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Tony DiVincenzo grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is a nature enthusiast. In addition to reading and writing, DiVincenzo enjoys hiking, backpacking, fishing, camping, and kayaking.
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Takara Shining: The Binding by Tony DiVincenzo is an urban fantasy with a unique, compelling voice. The reader is introduced to the people of Ligo, who experience the Takara Shining every fifty years. It is a unique event in which the moons of Ligo align to create a gravitational effect necessary for the coloration of particles in the atmosphere. But this year, the rare event of the Takara Shining combines with the annual Zenda Celebration, an unusual combination, indeed. The youths selected for the Zenda are both excited and awed at the unfolding event. They come from the different tribes of Ligo—Kartics, Olarians, and others. But what happens during the Takara night not only threatens the lives of these characters but forces them to become creative, bold, and to learn to trust one another if they can survive the days ahead.
Takara Shining is gorgeously written. Tony DiVincenzo paints a unique world that reminded me of the celebrations around a bonfire in some cultures, especially in Africa. The colorful setting greets readers as they start the story and the setting in Ligo is meticulously written, with details in the way of life of people from different tribes and the dangerous, untamed environment that the characters navigate. The characters are well-written, especially Sabrina, Ciryatan, the Tulctan twins, Travis and Trent, and others. It is a tale of adventure and survival filled with twists and unpredictable moments that transform the plot into a page-turner. This is a well-constructed world, a phenomenon that put young characters through a coming-of-age experience that tests them to the limits. Takara Shining: The Binding is filled with adventure, a transporting story that will keep you awake, immersed in a culture that is as dynamic as it is mind-boggling.
