The Crystalline Crucible is an oddly chaotic YA adventure mystery by Adam Rowan featuring a neurodivergent protagonist named Maxwell, who is a gamer and devoted to puzzle mysteries and treasure hunting games. Released 14th May 2024, it's 260 pages and is available in ebook format.
The bones of a good story are here but the author never really seems to land on whether it should be sarcastic or silly or semi-serious. It careens from scene to scene without much coherence. The writing itself is competent, and written in UK English vernacular. The characterizations are more outlined than solid and due to the disparate natures of the characters (most of his circle of acquaintances seem to tolerate or actively loathe Max), it's choppy and unsettling.
One of the first scenes in the book sees Max breaking into a museum to "borrow" (steal) a mammoth tusk to find a clue, getting arrested, and subsequently bailed out reluctantly by his friend. His boss dislikes him, his friends seem to only tolerate him, and he mostly remains blissfully ignorant of the fact or doesn't care. His backstory is just *bizarre*.
Three stars. The language is rough for a middle grade - YA novel, and it's not clear for whom this novel is really intended. It would have benefited from a thorough professional editing process. It's unpolished, but there are definitely glimmers of a solid story.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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