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Chronicles of the Children #1
Key: The End of the Age of the Dragon's Conquest
A shattered world's hope lies within a family and their echo through time... Their world is collapsing, slowly, through Time, Space and all Realms. They have but one hope--a Key. Zinkx Maz, a young battle-weary Messenger, is searching for the Key. No one knows what they Key is; a guide or a weapon. The only thing known for certain is that it is a chance for survival in the war against the Dragon. Along his journey Zinkx stumbles across a strange Kelib woman and together they are cast upon a voyage over the magnificent expanses of their land and beyond to uncover the secrets of an ancient race. Within the metropolis of Palace-Town the Starborn Prince of Pennadot struggles to restore order to the Emerald Court. Slowly he is losing power to the Lords of the Provinces. He is opposed by the Dragon's Overlord who seeks to complete a plan that will change Pennadot forever. It is up to the Overlord's son to save the young Prince, and his quest leads him to something he had never dreamed was possible.
- GenresFantasy
560 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2013
5 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Leane
13 books27 followersKylie Leane lives in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, South Australia, with her delightful pet cat's Charcoal and Winter.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 27, 2013
This book is frankly incredible for a first effort. The landscapes and different cultures presented in the book are all extremely well drawn and thought out. The real strength though is the relationships between the host of characters. And there are many, so many you would think that the author would lose track of them and not be able to differentiate them at all. She manages to avoid this by telling each chapter from a different character's perspective, letting us get to know each one.
There are a couple of characters that I would have like to see a bit more of and a particular brand of henchman is a tad overused by these are mere quibbles and the only thing that keeps that fifth start from being highlighted.
Buy this book, you'll be glad you did!
There are a couple of characters that I would have like to see a bit more of and a particular brand of henchman is a tad overused by these are mere quibbles and the only thing that keeps that fifth start from being highlighted.
Buy this book, you'll be glad you did!
November 20, 2013
Reading Key is like falling into the rabbit hole into a whole new world you never want to leave - the story is well told, the characters are interesting, funny and easy to relate too, and once you've pickted it up, you don't want to put it down untill you're done.
The book combines fantasy with science fiction in a very original manner, as it takes us on a trip to the strange half-planet Livila, and the land Pennadot. Here we meet Zinkx, the books main protagonist, a young hero on a quest with his master. A quest to find a legendary “key”, that will help fix their dying world by unleashing ancient technology left in on the planet by an extinct race - the Zaprexes - known to most Pennadotians only as the Imps or Faeries. This quest quickly turns out quite different from what one might expect, and takes the reader on a grand adventure across this brand new and exiting world.
In the midst of banter and witty dialogue between the main characters, much of the planets rich history and mythology is revealed in a way that has you turning pages at top speed, not even realising you’re getting a history lesson. The world is quickly established and vividly described, making it very easy to settle into the story and its characters.
Though her themes are at times dark in nature, miss Leane’s sense of humour makes the book an easy and very enjoyable read. Action, excitement and thrilling battle scenes are alternated with humorous intermezzo’s, but there is also no lack to more calm and touching emotional scenes giving us an insight in the characters state of mind.
I greatly enjoyed reading Key and am looking forward to its sequel. This is a must read!
The book combines fantasy with science fiction in a very original manner, as it takes us on a trip to the strange half-planet Livila, and the land Pennadot. Here we meet Zinkx, the books main protagonist, a young hero on a quest with his master. A quest to find a legendary “key”, that will help fix their dying world by unleashing ancient technology left in on the planet by an extinct race - the Zaprexes - known to most Pennadotians only as the Imps or Faeries. This quest quickly turns out quite different from what one might expect, and takes the reader on a grand adventure across this brand new and exiting world.
In the midst of banter and witty dialogue between the main characters, much of the planets rich history and mythology is revealed in a way that has you turning pages at top speed, not even realising you’re getting a history lesson. The world is quickly established and vividly described, making it very easy to settle into the story and its characters.
Though her themes are at times dark in nature, miss Leane’s sense of humour makes the book an easy and very enjoyable read. Action, excitement and thrilling battle scenes are alternated with humorous intermezzo’s, but there is also no lack to more calm and touching emotional scenes giving us an insight in the characters state of mind.
