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2nd2lastunicorn's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Siroun has always been an outsider in her little village and when her library is attacked and villagers killed, she’s immediately blamed for it even though she tries to stop the actual attacker! With the mages from the kingdom aligning with her mission to prove her innocence while also completing theirs, Siroun embarks on a journey to new places, peoples, and ways of thinking. But the mage Felthane wants his revenge on her for denying him what he wanted from the library - can she stay safe? Or will he end the realm trying to get her?
This was a fun adventure story and the first in a series! Siroun grows from completely ignorant to realizing she’s so much more throughout the book and her companions all teach her different things. I look forward to the rest of the series!
This was a fun adventure story and the first in a series! Siroun grows from completely ignorant to realizing she’s so much more throughout the book and her companions all teach her different things. I look forward to the rest of the series!
rolynn_nevels's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There is a lot to say about Sefchik's "Key of Arcandus" so buckle up! First, while reading this amazing story it's evident
that Sefchick took time to build the world. The names of places, things, and people (species) were so believable you
would think they truly exists. The concept that magic has consequences is a great addition to the story as well.
Second, the characters felt true to themselves that while reading dialogue I knew who it was without needing the tag.
Zikky takes the cake for the funniest, most down to earth, and loyal friend of them all. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and what they bought to the story.
Third, oh the plot twists (there were many) Even when I thought the story arc was going one way it changed direction
and kept me entertained! "Key of Arcandus" really held me to the very end and I cannot wait to read the sequel!! Wonderful job to the author.
that Sefchick took time to build the world. The names of places, things, and people (species) were so believable you
would think they truly exists. The concept that magic has consequences is a great addition to the story as well.
Second, the characters felt true to themselves that while reading dialogue I knew who it was without needing the tag.
Zikky takes the cake for the funniest, most down to earth, and loyal friend of them all. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and what they bought to the story.
Third, oh the plot twists (there were many) Even when I thought the story arc was going one way it changed direction
and kept me entertained! "Key of Arcandus" really held me to the very end and I cannot wait to read the sequel!! Wonderful job to the author.
angeliqueconnell's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jamielynnlano's review against another edition
5.0
Queer rep: Sapphic (pansexual, bi, wlw relationship)
CW: violence, death
**This review is spoiler-free**
Disclaimer: Lauren and I are good friends. I was also a beta-reader for KoA. I am a prolific reader, however, and I want to provide an honest opinion so that you can judge whether you may want to pick KoA up for yourself or a friend.
Lauren is going to be a writer to watch. First novels, as this one is, are rarely this complex. There is a LOT of lore that Lauren is building upon for this series, and instead of infodumping like some writers tend to do, she reveals bits and pieces of information as the story unfolds. That, for me, is an excellent quality, and pretty much the ideal style that I want in a novel's worldbuilding. It feels very natural, and also lets us move along with the main character as she learns more about the world she lives in.
Let's talk about characters. The main character in this story, Siroun, is a girl living in a xenophobic society. As such, most of what she knows about the world outside of her village are false, terrible stereotypes about the people and lands of the planet. Furthermore, she's a half-breed, and can't "pass" as one of the local race, and I think that was the perfect choice for the main character here, because as Siroun learns things (and overwrites harmful internal stereotypes, in her case), we learn them too. It's the perfect way to introduce a new world to us. The cast of complimentary characters is well-rounded with various genders, personalities, races, and sexualities represented. They have flaws, and is small enough that we get a good peek inside who they are as people. I can't wait to read more about each of them in subsequent books!
The story is definitely a high fantasy. I would liken it most to the Forbidden Realms books in the feel of things and worldbuilding. If you like the idea of Lord of the Rings but find it too wordy, KoA is very much like that. If you normally spend time in the fantasy section of the bookstore, I think you would want to give this a shot.
Lauren's writing style is straightforward. Perhaps here is my only real caveat - she tells (as opposed to shows) a little too much for my taste. But not everyone prefers this, and this is also her first novel. It does make this book easy to read. This book could be professionally published (and she did have it professionally edited) and sit alongside any mainstream novel and do very well, I think, as far as quality of writing and story goes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the cast of characters and their banter. I loved how things were laid out, and how we journeyed through the eyes of a character that was also experiencing things for the first time. This is a great foundation to build a series on. I think if found families, ragtag bands of adventurers, fantasy worlds, and good banter are your things, you should give Lauren's book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Like I said at the beginning of this review, I think Lauren is a writer to have on your radar. I would not be surprised if a publisher approaches her someday and either picks this series up for widespread distribution, or asks her to write for them. BTW, KoA would make an EXCELLENT movie.
CW: violence, death
**This review is spoiler-free**
Disclaimer: Lauren and I are good friends. I was also a beta-reader for KoA. I am a prolific reader, however, and I want to provide an honest opinion so that you can judge whether you may want to pick KoA up for yourself or a friend.
Lauren is going to be a writer to watch. First novels, as this one is, are rarely this complex. There is a LOT of lore that Lauren is building upon for this series, and instead of infodumping like some writers tend to do, she reveals bits and pieces of information as the story unfolds. That, for me, is an excellent quality, and pretty much the ideal style that I want in a novel's worldbuilding. It feels very natural, and also lets us move along with the main character as she learns more about the world she lives in.
Let's talk about characters. The main character in this story, Siroun, is a girl living in a xenophobic society. As such, most of what she knows about the world outside of her village are false, terrible stereotypes about the people and lands of the planet. Furthermore, she's a half-breed, and can't "pass" as one of the local race, and I think that was the perfect choice for the main character here, because as Siroun learns things (and overwrites harmful internal stereotypes, in her case), we learn them too. It's the perfect way to introduce a new world to us. The cast of complimentary characters is well-rounded with various genders, personalities, races, and sexualities represented. They have flaws, and is small enough that we get a good peek inside who they are as people. I can't wait to read more about each of them in subsequent books!
The story is definitely a high fantasy. I would liken it most to the Forbidden Realms books in the feel of things and worldbuilding. If you like the idea of Lord of the Rings but find it too wordy, KoA is very much like that. If you normally spend time in the fantasy section of the bookstore, I think you would want to give this a shot.
Lauren's writing style is straightforward. Perhaps here is my only real caveat - she tells (as opposed to shows) a little too much for my taste. But not everyone prefers this, and this is also her first novel. It does make this book easy to read. This book could be professionally published (and she did have it professionally edited) and sit alongside any mainstream novel and do very well, I think, as far as quality of writing and story goes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the cast of characters and their banter. I loved how things were laid out, and how we journeyed through the eyes of a character that was also experiencing things for the first time. This is a great foundation to build a series on. I think if found families, ragtag bands of adventurers, fantasy worlds, and good banter are your things, you should give Lauren's book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Like I said at the beginning of this review, I think Lauren is a writer to have on your radar. I would not be surprised if a publisher approaches her someday and either picks this series up for widespread distribution, or asks her to write for them. BTW, KoA would make an EXCELLENT movie.
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