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Jekua #2
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep
There’s no better place in the archipelago for a young Summoner to explore than the Volukho Wildlife Center. It’s an enormous wildlife reservation that houses rare, endangered Jekuas in a jungle called the Qwisdeep. Traveling through the reserve’s lush greenery and glowing flora with magical monsters in his sights is the best experience Balt could have ever dreamed of.
But Alani is growing increasingly frustrated having to remind her friend that this is not a vacation, it’s her pilgrimage, and that they are here for the Church. The whole reason he’s even on this journey is to aid and protect her, but he has always had a one-track mind, and nothing matters more to him than imprinting Jekuas.
While the jungle may be home to countless beautiful creatures, there are also untamed dangers lurking in its shadows, and Balt’s reckless nature may very well get them stranded in the Qwisdeep.
But Alani is growing increasingly frustrated having to remind her friend that this is not a vacation, it’s her pilgrimage, and that they are here for the Church. The whole reason he’s even on this journey is to aid and protect her, but he has always had a one-track mind, and nothing matters more to him than imprinting Jekuas.
While the jungle may be home to countless beautiful creatures, there are also untamed dangers lurking in its shadows, and Balt’s reckless nature may very well get them stranded in the Qwisdeep.
- GenresFantasy
438 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2022
25 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Travis M. Riddle
17 books397 followersTRAVIS M. RIDDLE lives with his girlfriend in Austin, TX, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English Writing & Rhetoric at St. Edward’s University. His work has been published in award-winning literary journal the Sorin Oak Review. His novels "Flesh Eater," "On Lavender Tides," and "Spit & Song" were all semi-finalists in Mark Lawrence's SPFBO.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 16, 2022
Find this review at Forever Lost in Literature!
If you haven't read the first book in the Jekua series, On Lavender Tides, you can find my review for it here!
We have yet another winner from Travis M. Riddle! In A Fracture in the Qwisdeep, we pick up right after the events of On Lavender Tides and rejoin Balt and Alani on their journey together to complete Alani's pilgrimage and also allow Balt the opportunity to collect more Jekuas. There are a couple of minor subplots that pop up in this sequel that added a lot of intrigue and depth to the story, and one in particular that I felt really added a level of seriousness that I didn't necessarily expect, but really appreciated (sorry for the vagueness–I aim to avoid any and all spoilers!).
This second installment goes a lot deeper with the world-building and character development, and I felt like we really started to truly get to know both Balt and Alani on a deeper level, as well as learning more about the world itself and its history, different areas, etc. This time, the journey requires Balt and Alani travel through the Volukho Wildlife Center, which encompasses an expansive jungle known as the Qwisdeep that is home to a wide variety of endangered Jekuas, and this is where we spend most of our time in this book. I loved exploring the Qwisdeep and all the different wildlife and nature that it had to offer, and I especially loved meeting a lot of new characters on this journey as well, which I'll discuss more later on.
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep shows more conflict and tension pop up between Balt and Alani, and I appreciated how realistic their occasional bitterness towards one another was and how their arguments flared up and were generally resolved. It was almost refreshing to see them struggle with one another because, let's be honest, who isn't going to start bickering with their sole travel-mate when traveling on foot each and every day? One thing that I thought was interesting about their conflicts, however, was how often they seemed to be a direct result of their own internal conflicts manifesting into bigger issues, or internal struggles causing more irritability to manifest itself in their interactions with one another. Since we get POVs from both Balt and Alani, I really liked seeing how these two friends would perceive the other's irritation and how they also talked to themselves and each other to work on said issues.
I found Balt a little frustrating in this book at times because of his wandering focus from Alani's pilgrimage, but at the same time it was that frustration where you also totally understand why they're acting the way they are because, let's face it, there are some once in a lifetime opportunities to experience. Balt is first and foremost on this journey to assist Alani and escort her to the shrines, but he's also on a bit of his own personal journey to explore the world around him a bit and collect new Jekuas and practice his skills, which is what builds the tensions between the two friends.
I mentioned in my review for On Lavender Tides that I personally relate more to Alani than Balt, and that remains true for this installment. We really see Alani start to question her decision to be a part of the church and whether she really wants to be doing what she is, and I felt like seeing her deal with these doubts about her choices and future really humanized her to an even greater extent and even allowed me to feel more connected to her. I am so curious to where she ends up and what choices she'll make in the future.
One thing I've found to be a strength of Riddle's writing is his ability to write colorful and captivating characters. In addition to Balt and Alani, we meet a huge variety of characters in A Fracture in the Qwisdeep (and reunite with some) and each one was so distinct and full of personality. I particularly loved the brothers Yud and Yi and the sheer amusement and delight they brought me every time they entered a scene. They are the perfect comic relief characters and are delightfully dense, but also much more capable than they are probably given credit for.
I've really loved this series so far because, on the one hand, it feels very casual and slice-of-life adventure, but there's always this ever-present sense of mystery at play for me that lingers in the background. This is especially true whenever some of the more mysterious things about this world are mentioned or something rather unexplained happens–a lot of these aren't mentioned in any particularly dark or mysterious way, but my mind won't ket me wonder just a little bit as some of these very subtle moments (and if they aren't meant to be anything bigger, then I guess I have bad instincts, haha). There's also some action in this adventure, from Balt's Jekua battles with other characters to his needing to summon Jekuas to defend himself and Alani at unexpected moments, so there's definitely never a dull moment. This also allowed the pacing to feel fairly even overall, with some faster-paced moments–often involving Jekuas–and some slower moments such as when were following Balt and Alani on their very, very long walk.
