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kariniwonderland's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining read from beginning to end. The pace was a little bit slow, but nevertheless a nice introduction to an intriguing new world or I should say worlds. The book is described as “The Breakfast Club meets Harry Potter but Darker” and that is very fitting. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I got this arc in exchange for an honest review.
rachelsread's review against another edition
Although I can definitely see the appeal that this novel will and does have for other readers, unfortunately it just wasn't for me. The fantasy world was well thought-out and very thoroughly developed, but I personally found it difficult to connect with the characters as they didn't feel like "real" teenagers to me. Asides from that, however, I enjoyed reading this novel and would definitely recommend it to older children and younger teens!
escaping_with_books's review against another edition
2.0
As an older reader who loves YA Fantasy, this didn’t hit the spot for me. I could see that it would be much better suited to a younger reader, perhaps falling into the middle grade genre rather than YA.
At first, the setting and the little details describing the familiar Aussie world were fun to read. It just felt like home, a flashback to my teenage years. But soon this wasn’t enough to hold my interest as the story moved into a magical stage.
Details are vague in the writing, in an attempt to add to the scary nature of these strange people looking for the key, but instead it just made me lose interest in the story. I craved a faster pace in the world building where I could really sink into this new world and get lost in the story.
As the teenage characters run to save themselves, little is shared about them leaving me immune to their plight. I hadn’t gotten to know them well enough to be invested in their escape.
As we started following the journey of these teenagers I found that many of the solutions to problems that arise seemed too convenient. Although, there was much intrigue in the interesting world that began to take shape as the story progressed.
When the author introduced multiple points of view I found it hard to keep track of who I was reading as they were written similarly. I would have liked this to have been an opportunity to really get to know each character more deeply.
I can definitely see how this would be a great book for teenagers, it is a unique and interesting concept delivered in a way that is accessible for a younger audience.
**I received an ARC from NetGalley and willingly offer my honest review**
At first, the setting and the little details describing the familiar Aussie world were fun to read. It just felt like home, a flashback to my teenage years. But soon this wasn’t enough to hold my interest as the story moved into a magical stage.
Details are vague in the writing, in an attempt to add to the scary nature of these strange people looking for the key, but instead it just made me lose interest in the story. I craved a faster pace in the world building where I could really sink into this new world and get lost in the story.
As the teenage characters run to save themselves, little is shared about them leaving me immune to their plight. I hadn’t gotten to know them well enough to be invested in their escape.
As we started following the journey of these teenagers I found that many of the solutions to problems that arise seemed too convenient. Although, there was much intrigue in the interesting world that began to take shape as the story progressed.
When the author introduced multiple points of view I found it hard to keep track of who I was reading as they were written similarly. I would have liked this to have been an opportunity to really get to know each character more deeply.
I can definitely see how this would be a great book for teenagers, it is a unique and interesting concept delivered in a way that is accessible for a younger audience.
**I received an ARC from NetGalley and willingly offer my honest review**
fromthebookshelfofdreams's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic debut novel packed full of engaging characters that have been thrust together on a mysterious adventure.
I found myself very easily sucked into the tale that Bali has given us. Her world building was well executed, and descriptive writing style allows for readers to easily conjure up images and paint scenes within their minds.
The Chrysalis Key shines focus on the theme of friendship, and showcases how it strengthens and thrives amidst chaotic drama. Told in multi-POV, each character is given a truly unique voice and their very own set of problems to overcome and goals to achieve. I became quite attached to all of them, and hope to one day see some spin-off books for certain characters.
A captivating read from beginning to end. It is very easy to immerse yourself in Bali’s writing, and I am looking forward to the second book in the series.
I found myself very easily sucked into the tale that Bali has given us. Her world building was well executed, and descriptive writing style allows for readers to easily conjure up images and paint scenes within their minds.
The Chrysalis Key shines focus on the theme of friendship, and showcases how it strengthens and thrives amidst chaotic drama. Told in multi-POV, each character is given a truly unique voice and their very own set of problems to overcome and goals to achieve. I became quite attached to all of them, and hope to one day see some spin-off books for certain characters.
A captivating read from beginning to end. It is very easy to immerse yourself in Bali’s writing, and I am looking forward to the second book in the series.
gottheart's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a bit of a mix between Harry Potter and Narnia, with magic and travel through different worlds, self reflection, growth and family and friends, but also a lot of dark elements.
I’m super excited to see where the rest of the series takes me!
Highly recommend for those that love magic and mysterious worlds!
I’m super excited to see where the rest of the series takes me!
Highly recommend for those that love magic and mysterious worlds!
bibliophilelair96's review
5.0
By far one of my favorite books to read. Kept me pulled into it. 5 star book. Highly recommend it.
Plan on rereading this next year. Sincerely want more of this.
Plan on rereading this next year. Sincerely want more of this.
margo_lindner's review against another edition
3.0
3.
This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really solid start to a new fantasy series. The book started very slow, but once the action picked up and I felt more grounded in the world it improved greatly.
