From Ash & Darkness
J.L. Sullivan
The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1509260454
Reviewed by Terri Stepek for Reader Views (06/2025)
Bax is one of those kids. You know the ones: we all do. A kid who has every reason not to turn out so great, but thanks to the grounding of his single mom, he’s a great kid. Bax doesn’t know his dad. But he has his mom, who will do whatever it takes for him, a small posse of good friends, and… an evil djinn who just returned to make his life miserable in the teen/YA novel From Ash & Darkness by J.L. Sullivan.
Bax, his mom, friends, and neighbors were introduced to us in Mr. Sullivan’s stellar debut work, From Brick & Darkness, in which Bax and his friends fought to protect the world from a djinn named Ifrit who suffers from a serious dislike of humans. If an image of Aladdin’s cute blue genie just popped into your head, think again. An ifrit is a particular type of supernatural djinn that has freewill, a mile-wide rebellious streak, and a seriously bad disposition. This guy is big and scary, full of fire (literally), and he’s no one’s friend.
From Ash & Darkness picks up where the first book left us. The group of teens fought hard to return Ifrit to the box that can contain him, relying on their teamwork, loyalty, and intelligence. All they have left to do is return the box to the ground where no one will find it. Their plans are made, but before they can carry them out, someone takes the backpack containing the odd box with the evil djinn inside. Now Bax, Jason, Ashley, Scarlet, and a tiny djinn of a less-powerful sort named Janni are back in the Djinn-verse, as they refer to it. But this time, Ifrit has a new Master, and his evil deeds are escalating at an alarming rate. He also seems to be targeting the people Bax loves.
This is the perfect sequel, with pure action, volatile tension, and light-hearted humor at just the right moments.
I stood. Time to show Scarlet the actual hero of Truman High. Not some super athlete, but the guy willing to get his ass kicked by three grown men who likely carried illegal weapons in their baggy pants.
The returning characters are rich with dynamics and a shared history while displaying maturity and growth from their experiences. They think they’re better prepared this time, and in a sense, they are. But Ifrit is pure malevolence with a side of anger that seeks vengeance.
Profound “Ah-Ha! Moments” are peppered throughout this amazing read, yet in each instance they enhance the text rather than slowing down this jet-fueled storyline. Themes flow throughout the story, such as good vs. evil, guilt, loyalty, trust, strength, and especially taking responsibility for one’s actions.
The way the characters, especially the teens, show growth and advancing maturity in From Ash & Darkness is a highpoint. A great example of that is the way Bax comes to realize how much his presentation of themes in the school literature classic, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, paralleled his current situation; an amazing comparison.
This dark fantasy novel has everything readers are looking for in a teen/YA read. The fast-paced thriller will evoke moments of grim determination, pure panic, and perilous choices, as well as newfound strength, hope, and even a touch of young romance. There’s not a dull moment in this story as readers hold on tight, knowing that there just doesn’t seem to be a way out this time.
While this book can be read as a stand-alone, it will be best enjoyed after the first in the series, From Brick & Darkness. Either way, I wholeheartedly recommend J.L. Sullivan’s From Ash & Darkness to readers from 12 to 112 who want a story that will grab them and hold their attention all the way through, a story with great characters and depth, and a story that will leave them wanting more from Sullivan’s Djinn-verse.