Lastly, I want to mention just how much I've been loving exploring this world! This a very island-based world and thus far I have really enjoyed exploring new cities and environments with Balt and Alani, and really look forward to all of the places we will continue to visit in the future. And don't worry–we still have a plentiful amount of wonderful food descriptions if you've been enjoying those as much as I have in this series. We also get to meet so many more Jekuas in this book and I just enjoy learning about all these different creatures so much. They are all so unique and full of surprises and I just can't get enough of them.
Overall, I've given A Fracture in the Qwisdeep a well-deserved five stars! There's so much more I could say about this book, but I'll try not to get carried away and leave it here. I have found this series to be an amazing comfort read with plenty of action and intrigue to keep you hooked. If you haven't already started the journey with Balt and Alani, you're missing out!
*I received a copy of A Fracture in the Qwisdeep courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.*
If you haven't read the first book in the Jekua series, On Lavender Tides, you can find my review for it here!
We have yet another winner from Travis M. Riddle! In A Fracture in the Qwisdeep, we pick up right after the events of On Lavender Tides and rejoin Balt and Alani on their journey together to complete Alani's pilgrimage and also allow Balt the opportunity to collect more Jekuas. There are a couple of minor subplots that pop up in this sequel that added a lot of intrigue and depth to the story, and one in particular that I felt really added a level of seriousness that I didn't necessarily expect, but really appreciated (sorry for the vagueness–I aim to avoid any and all spoilers!).
This second installment goes a lot deeper with the world-building and character development, and I felt like we really started to truly get to know both Balt and Alani on a deeper level, as well as learning more about the world itself and its history, different areas, etc. This time, the journey requires Balt and Alani travel through the Volukho Wildlife Center, which encompasses an expansive jungle known as the Qwisdeep that is home to a wide variety of endangered Jekuas, and this is where we spend most of our time in this book. I loved exploring the Qwisdeep and all the different wildlife and nature that it had to offer, and I especially loved meeting a lot of new characters on this journey as well, which I'll discuss more later on.
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep shows more conflict and tension pop up between Balt and Alani, and I appreciated how realistic their occasional bitterness towards one another was and how their arguments flared up and were generally resolved. It was almost refreshing to see them struggle with one another because, let's be honest, who isn't going to start bickering with their sole travel-mate when traveling on foot each and every day? One thing that I thought was interesting about their conflicts, however, was how often they seemed to be a direct result of their own internal conflicts manifesting into bigger issues, or internal struggles causing more irritability to manifest itself in their interactions with one another. Since we get POVs from both Balt and Alani, I really liked seeing how these two friends would perceive the other's irritation and how they also talked to themselves and each other to work on said issues.
I found Balt a little frustrating in this book at times because of his wandering focus from Alani's pilgrimage, but at the same time it was that frustration where you also totally understand why they're acting the way they are because, let's face it, there are some once in a lifetime opportunities to experience. Balt is first and foremost on this journey to assist Alani and escort her to the shrines, but he's also on a bit of his own personal journey to explore the world around him a bit and collect new Jekuas and practice his skills, which is what builds the tensions between the two friends.
I mentioned in my review for On Lavender Tides that I personally relate more to Alani than Balt, and that remains true for this installment. We really see Alani start to question her decision to be a part of the church and whether she really wants to be doing what she is, and I felt like seeing her deal with these doubts about her choices and future really humanized her to an even greater extent and even allowed me to feel more connected to her. I am so curious to where she ends up and what choices she'll make in the future.
One thing I've found to be a strength of Riddle's writing is his ability to write colorful and captivating characters. In addition to Balt and Alani, we meet a huge variety of characters in A Fracture in the Qwisdeep (and reunite with some) and each one was so distinct and full of personality. I particularly loved the brothers Yud and Yi and the sheer amusement and delight they brought me every time they entered a scene. They are the perfect comic relief characters and are delightfully dense, but also much more capable than they are probably given credit for.
I've really loved this series so far because, on the one hand, it feels very casual and slice-of-life adventure, but there's always this ever-present sense of mystery at play for me that lingers in the background. This is especially true whenever some of the more mysterious things about this world are mentioned or something rather unexplained happens–a lot of these aren't mentioned in any particularly dark or mysterious way, but my mind won't ket me wonder just a little bit as some of these very subtle moments (and if they aren't meant to be anything bigger, then I guess I have bad instincts, haha). There's also some action in this adventure, from Balt's Jekua battles with other characters to his needing to summon Jekuas to defend himself and Alani at unexpected moments, so there's definitely never a dull moment. This also allowed the pacing to feel fairly even overall, with some faster-paced moments–often involving Jekuas–and some slower moments such as when were following Balt and Alani on their very, very long walk.
Lastly, I want to mention just how much I've been loving exploring this world! This a very island-based world and thus far I have really enjoyed exploring new cities and environments with Balt and Alani, and really look forward to all of the places we will continue to visit in the future. And don't worry–we still have a plentiful amount of wonderful food descriptions if you've been enjoying those as much as I have in this series. We also get to meet so many more Jekuas in this book and I just enjoy learning about all these different creatures so much. They are all so unique and full of surprises and I just can't get enough of them.
Overall, I've given A Fracture in the Qwisdeep a well-deserved five stars! There's so much more I could say about this book, but I'll try not to get carried away and leave it here. I have found this series to be an amazing comfort read with plenty of action and intrigue to keep you hooked. If you haven't already started the journey with Balt and Alani, you're missing out!
*I received a copy of A Fracture in the Qwisdeep courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.*
September 16, 2022
Reading this novel was an absolute joy. Every character, from the minor characters only around for few pages to the two central POV characters, are unique and full of spark. They not only feel real, but they each have a larger-than-life dimension to them. The characters are somehow grounded, believable, yet also utterly entertaining. It's rare to find this balance in fiction, but Travis M Riddle achieves it with such ease.
