The Ruby Demon by Oscar O’Rourke follows Jack, a troubled teenager who seems to always leave death and questions in his wake. Life should have been easier after Jack murdered his father for raping and beating his little sister to death, but committing murder is something you never come back from. Not when you grew up in an abusive home and your mother further manipulates you into killing a reverend. Eventually, Jack escapes his mother's clutches and meets Jasper Herkimer, heir to the Glamour Mining Company, on his way to deliver a ruby on behalf of his brother. Jack travels with Jasper, although he feels a deep sense of danger. Unfortunately, his fear becomes real when the Forest Dwellers kidnap them and break open the cargo.

The Ruby Demon by Oscar O’Rourke is a worthy entry into the literary genre. It excites at times and horrifies in other moments, but it never fails to keep you expectant of the next bit of action or drama. It is a story that teaches the importance of self-awareness when dealing with your past. The characterizations and plot development fit right in with the genre, while the subtle development of Jack, in particular, from a traumatized kid to a perpetrator leaves you wondering when and where the transition happened. There is a lot of room for ambiguity along with a huge helping of literary devices, including metaphor, allegory, understatement, and poetry. I also liked the consistency of the text formatting and the division of the plot into stages, which added to my reading pleasure. I recommend The Ruby Demon to literary minds with a taste for young adult, dark literature, or western themes.

In the harsh wilderness, a young man gathers his wits. His only companions are a tough steed and a harrowing memory. Jack's youthful eyes have witnessed things his sixteen-year-old mind still struggles to comprehend, but even that won't deter him from this journey of self-discovery. Jasper, an equally mysterious individual, joins him. As they get to know each other better, uneasy truths gradually emerge. Neither realizes it, but this shaky beginning sparks a friendship that will test their moral fiber in ways neither is fully prepared for in The Ruby Demon by Oscar O'Rourke.

Oscar O'Rourke's The Ruby Demon features a unique blend of drama, horror, and romance woven together with fantastic wordplay. Jack's frequent references to his once-happy family and its downfall, along with Jasper's gradual mentions of his remarkable lineage, highlight the character development. The distinct storytelling style emphasizes vivid events delivered in a poetry-like manner, creating a ballad-like effect within the narrative. The subtle theme of actions and consequences continually resurfaces with the characters Jack encounters. The narrative's highlight is the dialogue, which shifts from calm to disturbing and then gradually back again. O'Rourke employs this approach even in the brief fairy tales the characters spin, notably the unsettling one about a horse that refuses to grow old. A measured pace that complements the dialogue enhances the suspense and immerses thriller enthusiasts in the unfolding adventure. O'Rourke skillfully balances these nuanced elements in this debut work, displaying the hallmarks of a talent to watch for in the future.