Official Review: Stir of Embers

Robert Potter · Post by **Robert Potter** » 12 Oct 2020, 12:10

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Stir of Embers" by Christopher Javier Bustamante.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Stir of Embers by Christopher Bustamante begins in the quaint town of Falcon Gate, where a string of gruesome murders has the town completely on edge. Women are being bitten on the neck and drained of their blood. Michael, the main character, is drawn into the search for the killer, ominously referred to as the Man In The Black Suit, when his girlfriend, Rachel, is the first young woman to fall victim.

Michael’s search takes him to an alternate universe with a fantastic cast of characters, both good and evil. He eventually begins to realize how this alternate world of Embria and his home are connected, and how the stakes of making the wrong move could be disastrous.

Stir of Embers is a brisk tale that wastes little time setting up the world before diving straight into the action. Anyone who is a fan of odd fantasy, epic battles of good and evil, and clever mysteries will enjoy this novel. The writing is taut and the characters are familiar. I connected with each one almost immediately. Whether it's the quirky witch named Tulip or Raine, the duty-bound acolyte, even in their fantastical setting, these characters feel authentic.  

Additionally, while the book does rely on the pure good vs. evil for evil’s sake fantasy trope, it tackles this tried and true story structure in a unique way relying on the strength of the writing and characters to deliver a new and refreshing experience. Nothing felt cliché or forced. Bustamante really makes these characters and the world his own.  

That being said, I wish Bustamante had taken a little bit more time expounding upon what he references in the book about Emberia. I appreciate the “dive-right-in” mentality Bustamante has with this book, but I did have trouble keeping some of the names straight, and I really found myself wanting to know more about certain tidbits of backstory that are only hinted at in pieces of dialogue or in a few paragraphs of exposition.

Overall though, Stir of Embers is a solid read from start to finish that can be completed easily in an afternoon. The book is professionally-edited, and while there are some graphic scenes, there is nothing that would rule out this book for potential young adult readers interested in fantasy. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants an interesting take on the classic fantasy set up.  

I give this book 3 out of 4 stars.

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Stir of Embers
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Krista Ash · Post by **Krista Ash** » 16 Oct 2020, 14:37

This sounds like an interesting read. A mix of fantasy and mystery sounds like something I'd enjoy. I'll have to add it to my reading list. Thanks for the helpful review!