The biggest improvement over the first novel has to be the Jekuas and their powers. Whereas the first novel gave us a taste of what Jekuas could do, this one dives deeper, introducing new Jekuas and unique abilities. Balt learns how to use his Jekuas in creative ways, not only in combat but also in other ways that aid his journey. I was constantly surprised by how creative this aspect of the novel was, so progression fantasy fans are definitely going to love it.
All in all, after reading this novel, I felt like I'd just been on a fun journey through the wilderness with some dear friends. This series is truly something special, and it continues to be my favorite progression fantasy series.
The biggest improvement over the first novel has to be the Jekuas and their powers. Whereas the first novel gave us a taste of what Jekuas could do, this one dives deeper, introducing new Jekuas and unique abilities. Balt learns how to use his Jekuas in creative ways, not only in combat but also in other ways that aid his journey. I was constantly surprised by how creative this aspect of the novel was, so progression fantasy fans are definitely going to love it.
All in all, after reading this novel, I felt like I'd just been on a fun journey through the wilderness with some dear friends. This series is truly something special, and it continues to be my favorite progression fantasy series.
September 23, 2023
2/5
Much like I struggled with its predecessor, On Lavender Tides, I sadly really struggled to get into A Fracture in the Qwisdeep. The Jekua series is one I should love, being that it’s a Pokémon inspired series as I love Pokémon, it was the jewel of my childhood. But I just can’t find myself seeming to care about this series. I can see why people do like it, the world is vibrant and exotic, it’s easy reading and it’s just a fun adventure. I just struggle to connect with the characters and care about the story. The only part of the series that interests me is the Jekua themselves but if I want to scratch the Pokémon itch in book form then I can just pick up a Pokémon manga and have a better time. I think I just need to accept this series isn’t for me.
Much like I struggled with its predecessor, On Lavender Tides, I sadly really struggled to get into A Fracture in the Qwisdeep. The Jekua series is one I should love, being that it’s a Pokémon inspired series as I love Pokémon, it was the jewel of my childhood. But I just can’t find myself seeming to care about this series. I can see why people do like it, the world is vibrant and exotic, it’s easy reading and it’s just a fun adventure. I just struggle to connect with the characters and care about the story. The only part of the series that interests me is the Jekua themselves but if I want to scratch the Pokémon itch in book form then I can just pick up a Pokémon manga and have a better time. I think I just need to accept this series isn’t for me.
September 21, 2022
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep is the follow-up journey to a Pokémon-inspired setting from Travis Riddle that is incredible nostalgic enjoyment filled with low-stakes and a breath of fresh air in a normally brutal fantasy genre.
There’s no better place in the archipelago for a young Summoner to explore than the Volukho Wildlife Center. It’s an enormous wildlife reservation that houses rare, endangered Jekuas in a jungle called the Qwisdeep. Traveling through the reserve’s lush greenery and glowing flora with magical monsters in his sights is the best experience Balt could have ever dreamed of.
But Alani is growing increasingly frustrated having to remind her friend that this is not a vacation, it’s her pilgrimage, and that they are here for the Church. The whole reason he’s even on this journey is to aid and protect her, but he has always had a one-track mind, and nothing matters more to him than imprinting Jekuas.
While the jungle may be home to countless beautiful creatures, there are also untamed dangers lurking in its shadows, and Balt’s reckless nature may very well get them stranded in the Qwisdeep.
The story here was a definite increase from the first book. Riddle has tightened the writing and the foundation from book one has really helped to know these characters right from the start. The story feels more isolated as it is primarily set in a wildlife centre, but the character development and plotline added some brilliant tension to the series so far. The world-building is amazing, and I can't help but praise the way that Riddle pitches a familiar yet unique world and thrusts us into the journey with these characters that just make our imaginations run wild.
I enjoyed the artwork at the end of the book. Whilst we all can imagine what characters/animals look like once described, it was great to have a brief glimpse at the end of the book and I can't help but yearn for more.
This was a cosy, light-hearted read that I recommend for those wanting a palate cleanser or some brilliant, nostalgic fun. I am thoroughly excited for future releases and cannot wait to see what Travis Riddle has in store.
There’s no better place in the archipelago for a young Summoner to explore than the Volukho Wildlife Center. It’s an enormous wildlife reservation that houses rare, endangered Jekuas in a jungle called the Qwisdeep. Traveling through the reserve’s lush greenery and glowing flora with magical monsters in his sights is the best experience Balt could have ever dreamed of.
But Alani is growing increasingly frustrated having to remind her friend that this is not a vacation, it’s her pilgrimage, and that they are here for the Church. The whole reason he’s even on this journey is to aid and protect her, but he has always had a one-track mind, and nothing matters more to him than imprinting Jekuas.
While the jungle may be home to countless beautiful creatures, there are also untamed dangers lurking in its shadows, and Balt’s reckless nature may very well get them stranded in the Qwisdeep.
The story here was a definite increase from the first book. Riddle has tightened the writing and the foundation from book one has really helped to know these characters right from the start. The story feels more isolated as it is primarily set in a wildlife centre, but the character development and plotline added some brilliant tension to the series so far. The world-building is amazing, and I can't help but praise the way that Riddle pitches a familiar yet unique world and thrusts us into the journey with these characters that just make our imaginations run wild.
I enjoyed the artwork at the end of the book. Whilst we all can imagine what characters/animals look like once described, it was great to have a brief glimpse at the end of the book and I can't help but yearn for more.
This was a cosy, light-hearted read that I recommend for those wanting a palate cleanser or some brilliant, nostalgic fun. I am thoroughly excited for future releases and cannot wait to see what Travis Riddle has in store.
