thomas_hense's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
humanpuke's review against another edition
Thanks to my newborn it became much more difficult to hold a book with two hands. If I can’t get it on my eReader it just isn’t feasible at the moment.
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is possibly the oddest fantasy series that I have comes across in my readings for a long time. It is a mix between science fiction and fantasy that is absolutely unique.
It holds very three distinct young characters. The female main character just blossoms into her powers, even though in the first book some of the ways she is described made me cringe. And even though she does not have any battle prowess, the battle she has to fought in mind are possibly even harsher and more demanding than any battle on a physical battlefield.
The two male characters set up some fight, respectively are so eaten up with their hatred of what they do not understand that they become easy prey for the negative forces that try to get dominance in this world.
Writing now about this book, I realise that I possibly should listen to it again and take my time with it in order to be able to really savour it, because I think this book might be quite the hidden treasure.
Spoiler
On the fantasy level it is a coming of age story of three young people who all there are thrown in the deep end. Demons and the mastery of the natural elements of the planet are playing vitals parts, on the science fiction level there is this other level that tries to direct the happenings on the planet to a favourable outcome so that the future that is held remains intact.It holds very three distinct young characters. The female main character just blossoms into her powers, even though in the first book some of the ways she is described made me cringe. And even though she does not have any battle prowess, the battle she has to fought in mind are possibly even harsher and more demanding than any battle on a physical battlefield.
The two male characters set up some fight, respectively are so eaten up with their hatred of what they do not understand that they become easy prey for the negative forces that try to get dominance in this world.
Writing now about this book, I realise that I possibly should listen to it again and take my time with it in order to be able to really savour it, because I think this book might be quite the hidden treasure.
greyscarf's review
3.0
Jaric attempts to escape his fate as the heir to the elemental mysteries of earth & fire continue. He tries to leave the Keys of Elrinfaer at Anskiere's prison of ice, only to be confronted by another Llondelei seer who warns him of the consequences of his refusal. Next, he searches the extensive libraries of Landfast for answers, only to discover that mankind has no other arcane defense against demonkind. Finally, in a desperate bid to help Taen receive healing from the Llondelei, Jaric becomes convinced that he must attempt the trials of mastery to help stop the demons' compact to eradicate all humans.
This novel meanders more than the previous [b:Stormwarden|363917|Stormwarden (The Cycle of Fire, #1)|Janny Wurts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1297756250s/363917.jpg|1877480], as Jaric travels to & fro searching for answers. His sojourns are necessary to the plot, but does allow some lag as readers hurry up & wait for him to discover the next clue. Thankfully, the action is driven by a twist in the triangle between Jaric, Taen, & Emien as the demon Scait uses Emien to trap the other two. The struggle between the three characters gain new depths & raises the stakes of the series as well. Keeper of the Keys also seems to be Jaric's just as Stormwarden was mostly about Taen. I'm guessing that [b:Shadowfane|28661|Shadowfane (The Cycle of Fire, #3)|Janny Wurts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388813122s/28661.jpg|1877476] will probably focus on Emien? He's consistently at the edges of this story, so our author is probably saving him for some serious action in the next book.
I also love that we finally get some more background on the event that brought both humans and demons to this planet. Janny Wurts can really pull a 360 on readers sometimes, going from traditional fantasy complete with flowery language into sci-fi that always raises interesting social questions--a reason that she continues to captivate me after all these years.
This novel meanders more than the previous [b:Stormwarden|363917|Stormwarden (The Cycle of Fire, #1)|Janny Wurts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1297756250s/363917.jpg|1877480], as Jaric travels to & fro searching for answers. His sojourns are necessary to the plot, but does allow some lag as readers hurry up & wait for him to discover the next clue. Thankfully, the action is driven by a twist in the triangle between Jaric, Taen, & Emien as the demon Scait uses Emien to trap the other two. The struggle between the three characters gain new depths & raises the stakes of the series as well. Keeper of the Keys also seems to be Jaric's just as Stormwarden was mostly about Taen. I'm guessing that [b:Shadowfane|28661|Shadowfane (The Cycle of Fire, #3)|Janny Wurts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388813122s/28661.jpg|1877476] will probably focus on Emien? He's consistently at the edges of this story, so our author is probably saving him for some serious action in the next book.
I also love that we finally get some more background on the event that brought both humans and demons to this planet. Janny Wurts can really pull a 360 on readers sometimes, going from traditional fantasy complete with flowery language into sci-fi that always raises interesting social questions--a reason that she continues to captivate me after all these years.
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