What do you think?
Rate this book
Sancti Trilogy #2
The Key
Hunted. Hounded. Haunted.
She is the most important person in the world.
She is "The Key".
Journalist Liv Adamsen has escaped from the highly secretive Citadel at the heart of the ancient city of Ruin and now lies in isolation, staring at hospital walls as blank as her memory. Despite her inability to recall her past, something strange is stirring within her. She feels possessed by a sensation she can't name and plagued by whispers only she can hear: "KuShiKaam," The Key.
To others the meaning is clear. For a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, a man known only as "the Ghost," Liv may hold the key to one of history's most powerful secrets. For the brotherhood of monks in the Citadel - now cursed by a terrible plague - her return to Turkey may be the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Vatican City, her very existence threatens the success of a desperate plan to save the church from ruin.
At the center of events that defy explanation and hunted by someone she believes might be trying to kill her, Liv turns to the only person she can trust - a foundation worker named Gabriel Mann. Together they must elude capture and journey to the place where all life began. From New York to Rome to the deserts of the Middle East, worlds collide in a race to uncover a revelation dating from the creation of man in this electrifying follow-up to the international bestseller Sanctus.
She is the most important person in the world.
She is "The Key".
Journalist Liv Adamsen has escaped from the highly secretive Citadel at the heart of the ancient city of Ruin and now lies in isolation, staring at hospital walls as blank as her memory. Despite her inability to recall her past, something strange is stirring within her. She feels possessed by a sensation she can't name and plagued by whispers only she can hear: "KuShiKaam," The Key.
To others the meaning is clear. For a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, a man known only as "the Ghost," Liv may hold the key to one of history's most powerful secrets. For the brotherhood of monks in the Citadel - now cursed by a terrible plague - her return to Turkey may be the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Vatican City, her very existence threatens the success of a desperate plan to save the church from ruin.
At the center of events that defy explanation and hunted by someone she believes might be trying to kill her, Liv turns to the only person she can trust - a foundation worker named Gabriel Mann. Together they must elude capture and journey to the place where all life began. From New York to Rome to the deserts of the Middle East, worlds collide in a race to uncover a revelation dating from the creation of man in this electrifying follow-up to the international bestseller Sanctus.
436 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Simon Toyne
36 books803 followersSimon Toyne was born February 29th, 1968 in Cleethorpes, England, but spent his formative years in Peterborough. He moved further south, to Goldsmiths College, part of the University of London, to study English and Drama then ended up working as a producer, director in commercial television for almost twenty years.
He quit in 2007, just shy of his fortieth birthday, to try and focus more on writing. His first book, Sanctus, became the biggest selling debut thriller of 2011 in the UK and also an international bestseller, translated into 27 languages and published in over 50 countries.
Simon lives with his wife and three children and splits his time between Brighton, the South of France and various cafes and bookshops in between and wherever his books are sold.
He quit in 2007, just shy of his fortieth birthday, to try and focus more on writing. His first book, Sanctus, became the biggest selling debut thriller of 2011 in the UK and also an international bestseller, translated into 27 languages and published in over 50 countries.
Simon lives with his wife and three children and splits his time between Brighton, the South of France and various cafes and bookshops in between and wherever his books are sold.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
June 1, 2019
Eden
The Key is the second book in Simon Toyne's Sancti trilogy, and it continues at the same fast pace as Sanctus. The first book focused on The Secret within the Citadel which was held for many millennia. After the fantastical Secret was released, it brought disease and infection to the sacred gardens and the monks. The utopian existence came crashing down. The two heroes, Liv and Gabriel, return in this book to continue the race against time in their quest to find the mythical Garden of Eden. The task is riddled with conspiracy plots and other determined factions that will stop at nothing to thwart any further revelations. Maintaining power and control is about the flow of information and the ability to convince people that their doctrine is God's word. The Key to unlocking the truth is closer than they think.
The pace is intense and you’ll not get to breathe very often. The plot is great if we accept the fundamental fantasy premise who the sacrament is, and then we understand how crucial it is for the world to know the TRUTH. Of equal determination are factions committed to preventing the revelations to come out as it has the power to destroy many of the religious institutions in the world. It is a real page-turner that keeps you guessing which side many of the characters are on. Sometimes you’re fooled by the new characters that are introduced but they all add to the intrigue and adventure. You never know if policemen, priests, workers are genuine or lying in wait to strike. There will be casualties but that all adds to the suspense. Simon Toyne does a remarkable job in maintaining the pace and suspense throughout the novel - certainly an all-action fuelled story.
I really hope the final book does justice to the first 2 books. I would highly recommend this book and series so far.
The Key is the second book in Simon Toyne's Sancti trilogy, and it continues at the same fast pace as Sanctus. The first book focused on The Secret within the Citadel which was held for many millennia. After the fantastical Secret was released, it brought disease and infection to the sacred gardens and the monks. The utopian existence came crashing down. The two heroes, Liv and Gabriel, return in this book to continue the race against time in their quest to find the mythical Garden of Eden. The task is riddled with conspiracy plots and other determined factions that will stop at nothing to thwart any further revelations. Maintaining power and control is about the flow of information and the ability to convince people that their doctrine is God's word. The Key to unlocking the truth is closer than they think.
The pace is intense and you’ll not get to breathe very often. The plot is great if we accept the fundamental fantasy premise who the sacrament is, and then we understand how crucial it is for the world to know the TRUTH. Of equal determination are factions committed to preventing the revelations to come out as it has the power to destroy many of the religious institutions in the world. It is a real page-turner that keeps you guessing which side many of the characters are on. Sometimes you’re fooled by the new characters that are introduced but they all add to the intrigue and adventure. You never know if policemen, priests, workers are genuine or lying in wait to strike. There will be casualties but that all adds to the suspense. Simon Toyne does a remarkable job in maintaining the pace and suspense throughout the novel - certainly an all-action fuelled story.
I really hope the final book does justice to the first 2 books. I would highly recommend this book and series so far.
May 25, 2019
Toyne returns with a thrilling second book in the trilogy, taking us further inside the secrets behind The Sacrament and the lengths to which the Vatican will go to keep it covered. Toyne goes where Miguel Rocha and Dan Brown have not and vilify the true inner sanctum of The Holy See to show how far their power reaches.
Toyne is able to keep the plot, characters, and pace fresh and interesting for the reader. With multiple sub-plots running in parallel, he keeps the story moving ahead and does not inculcate the reader with Scripture, even if the central premise is biblical in nature. Anyone who enjoys a good thriller and mystery will surely devour this book, though it is best read after the first book, as this one picks up right where SANCTUS leaves off.
