Bunny's Reviews: From Brick and Darkness Review Spotlight

Welcome to my stop on the tour for From Brick & Darkness, a gritty YA novel steeped in Djinn mythology. Read on for an exclusive excerpt and a chance to win a signed copy!

From Brick and Darkness is a YA fantasy novel by J.L. Sullivan that asks the question – what would you do if you had the power of djinn behind you? If you could use the power of one to change your life, would you? But what if the djinn you find isn’t as powerful? Would you wish to find something stronger? Regardless of the risks? Well, that is Baxter Allen’s story – learning that not all djinn are created equal.

From Brick and Darkness is the first book that I have read by J.L. Sullivan and this author’s tale really intrigued me. Bax is a sophomore in high school. He’s not popular and he never will be, but he’s managed to stay under the radar. Well, all of that is about to change and it all begins with a strange old man outside his building. It all starts so innocuously, and things don’t take long before they start going downhill. Bax is like most individuals around the world – wishing for a better life, romance, and happiness. But at what cost is he willing to go to get it?

I have to say that I found Bax to be an interesting character. He finds himself in quite a few predicaments throughout this story, but he never really acts like a petulant child behind the hands he’s dealt. I must say I appreciate that. He’s pretty mature for a kid his age, which is honestly refreshing. The human characters are written to the point of where you’d believe that they are real. Then you throw in the fantasy elements with the djinn and things get twisted. Now, while things get twisted, they still hold some reality to them.

The author does a fantastic job engaging me as I read Bax’s story. The author shows just how insidious this Ifrit in the story is. While Bax is warned of the consequences of summoning this creature, he moves forward with his decision anyway. I must say I love how the author has Bax’s “wishes” manipulated. It’s so dark and twisted, my jaw was on the floor a couple of times. This author’s imagination in this novel is truly both disturbing and mind-blowing at the same time. I loved it. LOL! Anytime an author surprises me with how a story goes is doing an exceptional job.

Now, there are some moments where I truly felt for Bax. He’s really put through the wringer. But like the saying goes “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Not to sound “corny” (man does that sound aged. LOL), but I like that Bax also learns a lesson through all of the things he goes through. It’s a lesson that is learned the hard way, but he learns it nonetheless. I do feel sorry that some things are destroyed because of all of this. I’m not going to drop any spoilers, but it’s just sad that he pays a heavy price for so little at the end of the day.

From beginning to end, the author writes a captivating story. This book is definitely suitable for YA and adult readers alike. Since this story revolves around high school, there is some bullying to be found. It is detailed, but not overly graphic. The author includes some backstory in places where it fits perfectly into the storyline filling in gaps and questions that might arise. This book is definitely a good vs evil story at the end of the day. The author slips in some hard truths that are revealed from unexpected character, but they really made me stop and think. I honestly believe that that is the point in that particular moment. Trust me, you’ll know what I’m talking about when you read it.

I will admit that there are a couple of moments in this story that caused me to be disappointed in the characters for various reasons. I won’t say specifics because that would spoil the story. LOL! But I have to confess, I can’t be overly disappointed. At the end of the day, those situations just enhance the realistic elements of the story. I mean seriously, would I act any differently in one particular situation? The hard truth? I’d probably do the same thing. But the second one, as a parent myself, I think I’d definitely act differently especially if I know my child’s usual behavior.

From Brick and Darkness is an engaging book from beginning to end. I love the twists and turns that the author, J.L. Sullivan, weaves into this story. They kept me page-turning to find out what was going to happen next. I loved the twisted horror aspects, and the way certain scenes go to black leaving me to question – what was the final outcome?

I’m rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I feel that the author really did an outstanding job with this book. While the cover might not be that eye-catching, the blurb really piqued my interest and I’m glad I took a chance on this book. If you choose to read this book, I think that you’ll enjoy it, too.

Thank you to the author, J.L. Sullivan, and R&R Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

From Brick & Darkness

Publication Date: May 16, 2022

Genre: YA/ Modern Fantasy/ Retelling

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

The most powerful wishes aren’t said with words.

Bax always fantasized something remarkable would happen in his life. So when a decrepit man with glowing purple eyes offers him a ring intended for his estranged father, Bax accepts.

The ring speaks to Bax in a dream, tempting him with a vision of a powerful djinn. Desperate to make his fantasies a reality, Bax unleashes a creature called Ifrit, but soon learns this djinn isn’t what the ring led him to believe. Feeding off the depths of his subconscious, the sinister demon fulfills what he thinks Bax wants by manipulating, threatening, and murdering. With everyone he loves in danger and a trail of crimes pointing back at him, Bax must scramble to solve the puzzle that will banish Ifrit forever.

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Excerpt

Neck bones popped as his head rotated toward me, his face eclipsing the rays of the streetlight. His irises were dull purple, glazed over with a foggy film, and deep-set wrinkles radiated from the corners of his eyes like arrows drawing attention to them.

A shudder caused the keys to slip from my hand and clank on the ground. My face burned with shame that the poor man’s appearance had startled me. My rudeness would have disappointed Mom.

“I’m sorry, but really—” I snagged my keys.

His hand slithered out of the brick-colored sleeve as his arm rose, trembling as he strained to hold the weight of his own limb. Gloved in loose, veiny skin, his skeleton hand had yellowed fingernails so overgrown they grew in on themselves like curly birthday ribbons. As his fingers unfurled, he revealed a ring nestled in his palm.

It was large. Too large. The ring resembled the toy jewelry Jason’s sister played with or something from a Halloween costume. Grimy gold with a single dull purplish jewel that matched his eyes.

His hand trembled under the heaviness of the ring. “Take it.”

Shifting my backpack to my other shoulder, I took it. “What is this?”

The corners of his thin lips curled into a grin as a gust of warm, dry wind cut through the chilly October night and swirled around me

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About the Author

J.L. Sullivan writes young adult stories inspired by gritty urban environments and the tales that percolate within abandoned buildings and desolate alleys. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Princess Penelope Picklesworth.

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