September 26, 2022
A cosy and nostalgic fantasy adventure which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
The first instalment, On Lavender Tides, was a very nostalgic read for me, which I was worried may have faded in the second book. However, this second instalment of the Jekua series manages to hit all the Pokemon nostalgia spots again with continued originality.
We continue to follow Balt and Alani’s separate-but-together journeys in this world. I continue to be more drawn to Alani than Balt, as I am finding Balt progressively more and more irritating. All I can say is Alani is more forgiving than me.
I appreciated how despite the coziness of the book there was still a good amount of tension in the second half which kept the plot gripping. The world building is really brilliant also and the descriptive writing makes it very immersive. You can tell how much thought the author put into the world and the different Jekua animals.
I very much look forward to the future instalments, particularly to see more of the Vept and the spiritual aspect of the world, and Alani’s journey. Balt better stop pissing me off!!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.25⭐️
The first instalment, On Lavender Tides, was a very nostalgic read for me, which I was worried may have faded in the second book. However, this second instalment of the Jekua series manages to hit all the Pokemon nostalgia spots again with continued originality.
We continue to follow Balt and Alani’s separate-but-together journeys in this world. I continue to be more drawn to Alani than Balt, as I am finding Balt progressively more and more irritating. All I can say is Alani is more forgiving than me.
I appreciated how despite the coziness of the book there was still a good amount of tension in the second half which kept the plot gripping. The world building is really brilliant also and the descriptive writing makes it very immersive. You can tell how much thought the author put into the world and the different Jekua animals.
I very much look forward to the future instalments, particularly to see more of the Vept and the spiritual aspect of the world, and Alani’s journey. Balt better stop pissing me off!!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.25⭐️
October 25, 2022
5/5 stars.
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep takes everything that was phenomenal about On Lavender Tides and steps it up. There continue to be great and imaginative Jekuas. Alani and Balt's quest through the Qwisdeep was full of adventure and also had it's moments of intensity to keep the plot moving forward.
This book there was a lot of character growth that just shows how two young people on an adventure of a lifetime can grow so quickly.
There was also progressions in the overarching mysterious aspects that I'm looking forward to dig into more as the series progresses.
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep takes everything that was phenomenal about On Lavender Tides and steps it up. There continue to be great and imaginative Jekuas. Alani and Balt's quest through the Qwisdeep was full of adventure and also had it's moments of intensity to keep the plot moving forward.
This book there was a lot of character growth that just shows how two young people on an adventure of a lifetime can grow so quickly.
There was also progressions in the overarching mysterious aspects that I'm looking forward to dig into more as the series progresses.
September 20, 2022
Ahhhh man. I love this series so much.
I cannot wait for the next in the series. Was only 6 months between book 1 & 2 so hopefully won’t be too long of a wait???
Fingers crossed we get a map in the next book too!
And more picture of Jekuas please! I LOVE the little illustrations at the end of the book.
5/5
I cannot wait for the next in the series. Was only 6 months between book 1 & 2 so hopefully won’t be too long of a wait???
Fingers crossed we get a map in the next book too!
And more picture of Jekuas please! I LOVE the little illustrations at the end of the book.
5/5
January 25, 2025
The growth of this series is really shaping up. While most of this book takes place in a national park per se I still felt as if I was learning about the world as a whole. Riddle does a great job at expanding on the creatures and the creativity with them and the battles is itching my Pokemon spirit. I really enjoy how the side characters were portrayed in this book as well. Overall the book felt very much alive and mythical.
January 4, 2024
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep expands on everything that made book 1 great, while opening up the world and introducing new plot threads that I'm excited to see play out in future books.
After visiting the first shrine in her pilgrimage, Alani is focused on visiting the second shrine, at the north end of an island with a huge Jekua preserve. Balt is of course only focused on seeing and imprinting new Jekuas. These two competing focuses (foci?) simmer in the background before coming to a head later in the book.
In the meantime, Riddle takes us on a fun journey through the jungle, as Balt and Alani tag along with a larger group exploring the preserve. The addition of these new characters from this group provides comic relief and good foils for both Balt and Alani. And the unique setting gives the book more of an adventure feel.
The titular Jekua are also heavily featured, and I enjoyed how Riddle mixed the battles we saw in the first book with zoological/exploration tangents. We are also introduced to some really weird (in a good way) new Jekuas and get some interesting lore on the "god-Jekua" Jenus.
Overall, A Fracture in the Qwisdeep elevates the series in new and surprising ways, and I'm really looking forward to book 3!
After visiting the first shrine in her pilgrimage, Alani is focused on visiting the second shrine, at the north end of an island with a huge Jekua preserve. Balt is of course only focused on seeing and imprinting new Jekuas. These two competing focuses (foci?) simmer in the background before coming to a head later in the book.
In the meantime, Riddle takes us on a fun journey through the jungle, as Balt and Alani tag along with a larger group exploring the preserve. The addition of these new characters from this group provides comic relief and good foils for both Balt and Alani. And the unique setting gives the book more of an adventure feel.
The titular Jekua are also heavily featured, and I enjoyed how Riddle mixed the battles we saw in the first book with zoological/exploration tangents. We are also introduced to some really weird (in a good way) new Jekuas and get some interesting lore on the "god-Jekua" Jenus.
Overall, A Fracture in the Qwisdeep elevates the series in new and surprising ways, and I'm really looking forward to book 3!
September 16, 2022
Riddle is back at with this new addition to his Jekua series! I could not put this book down and devoured it even faster than the first. Riddle continues to prove his gift for world building while providing us with a unique take on familiar favorite but still managing to make it feel 100% his own. My favorite part about this series has been the introduction of all the fun Jekua and this book has introduced my favorites so far! We get a lot of new stuff and some great characters. I could not stop smiling and rooting for Balt and Alani.
