contribute to the important events in the story, no matter how easily a line can be overlooked. Getting Sara’s point of view during the process is also a great help for its readers because she was confused in the beginning and must receive the fast-paced information from everyone with comprehension.
This captivating fantasy novel is an excellent starting point for a new magical world, and I believe its readers will only crave more. Everything that has happened in Sara’s life was not a walk in the park, but to see her slowly begin to adapt to her surroundings and eventually love where she ends up, is an inspiration that goes beyond the pages. I recommend this to anyone who would like to detach themselves from reality but stay somehow grounded in humanity, for the book maintains a healthy middle ground between both.
Pages: 421 | ASIN : B09F5SDZ9L
LITERARY TITAN 