Tuesday, November 25

Book Review: The Key by Jennifer Anne Davis

Author: Jennifer Anne Davis
Title: The Key (True Reign #1)
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance, and action 
Pages: ebook
First Published: November 2013 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Online freebie)

"His father’s kingdom is on the brink of upheaval and at the center of it all is an ordinary girl who could be the key to its undoing. When faced with the ultimate choice, will he choose the girl he’s falling in love with or the kingdom he has sworn to protect? 


An ordinary girl with an extraordinary past. All she wants is to be free. What she doesn’t realize is that freedom comes with a price she can’t afford to pay. She’s forced to accept the proposal of a prince she despises, even though her heart belongs to someone else . . . his brother.

Seventeen-year-old Rema lives in a brutal kingdom where travel between regions is forbidden, people are starving, and looking at someone the wrong way can mean death. Nineteen-year-old Darmik is the king’s son and Commander of the King’s Army. He spends his days roving the island, doing his father’s bidding and trying to maintain control over the people.

When a chance encounter throws Rema and Darmik together, they share an instantaneous connection, but any sort of relationship between them is strictly forbidden. Darmik’s brother, the Crown Prince, notices Darmik’s interest in Rema and, in a calculated, political move, blackmails her. Faced with an impossible choice, Rema is forced to sacrifice her heart in order to save her family.

As Rema is taken to the palace with the Crown Prince, Darmik confronts the growing rumor that a legitimate blood heir to the throne exists and is trying to overthrow Darmik’s family. In Darmik’s quest to hunt down and kill the threat, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. Locked in the king’s castle, Rema finds herself a key player in a massive power struggle. When Darmik shows up, she’s not sure if she can trust him. The line between friends, enemies, and loyalty becomes blurred. As truths are unlocked, Rema understands that she just might be the key to finding the rightful heir and restoring peace to the kingdom… if she can manage to stay alive long enough."




What a ride! This is one of the best medieval fantasies I've read in a while. It was a freebie and a random find, but honestly...it would've been worth full price. To shake things up, I'm going to break this review up into sections:

The Characters

Rema - Poor girl. All she wanted was freedom and the simple life. She is still super naive and a child, but I am curious to see how she grows in the next book when she takes the reigns on leading the revolt against those that killed her entire family for the crown. Evil people. 
Darmik - Sorry....I don't like him right now. He made me really, really mad and if I was Rema I wouldn't be able to forgive him right away. She better not in the next book!! The next book he needs to earn her love back. >____>
Lennek - Evil, evil man. Karma better come soon.
King Barjon - Ooooooooooooooooooooooh. He is evil and I can't wait til Rema and the rebels take him down. Honestly, though, I want Mako to have a final battle with him for all he lost.
Mako - He had a little spotlight at the beginning, but not much else. I hope he gets more time in the spotlight in the next book.
Aunt & Uncle - Loved them. I hope they are okay.

The Story

A little slow after the prologue (HINT: READ THE PROLOGUE), but there was an underlining tension throughout the book. Once the drama crack explodes, it well, explodes. It's a great warm-up for the next book and I can only imagine the drama and action are going to explode even more. How will the rebels win against King Barjon and Lennek? Will Darmik pick the right side? 

The Ending

0_________0 WHY LEAVE LIKE THIS YOU EVIL AUTHOR! I MUST FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS! Well, there is a book 2, so I kinda know what happens, but still....a major cliffie that is making me need more. 

Conclusion

A good beginning to a series. The characters were fun. The heroine is still in the progress of finding her way to being a hero and the evil characters are certainly evil. It was a little slow after the prologue, but when the drama exploded....it was good and kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending was certainly evil, but it was a good one and now I must read the second book. I recommend this to those who like medieval fantasies. Out of five stars, I stamp this one with 4 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Rema and Mako 
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Darmik (*shakes head*),  Lennek, and King Barjon 





3 comments:

Melliane said...

Oh it's nice to have a good start like that. I didn't know about this one but maybe. You made me laught about the end, I'm often like that... terrible!

Blodeuedd said...

Downloadin!

Carole Rae said...

Melliane, hey its freeeeeee!

B, yayy!