Kudos, Mr. Toyne. I am quite eager to see where you'll tie things up, as you have mastered the art of the cliff-hanger.
Toyne is able to keep the plot, characters, and pace fresh and interesting for the reader. With multiple sub-plots running in parallel, he keeps the story moving ahead and does not inculcate the reader with Scripture, even if the central premise is biblical in nature. Anyone who enjoys a good thriller and mystery will surely devour this book, though it is best read after the first book, as this one picks up right where SANCTUS leaves off.
Kudos, Mr. Toyne. I am quite eager to see where you'll tie things up, as you have mastered the art of the cliff-hanger.
October 16, 2012
First, let me say that once you get to about page 300 or so, you're in til the end. You won't be able to set the book down. You'll carry it with you to the kitchen for a glass of water. It'll accompany you to the bathroom. You'll have your little headlamp on in bed til the very last page. The ending is quite a ride, and worth the price of admission.
You may also end up racing with adrenaline at 2 am after staying up too late reading this book, unable to sleep because you mind is spinning with possibilities from the ending.
The Key picks up immediately after the end of Sanctus, Toyne's first novel internationally bestselling first novel in this series. If it's been a little while since you left those last pages, you may want a refresher, because little is explained. I like that, usually. I hate redundancy in serial novels - they make me want to claw my eyes out while I skip those long expository swaths of history. Instead, the action in The Key kicks in within the first few chapters.
If you've read the first novel, you'll remember that Liv now carries "The Sacrament" from the monastery in ancient Ruin within herself. An explosion has rocked the mountain that holds the monastery and the fates of Liv, Gabriel, and many of the monks, rushed to the hospital with an unexplained illness causing excessive bleeding, are precarious. We pick up with news coverage of the event, most of our main characters injured, hospitalized, or in some other sort of grave situation, and me wondering how we're going to pick up so soon and go anywhere. After all, don't they need to recover?
But, like the real world, life often doesn't give you a break, and neither does the prophecies that are driving the plotline of The Key. In a race to prevent the end of the world - imminent after releasing The Sacrament and fulfilling the first half of the prophecy - Gabriel and Liv set out to find the ancient site of the garden of Eden, all while hiding and running from scary evildoers from the monastery, the church of Rome, and random hitmen and mercenaries for hire. To say this book is full of action is a vast understatement.
What's best about the action sequences is how realistic they are. You remember that these characters are human, that they are fallible, and that when there are gunfights, sometimes good guys die. No one is immune to bullets, no one is a master gymnast and crack shot while driving like an indy race car driver and meanwhile completing high level sudoku puzzles on the side. I often have trouble believing action sequences in these kinds of books are probable, let alone remotely possible. That isn't a problem here. The action is masterfully written and, though heartbreaking in places, powerfully real.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of action, or fans of books written by Dan Brown. Or for people who find Dan Brown books a little lacking, because these are truly phenomenal.
*Book received at no cost through the GoodReads First Reads program.
You may also end up racing with adrenaline at 2 am after staying up too late reading this book, unable to sleep because you mind is spinning with possibilities from the ending.
The Key picks up immediately after the end of Sanctus, Toyne's first novel internationally bestselling first novel in this series. If it's been a little while since you left those last pages, you may want a refresher, because little is explained. I like that, usually. I hate redundancy in serial novels - they make me want to claw my eyes out while I skip those long expository swaths of history. Instead, the action in The Key kicks in within the first few chapters.
If you've read the first novel, you'll remember that Liv now carries "The Sacrament" from the monastery in ancient Ruin within herself. An explosion has rocked the mountain that holds the monastery and the fates of Liv, Gabriel, and many of the monks, rushed to the hospital with an unexplained illness causing excessive bleeding, are precarious. We pick up with news coverage of the event, most of our main characters injured, hospitalized, or in some other sort of grave situation, and me wondering how we're going to pick up so soon and go anywhere. After all, don't they need to recover?
But, like the real world, life often doesn't give you a break, and neither does the prophecies that are driving the plotline of The Key. In a race to prevent the end of the world - imminent after releasing The Sacrament and fulfilling the first half of the prophecy - Gabriel and Liv set out to find the ancient site of the garden of Eden, all while hiding and running from scary evildoers from the monastery, the church of Rome, and random hitmen and mercenaries for hire. To say this book is full of action is a vast understatement.
What's best about the action sequences is how realistic they are. You remember that these characters are human, that they are fallible, and that when there are gunfights, sometimes good guys die. No one is immune to bullets, no one is a master gymnast and crack shot while driving like an indy race car driver and meanwhile completing high level sudoku puzzles on the side. I often have trouble believing action sequences in these kinds of books are probable, let alone remotely possible. That isn't a problem here. The action is masterfully written and, though heartbreaking in places, powerfully real.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of action, or fans of books written by Dan Brown. Or for people who find Dan Brown books a little lacking, because these are truly phenomenal.
*Book received at no cost through the GoodReads First Reads program.
April 10, 2012
Thoroughly gripping, page-turning and fully satisfying (not to mention very well-written) follow up to Sanctus, my favourite thriller of 2011. Review to come shortly on http://forwinternights.wordpress.com/
Updated to add the review:
Without doubt, Sanctus was my favourite thriller of 2011 – clever, imaginative and unusual, with an original twist in its religious mystery, all played out by an intriguing set of characters, and well-written to boot. No wonder then that I was thrilled to bits to win a copy of its sequel, The Key, which is also the second in a trilogy.
It is not easy to review a sequel without giving away elements of the first novel which should remain perfectly unknown, lying in wait for their unsuspecting reader, and so I shall be careful and brief. I would urge you to read Sanctus, if you haven’t already. My non-spoilery review of that novel is here.
One of the successes of Sanctus was its setting – the Turkish city of Ruin, created by Simon Toyne for his novels but described so vividly that you want to book a trip there. The ancient city, older than any, is dominated by the Citadel, carved into a mountain and housing monks, the Sancti, who never leave its caverns, tunnels and secret chambers and libraries. The mystery that the Citadel contains was the subject of the first novel and in The Key we learn more about its meaning and the people who are driven to pursue it. Some are familiar, some are new, but the journey is full of surprises and terrible dangers.
As you’d expect after reading Sanctus, the mysteries of the trilogy may involve the Church but they go far deeper back into time than that and they have a much greater significance for mankind. This foreboding and menace works especially well because of Ruin – it’s both familiar and unfamiliar and it pulls people to it, even though the city’s walls are locked each night to keep everyone out.