So happy to finally get the next chapter in this series but now I need more. Maybe a re-read of the series in my future...
So happy to finally get the next chapter in this series but now I need more. Maybe a re-read of the series in my future...
January 9, 2026
A rather interesting sequel.
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep follows an adventure set around a journey through a fantastical “national park,” a setting that is both creative and fun to explore. The world feels broader and more confident this time around.
The Pokémon-inspired elements ring even more clearly here than in the first book, but the series continues to avoid feeling like a simple imitation. Instead, it leans into the strengths of the concept while expanding the world and its possibilities.
An enjoyable continuation that builds naturally on what made the first book work.
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep follows an adventure set around a journey through a fantastical “national park,” a setting that is both creative and fun to explore. The world feels broader and more confident this time around.
The Pokémon-inspired elements ring even more clearly here than in the first book, but the series continues to avoid feeling like a simple imitation. Instead, it leans into the strengths of the concept while expanding the world and its possibilities.
An enjoyable continuation that builds naturally on what made the first book work.
December 24, 2022
This is such a fun series. I've loved getting to read about Alani and Balts journey. Before the idea of cruelty free summoning, I had never thought about how sad it would be to be a creature trapped in a pokeball.😳 Regardless, their adventures definitely have me wanting to dive deeper into the world of Pokemon. The audio book was a great addition to this series as well. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the rest of this story!
September 24, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. I've been waiting for the second book to come out since reading the first one earlier this year. This book really expands on the world of Balt and Alani, featuring an ensemble cast of colorful and memorable characters. On top of this, there were more Jekua featured! It was great to read about how this journey was affecting both Balt and Alani as they spent more and more time together (no spoilers tho!). I honestly can't wait for the third book!!
February 26, 2023
I liked this one more than the first. Felt like the author made this his own unlike the first book where it was a copy/paste of Pokémon. Excited to see where it goes and learn more about the strange events happening.
May 18, 2023
Another fun entry to the world of Jekua. This book added more worldbuilding and the collection element was much improved and really enjoyable. I would love to read more Pokémon inspired fantasy. I'm looking forward to the next entry.
April 29, 2023
This entry in the Jakua series was an improvement on the first but still not quite good enough for a 5 star from me.
The Jakua battles here were a bitt better written and diverse, there was real character work here and the Jakuas themselves were far more interesting and cool here.
Overall I'll say this is a 4.5 star and a definite improvement over the first book with clear potential for the series to really elevate to a new level in the next book if the seeds planted here will be explored and expended on.
The Jakua battles here were a bitt better written and diverse, there was real character work here and the Jakuas themselves were far more interesting and cool here.
Overall I'll say this is a 4.5 star and a definite improvement over the first book with clear potential for the series to really elevate to a new level in the next book if the seeds planted here will be explored and expended on.
February 26, 2023
"Moonshine glittered on lavender tides."
Book 2 of the Jekua series takes what was so much fun about the preamble and develops it into a story that I could not put down. I read this book in a week, and that is saying something considering that I am a new father who is very tired.
The first third or so of this book is an immediate continuation of the story, but in a different light. Whereas the first book was a lot of setup and world-building, the introduction to this book presented itself as an established world that the reader was coherent about, and introduced new characters that are downright hilarious.
A great-to-see similarity to the first book is the depth of the MCs. The more I learn about Balt and Alani the easier it is to sympathize with them. The more fleshed out they are, the more interesting they become. I also thought it was really nice to see them butt heads quite a bit, because that seems pretty likely when there are separate motives, even when the two individuals are best friends.
I was pretty bummed to not see Niona early on, but was very glad to see her return. I also fell in love with the new side characters Yud and Yi. All throughout the book I found myself laughing out loud at the commentary between the two, and that was extremely refreshing to see in the fantasy genre.
Travis hit a homerun with the world building again. The Volukho Wildlife Center is exactly how I pictured the Safari Zone from Pokémon when I was a kid. He really did a great job bringing the wonder and danger to life.
My favorite aspect about the book is that I was unable to predict the climax at multiple points. Just when I thought the rising action could not elevate any higher, the author introduced a new scene with even higher stakes than before.
Travis hit on some heavy hitting topics again with this one, and really drove home that this world is lived in, and has its own truly dark side of humanity. To me, this is the main draw for this series, and why it is so fascinating as an adult who grew up with Pokémon.
This entry was a blast from start to finish, and I can't wait for more. If this tells you anything, I have already preordered book 3, and am counting down the days to release!
STORY
4.5/5
CHARACTERS
4.5/5
WORLD-BUILDING
5/5
PROSE
3/5
FINAL SCORE
4.5/5
MY RATING SCALE :
5 : Timeless Classic, I would recommend to anyone alive.
4 : I LOVED this book! I would recommend to all readers.
3 : I liked this book, but it’s not perfect. I would recommend to most readers.
2 : This book was fine, but it had a few glaring issues for me. I would recommend it to niche readers.
1 : I either did not enjoy this book or DNF. I personally would not recommend this book.
Book 2 of the Jekua series takes what was so much fun about the preamble and develops it into a story that I could not put down. I read this book in a week, and that is saying something considering that I am a new father who is very tired.
The first third or so of this book is an immediate continuation of the story, but in a different light. Whereas the first book was a lot of setup and world-building, the introduction to this book presented itself as an established world that the reader was coherent about, and introduced new characters that are downright hilarious.
A great-to-see similarity to the first book is the depth of the MCs. The more I learn about Balt and Alani the easier it is to sympathize with them. The more fleshed out they are, the more interesting they become. I also thought it was really nice to see them butt heads quite a bit, because that seems pretty likely when there are separate motives, even when the two individuals are best friends.
