SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
When Michael falls asleep on a hill, he wakes up thinking he has had sun stroke. But eventually he realizes he as a new ability: he can see people's souls. Soon he exposes his brother Stephen to the same source. The two of them start to realize there may be more bad than good that comes from it. Especially when others with the same abilities are revealed. Not to mention what lives under the ground of their town.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Michael is one of of the three main characters. He is the younger brother to Stephen. He receives the ability first, and we see how it effects him pretty fast.
Stephen is the older brother and one of the main characters. Through him we learn how Michael is changing, not just with his new abilities, but his personality.
Sarah is Stephen and Michael's big sister. They have lived with her since the death of their parent. She struggles with being a sister as well as being their guardian.
Tom is the reverend of the local church and a friend of Sarah's. Neither of the brothers like him, and call him “the pope” behind his back. Because he is so young and originally from the town, he is sometimes treated as an outsider. His role in the story if first as a researcher and eventually as an ally.
Cleeves is a youth group leader that basically no one can stand.
PACING
The story is more suspense and mystery than it is action. But the story is paced well by switching between Stephen, Tom and Michael. And at one point, even Sarah. Also, it's to be noted that the story takes place in only a few days, which rather awed me, as so much is happening.
Michael alone might have been overwhelming to a reader, as he was clearly becoming the villain. But because we see the other perspectives, we are not constantly screaming “No, no, no!” at Michael. That would have grown old, fast.
ORIGINALITY
One thing that the story really has going for it is the originality. I never would have thought of souls being portrayed as diamonds shaped animal heads.
Also, the idea that the abilities themselves would eventually corrupt someone was interesting too. In most books, magic and other abilities only have negative consequences if you don't know how to use them properly. But there is no way to avoid the evils that come along with these abilities.
PHILOSOPHY
There are certain discussions between Stephen and Michael that I found fascinating. Michael starts to view the souls as the most important things, because they are so beautiful. While dismissing the shades inside them that reveal the personality. He thinks of them like food to devour. And he is annoyed that no one else can see them and appreciate them like he can. He belittles the very owners of those souls, as though he is more important.
It's near impossible not to draw symbolism with the dragon being the source of a great evil. With Michael thinking he can use the dragon as a power source, not realizing it's far too evil to be controlled. And that he himself, instead of controlling it, will end up being controlled.
BEFORE THE GIFT
Before Michael gets the ability, we really don't know anything about him. We do get to see a little bit of Stephen though. I do think it might have helped the story, to contrast with who they were becoming. We have Stephen to react to Michael, letting us know he is changing. But it would have been nice to see how they treated each other, as well as their sister, before this. I understand that this way, the actual story starts right off the bat, and we are not waiting around. But I felt a short introduction would have been helpful.
Also, it's only mentioned in passing about their parents dying and their sister taking care of them. I would have liked to hear more about their feelings and how they have adapted since then. It's hinted at throughout the story that things have not been going so smoothly.
MICHAEL'S EVOLUTION
Although we don't get to see who he was before the incident, we do get to see how Michael changes. His views change, and often times in the beginning, he feels convicted of his actions.
And we do sense that this isn't who Michael normally is, because he reactions seem so out of proportion. Like when he reacts so angrily to Stephen receiving the same abilities as him (even when he was the one who led him to get them). Or how viciously he attacks his sister, who was clearly just worried about him.
Also how inconsistent he is in his thoughts and the ability to admit he's changed. It's almost as though you are witnessing someone become a cult member.
STROUD'S WRITING
Stroud has an amazing way with words, not mention an amazing vocabulary. While reading I regularly underlined parts of sentences, and sometimes even whole sentences. I just loved the way he phrased things, especially the first chapter, where Michael is unconscious and attains the abilities. So much is happening, and yet nothing is. At the end, when he says “Michael wakes up”, I was like, all of that happened while he was asleep? It was artistic but not flowery.
CLIMAX
The climax is the most action-packed part of the story. Even before the dragon arises, we see Michael, and the others with the gift become violent and pursue Tom and Stephen. My only complaint is that the book ends the minute the dragon is killed. I really wanted to see Michael's reaction afterwards, to what he had almost done. We assume he is redeemed, as once the dragon is released he see's everything was a lie. But he doesn't actually accomplish anything himself in any attempt to change.
CONCLUSION
Stroud creates an original story full of suspense and mystery. Not to mention a story with depth that you don't often get in stories aimed at young adults. Viewing Michael change is fascinating and horrifying at the same time while the pacing is good because of the constant changes in the characters' perspectives. I give “Buried Fire” Four stars.
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