In The Jinx, D.F. Lamont documents the journey of 13-year old Stephen Grayson, a very unlucky boy. Stephen’s first bout with unfortunate circumstances begins with a bike accident. As the weeks progress, Stephen’s life seems to become a magnet for all things gloomy. After a potentially fatal car accident that leaves Stephen unharmed and his mother and brother mildly injured, Stephen decides that he is a liability to his family and must leave them in hopes that he will keep them safe. On his quest to find safety, Stephen battles stone monsters and a cult with the help of Daedalus, a scientist with extensive experience with the balance of order and chaos. Stephen’s questions about his sudden unlucky nature are eventually answered and a battle ensues between order and chaos.
Here is a debut novel of fiction from a writer who understands the formula of a successful fantasy adventure. The story quickly captures the audience’s interest and grasps tightly onto our attention throughout the novel. Lamont’s characters are likeable and relatable. Stephen is an average boy who just wants to get through 8th grade. Daedalus is a genius who made some mistakes but redeems himself later in the story. Lamont’s writing is brilliant. His choice of diction and phraseology are perfect for the story. His decision to include physics in the novel is wonderful because it will give young readers the opportunity to learn about science in an interesting way. Several of Lamont’s sentences leave the reader with a happy smile on her face. The most enjoyable aspect of this novel is the descriptive language. Everything from the sound of a bike to the texture of clothing is described wonderfully.
The Jinx is targeted at children aged 9-13, and I highly recommend this novel for that age group. It is the perfect pocket-sized adventure.
In exchange for an honest review, I received a copy from Goodreads.
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