I was pretty bummed to not see Niona early on, but was very glad to see her return. I also fell in love with the new side characters Yud and Yi. All throughout the book I found myself laughing out loud at the commentary between the two, and that was extremely refreshing to see in the fantasy genre.
Travis hit a homerun with the world building again. The Volukho Wildlife Center is exactly how I pictured the Safari Zone from Pokémon when I was a kid. He really did a great job bringing the wonder and danger to life.
My favorite aspect about the book is that I was unable to predict the climax at multiple points. Just when I thought the rising action could not elevate any higher, the author introduced a new scene with even higher stakes than before.
Travis hit on some heavy hitting topics again with this one, and really drove home that this world is lived in, and has its own truly dark side of humanity. To me, this is the main draw for this series, and why it is so fascinating as an adult who grew up with Pokémon.
This entry was a blast from start to finish, and I can't wait for more. If this tells you anything, I have already preordered book 3, and am counting down the days to release!
STORY
4.5/5
CHARACTERS
4.5/5
WORLD-BUILDING
5/5
PROSE
3/5
FINAL SCORE
4.5/5
MY RATING SCALE :
5 : Timeless Classic, I would recommend to anyone alive.
4 : I LOVED this book! I would recommend to all readers.
3 : I liked this book, but it’s not perfect. I would recommend to most readers.
2 : This book was fine, but it had a few glaring issues for me. I would recommend it to niche readers.
1 : I either did not enjoy this book or DNF. I personally would not recommend this book.
September 22, 2022
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions upon finishing reading fantasy books.
An extremely enjoyable follow-up adventure in a Pokémon inspired world
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep is a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish, and I couldn't stop smiling as I read it. I typically read very dense fantasy novels with a more serious tone, so switching over to this book was a breath of fresh air due to the low-stakes nature of the story.
Ultimately, this isn't the pinnacle of the fantasy genre - but I don't think you should read this book expecting it to be something that it is not. This book is a very good cozy fantasy read that should be extremely enjoyable to those who have any experience playing or watching Pokémon. And I suspect that even those who have no experience with that franchise will find something to enjoy here.
If you aren't caught up on this series yet, the basic premise of this series is that two best friends are going on a journey around their fantasy world together. One of them is on a journey to visit all the different shrines due to a religious quest they have been given, and one of them is along for the ride so they can catch Jekua (fantasy animals) so they can use them to enter a Jekua fighting tournament. There's far more nuance to the story than this, but that is the basic premise.
Story: 4/5
The story was a step up from the previous book, as things felt more refined here and it had the benefit of immediately picking up from the foundation of a plot that was laid down last time and could more easily tell an isolated story. This is a story of an adventure through a wildlife center, where there are ultra rare Jekua to be caught.
This tighter story helps things, as it allows for more character development to be done - which I appreciated reading through this. I also appreciated that the story had a more serious plotline running through it that I do not want to spoil, and it added some nice tension to the story that helped it out.
World Building: 5/5
The world building is incredible, and while this may have a bit to do with Pokémon nostalgia - I can't help but fall in love with this world that has been crafted. I love all the different locations that have been journeyed to, and I can't stop thinking about the world even after I'm done with the book. I'm extremely excited to see what is in store in future books, because the author has done a wonderful job capturing my imagination and making me feel like a kid again.
Fantasy Elements: 5/5
The fantasy elements of this book are extremely well done and brilliantly thought out. I would go as far as to say that it actually improves upon the basic premise of Pokemon is virtually every way. I do not want to spoilt what those differences are for those who haven't read the series yet, but they are imaginative, fun, and thoroughly exciting.
I think the Jekua themselves are also well thought out and don't just feel like Pokemon retreads. The author has done a great job making a distinctly original series using a tried and true formula.
I will say though that I do continue to wish that there was more artwork in this book. At the end of the book there are pictures and explanations of some of the Jekua in the book, but I keep feeling like I wish this treatment was given to every single Jekua that appears. It's such a joy to be able to see a great artistic representation of them, that it's a letdown when they aren't there for some of them.
Characters: 3/5
The characters, while better written in this book due to the continued character growth and development, still feel very vanilla to me. Luckily this book isn't really a character focused book, but it does end up holding this back from being better than it could be. Any time there is any sort of conflict or decision making that goes on, I already know exactly what each character is going to feel due to them just playing archetypes.
Writing Style: 3/5
The writing style is also a little more on the basic side here. Again this doesn't hurt the book much because the goal here is a lighthearted, relaxing read. But you aren't going to get any flowing prose here that you are going to gush over - and you aren't going to see a very complex vocabulary used either by the characters or the narration.
Enjoyment: 4/5
Overall I had a great time reading this book, and would recommend it to any Pokemon fan, cozy fantasy fan. Even if you aren't either of these things are prefer reading much more dense fantasy, I would urge you to give this book a chance as a "palate cleanser" between more serious books.
An extremely enjoyable follow-up adventure in a Pokémon inspired world
A Fracture in the Qwisdeep is a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish, and I couldn't stop smiling as I read it. I typically read very dense fantasy novels with a more serious tone, so switching over to this book was a breath of fresh air due to the low-stakes nature of the story.
Ultimately, this isn't the pinnacle of the fantasy genre - but I don't think you should read this book expecting it to be something that it is not. This book is a very good cozy fantasy read that should be extremely enjoyable to those who have any experience playing or watching Pokémon. And I suspect that even those who have no experience with that franchise will find something to enjoy here.
If you aren't caught up on this series yet, the basic premise of this series is that two best friends are going on a journey around their fantasy world together. One of them is on a journey to visit all the different shrines due to a religious quest they have been given, and one of them is along for the ride so they can catch Jekua (fantasy animals) so they can use them to enter a Jekua fighting tournament. There's far more nuance to the story than this, but that is the basic premise.