The Key combines action and mystery perfectly and it is a pleasure to get to know a little bit more about Gabriel, Liv and other characters from the first novel. Sanctus was a fantastic debut but The Key benefits from being an accomplished and confident second novel. The fact that it continues an exciting story, which manages to include emotion between the thrills, and characters, both good and bad, that entertain and intrigue, doesn’t hurt a bit. And just like Sanctus, when The Key ends you’ll be longing for the next. If I read a thriller in 2012 I enjoy more, I will be most surprised.
The Key is out in April, I urge you to use the wait to read Sanctus.
Updated to add the review:
Without doubt, Sanctus was my favourite thriller of 2011 – clever, imaginative and unusual, with an original twist in its religious mystery, all played out by an intriguing set of characters, and well-written to boot. No wonder then that I was thrilled to bits to win a copy of its sequel, The Key, which is also the second in a trilogy.
It is not easy to review a sequel without giving away elements of the first novel which should remain perfectly unknown, lying in wait for their unsuspecting reader, and so I shall be careful and brief. I would urge you to read Sanctus, if you haven’t already. My non-spoilery review of that novel is here.
One of the successes of Sanctus was its setting – the Turkish city of Ruin, created by Simon Toyne for his novels but described so vividly that you want to book a trip there. The ancient city, older than any, is dominated by the Citadel, carved into a mountain and housing monks, the Sancti, who never leave its caverns, tunnels and secret chambers and libraries. The mystery that the Citadel contains was the subject of the first novel and in The Key we learn more about its meaning and the people who are driven to pursue it. Some are familiar, some are new, but the journey is full of surprises and terrible dangers.
As you’d expect after reading Sanctus, the mysteries of the trilogy may involve the Church but they go far deeper back into time than that and they have a much greater significance for mankind. This foreboding and menace works especially well because of Ruin – it’s both familiar and unfamiliar and it pulls people to it, even though the city’s walls are locked each night to keep everyone out.
The Key combines action and mystery perfectly and it is a pleasure to get to know a little bit more about Gabriel, Liv and other characters from the first novel. Sanctus was a fantastic debut but The Key benefits from being an accomplished and confident second novel. The fact that it continues an exciting story, which manages to include emotion between the thrills, and characters, both good and bad, that entertain and intrigue, doesn’t hurt a bit. And just like Sanctus, when The Key ends you’ll be longing for the next. If I read a thriller in 2012 I enjoy more, I will be most surprised.
The Key is out in April, I urge you to use the wait to read Sanctus.
September 3, 2022
Better than Sanctus (book 1). I found this second in the trilogy pretty gripping and often stayed up late to continue reading it. I liked the characters, good and bad, and I liked the demarcation of the chapters as the story followed a number of characters in different geographical areas, with different ambitions.
I still found some parts of the ‘quest’ confusing and even tricky to accept, and some motivations remained unclear but eventually the volume comes to a superb conclusion with motives made clear, and a number of story arcs seemingly complete.
However….. the epilogue reminds you that one thread is not necessarily neatly tied up.
I’m beginning to enjoy this type of thriller fiction based around historical religious concepts - it helps to challenge one’s own beliefs or otherwise.
I hope to tackle book 3 ‘The Tower’ in due course.
I still found some parts of the ‘quest’ confusing and even tricky to accept, and some motivations remained unclear but eventually the volume comes to a superb conclusion with motives made clear, and a number of story arcs seemingly complete.
However….. the epilogue reminds you that one thread is not necessarily neatly tied up.
I’m beginning to enjoy this type of thriller fiction based around historical religious concepts - it helps to challenge one’s own beliefs or otherwise.
I hope to tackle book 3 ‘The Tower’ in due course.
May 4, 2012
When the first book Sanctus was first announced i must admit i looked at it and thought...Nah, not for me, but i was thrown an advance copy of it and in an obliged manner i read it, and read it and read it, i was hooked and The Key is a fitting and powerful 2nd book.
Simon Toyne is one of the most original and imaginative thriller writers out there right now.
For me the book is a triumph of locations, history, and the inner working of people. for those like me in the first instance who look at the book and think no i want action, BUY this its crammed full of action pace, drama, intrigue and mystery.
The characters and living breathing people not a dodgy two dimensional one hit thriller wonders. if you read book one and don't ant to dive straight into book two...well I'm not sure you have a pulse. and my pulse will be racing until i can prise a copy of book 3 from the author or the publisher.
Very Highly recommended
(Parm)
Product Description
Conspiracy thrillers don't come any bigger or better than THE KEY - from the author of the bestselling thriller debut of 2011, SANCTUS: `Plenty of action, plenty of intrigue and wonderfully imaginative. The sort of novel to devour in one sitting' Kate Mosse.
Hounded. Haunted. Hunted. She is the most important person in the world. She is The Key.
In the ancient Turkish city of Ruin, American journalist Liv Adamsen lies in an isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory.
She knows she entered the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness. Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is `the key'. But the key to what?
For the Ghost, a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, Liv could unlock one of mankind's most potent secrets. For the brotherhood in the Citadel - now cursed by a terrible plague - her return is the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Rome, she threatens the very future of the Catholic Church.
Hunted across continents and caught up in events that defy explanation, Liv turns to the only person she trusts - a charity worker named Gabriel Mann. Together their paths lead to a shocking discovery - one that will tear them apart and change the world forever...
Simon Toyne is one of the most original and imaginative thriller writers out there right now.
For me the book is a triumph of locations, history, and the inner working of people. for those like me in the first instance who look at the book and think no i want action, BUY this its crammed full of action pace, drama, intrigue and mystery.
The characters and living breathing people not a dodgy two dimensional one hit thriller wonders. if you read book one and don't ant to dive straight into book two...well I'm not sure you have a pulse. and my pulse will be racing until i can prise a copy of book 3 from the author or the publisher.
Very Highly recommended
(Parm)
Product Description
Conspiracy thrillers don't come any bigger or better than THE KEY - from the author of the bestselling thriller debut of 2011, SANCTUS: `Plenty of action, plenty of intrigue and wonderfully imaginative. The sort of novel to devour in one sitting' Kate Mosse.
Hounded. Haunted. Hunted. She is the most important person in the world. She is The Key.
In the ancient Turkish city of Ruin, American journalist Liv Adamsen lies in an isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory.
She knows she entered the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness. Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is `the key'. But the key to what?
For the Ghost, a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, Liv could unlock one of mankind's most potent secrets. For the brotherhood in the Citadel - now cursed by a terrible plague - her return is the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Rome, she threatens the very future of the Catholic Church.
Hunted across continents and caught up in events that defy explanation, Liv turns to the only person she trusts - a charity worker named Gabriel Mann. Together their paths lead to a shocking discovery - one that will tear them apart and change the world forever...
