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Reviewed by Richard Prause for Readers' Favorite
Gio in the Land of Syriax: Quest for the Eternal Flame by Ellen Buckley opens in a peaceful village nestled between forests and mountains, where Gio spends his days making shoes and helping his community. That changes fast when darkness rolls in and starts affecting everything. Instead of waiting around, Gio heads out to track down the Eternal Flame, a powerful, never-ending fire said to restore what’s been lost. Along the way, he is accompanied by a Red Dragon—his secret companion that no one else knows exists. Together, they cross rough land, push through exhaustion, and venture into deep tunnels that have memories from Gio's past. The journey takes a toll on him, but reaching the flame gives him the strength to press on when it matters most—and to face whatever comes next with a little more courage than before.
Gio in the Land of Syriax: Quest for the Eternal Flame by Ellen Buckley offers a classic quest setup, but keeps things light and accessible for younger readers. The plot unfolds at a steady pace and increases gradually, especially when Gio reaches the flame—it happens before you fully expect it. That said, the story is filled with engaging adventure sequences, which work well for young readers with short attention spans. Gio is easy to understand, and his determination comes through clearly, especially when he keeps going despite being worn out. The Red Dragon adds a bit of mystery to the story, and I liked that it wasn’t over-explained at all. The story doesn’t get too detailed, but that simplicity might actually be the point. It’s the kind of book that works well as a bedtime read, especially for children who like adventure without anything too intense.
