Book Review: In Search of Sacha by Manuel Guzman

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“On this day, the trees are rooted in silent anguish.” A melancholy beginning for In Search of Sacha, a fully illustrated adventure story similarly rooted in action, danger, and ultimately hope.

In Search of Sacha is the passion project of New York-based artist Manuel Guzman. In the interests of full disclosure, I must state at the outset of this review that Manuel is not only the cover artist for my own series, The Swordbringer, but I was his editor for In Search of Sacha. That said, this is such a great piece of work I think it best to put aside my previous stance of not reviewing books and highlight this wonderful story. It’s message is especially uplifting in these dark and dangerous times we find ourselves in.

Amar and Elysia are guardians of the sacred woods. Husband and wife, they are angelic figures able to control the elements–Amar the earth and Elysia the wind. In Search of Sacha begins with the two on a quest to find their son Sacha, who has gone missing. They retrace his steps through the forest, helping its denizens, fighting strange and fearsome creatures, and battling against the forces of despair. In Search of Sacha has a dreamlike, fairytale atmosphere heightened by Guzman’s art, which is vibrant, ethereal, technically dazzling, and generally gorgeous.

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Maybe “sumptuous” is a better word. The colors pop, his use of light and shadow is brilliant, and I am really tempted to share the entire book with you in this review.

But In Search of Sacha is not all color and light. Guzman does what all the best fairytales do, which is deal with the dark and the things who slink around in it waiting to pounce. He has created a worthy foil in Lady Ravine, who is not so much a danger in the traditional physical sense as she is in the spiritual and emotional. For Lady Ravine does as the devil himself: she delights in corruption and making her victims destroy themselves.

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It is against this backdrop that we pick up with Sacha, alternating the story of his struggles with those of Elysia and Amar, who must contend with their own despair at ever finding their son. These heavier themes are balanced with moments of action, which help propel the story forward, accompanied by Guzman’s beautiful illustrations.

In Search of Sacha is a great adventure story with a positive message. Given the dark themes, I would not recommend it for children under seven or eight; this is not to say it is unduly frightening, just that younger children might not fully understand the depth of Guzman’s message. Specifically, I mean the symbolism which is not only generally hopeful but also deeply Christian. Guzman weaves his narrative in such a way that its religious overtones are never overbearing, but they are there for those with eyes to see while in no way an impediment to those who are not religious. These themes of hope, of love, and of family are universal and not unique to any one group. This is why they are so powerful.

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I came across Manuel while listening to a podcast. I checked out his art and was blown away–his style was perfect for what I was looking for in cover art. I reached out to Manuel and so began our friendship. Shortly after I commissioned him to paint the cover for The Last Ancestor, we spoke over the phone and he asked if I would look at a story he had written. I agreed, of course, and helped him get the narrative to match the artwork. He then set up his successful crowdfunding campaign, and the result was this lovely storybook.

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This is a passion project of Manuel’s, and I am not using the term “passion project” lightly. In Search of Sacha is the first original work Manuel has published, and was laying dormant for some years. We are better for it that he was inspired to finish In Seach of Sacha and share it with us all.

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You can purchase In Search of Sacha here. Well worth the money.

Manuel did such a bang-up job on the cover to The Last Ancestor it’s not even funny. Buy it here.