Hunt for Eden's Star by D J Williams Book Review

About the Book:

Discover the story of an intrepid, globe-trotting teen and a motley group of friends in a world where choices have epic consequences.

In this new coming-of-age YA fantasy novel full of action-packed adventure, Williams tells the tale of a teen who is thrown into a world of ancient secrets when he discovers a supernatural artifact that protects a weapon of mass destruction. With the help of a diverse group of friends, he embarks on a global adventure, seeking the truth about his sister’s death. He uncovers two clandestine, supernatural societies waging an epic, hidden war that threatens the future of civilization.

As Jack races to collect ancient artifacts critical to the survival of the world, readers are transported to incredible international locales across Asia, including the lush jungles of the Philippines and the high-energy streets of Hong Kong. Themes of addiction, revenge, faith, and friendship emerge as Jack battles literal and psychological demons, and even his own friends and family members, on his quest to thwart the forces of evil.

My Review:

This young adult novel is sort of a cross between a Christian fantasy and a save the world thriller. The world building in this novel is not so critical as it seems to take place in current Hong Kong and surrounding areas. Jack is an interesting hero in that he is afraid of almost everything, from going down into a tunnel to climbing a rope ladder up into a tree. He has a group of friends who turn into a very supportive group. There is a spiritual aspect to the novel, a belief in a supreme being.

The plot development was a bit difficult for me to follow. About a third of the way into the book, Jack says of his ongoing adventures, “I'm totally lost.” (1628/4467) I knew how he felt because I was lost too. There were so many turns in the plot and so many unusual locations, I began to get distracted. It is a long book at nearly 500 pages. I think the actual content could have better been made into two shorter novels. I just do not feel the complexity of the plot made for an engaging novel of that length.

This is a good novel for young adult readers who are ready to tackle a long novel that may require good attention to keep track of all the plot elements.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

D. J. Williams was born and raised in Hong Kong, igniting an adventurous spirit as he ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the ancient cities of the Far East. His global travels submerged him in a myriad of cultures, providing a unique perspective that fuels his creativity. Providing a fresh voice in mystery and suspense, his novels have climbed the charts on Amazon Hot New Releases and his latest book, The Auctioneer, received a stellar review from Kirkus Reviews. Williams has also been an executive producer and director on over 500 episodes of broadcast television.

Tyndale, 480 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)