At age sixteen, Mink Jollè still hasn’t discovered his Elemental affinity, which is an identity crisis unheard of on the planet Georra. He has endured constant bullying while being held back in school, and his parents have come to employ drastic measures to help him mature. Their current ruse is a camping trip on Rift Ridge, where they test Mink to the breaking point, to no avail.
Meanwhile, Mink and his parents run across a Machinist scout searching out a mother lode of ore, who finds more than he bargains for. An immense geode buried deep in the ground is fabled to be the Tear of God, and the first nation to claim it will hold power and protection unrivaled on Georra.
The race is on as Mink’s parents stand guard at the Tear of God, sending Mink back to his homeland for help. Defying the odds and surprising himself, Mink succeeds in delivering the news to his people, and is chosen to assist a Team in returning to the site to relieve his parents and acquire the Tear of God for Octernal. Along the way, Mink is forced to rely on his strengths without an Element in order to win respect and ultimately discover his true identity.
Raymond has enjoyed writing from an early age. He lives in Coastal North Carolina with his wife and two daughters. His character driven stories reflect the diversity of the places he has lived and the jobs he has had, focusing on animals and film.
One of the objectives from the very start of the book was to build the world in a way that read as it should from the perspective of an inhabitant, but also give clues to the larger world condition. I think this passage accomplishes that in a wonderful way.
Book Excerpt
Tear of God – Elements
Thousands of years ago, the vast expanse before him was one of the largest oceans on Georra. Now its depths were awash in a sea of green grass waving with wind. Several miles away, a distinct line indicated where the grasses stopped trying to climb up the ridge.
Due to the lack of vegetation or shade, Mink thought it odd that his parents would pick this spot on the plateau to camp.
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