Story: 4/5
The story was a step up from the previous book, as things felt more refined here and it had the benefit of immediately picking up from the foundation of a plot that was laid down last time and could more easily tell an isolated story. This is a story of an adventure through a wildlife center, where there are ultra rare Jekua to be caught.
This tighter story helps things, as it allows for more character development to be done - which I appreciated reading through this. I also appreciated that the story had a more serious plotline running through it that I do not want to spoil, and it added some nice tension to the story that helped it out.
World Building: 5/5
The world building is incredible, and while this may have a bit to do with Pokémon nostalgia - I can't help but fall in love with this world that has been crafted. I love all the different locations that have been journeyed to, and I can't stop thinking about the world even after I'm done with the book. I'm extremely excited to see what is in store in future books, because the author has done a wonderful job capturing my imagination and making me feel like a kid again.
Fantasy Elements: 5/5
The fantasy elements of this book are extremely well done and brilliantly thought out. I would go as far as to say that it actually improves upon the basic premise of Pokemon is virtually every way. I do not want to spoilt what those differences are for those who haven't read the series yet, but they are imaginative, fun, and thoroughly exciting.
I think the Jekua themselves are also well thought out and don't just feel like Pokemon retreads. The author has done a great job making a distinctly original series using a tried and true formula.
I will say though that I do continue to wish that there was more artwork in this book. At the end of the book there are pictures and explanations of some of the Jekua in the book, but I keep feeling like I wish this treatment was given to every single Jekua that appears. It's such a joy to be able to see a great artistic representation of them, that it's a letdown when they aren't there for some of them.
Characters: 3/5
The characters, while better written in this book due to the continued character growth and development, still feel very vanilla to me. Luckily this book isn't really a character focused book, but it does end up holding this back from being better than it could be. Any time there is any sort of conflict or decision making that goes on, I already know exactly what each character is going to feel due to them just playing archetypes.
Writing Style: 3/5
The writing style is also a little more on the basic side here. Again this doesn't hurt the book much because the goal here is a lighthearted, relaxing read. But you aren't going to get any flowing prose here that you are going to gush over - and you aren't going to see a very complex vocabulary used either by the characters or the narration.
Enjoyment: 4/5
Overall I had a great time reading this book, and would recommend it to any Pokemon fan, cozy fantasy fan. Even if you aren't either of these things are prefer reading much more dense fantasy, I would urge you to give this book a chance as a "palate cleanser" between more serious books.
January 24, 2025
Hey, I'm back. Shortly after the first book, the second one turned out to be a better read. We ventured into our good old Safari Zone to explore.
At the beginning, I thought we were going to be teased with a Murder on the Orient Express-type story, filled with twists, turns, and survival fluff. Well, no, that didn’t happen—I thought it would have been an interesting story—maybe in an alternate universe.
Anyway, the real story was decent enough. What I liked most was the magic system. It’s surprisingly well-thought-out and has a hint of Brandy Sandy’s style, which is a huge plus. The types aren’t your everyday, go-to base types that everybody expects—I loved the suspense and mystery built around the abilities of Jekuas and the progression of Balt. Props to you, Mr. Riddle—this is carrying your book on its back (which is, well, kind of the point in a Pokémon-esque fantasy—just like swords and sorcery carry an epic fantasy on theirs).
The second thing I loved was the conflict between the characters—I sincerely hope something major comes out of this. The third thing I loved was the absence of food descriptions on every third page (thank you for that).
Oh, and we got the entrée of Team Rocket as well! Or something like that—or not at all, I don’t know yet. I’ll keep reading.
Techno-magic animal cruelty has never been so entertaining—I rate this book as a step in the direction of originality,
At the beginning, I thought we were going to be teased with a Murder on the Orient Express-type story, filled with twists, turns, and survival fluff. Well, no, that didn’t happen—I thought it would have been an interesting story—maybe in an alternate universe.
Anyway, the real story was decent enough. What I liked most was the magic system. It’s surprisingly well-thought-out and has a hint of Brandy Sandy’s style, which is a huge plus. The types aren’t your everyday, go-to base types that everybody expects—I loved the suspense and mystery built around the abilities of Jekuas and the progression of Balt. Props to you, Mr. Riddle—this is carrying your book on its back (which is, well, kind of the point in a Pokémon-esque fantasy—just like swords and sorcery carry an epic fantasy on theirs).
The second thing I loved was the conflict between the characters—I sincerely hope something major comes out of this. The third thing I loved was the absence of food descriptions on every third page (thank you for that).
Oh, and we got the entrée of Team Rocket as well! Or something like that—or not at all, I don’t know yet. I’ll keep reading.
Techno-magic animal cruelty has never been so entertaining—I rate this book as a step in the direction of originality,
October 11, 2025
3.5 Stars, slightly better than the first book.
A fracture in the Qwisdeep follows on from the foundation set in On Lavender Tides and ever so slightly builds on it.
I appreciated how this sequel carried on the journey showing us a little more of the world, the setting of this book showcased the Volukho Wildlife Center and the jungle of the “Qwisdeep”. It felt a few levels above the first in this regard as there was a whole plethora of new, cooler Jekua to immerse me in the world and now finally a twinge of a real deeper conflict going on that our main characters are slowly getting pulled into.
Balt is like a kid being let off a leash, which gives a very YA feel.
Alani’s tension between her pilgrimage and Balts exploration adds some emotional stress where otherwise there would be none because they're the bestest of friends which feels unbelievable to me.
The side characters felt underdeveloped but that's okay,.it seems the story is going to mainly be about Balt and then the push and pull with Alanis mission.
The pacing is decent, enough motion to keep me turning pages but it's not fast by any means. Encountering new Jekua is the real pull of the story.