My biggest issue was not being able to really connect with any of the characters. That almost comes with the territory of having a large cast at the forefront of the story. In this you can definitely see the pull from the "breakfast club" roots. A lot of the characters are unlikeable and that is certainly done on purpose. They're all such unique individuals who don't really know how to mesh well together yet, and I'm sure that that's coming in future books.
I absolutely adored the descriptions of Chrysalis. It was very easy to transport myself to this strange, beautiful place, and see what the characters were seeing.
All in all there were parts of this book that I loved, and there were parts that I didn't love so much. And even so I am very intrigued to keep reading this story. I still want to know where all of the characters are going to go, and what strange circumstances they will find themselves in in the next book. 5
This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really solid start to a new fantasy series. The book started very slow, but once the action picked up and I felt more grounded in the world it improved greatly.
My biggest issue was not being able to really connect with any of the characters. That almost comes with the territory of having a large cast at the forefront of the story. In this you can definitely see the pull from the "breakfast club" roots. A lot of the characters are unlikeable and that is certainly done on purpose. They're all such unique individuals who don't really know how to mesh well together yet, and I'm sure that that's coming in future books.
I absolutely adored the descriptions of Chrysalis. It was very easy to transport myself to this strange, beautiful place, and see what the characters were seeing.
All in all there were parts of this book that I loved, and there were parts that I didn't love so much. And even so I am very intrigued to keep reading this story. I still want to know where all of the characters are going to go, and what strange circumstances they will find themselves in in the next book. 5
jaynem's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
The Chrysalis Key is the first book in The Travellers series. The tagline is The Breakfast Club meets Harry Potter, but darker. Well that is certainly true. The 5 main characters certainly fit The Breakfast Club model. A brain, a jock, a misfit, a geek and a Princess use a key to enter a portal to another world where they find a magical school and in one way or another unlock or discover a gift they didn’t know they had. I’ll pick up book 2 when it gets released and see how this all turns out.
emilyrainsford's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
POV: you're a teenager in 1999, sitting in detention in your small town Queensland high school. BOOM - suddenly a super creepy faceless guy bursts in and kills your principal with a ball of magic. What?? The weird key in your pocket, that a shadowy figure gave you yesterday, is burning... leading you somewhere. Do you follow? Do you take the rag tag group of teens who were in detention with you?
***
Do you have a hole in your soul that's shaped like The Books We're No Longer Allowed To Name? Do you like the sound of:
- Aussie setting
- discovering magic is real
- a magical key
- portals to other worlds
- awakening inner magic
- ragtag crew thrown together by circumstance
- creepy bad guy who steals children
- magical schools
- a family curse
... and that's honestly just scratching the surface of this awesome story?!
I absolutely loved this book! As someone who WAS a teen in 1999, I enjoyed the setting although I'd say there wasn't a super strong sense of the time - mainly just that they couldn't text each other and there's no social media, so organising their antics falls to frantic bike rides and dialling home phones. I kind of enjoyed the childhood vibe that gave the book.
Although it's billed as YA, I'd say it read around the same level as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, which is more upper middle grade. The story is told from the 5 perspectives of the teens in detention that fateful day. It's definitely a plot-based story with a good pace, but there is also great character development. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters, all with their unique backstories and motivations, and watching the dynamics between them develop.
There is no romance - this is a true, magical teen adventure story.
Although a few typos slipped through the cracks, which I'm usually pretty picky about, this was overall so well written that I found them easy to overlook. I loved the little story-relevant images at the top of each chapter, a really cool detail.
I loved this world, I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved pretty much every single thing about this book and I was kind of devo when it was over. I can't wait for book two!!
***
Do you have a hole in your soul that's shaped like The Books We're No Longer Allowed To Name? Do you like the sound of:
- Aussie setting
- discovering magic is real
- a magical key
- portals to other worlds
- awakening inner magic
- ragtag crew thrown together by circumstance
- creepy bad guy who steals children
- magical schools
- a family curse
... and that's honestly just scratching the surface of this awesome story?!
I absolutely loved this book! As someone who WAS a teen in 1999, I enjoyed the setting although I'd say there wasn't a super strong sense of the time - mainly just that they couldn't text each other and there's no social media, so organising their antics falls to frantic bike rides and dialling home phones. I kind of enjoyed the childhood vibe that gave the book.
Although it's billed as YA, I'd say it read around the same level as Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, which is more upper middle grade. The story is told from the 5 perspectives of the teens in detention that fateful day. It's definitely a plot-based story with a good pace, but there is also great character development. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters, all with their unique backstories and motivations, and watching the dynamics between them develop.
There is no romance - this is a true, magical teen adventure story.
Although a few typos slipped through the cracks, which I'm usually pretty picky about, this was overall so well written that I found them easy to overlook. I loved the little story-relevant images at the top of each chapter, a really cool detail.
I loved this world, I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved pretty much every single thing about this book and I was kind of devo when it was over. I can't wait for book two!!
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