From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Baxter is a teen boy who has grown up poor and watched as his mother has worked hard to provide the necessities of life for them both. He cannot help but wonder how different life would have been if his father had been around and yearns for a relationship with him. Baxter spends his days either at school where he tries his best to fit in, or with his best friend Jason playing video games. Although content with his life, young Baxter cannot help but dream big and hope for something extraordinary to happen in his life. Little did he know that is exactly what would happen, but unfortunately not in quite the way he had expected.

When Baxter returns home one evening, he finds an old man with glowing purple eyes standing on his doorstep. The man creeps Baxter out but tells him that he has a ring that is intended to be a gift for Baxter’s father. Reluctantly, Baxter takes the ring thinking that perhaps it can be sold, and the money used to help his mother. When he starts having weird dreams about the ring, he realizes the ring might be worth keeping. When Baxter accidentally rubs the ring and produces a powerful dijin he feels that his dreams may finally come true. Although happy to have a dijin to fulfill his wishes, Baxter desires more and learns he can summon an Ifrit which is even more powerful than the dijin. Now all of Baxter’s wishes will become true but at what cost?

The Ifrit turns out to be a sinister demon that feeds on Baxter’s subconscious thoughts and will go to any length to make Baxter’s dreams and fantasies come true. Before long the Ifrit has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake. Baxter’s life is turned upside down as it all points to him. Now it is up to Baxter, Jason, and their friend Ashley to find a way to stop the Ifrit and banish it from their world forever. Will they have what it takes to stop Ifrit?

I loved this book and was drawn into the story from the first pages. I loved the character of Baxter and felt myself rooting for him as he struggled to fit in. I understood his desire to want more and loved the magic ring that could produce a dijin to help him fulfill his dreams. I found myself shaking my head as he unleashed the Ifrit and knew that nothing good would come of him being so greedy and wanting more power. I loved the characters of Jason and Ashley and admired how they stood beside their friend and helped him out even when times got tough. This book was well written with a great storyline. Not only did it take some twists and turns, but it had some hidden, underlying messages about power and greed. A fantastic read!

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