Dax

by Mick Vernant

When his father disappears, Dax faces every living nightmare to find him.Dax Candeland is navigating another difficult day at school, where no one shows enough consideration for his dislike of contractions or his obsession with numbers. One thought sustains it's his sixteenth birthday, and he will celebrate it with his father.Alone, the two of them enjoy their meal and a special understanding–until Dax visits the bathroom, where the sinister clown from a poster comes alive, making him both fear and doubt reality.Back outside, the world has changed beyond recognition, and his father has gone. So begins Dax's quest to find his father and learn why he vanished in the first place.In this new world, Dax meets gargoyles, monsters, witches and giants–but why do they bear a strange resemblance to the people in his life? His tendency to overthink and obsession with details become his greatest advantage as he is forced to solve riddle after riddle to advance his search.Yet the closer he gets to solving the mystery, the more dangerous the creatures in this new world become. All Dax knows is that he must find his father quickly–before the search kills him for real.

141 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2024

About the author

Mick holds degrees in English&Literary Studies and a MA in Creative Writing. Since graduating, he has enjoyed numerous jobs. However, none can rival the sheer satisfaction of watching his pen fly onto a blank page or wall. Such surreal shenanigans mirror Mr Bright's chaotic classroom in book one of the Dax trilogy.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVV4BW5X

When Mick isn't watching his preternatural pen, he is busy injuring himself playing tennis. He hurts his elbow and wrist just by pondering the perfect backhand down the line. Luckily, his characters don't go anywhere near a court, except a legal one of sorts in book two. But they might play ping-pong while planning an escape from a secure psychiatric unit, or harm themselves with crazier endeavours like saving humanity, understanding reality, or emptying Cathedral puddles with their feet.

At home, Mick gulps hot chocolate from a bottomless Mr Grumpy cup. He also spends time listening to his family, including two grass-devouring guinea pigs, Goldenbee and Stems, whose chortles keep him in the sweet spot between sane and insane.

Books two and three of the Dax trilogy will be published in 2024.

Reviews

[Patrick C · Rating 5 out of 5]

great YA story

Dax delivers a trippy adventure through a terrifying alternate reality, all while the main character struggles to cope with a traumatic event. The ghouls of his own psyche are more than a match for him. Vernant kept me guessing each page. 5/5 inner demons.

[Samuel Tou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax is amazing with his snappy wit and outlook. The other characters are richly detailed with impressive word efficiency. The emotional pulse is subtle and effective. Reader ponderings run high among the implications within the events and what's to come in the story. YA fans of this genre would be foolish to miss out!

[April Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is as unique as any out there, truly cutting edge.

As I began reading it, I formed a theory that it was about my personal biggest fear... but following this fast-paced tale to its dread-steeped conclusion, I discovered its meaning was even scarier. This is one of those books where I finished the last page and immediately flipped back to the beginning for a reread to devour every delicious clue and bit of foreshadowing again. For that reason, it would be an excellent book club pick. I'm excited to talk about it with friends to unpack the rich symbolism together.

This is my honest review: My only problem was that at one point in the middle, I wondered, "If this is all a dream, why does it matter if these arbitrary things happen to Dax?" That question unfolded into the book's two best strengths: the triumph of Dax gaining agency, and a masterful ending that shows none of the events were arbitrary at all. In fact, it makes you reevaluate the nature of reality. I definitely recommend it.

I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy.

[Kathrin Spinnler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dax by Mick Vernant is a young adult dark fantasy novel. The protagonist, Dax Candeland, is a troubled teen with a phobia of contractions. When his father goes missing, he enters a living nightmare featuring gargoyles, witches, ghouls, giants, and more, all strangely similar to the people in his own life.

Will Dax figure out what happened to his father before it's too late?

I really enjoyed this unique and well-written novel. The author keeps the reader guessing until the end, as reality blurs with Dax's fantasy world. The book kept my attention throughout, as it is fast-paced and unexpected. I would recommend it to both teenagers and adults who love supernatural and dark fiction.

[Biggaletta Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! An original and unpredictable YA horror thriller where Dax, the hero, gets caught up in his dream world or nightmares. It is good story with lots of great twists and turns to keep readers hooked and guessing. I also found it an emotional rollercoaster which dealt well with sensitive issues. Good stuff, and now I'm looking forward to reading book 2.

[P.C. Nottingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I'd written this review on Amazon a while ago and just realized it hadn't come over here!)
Dax delivers a trippy adventure through a terrifying alternate reality, all while the main character struggles to cope with a traumatic event. The ghouls of his own psyche are more than a match for him. Vernant kept me guessing each page. 5/5 inner demons.

[Kate Machon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a darkly compelling book, looking at a teenager's battle to discover a truth he has hidden in his own mind. Very original and sometimes disturbing but impossible to put down. I'd highly recommend reading.

[Carlie Bolka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose dazzles with its intricate descriptions and thought-provoking narrative, making this novel a must-read for fans of speculative fiction.

[P.J. Danby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the concept of this book, a bitter ending and mostly enjoyable read. not my usual read and perhaps thats why i didnt feel utterly engrossed in the book, so it possibly deserves more stars.