December 26, 2024
It's a really enjoyable read, mixed with myth, legend, and real-life situations upon the Middle East. Would make a great TV series ! A fast-paced read, lots of different characters, each with an agenda pertaining to the Church. Can't wait to read the third conclusion!
⛪️✝️🏜🛢🍊💧
⛪️✝️🏜🛢🍊💧
June 19, 2012
In his debut novel, Sanctus, author Simon Toyne thrilled audiences with his high concept, religious conspiracy thriller. The dazzling story continues in The Key, the next novel in his planned trilogy. The novel opens days after the events of the previous book. After her brother's strange death captured the attention of the world, Liv Adamsen finds herself in a hospital bed, unable to fully remember the events that brought her there. She can vaguely remember entering the secretive religious Citadel located in Ruin, but has no clue how she ended up in the hospital. Even worse, she is hearing whispers that claim she is 'the key'.
Unbeknownst to Liv, a web of conspiracy is coming to fruition within the confines of the Catholic Church. The mysterious inhabitants of the Citadel, known as the Sancti, were meant to protect an ancient sacrament. When the sacrament was released, all leaders of the group were killed, leaving the compound without a clear direction and threatening the future of the entire church. Even more, a plague has set in, killing the Sancti one by one. Leaders of the Vatican believe that Liv holds the key to the sacrament, and will stop at nothing to return her to the Citadel. As a cat and mouse chase ensues, Liv realizes the enormity of the situation. With the aid of Gabriel Mann, a charity worker who's family has long sought to reveal the sacrament, Liv must discover the true meaning of 'the key' before her life and the fate of the entire world comes crashing down.
Despite the complexity of the plot, Toyne expertly manages all aspects of the story through his streamlined prose. The novel picks up right where Sanctus left off, allowing the urgency of the story to permeate the entire novel and the characters to continue to develop believable relationships and reactions to their situations. Toyne never lets the enormity of his concept drown out the subtle motivations of his characters. He seamlessly weaves actions, history, romance, and suspense into a nonstop thriller that pulses forward to a shocking and extremely satisfying conclusion. The Key successfully continues the precedent set by Sanctus, and leaves the reader anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this gripping trilogy.
Unbeknownst to Liv, a web of conspiracy is coming to fruition within the confines of the Catholic Church. The mysterious inhabitants of the Citadel, known as the Sancti, were meant to protect an ancient sacrament. When the sacrament was released, all leaders of the group were killed, leaving the compound without a clear direction and threatening the future of the entire church. Even more, a plague has set in, killing the Sancti one by one. Leaders of the Vatican believe that Liv holds the key to the sacrament, and will stop at nothing to return her to the Citadel. As a cat and mouse chase ensues, Liv realizes the enormity of the situation. With the aid of Gabriel Mann, a charity worker who's family has long sought to reveal the sacrament, Liv must discover the true meaning of 'the key' before her life and the fate of the entire world comes crashing down.
Despite the complexity of the plot, Toyne expertly manages all aspects of the story through his streamlined prose. The novel picks up right where Sanctus left off, allowing the urgency of the story to permeate the entire novel and the characters to continue to develop believable relationships and reactions to their situations. Toyne never lets the enormity of his concept drown out the subtle motivations of his characters. He seamlessly weaves actions, history, romance, and suspense into a nonstop thriller that pulses forward to a shocking and extremely satisfying conclusion. The Key successfully continues the precedent set by Sanctus, and leaves the reader anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this gripping trilogy.
October 15, 2014
I’m going to be completely honest here: whilst I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series I did find myself somewhat annoyed by the number of predictable moments that appeared throughout. Admittedly there were some twists and turns that I did not see coming but most I managed to work out in advance which disappointed me a lot more than I care to admit to. Nevertheless, if you have read the first in the series this second book is a must read: continuing on with what started in Sanctus.
Much like the first it is fast paced and keeps you entertained throughout with the characters we grew to love (or maybe hate) in the first book. Whilst more questions are answered, ultimately to have everything brought to a conclusion we need to pick up the last book in the series to know how everything plays out. So, if you’re a fan of the series I recommend continuing on to know every secret that exists.
Much like the first it is fast paced and keeps you entertained throughout with the characters we grew to love (or maybe hate) in the first book. Whilst more questions are answered, ultimately to have everything brought to a conclusion we need to pick up the last book in the series to know how everything plays out. So, if you’re a fan of the series I recommend continuing on to know every secret that exists.
August 9, 2025
This book was in the campground book library and I felt like an easy read. It delivered in spades.
Indiana Jones meets Reacher, meets the Da Vinci Code, but then with less realism.
Smashing holiday fun.
Indiana Jones meets Reacher, meets the Da Vinci Code, but then with less realism.
Smashing holiday fun.
April 11, 2020
It's been a long time since I read the first in this trilogy, but I couldn't put this one down. Now I have to finish it.
July 29, 2021
More of a generic cat and mouse chase rather than a conspiracy thriller but still couldn't put it down. Cheesy? Yes. Clever? Quite. Hotel? Trivago.
January 8, 2014
Hunted. Hounded. Haunted.
She is the most important person in the world. She is The Key
Journalist Liv Adamsen has escaped from the highly secretive Citadel at the heart of the ancient city of Ruin and now lies in isolation, staring at hospital walls as blank as her memory. Despite her inability to recall her past, something strange is stirring within her. She feels possessed by a sen-sation she can’t name and plagued by whispers only she can hear: “KuShiKaam,” the key.
So following on from the heart stopping events of “Sanctus” the story continues with “The Key” and if anything this one enthralled me even more than the first. Which is REALLY saying something considering my usual aversion to this kind of tale…
I’m not going to say anything specific because its difficult to review properly without spoiling Sanctus for those readers who have not yet started this series – so generally speaking…
The plot development is second to none – SUCH an imaginative unique story and with “The Key” Mr Toyne expands and adds depth to his mythology and the background to the events occurring in the lives of his characters. The writing style draws you right into this world, you can see the places and the people described with perfect clarity and it is brilliant addictive reading. I finished it bleary eyed in the early hours then woke up later extremely cross with myself that I hadnt packed “The Tower” which I’m sure is going to be an amazing conclusion to this ingenious story..
Character development is also well done here – second books often suffer from the assumption that the reader knows the characters well and they can therefore take a secondary place to the plot but this pitfall is avoided here – they are also broadened and given extra heart. This is no “filler before the finale” this is a whole story in its own right and moves us along with perfect pacing.
All in all a most terrific read – sadly for me, only one more to go in this particular trilogy. Then I’ll have to start moaning at Mr Toyne to bring me something else from his particularly lively and intriguing imagination.
