The Burning Gem is an adult low fantasy novel by Don Sawyer that is going to bring readers something new and fresh. A young woman, unhappy with her place in life, will find herself pushing a gem maker she just met into territory that he’s not ready for. However, it will be exactly what he needs.
The Burning Gem draws the eye of readers with a cover that depicts a large round jewel sitting center stage of the cover. Swirling with colors of oranges, hints of red, glimmers of blues, and a center of burning green this jewel is beautiful to look at. Above it appears to swirl tongues of flame giving hint to the title “The Burning Gem.” As light refracts throughout the gem you’ll see shades of green in the lower right-hand corner of the cover. The intent is to make this jewel the sole focus of the cover, and that is easily accomplished.
The Burning Gem is the first book in Don Sawyer’s Soul Catcher series. From the beginning, readers are introduced to the two characters who will dominate the focus of this book. Readers will be introduced to DeAngelo, a gem maker, as he deals with his latest client, a young housewife by the name of Barbara.
Author Sawyer does an excellent job setting the scene in this first chapter of an exasperated DeAngelo dealing with a restless Barbara. It will be easy to understand DeAngelo’s annoyance with Barbara, honestly who wouldn’t be when they’re working on their fourth attempt to finish a task? Just try to refrain your jaw from dropping too far when you learn the cost of his “services.”
The beginning of The Burning Gem is overall mundane so to speak. There isn’t a grandiose display of magic, but author Sawyer still works to draw readers in. With small meticulous details that author Sawyer sprinkles, readers will be drawn in to discover hidden little gems of information scattered throughout.
It will be easy to determine that DeAngelo has been at this for a long time. That is a piece of information easily dropped, so we know that he’s not a young man. Barbara is unhappy in her marriage, but she suffers through it. The question then becomes…for how much longer will she linger? She’s interested in astrology and the zodiac, but it’s when she is able to hold her gem for the first time that things begin to shift.
Once the gem makes an appearance in this story, things begin to become more interesting. Readers will notice a change in Barbara. It’s this change that will begin to push her to step outside the “box” of who she has been leading up to this point. This change will also be what pushes her to “chase after” DeAngelo on a “quest” to acquire an indestructible chain for her new gem.
Both DeAngelo (Zoltan) and Barbara are interesting characters that will draw readers to go deeper into The Burning Gem. As this book is told from the third-person perspective readers get to alternate between the two of them with ease. DeAngelo is more reserved and has followed the rules of his “business” from the beginning, but thanks to Barbara he allows himself to be pushed into a new direction.
Barbara on the other hand is a mixed bag of a character. One minute she is strong, fierce, and determined, but then in the next she comes off as flighty and even selfish. Frequently throughout this book, Barbara doesn’t think things through. Her character rarely stops to think of how her actions will impact others, or how she comes off as selfish and demanding. One thing is for sure though concerning Barbara’s character, for the most part, like her or hate her, her character reads realistic.
The villain of The Burning Gem is one that we have to wait patiently to meet, but you won’t have to wait long. The minute that DeAngelo does something that is “out of step” with what he is supposed to do this mysterious “Mester” will know. Wait until you read the description of this creature. He is one ugly thing, and you’ll honestly wonder…is he some sort of hobgoblin? LOL!
Author Sawyer doesn’t give readers much on the “Mester’s” origins or where he came from. We will have to live with that small disappointment, but it allows our imaginations to run wild. Readers do get some more information concerning the “Mester” later on in the story, so patience is required, but it will absolutely pique your interest.
As The Burning Gem progresses the story will become more engaging that will keep you page-turning to find out what happens next. Author Sawyer will slow the pace of this book from time to time to allow things to simmer for a minute before ramping the drama back up.
For readers who are looking for or even hoping for some romance…there are hints of potential romance in this story, but author Sawyer keeps that to a minimum. Remember, Barbara is still married first and foremost. Secondly, they have more important things to focus on and at this point in their story, there really is no time or room for it. Which we’re sure readers will appreciate.
The fantasy aspect of The Burning Gem is on the low end of the scale. The Burning Gem would be categorized as a “low-fantasy” style novel. The fantasy element is there, but it’s not a critical aspect of the storyline. Author Sawyer allows readers to learn some elements concerning the gems and their truly unique qualities. There is more focus on scientific aspects and descriptions in the story than there is on the fantasy element.
There are quite a few twists, turns, and surprises in The Burning Gem. Not everything goes in the favor of DeAngelo (Zoltan) and Barbara. This is one aspect that readers will truly appreciate. Author Sawyer throws in a twist or two in just the right places of The Burning Gem to keep readers on their toes and curious as to what is going to happen next.
The Burning Gem is just the first book in the Soul Catcher series. As book one draws to a close, there won’t be a resolution to the over-arching drama. This book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, so readers who tend to see “red”…take a breath. LOL! The final chapter draws The Burning Gem to a quiet close, but also promises more to come concerning DeAngelo (Zoltan) and Barbara.
Readers who enjoy present-day/modern fantasy stories with a low amount of fantasy will appreciate this story. The drama builds and ebbs, but it will keep you engaged as you read to find out if DeAngelo (Zoltan) and Barbara will be able to avoid the threat of the “Mester.”
Pros:
- Realistic characters
- Nice amount of detail
- Twists and surprises
- Interesting storyline
Cons:
- Needed more focus on the villain
- Needed less of the scientific focus, it contributes little to the focus of the story
Scribble's Worth 