Assessment:
Plot/Idea: This family drama set during a treasure hunt in the Virgin Islands is engaging and creative, balancing plot and subplots well, although there is a little trouble with pacing as the novel races to a sudden conclusion.
Prose: The writing style is accessible and strong, and the dialogue is full of energy. The flashbacks, in the form of diary entries, are an interesting addition and add another layer of nuance to the story.
Originality: Though it may not surprise readers at every turn, this story boasts several distinctive elements that make for a compelling, interesting read.
Character Development/Execution: Glaze uses perspective shifts and a large cast to develop the story, managing to enhance their points of view rather than clutter the novel. The main players are well drawn and fascinating overall.
Date Submitted: August 04, 2022
Readers with a passion for sailing and exploration will feel at home enjoying excerpts from Richard’s diary, which recounts many nautical adventures and the background of the original discovery of the treasure. The short chapters allow each character plenty of opportunity to command center stage and engage the reader, though readers might not necessarily empathize with these scions of a wealthy family, and the story doesn’t always delve beyond the surface of their personas. A convenient character list as well as a map of the Virgin Islands help guide readers on the hunt.
Glaze’s feeling for maritime adventures and beauty is inviting—“I watched the sun’s reflection off the white sand floor ripple and flow over her, like a dreamy iridescent oil painting” he writes, as one character watches another swim—though the story, perhaps befitting its island milieu, is somewhat laid back, offering puzzles, mysteries, a touch of suspense, and sea breezes. As a thriller, it’s an enticing tour of a region Glaze knows well.
Takeaway: A quest for buried treasure stirs up greed, family loyalties, and adventure sure to please sailing enthusiasts.
Great for fans of: Tom Lowe’s Flash of Gold, Clive Cussler.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