Happy Reading Folks!
She is the most important person in the world. She is The Key
Journalist Liv Adamsen has escaped from the highly secretive Citadel at the heart of the ancient city of Ruin and now lies in isolation, staring at hospital walls as blank as her memory. Despite her inability to recall her past, something strange is stirring within her. She feels possessed by a sen-sation she can’t name and plagued by whispers only she can hear: “KuShiKaam,” the key.
So following on from the heart stopping events of “Sanctus” the story continues with “The Key” and if anything this one enthralled me even more than the first. Which is REALLY saying something considering my usual aversion to this kind of tale…
I’m not going to say anything specific because its difficult to review properly without spoiling Sanctus for those readers who have not yet started this series – so generally speaking…
The plot development is second to none – SUCH an imaginative unique story and with “The Key” Mr Toyne expands and adds depth to his mythology and the background to the events occurring in the lives of his characters. The writing style draws you right into this world, you can see the places and the people described with perfect clarity and it is brilliant addictive reading. I finished it bleary eyed in the early hours then woke up later extremely cross with myself that I hadnt packed “The Tower” which I’m sure is going to be an amazing conclusion to this ingenious story..
Character development is also well done here – second books often suffer from the assumption that the reader knows the characters well and they can therefore take a secondary place to the plot but this pitfall is avoided here – they are also broadened and given extra heart. This is no “filler before the finale” this is a whole story in its own right and moves us along with perfect pacing.
All in all a most terrific read – sadly for me, only one more to go in this particular trilogy. Then I’ll have to start moaning at Mr Toyne to bring me something else from his particularly lively and intriguing imagination.
Happy Reading Folks!
May 13, 2012
Having loved Peter Toyne's 1st novel Sanctus, I came to this sequel with feelings of both anticipation and trepidation. Sanctus was just so good, I wondered how the author could equal it, never mind ratchet up the pleasure another notch. In many ways both feelings were borne out as although it was still a damn good read, it never quite hit the heights of the first offering and had several flaws.
It was slow to get going, with a lot of backtracking to link it to Sanctus, though once it got going about a third of the way in, it rattled along like the proverbial train. Some of the plotting left a little to be desired, with some characters (e.g. the Group)introduced and then shoved into the background again without explanation. I also found the Lazarus like return of one central character particularly bizarre. All sounds a bit like I hated it but honestly these are just minor quibbles. The author is a gifted storyteller and I look forward to his next book, although I hope he moves on to new characters rather than trying to squeeze the pips out of these ones.
It was slow to get going, with a lot of backtracking to link it to Sanctus, though once it got going about a third of the way in, it rattled along like the proverbial train. Some of the plotting left a little to be desired, with some characters (e.g. the Group)introduced and then shoved into the background again without explanation. I also found the Lazarus like return of one central character particularly bizarre. All sounds a bit like I hated it but honestly these are just minor quibbles. The author is a gifted storyteller and I look forward to his next book, although I hope he moves on to new characters rather than trying to squeeze the pips out of these ones.
May 18, 2012
I really liked the first book in this series Sanctus about a secluded monastery in Turkey that holds a big secret. Sanctus was a real page turner right til the last page. The Key though suffered like many second books of having to hold the story, til the dramatic conclusion in the final third part.
It didn't help that I was only reading this one on my Kindle at work, and had a busy couple of weeks. The amount of characters too was a bit distracting, and by the end I was wondering if I should have waited and read all three books together.
I'm also not a huge fan of the run around Dan Brown type of intelectual thriller full of car chases and guns, whereas I would rather have more substance and story. There did seem to be a lot of shadowy figures with guns, so I am now hanging out to see who will actually hold the story together in book three. 3/5
It didn't help that I was only reading this one on my Kindle at work, and had a busy couple of weeks. The amount of characters too was a bit distracting, and by the end I was wondering if I should have waited and read all three books together.
I'm also not a huge fan of the run around Dan Brown type of intelectual thriller full of car chases and guns, whereas I would rather have more substance and story. There did seem to be a lot of shadowy figures with guns, so I am now hanging out to see who will actually hold the story together in book three. 3/5
May 6, 2012
What a great read - starts where Sanctus left off....
This is like chocolate - once you start you cannot stop... I did think that the start of The Key was a wee bit slower than Sanctus but onle very slightly.
Cracking story of a few days.. in time....
What I want to know is how someone can write about a place that seem so real that you go look it up on the internet!!!! Yep that was me DOH!!!
I love the discriptive elements that Simon has in his writing.
Cannot wait for the next one... HURRY UP SIMON........
This is like chocolate - once you start you cannot stop... I did think that the start of The Key was a wee bit slower than Sanctus but onle very slightly.
Cracking story of a few days.. in time....
What I want to know is how someone can write about a place that seem so real that you go look it up on the internet!!!! Yep that was me DOH!!!
I love the discriptive elements that Simon has in his writing.
Cannot wait for the next one... HURRY UP SIMON........
April 30, 2012
Oh me oh my, after reading Sanctus I could not wait for the paperback, I just had to have the hardback and I am so glad I did. I love the depth of characters within the trilogy and have to say I am very concerned over Gabriel's well being, I mean smelling oranges this could all end very badly! The book is well written, full of intrigue and conspiracy and I am already waiting anxiously for the final book. If Gabriel succumbs I will be very very upset!!
April 23, 2012
You definitely need to read Sanctus to understand the backstory to the plot of this book, but it satisfies fans of the first with its fast pace, evil church and the awesome city of Ruin, which is a character in itself. The Sacrament is gone from the Citadel and now a plague is threatening the monks and indeed the world if a prophecy is not fulfilled in time. Can Gabriel and Liv work out how to reunite the Sacrament with the land of Eden in time?
January 2, 2022
I'm apparently not done with this type of book series...
I guess 2021 will be remembered as the Da Vinci Code copy paste year.
I guess 2021 will be remembered as the Da Vinci Code copy paste year.
September 19, 2017
Di buku pertama, aku kasi 3*, di buku kedua ini, aku mulai angkat topi. Karna di buku ini aku merasa bisa "tenggelam" dalam petualangan tokoh. Bukan hanya karna tema ceritanya yg oke, tp juga cara nulisnya itu bikin penasaran. Minjam kata kata teman : tricky. Iya, di tiap akhir babnya selalu bikin pertanyaan baru. Moreover : Gabriel dan Liv akhirnya ...... Arrrgggghhh, kumpret,author sableng!
Phiuh, pada akhirnya : buku ini rekomen. Siap lanjutin cari buku ketiganya :)
Phiuh, pada akhirnya : buku ini rekomen. Siap lanjutin cari buku ketiganya :)
February 21, 2019
This was an entertaining book with a mixture of interesting details followed by flights of fancy. Didn't quite live up to its potential, although worthwhile.
January 28, 2023
It was pretty good, got into the book at the end, and excited for the 3rd book in this series.
May 26, 2025
A brilliant and very exciting read!
January 7, 2017
I read the first part of this trilogy 'The Sanctus' at the beginning of the year and although I enjoyed the story and found it a pageturner , I found the final denouement and explanations a bit 'way out' or is it 'over left field' as our American cousins say? Or so my notes told me because, to be honest, I cant really remember.
Dont you just hate it when a book in a series that you are following spends so much time explaining the story so far, to those who couldnt be bothered to start a story at the beginning? I know that I do and so I cant complain too much here but a little recap would have been welcome.
And so I set off on this adventure , with only brief recollections of what had gone before.
I can remember the films of the 50s/early 60s which were nice and straight forward with just the two sides, the Goodies (white hats) and the Baddies (black hats) but in this series there seems to be several interested parties who do not show their colours ( or hats!) and it becomes difficult to work out on which side some of them are. But it all makes for an interesting read .
I think that this book was slightly better than its predecessor and this time I will go for a 4* and, learning from my previous mistake, will not leave it so long before I go for the final in the series.
Dont you just hate it when a book in a series that you are following spends so much time explaining the story so far, to those who couldnt be bothered to start a story at the beginning? I know that I do and so I cant complain too much here but a little recap would have been welcome.
And so I set off on this adventure , with only brief recollections of what had gone before.
I can remember the films of the 50s/early 60s which were nice and straight forward with just the two sides, the Goodies (white hats) and the Baddies (black hats) but in this series there seems to be several interested parties who do not show their colours ( or hats!) and it becomes difficult to work out on which side some of them are. But it all makes for an interesting read .
I think that this book was slightly better than its predecessor and this time I will go for a 4* and, learning from my previous mistake, will not leave it so long before I go for the final in the series.
December 18, 2012
This spectacular sequel is so intensely gripping, spinechilling and exciting that you will find it hard to put it down for even a moment!
The Sequel to bestselling debut thriller novel ‘Sanctus’ is a real page-turner, as you are drawn into the magnetic narrative by such meaningful description. Affecting, stimulating and full of electric tension Simon Toyne is a master of his craft, as I can honestly say that conspiracy thrillers do not get any better than The Key. The storyline is wonderfully imaginative, full of fast-paced drama and action together with plenty of intrigue and historical elements that bring the story to life. This book left me breathless for it was such an astonishing, remarkable read hence I am eagerly awaiting reading the next installment within this spectacular trilogy.
Hounded, haunted and hunted. She is the most important person in the world. She is The KEY…
In the ancient Turkish city of Ruin, American journalist Liv Adamsen lies in an isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory. She knows she entered the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness. Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is ‘the key’. But the key to what? For the Ghost, a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, Liv could unlock one of mankind’s most potent secrets. For the brotherhood in the Citadel – now cursed by a terrible plague – her return is the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Rome, she threatens the very future of the Catholic Church. Hunted across continents and caught up in events that defy explanation, Liv turns to the only person she trusts – a charity worker named Gabriel Mann. Together their paths lead to a shocking discovery – one that will tear them apart and change the world forever…
The pace is relentless and cleverly crafted; s action-packed story will whisk you away into a world of danger and adventure, which is beyond dreaming for you plunge headlong into something quite special. This is a wonderfully imaginative reinterpretation of a slice of religious history that will linger within your mind as once you have devoured this book, for a long time afterwards. Complete with a striking, orange and golden map of the Turkish city of Ruin, one gets a sense of the atmosphere through the detailed descriptions that ignite all senses with the exotic, vibrant and piquant. I am astonished by this accomplished author whose writing ability is second to none, and who I cannot enthuse about and praise highly enough. Full of drama, action and suspense this novel is a must-read and where you can escape from the surrounding world; hence I am officially labelling this as my ‘escape book’ to re-visit time & time again!
*I won a copy of ‘The Key’ signed by the author, to read and review*
www.thesancti.com
The Sequel to bestselling debut thriller novel ‘Sanctus’ is a real page-turner, as you are drawn into the magnetic narrative by such meaningful description. Affecting, stimulating and full of electric tension Simon Toyne is a master of his craft, as I can honestly say that conspiracy thrillers do not get any better than The Key. The storyline is wonderfully imaginative, full of fast-paced drama and action together with plenty of intrigue and historical elements that bring the story to life. This book left me breathless for it was such an astonishing, remarkable read hence I am eagerly awaiting reading the next installment within this spectacular trilogy.
Hounded, haunted and hunted. She is the most important person in the world. She is The KEY…
In the ancient Turkish city of Ruin, American journalist Liv Adamsen lies in an isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory. She knows she entered the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness. Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is ‘the key’. But the key to what? For the Ghost, a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, Liv could unlock one of mankind’s most potent secrets. For the brotherhood in the Citadel – now cursed by a terrible plague – her return is the only way to ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Rome, she threatens the very future of the Catholic Church. Hunted across continents and caught up in events that defy explanation, Liv turns to the only person she trusts – a charity worker named Gabriel Mann. Together their paths lead to a shocking discovery – one that will tear them apart and change the world forever…
The pace is relentless and cleverly crafted; s action-packed story will whisk you away into a world of danger and adventure, which is beyond dreaming for you plunge headlong into something quite special. This is a wonderfully imaginative reinterpretation of a slice of religious history that will linger within your mind as once you have devoured this book, for a long time afterwards. Complete with a striking, orange and golden map of the Turkish city of Ruin, one gets a sense of the atmosphere through the detailed descriptions that ignite all senses with the exotic, vibrant and piquant. I am astonished by this accomplished author whose writing ability is second to none, and who I cannot enthuse about and praise highly enough. Full of drama, action and suspense this novel is a must-read and where you can escape from the surrounding world; hence I am officially labelling this as my ‘escape book’ to re-visit time & time again!
*I won a copy of ‘The Key’ signed by the author, to read and review*
www.thesancti.com
April 23, 2013
Like most of the readers of Sanctus (I would guess) I finished that book wondering how on Earth Simon was going to follow it up. The ending of the first was pretty world-shaking, after all.
It took me a long time to getting round to reading The Key, largely because of a heavy reading list requirement and not having the free moments, but I have always had it floating in my MUST GET TO pile. I finally discovered that I had free moments and leapt on the books with a sense of urgent excitement.