If I had to pick a weakness, for me, the story leans heavy on the Jekua for the pull to keep you reading, the overall plot isn't incredibly motivating.
A fracture in the Qwisdeep follows on from the foundation set in On Lavender Tides and ever so slightly builds on it.
I appreciated how this sequel carried on the journey showing us a little more of the world, the setting of this book showcased the Volukho Wildlife Center and the jungle of the “Qwisdeep”. It felt a few levels above the first in this regard as there was a whole plethora of new, cooler Jekua to immerse me in the world and now finally a twinge of a real deeper conflict going on that our main characters are slowly getting pulled into.
Balt is like a kid being let off a leash, which gives a very YA feel.
Alani’s tension between her pilgrimage and Balts exploration adds some emotional stress where otherwise there would be none because they're the bestest of friends which feels unbelievable to me.
The side characters felt underdeveloped but that's okay,.it seems the story is going to mainly be about Balt and then the push and pull with Alanis mission.
The pacing is decent, enough motion to keep me turning pages but it's not fast by any means. Encountering new Jekua is the real pull of the story.
If I had to pick a weakness, for me, the story leans heavy on the Jekua for the pull to keep you reading, the overall plot isn't incredibly motivating.
September 17, 2022
First off, I absolutely love the title of this book. That alone had me sold. But also I've read enough of Riddle's books now, including the first Jekua entry, to know to expect a quality, charming read. And charming is the word - as with Lavender Tides, it's pure enjoyment to join these characters with their foibles as they meander through a world of highly original exotic creatures and life dramas.
This entry dips deeper into more unusual and exciting Jekua, as Alani and Balt venture through the formidable Qwisdeep, accompanied by a crew of eccentric tourists. There's a lot of fun to be had merely watching them navigate the weird terrain, dangerous creatures and each other. Riddle has this engaging, laid back style that makes it a pleasure to read even between dramas, but there's also his trademark ability to suddenly ramp things right up.
It's impossible to say exactly what impressed me most about this book without spoilers, but I found the book's final acts to be superbly pulled together, producing a finale with a surprisingly strong emotional impact. Highly recommended!
This entry dips deeper into more unusual and exciting Jekua, as Alani and Balt venture through the formidable Qwisdeep, accompanied by a crew of eccentric tourists. There's a lot of fun to be had merely watching them navigate the weird terrain, dangerous creatures and each other. Riddle has this engaging, laid back style that makes it a pleasure to read even between dramas, but there's also his trademark ability to suddenly ramp things right up.
It's impossible to say exactly what impressed me most about this book without spoilers, but I found the book's final acts to be superbly pulled together, producing a finale with a surprisingly strong emotional impact. Highly recommended!
March 14, 2023
This book took place in a new island and I really liked the combination of exploring the Jekua conservation area punctuated with action scenes.
Balt and Alani continued to discover a few things about themselves and there were a few inevitable tense moments. I wish it hadn't led to the misunderstanding at the end, but it does gives room for becoming better in the coming novels.
It was good to see more of Niona in this book and relieved to not have to meet Balt's cousin. Speaking of side characters, the twins from the tour group were very irritating at the start but grew to be more likeable. Many of the sub plots in this book were resolved but left room for continuation. Will be interesting to see if they come up later on. The overarching plot also got interesting with the weird tech being used by the group attacking the shrines.
And, a pleasant surprise: the third book released today!! Not good news for my work though :D
Balt and Alani continued to discover a few things about themselves and there were a few inevitable tense moments. I wish it hadn't led to the misunderstanding at the end, but it does gives room for becoming better in the coming novels.
It was good to see more of Niona in this book and relieved to not have to meet Balt's cousin. Speaking of side characters, the twins from the tour group were very irritating at the start but grew to be more likeable. Many of the sub plots in this book were resolved but left room for continuation. Will be interesting to see if they come up later on. The overarching plot also got interesting with the weird tech being used by the group attacking the shrines.
And, a pleasant surprise: the third book released today!! Not good news for my work though :D
January 20, 2024
Continues to be a riotous good read. We start to see some deeper plot development in this book, which is nice. I did find some of the tonal shifts rather jarring though. The author shifts between some relatively YA rompy writing to some moments which are quite brutal. I think I would prefer it if a middle ground was found.
If you liked book 1, you'll like this one. If not, probably not for you.
If you liked book 1, you'll like this one. If not, probably not for you.
May 12, 2024
Reading this book/series, not only is it Pokemon-inspired, but it seems like Pokemon fan-fiction, with just the names changed. Even the interactions with other trainers (Summoners) seems like legit conversations from the games / show. Hell, there's even Team Rocket (Facet) which are causing trouble. That's not a knock as I found the world to be vibrant and exotic, plus it’s a real easy read and it’s just a fun adventure. The characters, even minor ones, are unique
July 10, 2024
This was exactly the book 2 that you would expect after reading the first Jekua book. It was nice, cozy and a quick read with a simple plot. There is still a (too) heavy emphasis on food, but the characters are growing a little bit on me and I love the exploration of wild Jekua even if I am still disappointed that the Jekua used for battle are just mana copies without a will of their own.
January 19, 2023
Another overall enjoyable installment in this series. However, I did find myself incredibly frustrated with Balt which undoubtedly soured my enjoyment for most of this story. The ending definitely opens up the world and plot, and am intrigued as to what comes next...
March 20, 2024
I am really enjoying this series, but I am a sensitive girly when it comes to animals in distress, so the poaching storyline really put me off. I would have appreciated a trigger warning for it. Still like the characters and the main plot, so I will read book three.
February 14, 2024
This series reminds me of a beloved childhood cartoon...
The simpsons.
The simpsons.
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