I greatly enjoyed reading Key and am looking forward to its sequel. This is a must read!
November 13, 2013
In this new fantasy world, peoples, mystical creatures, magic, legends and science are blended seamlessly and technology and nature arise and are woven together so that both are natural parts of the world and its varied cultures. The planet is Livila. Livila is a unique place for it is a half-planet and yet it is two worlds; the physical one and the Secondary Realm, also known as the Data-Stream by the ancient, extinct fairy race, called the Zaprexes. The Secondary Realm is the realm of the elementals, some of whom are able to pass between worlds. Livila is also a dying planet. Its planetary rotation is slowly drawing to a stop. A mysterious and evil force called the Dragon is causing its slow demise.
The Zaprexes, the ancient fairy race to whom the advanced technology on the planet belongs once were able to prevent Livila's slow destruction by building massive machines - towers - that bind the continents together. They once shared their knowledge with the world; the Kelib, the humans and the once highly revered, powerful Starborns, a royal people who once ruled the land of Pennadot. Yet, by coming to the planet's rescue they awoke the Dragon, a parasitic evil creature who unleashed war and mass slaughter upon the peoples of the world on an unimaginable scale. Seeing that their technology was being used for evil the Zaprexes disable their gleaming towers and other machines and draw the evil Dragon to the Secondary Realm where his power is severely muted. The only thing left of their presence are the great towers, dotted throughout the landscape of Pennadot, now simply ancient ruins. The planet once again begins its long march towards disintegration. And the Dragon, though weakened, is craftily finding a way back into the world where he will rule and become all powerful and continue to wage chaos and he is gathering many people to him.
Shanty, a Kelib woman running from her cruel captors, Zinkx, a Warrior-Messenger who has a mysterious past and a small Zaprex child, Sam, find each other by accident and form a family bond, traveling together. Zinkx is on a mission laid upon him by his mentor, Denvy, a Dreamathic, one of the godlike beings of the Secondary Realm. Livila is dying and they have to find out why and how to save it. The clue is Sam. He may be able to wake the towers and make them work. The messenger himself has a secret that he himself must uncover about his past that may help save the world. The Zaprexes and the Starborns are linked by destiny but they must understand that destiny in order to find the key - the key that will save Livila and its people from the destruction of the Dragon.
A theme I have noticed in this story - and there are several - are that there is more than one key and these keys must come together and work in concert to unlock the clues that will save the world. Nothing and no one stands alone. Everything is connected. With forests full of sky-towering trees where the sun's light does not penetrate and luminescent plants that glow in dawn, dusk and at night and many different races, both fleshly and incorporeal, a world ruled by two moons, cultures that revere the sun - this is a new, fun and immersive fantasy realm. The Key is an imaginative, original fantasy series with great characters interwoven throughout several story-lines . My favorite characters are Shanty, the Kelib who has escaped slavery and must find her own strength on the journey and her companion Zinkx, the warrior who rescues her must find out who he really is. I look forward to book two.
The Zaprexes, the ancient fairy race to whom the advanced technology on the planet belongs once were able to prevent Livila's slow destruction by building massive machines - towers - that bind the continents together. They once shared their knowledge with the world; the Kelib, the humans and the once highly revered, powerful Starborns, a royal people who once ruled the land of Pennadot. Yet, by coming to the planet's rescue they awoke the Dragon, a parasitic evil creature who unleashed war and mass slaughter upon the peoples of the world on an unimaginable scale. Seeing that their technology was being used for evil the Zaprexes disable their gleaming towers and other machines and draw the evil Dragon to the Secondary Realm where his power is severely muted. The only thing left of their presence are the great towers, dotted throughout the landscape of Pennadot, now simply ancient ruins. The planet once again begins its long march towards disintegration. And the Dragon, though weakened, is craftily finding a way back into the world where he will rule and become all powerful and continue to wage chaos and he is gathering many people to him.
Shanty, a Kelib woman running from her cruel captors, Zinkx, a Warrior-Messenger who has a mysterious past and a small Zaprex child, Sam, find each other by accident and form a family bond, traveling together. Zinkx is on a mission laid upon him by his mentor, Denvy, a Dreamathic, one of the godlike beings of the Secondary Realm. Livila is dying and they have to find out why and how to save it. The clue is Sam. He may be able to wake the towers and make them work. The messenger himself has a secret that he himself must uncover about his past that may help save the world. The Zaprexes and the Starborns are linked by destiny but they must understand that destiny in order to find the key - the key that will save Livila and its people from the destruction of the Dragon.