It took me maybe the first 50-60 pages to make my mind up about it. It seemed to be a little jarring after the end of the first in some ways, despite flowing almost seamlessly in others. In retrospect, I put this down to having spent too long away and not being caught up properly. Certainly as soon as I was familiar once more with the characters and settings, I was racing away, turning pages at a rate of knots.
The story seems to be wide and in parts unconnected for a while, but if you've read Sanctus, you'll be prepared for the ingenious ways that the apparently baffling disparate tie in to the story's heart. As with Sanctus, I got the end marvelling at it and smiling at the perfect neatness of it and yet kicking myself because I should have been able to piece it together.
Where the first book focused entirely on Gabriel and Liv and their allies and the mysterious citadel of Ruin and the dark secret it has housed since the earliest days (no spoilers in my reviews, gov), the second in the series focuses on the source of the Sacrament: the garden of Eden and a hunt set against the clock with the prize being a nebulous good but the cost of failure being deadly to those characters we follow and appalling for the world in general.
As characters we liked from book 1 become all the more fabulous, we are introduced to a succession of new villains of the most vile and odious kinds (and often the merely misguided or stupid) and new locations (the Vatican was clearly going to become involved at some point). The addition of a few twists that made me raise my eyebrows made it a masterpiece for me.
Where I started unsure and a little out of my depth, it took only a few breaths before I was being dragged headlong through the tale by Toyne's action narrative and by the end I was grumbling that it was over and trying to rearrange my pile to shuffled The Tower to the top. I certainly won't leave it any longer than I have to.
Bravo on a superb follow up.
Loved it.
It took me a long time to getting round to reading The Key, largely because of a heavy reading list requirement and not having the free moments, but I have always had it floating in my MUST GET TO pile. I finally discovered that I had free moments and leapt on the books with a sense of urgent excitement.
It took me maybe the first 50-60 pages to make my mind up about it. It seemed to be a little jarring after the end of the first in some ways, despite flowing almost seamlessly in others. In retrospect, I put this down to having spent too long away and not being caught up properly. Certainly as soon as I was familiar once more with the characters and settings, I was racing away, turning pages at a rate of knots.
The story seems to be wide and in parts unconnected for a while, but if you've read Sanctus, you'll be prepared for the ingenious ways that the apparently baffling disparate tie in to the story's heart. As with Sanctus, I got the end marvelling at it and smiling at the perfect neatness of it and yet kicking myself because I should have been able to piece it together.
Where the first book focused entirely on Gabriel and Liv and their allies and the mysterious citadel of Ruin and the dark secret it has housed since the earliest days (no spoilers in my reviews, gov), the second in the series focuses on the source of the Sacrament: the garden of Eden and a hunt set against the clock with the prize being a nebulous good but the cost of failure being deadly to those characters we follow and appalling for the world in general.
As characters we liked from book 1 become all the more fabulous, we are introduced to a succession of new villains of the most vile and odious kinds (and often the merely misguided or stupid) and new locations (the Vatican was clearly going to become involved at some point). The addition of a few twists that made me raise my eyebrows made it a masterpiece for me.
Where I started unsure and a little out of my depth, it took only a few breaths before I was being dragged headlong through the tale by Toyne's action narrative and by the end I was grumbling that it was over and trying to rearrange my pile to shuffled The Tower to the top. I certainly won't leave it any longer than I have to.
Bravo on a superb follow up.
Loved it.
October 24, 2014
Well this sequel is actually much better than the first book Sanctus. I really enjoyed reading it and the characters really grow on you. When you put down the book to take a break it lies on the table and winks at you to get on reading.
Simon Toyne has really managed to captivate his audience with the story which is about something much more different than I thought. I surprised me and yet not really when I thought about it because the Vatican is a big organisation who needs money to get the wheels to turn around. But beyond that there is something else in the story except money. Our main characters survival and can they save the poor munks in Ruin?
Liv Adamsen is the bearer of the blood from Eva (the first woman on earth) and is now the Key and she is not a very lucky woman. The Vatican is trying first to kill her and then rethinks and wants her back to the city of Ruin and the monastery on top of the mountain. Why? Because everything inside the mountain is dying after the Key escaped.
Gabriel Mann is her only card to safety and he is chasing the Starmap that his grandfather once a long time ago has hidden in the bone-rooms of the monastery. It should tell them where Liv has to go to release the Key and to become safe. But it's gone and Gabriel has to get help form a couple of friends before he and Liv is going to the Iraqi desert.
The monks of the monastery of the mountain in Ruin is trying to cope with all the secrecy that the fraction of Sanctus had imposed to hide what they were really doing in the secret room of the Key. The masters of the different fractions go to the room and gets a very nasty surprise. While all this is going on a deadly pest is beginning to take hold of the monks and it starts in the garden that all of a sudden dies. It even escapes to the old city of Ruin.
I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy and to see what happens to everyone in the end.
Simon Toyne has really managed to captivate his audience with the story which is about something much more different than I thought. I surprised me and yet not really when I thought about it because the Vatican is a big organisation who needs money to get the wheels to turn around. But beyond that there is something else in the story except money. Our main characters survival and can they save the poor munks in Ruin?
Liv Adamsen is the bearer of the blood from Eva (the first woman on earth) and is now the Key and she is not a very lucky woman. The Vatican is trying first to kill her and then rethinks and wants her back to the city of Ruin and the monastery on top of the mountain. Why? Because everything inside the mountain is dying after the Key escaped.
Gabriel Mann is her only card to safety and he is chasing the Starmap that his grandfather once a long time ago has hidden in the bone-rooms of the monastery. It should tell them where Liv has to go to release the Key and to become safe. But it's gone and Gabriel has to get help form a couple of friends before he and Liv is going to the Iraqi desert.
The monks of the monastery of the mountain in Ruin is trying to cope with all the secrecy that the fraction of Sanctus had imposed to hide what they were really doing in the secret room of the Key. The masters of the different fractions go to the room and gets a very nasty surprise. While all this is going on a deadly pest is beginning to take hold of the monks and it starts in the garden that all of a sudden dies. It even escapes to the old city of Ruin.
I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy and to see what happens to everyone in the end.
July 18, 2012
The Key is the second book in Simon Toyne's debut trilogy. I was hooked by the first book - Sanctus - and have been eagerly waiting to see what happens next.
If you have not read the first book and plan to, you may want to skip this review - I don't want to spoil it for you. And really, to fully appreciate The Key, you should read Sanctus first.
Liv Ademson has escaped from the Citadel - the enclave of an ancient sect of secretive monks known as the Sancti. She's in the hospital, unable to remember what happened before the explosion.....
Something momentous did occur, but there are those who are determined that Liv should not live.... (sorry, couldn't resist)... the Vatican, the monks and a mysterious man known as The Ghost. But she must survive..... "The fate of man lies in the hands of one woman."
