Keys and Beacons
Nov. 17th, 2025 05:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alobearKey of Knowledge by Nora Roberts is the middle instalment of her Keys trilogy, in which three young women are selected to undertake a quest to find three keys, in order to free three demi-goddesses, whose souls have been trapped in a magical box for 3000 years.
This book tells Dana's story, looking for the titular Key of Knowledge, and rediscovering love with an old flame along the way. She and the other two protagonist, Mallory and Zoe, are also in the process of opening a combined beauty salon, art gallery and bookshop - and Dana is the bookseller of the group.
It's all very silly and predictable, but so much fun. I really like this world and these characters - though the romance aspect is even worse than in the first book, with two of the men planting surprise kisses on the objects of their affections at moments directly after the women have very specifically rejected them. Grrrr!
Still, I can't deny I really enjoyed this audiobook and I'm looking forward to completing the series with Key of Valor in the near future.
I especially liked the focus on books and writing in this one. And the dog is still awesome.
The Sand Warrior by Mark and Alexis Siegel is the first in the 5 Worlds comic book series, in which three young protagonists set out on a mission to light beacons across the titular five worlds, in order to reverse a climate catastrophe. Along the way, they face opposition from various of the worlds' leaders, as well as a dark entity called the Mimic.
There's a huge amount of diversity in this series - but also a lot of very complex racial politics and intolerance. Most of the authority figures turn out to be weak, corrupted or evil, leaving the youngsters floundering in trying to establish the right path to victory and unable to figure out who they should believe.
Deeper than I expected in a lot of ways, also very exciting and fun.
The Cobalt Prince continues the 5 Worlds series, with even higher stakes, even more deception from the authorities, some very weird genetic identity layers, intolerant attitudes from one of our protagonists (though clearly part of a journey of improvement), an unexpectedly high body count, and some pretty emotional aspects.
I'm really enjoying this series and keen to find out where it goes.
The Red Maze is the third in the 5 Worlds series and the best yet - really exciting, lots of interesting character development and intriguing plot. Raised stakes, great found family vibes, engaging new characters and new questions to be answered.
This book tells Dana's story, looking for the titular Key of Knowledge, and rediscovering love with an old flame along the way. She and the other two protagonist, Mallory and Zoe, are also in the process of opening a combined beauty salon, art gallery and bookshop - and Dana is the bookseller of the group.
It's all very silly and predictable, but so much fun. I really like this world and these characters - though the romance aspect is even worse than in the first book, with two of the men planting surprise kisses on the objects of their affections at moments directly after the women have very specifically rejected them. Grrrr!
Still, I can't deny I really enjoyed this audiobook and I'm looking forward to completing the series with Key of Valor in the near future.
I especially liked the focus on books and writing in this one. And the dog is still awesome.
The Sand Warrior by Mark and Alexis Siegel is the first in the 5 Worlds comic book series, in which three young protagonists set out on a mission to light beacons across the titular five worlds, in order to reverse a climate catastrophe. Along the way, they face opposition from various of the worlds' leaders, as well as a dark entity called the Mimic.
There's a huge amount of diversity in this series - but also a lot of very complex racial politics and intolerance. Most of the authority figures turn out to be weak, corrupted or evil, leaving the youngsters floundering in trying to establish the right path to victory and unable to figure out who they should believe.
Deeper than I expected in a lot of ways, also very exciting and fun.
The Cobalt Prince continues the 5 Worlds series, with even higher stakes, even more deception from the authorities, some very weird genetic identity layers, intolerant attitudes from one of our protagonists (though clearly part of a journey of improvement), an unexpectedly high body count, and some pretty emotional aspects.
I'm really enjoying this series and keen to find out where it goes.
The Red Maze is the third in the 5 Worlds series and the best yet - really exciting, lots of interesting character development and intriguing plot. Raised stakes, great found family vibes, engaging new characters and new questions to be answered.
