Title: Full Circle: A Love Story of Light, Loss, and Redemption
Author: J Karston Buli
Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
ISBN: 979-8889826163
Pages: 832
Genre: Terrorism / Thrillers
Reviewer: Christina Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
Sometimes in a person’s darkest moments, they can find true solace. No matter how devastating the events of the past may be, or how hurt someone may have made them feel, forgiveness or redemption can be two great and powerful motivators to seizing the day and living life to the fullest or reconciling with someone thought lost to them. It is in darkness that light can truly survive.
Themes of betrayal, trauma, and spiritual rebirth run through and through in author J Karston Buli’s, Full Circle: A Love Story of Light, Loss, and Redemption.The story follows John Djeer, an empath who seeks to reconnect with his ex-wife and sons in what should be a healing retreat. Things take a dark turn however as a terrorist attack unfolds, and he is forced to protect his family during a country-wide conflict. Forced to confront his past, John struggles to face regret and abandonment as he relives the life he and his ex built together, the family they shared, and the loss of their relationship as he hopes that surviving this tragedy can bring them to a brighter future.
Emotionally driven and thought-provoking, this is a powerful and compelling read. The author did an incredible job of creating characters which felt realistic, relatable, and heartfelt in their sincerity. The vivid imagery in the author’s writing style brought out these international settings to life, especially the heart of the narrative, Bali, in a vibrant and tangible way. The raw emotions driving these characters and the twists and turns in their stories all felt realistic to the complexity of human relationships and showcased the struggle and heartbreak that can often be paired with love and family.
Yet it was in the themes and multi-layered genre storytelling, this book truly shined. For readers who enjoy a bit of psychological thriller elements and spirituality with their deep-seated romance novels, this book will speak volumes to them. The book opens with a bang, both literally and figuratively, as readers feel the physical and emotional stakes at play with both the modern day setting and the slow-burn build-up to the highs and lows of John and Ravina’s relationship. The way the author leaned into the cultural differences, the ways in which John and Ravina both struggled and embraced those differences and allowed their spiritual connection to each other and their beliefs to drive their actions throughout the narrative adds more depth and engagement for readers to get behind. A suspense-thriller for anyone who believes healing is the most courageous journey of all.