I won't go into much more detail than that. In The Key, we get to know more of the history of The Citadeland past characters such as Gabriel, Inspector Arkadian and more return. Toyne kept my interest from first page to last. He successfully combines history, mystery, intrigue, action and yes, romance in a fast paced page turner. And again, he has left us with a wonderful cliff hanger ending. I can't wait to see where book three goes - although I have an idea.
Although I read the first book, I chose to listen to The Key in audio book format. The reader was one of my favourites - Simon Vance. He has a rich, powerful voice - just perfect for this type of book. His English accent is quite easy to understand and the different voices he provides for each character are believable. Listening to this type of book brings the tension and action to life. I was hard pressed to shut it down and head inside to work!
Readers with strong religious beliefs may not enjoy Toyne's alternative views. But fans of James Rollins, Steve Berry and of course, Dan Brown will enjoy it.
If you have not read the first book and plan to, you may want to skip this review - I don't want to spoil it for you. And really, to fully appreciate The Key, you should read Sanctus first.
Liv Ademson has escaped from the Citadel - the enclave of an ancient sect of secretive monks known as the Sancti. She's in the hospital, unable to remember what happened before the explosion.....
Something momentous did occur, but there are those who are determined that Liv should not live.... (sorry, couldn't resist)... the Vatican, the monks and a mysterious man known as The Ghost. But she must survive..... "The fate of man lies in the hands of one woman."
I won't go into much more detail than that. In The Key, we get to know more of the history of The Citadeland past characters such as Gabriel, Inspector Arkadian and more return. Toyne kept my interest from first page to last. He successfully combines history, mystery, intrigue, action and yes, romance in a fast paced page turner. And again, he has left us with a wonderful cliff hanger ending. I can't wait to see where book three goes - although I have an idea.
Although I read the first book, I chose to listen to The Key in audio book format. The reader was one of my favourites - Simon Vance. He has a rich, powerful voice - just perfect for this type of book. His English accent is quite easy to understand and the different voices he provides for each character are believable. Listening to this type of book brings the tension and action to life. I was hard pressed to shut it down and head inside to work!
Readers with strong religious beliefs may not enjoy Toyne's alternative views. But fans of James Rollins, Steve Berry and of course, Dan Brown will enjoy it.
July 24, 2012
The Key is a better read than Sanctus--and I loved that book. Now Simon Toyne has done it again, thrilling us with a fantastic story only an imaginative mind could create.
The Key begins just days after Sanctus ends. Liv Adamson awakes in a hospital bed with vague memories of her time in the Citadel. A whisper drifts through her consciousness, bringing with it an entity Liv will eventually grow to understand. In some mysterious way Liv is now the key--and that key must release the the well of life that remains locked within the earth.
The Sacrament, a female spirit from the beginning of time, has escaped the Citadel and the Sancti are dead with the exception of one. A strange disease, a blight, has taken hold, creating boils that cover the one remaining Sancti. Soon after, the disease spreads to the Citadel as well as to their beloved garden. Trees that have withstood the centuries now grow withered. Without the Sacrament the Citadel lies fallow, the people that serve it, confused. One member sees the future and assists in the restoration of the Sacrament--another sees darkness and is determined to bring the ancient spirit back to the Citadel.
Somehow, the Sacrament must join with the biblical land of Eden and an ancient map shows the way. The Catholic Church who has ties to the Citadel has this information and will do anything to protect it.
A complex plot, Toyne is an expert at navigating us through the twists and turns. The characters are believable--the action unstoppable. The writing is excellent. I simply could not put this book down.
The only downside is that I must wait for the third book to be released. Cudos to Toyne--he's done an excellent job.
The Key begins just days after Sanctus ends. Liv Adamson awakes in a hospital bed with vague memories of her time in the Citadel. A whisper drifts through her consciousness, bringing with it an entity Liv will eventually grow to understand. In some mysterious way Liv is now the key--and that key must release the the well of life that remains locked within the earth.
The Sacrament, a female spirit from the beginning of time, has escaped the Citadel and the Sancti are dead with the exception of one. A strange disease, a blight, has taken hold, creating boils that cover the one remaining Sancti. Soon after, the disease spreads to the Citadel as well as to their beloved garden. Trees that have withstood the centuries now grow withered. Without the Sacrament the Citadel lies fallow, the people that serve it, confused. One member sees the future and assists in the restoration of the Sacrament--another sees darkness and is determined to bring the ancient spirit back to the Citadel.
Somehow, the Sacrament must join with the biblical land of Eden and an ancient map shows the way. The Catholic Church who has ties to the Citadel has this information and will do anything to protect it.
A complex plot, Toyne is an expert at navigating us through the twists and turns. The characters are believable--the action unstoppable. The writing is excellent. I simply could not put this book down.
The only downside is that I must wait for the third book to be released. Cudos to Toyne--he's done an excellent job.
July 12, 2012
"The Key," the second entry in the "Sanctus" trilogy by Simon Toyne, continues the eerie, scary, and exciting story of a heroine bedeviled, as it were, by her mystical spiritual attachment to an extremely important female biblical character. More about that attachment shall not be revealed herein.
It must suffice to say that the heroine, Liv Adamsen, is a brave, brilliant, and befuddled recipient of the soul of that biblical character, and she must carry that albatross not around her neck, but through the whole of her body and being. And she must escape the wrath of the Brothers of the Citadel (and the Catholic Church), who believe that her survival means their destruction.
But the real commission to which she has been entrusted (possible semi-spoiler) means finding the exact spot of the original Garden of Eden. If she fails in that mission, it is not only she who will die. So, almost surely, will most of humankind.
She is aided in her quest by her co-hero, Gabriel Mann. Note the clever symbolic significance of the characters' names, which reveal much about their character traits, their functions in plot development, and their relationships to biblical namesakes.
Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/review/the-ke...
It must suffice to say that the heroine, Liv Adamsen, is a brave, brilliant, and befuddled recipient of the soul of that biblical character, and she must carry that albatross not around her neck, but through the whole of her body and being. And she must escape the wrath of the Brothers of the Citadel (and the Catholic Church), who believe that her survival means their destruction.
But the real commission to which she has been entrusted (possible semi-spoiler) means finding the exact spot of the original Garden of Eden. If she fails in that mission, it is not only she who will die. So, almost surely, will most of humankind.
She is aided in her quest by her co-hero, Gabriel Mann. Note the clever symbolic significance of the characters' names, which reveal much about their character traits, their functions in plot development, and their relationships to biblical namesakes.
Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/review/the-ke...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews