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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Mary Espinoza

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

Be careful what you wish for!! Something we have been told again and again, but poor Bax had to learn the hard way! This novel is Modern And Dark, and I Loved It! It is a great YA novel for those who like their stories a little dark and gritty. It was definitely a unique and modern spin on an ancient evil. This book had an Aladdin feel to it in a todays world setting. It was 100% a page turner!

Mary Espinoza

September 2022
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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Stephanie Nicole

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

I only have one word for this book, AMAZING!!!! This is a semi new author to me but so far this is my favorite novel by our author and currently my favorite read for September. Wouldn’t it be great if every wish you made came true? But what do you do when your wish goes haywire? This amazing, and gritty ya fantasy novel is just that. Our author is descriptive, the characters are amazing and unique, and the story as a whole is original and we’ll put together. So if your looking for a new fantasy novel make sure you pick this one up today.

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris

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

I very much enjoyed this coming of age, YA, fantasy book with a dark twist and a side of murder. I enjoyed the characters and the relationships between them. I got a Harry Potter vibe from the 3 main characters, Baxter and his two friends Jason and Ashley. Baxter and Jason are best friends, who end up befriending Ashley who is the know it all at school and who they previously didn’t like. But when Baxter accepts the ring and unleashes his own Djinn, a type of genie, he is going to need some help in figuring it all out. I loved how all of the characters interacted with one another, and even though it was a fantasy book, the actions of the characters, felt natural and realistic. I really loved the relationship between Bax and his mom as well. The author did a great job with the character developments and how they matured and grew. Just as we think things are beginning to get wrapped up, the author throws another curve ball into the mix. This is a great novel for both teens and adults who enjoy fantasy with a dark twist.

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Shannen Kern

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

We’ve always been told that you can’t be too careful with your wishes. But how many of us have actually had to learn the lesson, especially when you’re in a dire situation? This book contains everything you want in a YA paranormal fantasy, and you can tell this author is one to watch.

Taking a ring from a strange looking man doesn’t seem like a bad idea when you’re a young teenager, but Bax changed his life when he just that. Now he will have to decipher what’s real versus what’s imagination which is no easy task with djinn against you. Will he be strong enough to resist the powerful djinn that appeals to him, or will he give in to temptation no matter the cost? With magic, mythology, murder, and tough lessons, this book was impossible to put down. I’m a huge fan of the YA genre and highly recommend From Brick & Darkness!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Mercedes Jones

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

Bax has been waiting for an adventure his whole life. As it’s just him and his mother, he spends a lot of time with his best friend playing video games. He also frequents the comic book shop, as in a way to be close to his dad. When a mysterious man gives him a purple ring, the life Bax knew is changed.
Go on this fantasy ride that also is dark and twisty. What a great read.

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Lisa Helmick

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From Brick & DarknessFrom Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well this went a way I did not think it would..it is a but darker than I expected. It says its a teen adult story but I would lean more toward adult. This covers a few topics that are a bit much, in my opinion, for teens. I struggled when reading late at night with the visuals this projected. I felt sorry for Bax multiple times. He is young kid who gets into trouble and all he wants is for it to stop or to figure out how to quit. He is curious as all kids are and it got him into a bit of trouble.

Overall its a good story that mostly kept my interest. It really picked up towards the end and of course I was glued to it then. I would recommend this for an older crowd and for people who like a little darkness mixed in with the story.

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Anastasia Dodson

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From Brick & DarknessFrom Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was such a good one! It was a dark and Suspenseful YA that pulled me in from page one. I didn’t want to put this one down. Such a good start as a debut novel and I will be looking for more by this author in the future!
Happy Reading!

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Kerry Baker

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

This book was exciting from the moment I started reading. It is a fast paced, YA fantasy story that really caught my attention. I loved how easy it was to engage with the story developing, and the characters it brought to life. I found myself pulled into the story and could not put the book down.
The Djinn lore is always something that has fascinated me and I loved seeing it brought to life on these pages. The author has created such and interesting and captivating story that is suitable for a range of audiences. I would highly recommend you read this book!

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh

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

5 Stars
From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan

From Brick & Darkness is a wonderfully written YA / Fantasy that once you start reading there’s no putting it down until you’ve finished. To be honest I wasn’t real sure to expect going in but man I’m glad I decided to give this book a shot. For being this authors debut novel the bar has been set very high and I look forward to reading many more books by this author in the future. This is a fast paced story that is packed with action, adventure, magic, mystery, suspense and so much more. Get ready to be taken on quite the adventure with Dax and remember things aren’t always as they seem Be careful what you wish for because you may get more than one bargained for. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. There is a couple of twists that I absolutely didn’t see coming. If you’re a fan of YA and fantasy then this is a book for you .

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Jo Frizzell

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

This was an excellent reading experience! And yes, it truly was an experience, learning about djinn and Ifrit along with Bax. Seeing his prejudice as he walked his path, and his growth as he realized his mistakes. This story kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I truly adore fantasy stories, and I’m a sucker for a young adult read. This was such an excellently written glimpse into getting wishes granted and the perils of not being careful what you wish for. It brought to mind a lyric by Daughtry, “Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.” If you like modern takes on fantastical and mythological themes, this is definitely a fabulous choice!

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Angela Hayes

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From Brick & DarknessFrom Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Wishes don’t always turn out the way you hope…
From Brick & Darkness is the exciting debut novel from J.L. Sullivan. It is a wonderfully woven YA urban fantasy with mystery, magic, action, adventure, suspense, puzzles, manipulation, agendas, angst, drama, folklore, friendship, and more.
A yearning for a better life, an unusual ring, a sinister djinn, and plenty of danger- Dax is about to discover that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
An engrossing and fun read. Looking forward to seeing what Mr. Sullivan does next.
Happy Reading!

Thank you, J.L. Sullivan!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Kerry Carr

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From Brick & DarknessFrom Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this young adult coming of age fantasy adventure. The author does an amazing job of mixing magic with everyday life and the teachings I got from this book were be careful what you wish for as its not always what you need.
The author does an amazing job of mixing the life of a teenager today with the mythology that exists around djinn.
I really love how at first Bex thinks the ring and Djinn are the answers to all his dreams but what he doesn’t realise is the damage that will be caused when the Demon decides to twist his wishes/dreams into something that puts everyone and everything he cares about in danger.

It is a gripping story that will have you turning the pages till the end to find out of Bex actually learns the lessons and can solve the crimes before its too late. With all roads leading back to his guilt is it possible for him to prove it wasn’t him but the influence of a djinn or will he suffer for the twisted wishes that the djinn believes he wanted?

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Jenni Bishop

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From Brick & DarknessFrom Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Be careful for what you wish for, for you may get more than you thought.

From Brick & Darkness is a debut YA urban fantasy. For a debut book this is one author that you should keep your eye on. This engaging dark tale has a ring and something of djinn/genie mythology which makes for an interesting read. JL has created a mysterious mystical world that is a page turner. The world building is cleverly woven and well done as is his writing.

Journey along with Bax as he finds himself in a strange and dangerous world he doesn’t understand and a wish that was more than he bargained for.

YA fantasy lovers will enjoy this story.

Reviewed by @jennadb

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Lorrene Huisman

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

I love books that make you think and your mind wander as you read through them, This book did just that. I felt a lot for the characters and the story that surrounded them. The book immersed me and intrigued me!

First off I loved the eerie sense of this book. Bax was such a character that had a lot of heart that you could easily feel for and connect to.through out the story. His friends were connectable as ewll,. I loved how realistic the story was and how easily you can picture yourself in the characters shoes. Something else I loved was the wish making part of the story, we are all vulnerable at times, and sometimes something as a wish granting thing can change it for the better or very much fool us and take advantage. The story was gripping and held me tight as I read. Its something everyone would enjoy I would say. I personally loved it!

The book was such a good and compelling read. I was hooked and immersed all the way through. I could not put this don. Needless to say, a very much high recommendation from me for this must read book!

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan – Review by Shelly Kittell

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

Be careful what you wish for. Bax wanted something remarkable to happen in his life. A creepy looking homeless guy gave him a ring and now all kinds of drama is coming into his life thanks to the Jinn. This is quite the entertaining story. For YA Fantasy, it will keep them enthralled. I couldn’t put it down. I had to finish it in one night. It was that good. I love how the young man was attached to him family. He wanted to do the right thing but still messed up. He tried to to fix things. The tone of the story keeps you interested and involved. The characters are very well-written. Overall, its a terrific story that anyone who reads it will enjoy. I’ll be passing it on to my friend’s son.

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From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan

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꙰ ☆ ★ ❂ ❈ ✮ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ✮ ❈ ❂ ★ ☆ ꙰
From Brick & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan
Buy Now – https://amzn.to/3cnxDef
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Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – YA, Fantasy
Page Count – 360

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.

~ AMAZON ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~

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L. Sullivan writes young adult stories inspired by gritty urban environments and the fantastical tales that percolate within abandoned buildings and desolate alleys. In high school, he wrote for a local newspaper before venturing into creative writing in college and currently lives in St. Louis with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Princess Penelope Picklesworth.

Author Interview with J.L. Sullivan

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