The Quest of Salamander: A Dive into the Second Volume of *Les Chroniques du Nouveau-Monde* by Joffrey Lebourg

The Quest of Salamander is the title of the second volume in the saga *Les Chroniques du Nouveau-Monde* by Joffrey Lebourg. In the proud tradition of the 7 Relics, the author cements his status as a writer, great adventurer, and fan of legends. Following the events of the first book, Salamander continues her initiatory journey through a post-apocalyptic world where magic and mythology intertwine... What will be her fate? How will this rebellious, intelligent, powerful, and determined character evolve? Whatever the outcome, we love the choice of a strong female lead who defies norms and asserts herself naturally.

What is this new volume about?

This volume delves deeper into the character of Salamander, as well as the strange world that surrounds her. While "The Odyssey of Salamander" introduced the setting and characters, "The Quest" focuses more on the plot and the development of themes, making the story even more captivating. In this second volume, Salamander discovers the truth about her origins: she is a Half-Blood, the daughter of an immortal Guardian, Joffrey, and a human. This mix, which could have made her a chosen one, a full-fledged Mary-Sue, ready to break everything, turns out to be both a blessing and a curse.

How to balance it? How to find the right tone, given the delicate position?

Joffrey Lebourg masterfully describes the emotions and feelings of his character, which plays a crucial role in the evolution of the plot. Inevitably, Salamander must face the truth about her divine lineage and, with it, the responsibility that comes with this status. It's no longer just an inconsequential adventure; it's a quest to understand her place in the world and to accept the weight of her legacy. As she learns to master powers she doesn’t fully understand, Salamander isolates herself, albeit unintentionally. No one can truly understand what she feels... But don’t think she’ll wallow in self-pity, as she’s a strong person, ready to fight against deities.

For instance, during her confrontation with the water goddess Mami Wata, she demonstrates just how much she has evolved since the first volume. Facing imminent death, she unleashes a power she didn’t know she had to save her brother Leo. A surprising scene, written in a simple yet effective style:

"Ad quos eieci te! Evanescet deam aquae!" recited Salamander in Latin. And in a flash of light, Mami Wata vanished, leaving Leo stunned, but alive.

In this New World, the Guardians have rebuilt a dimension where nature reigns over the remnants of human civilization. However, this nature is not benevolent. It is wild and dangerous. Regenerated by “Plan S,” it is both terrifying and magnificent.

Guardians: Protectors or Oppressors?

The Guardians, who supposedly saved the planet from destruction, are both revered and feared. While they have restored balance, they also control humans. This power is increasingly questioned—is it truly legitimate? Are they the benevolent protectors they claim to be, or do they use their power to maintain their own dominance?

To find out, we will have to closely follow the author of this saga! Joffrey Lebourg is also the author of other epic adventures, including the saga of the 7 Relics, published by Des Auteurs Des Livres. He has a creative potential inspired by pop culture. As a dedicated writer, he goes all in on his projects, striving to find the right words for what he imagines. Conscious of being a dreamer, he has written several stories where the main characters are strong young women, often torn between duty and destiny, sometimes guided by the latter... But the ultimate goal remains freedom. We bet that Salamander’s emancipation will continue, but we wonder what form this breath of independence will take. Will it be destructive? And if the "Guardians" were replaced by an even more tyrannical power? That would be a terrible, but bold, outcome...