A theme I have noticed in this story - and there are several - are that there is more than one key and these keys must come together and work in concert to unlock the clues that will save the world. Nothing and no one stands alone. Everything is connected. With forests full of sky-towering trees where the sun's light does not penetrate and luminescent plants that glow in dawn, dusk and at night and many different races, both fleshly and incorporeal, a world ruled by two moons, cultures that revere the sun - this is a new, fun and immersive fantasy realm. The Key is an imaginative, original fantasy series with great characters interwoven throughout several story-lines . My favorite characters are Shanty, the Kelib who has escaped slavery and must find her own strength on the journey and her companion Zinkx, the warrior who rescues her must find out who he really is. I look forward to book two.
Want to read
April 16, 2014Cover porn pulled me in, picked up an autographed copy today and I'm super excited to start this!
April 19, 2017
Completely unique high fantasy
I am a perpetual fan of fantasy and science fiction, including the known classics, TLOTR and Magician (and it's associated tales).
In this genre there is almost always some kind of thematic crossover or magic follows the usual rules. This is not so with the world that Leane has created.
The planet of Livila is unique and entrancing and it's peoples are varied and enthralling. The characters are rich, deep and relatable and there arw no reservations on their strengths and flaws.
As with most fantasy, the story features several different points of view and they are all expertly woven together, with the tale flitting between the main groups of protagonists.
I found the tale captivating and highly enjoyable and look forward to it's completion
I am a perpetual fan of fantasy and science fiction, including the known classics, TLOTR and Magician (and it's associated tales).
In this genre there is almost always some kind of thematic crossover or magic follows the usual rules. This is not so with the world that Leane has created.
The planet of Livila is unique and entrancing and it's peoples are varied and enthralling. The characters are rich, deep and relatable and there arw no reservations on their strengths and flaws.
As with most fantasy, the story features several different points of view and they are all expertly woven together, with the tale flitting between the main groups of protagonists.
I found the tale captivating and highly enjoyable and look forward to it's completion
March 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. A beautifully paced epic fantasy piece in a world that borrows some of its mythology from science fiction. Leane's imagination and attention to detail both shine through, as equally as the characters who inhabit Livila. It's an ambitious story to tell, and it's done with style.
September 20, 2015
I highly recommend this story. I picked it up at a convention, as I'd never seen it stocked elsewhere. I like to support the artists in Artist's alley. I went in with low/no real expectations.
Initially the unexpected science fiction elements of the novel didn't sell me, but in the end it was one of the book's strongest aspects. It received a lot more attention and focus than some of the book's other elements.
The writer seems to have crafted an interesting magic and technology system, which could do with a bit more exposition.
The characters and races are interesting and unique in a number of ways. I find myself wanting more details about the history of a few of the races and so forth. Much I think is intentionally left for later exposition. The biggest questions I had were around the nature of the planet, which is revealed in such vague terms as to not have been discussed at all. Perhaps intentionally, but it didn't feel that way.
The writing is of generally good quality, I will pay attention when the next one comes out, as it will make or break the series.
Initially the unexpected science fiction elements of the novel didn't sell me, but in the end it was one of the book's strongest aspects. It received a lot more attention and focus than some of the book's other elements.
The writer seems to have crafted an interesting magic and technology system, which could do with a bit more exposition.
The characters and races are interesting and unique in a number of ways. I find myself wanting more details about the history of a few of the races and so forth. Much I think is intentionally left for later exposition. The biggest questions I had were around the nature of the planet, which is revealed in such vague terms as to not have been discussed at all. Perhaps intentionally, but it didn't feel that way.
The writing is of generally good quality, I will pay attention when the next one comes out, as it will make or break the series.
February 15, 2019
Had some growing pains near the beginning but this is a fantastic story
February 18, 2020
Beautiful characters that I fell in love with immediately, Kylie setup a world that I just wanted to keep exploring. Super keen to continue the series!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews