The Empyrean Key

Ardentia #1

by Jo-Anne Tomlinson

The first book in a new epic fantasy series...

Jahna Mornglow is a thief, a liar and an all-around misfit, a half-breed of the loathed and ostracized Narcean race, born with the abilities of prophecy and telepathy.

The ghosts of Jahna's past will call upon her, revealing hidden enemies, precious secrets and a fragmented artifact that will breath new life into the myths of old.

Can Jahna keep safe a world that has shunned and discarded her?

NOTE; The Empyrean Key has been revised and relaunched as Fates of Ruin

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, High Fantasy

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2014

About the author

Jo-Anne Tomlinson was born and bred in the mystical land of New Zealand.
No, she wasn't in Lord of the Rings. No, she doesn't know that guy, Steve. Yes, she has seen a kiwi and they are both powerful and majestic.
As well as writing, Jo is an inventor, currently designing a sophisticated robot that will spit out a completed manuscript based on a very vague synopsis. Unfortunately, as she hasn't even mastered the TV remote, progress is slow.

When not writing or reading, you'll find her playing video games, watching terrible movies and eavesdropping on people who argue in malls. Lastly, she doesn't mind if you call her Jo.

Reviews

[Tanja (Tanychy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?

If you have read that blurb and figured out that this book is a fantasy, set in a new world and with that huge adventure coming on then you might think it's a right book for me. I did, so when I got a review request for it and I read this blurb it was screaming my name and I always answer to books.

So as I already said this book is a really great adventure story with a really interesting plot. I was really happy to be thrown into another world again. Here we are firstly in Groden Cave where we meet Jahna, our main character of the story. Besides her we meet her two best friend, one of them is a nerd and the other is a strongman or better said strongwoman. That is the point which makes this story not just interesting, but also hilarious. I enjoyed reading about reversed roles here and it was so much fun to have a girl who is the strong one and a boy whose nose is always in a book. Back to Jahna, well you probably assume that she is not that ordinary and she is not in fact. After discovering the truth about her origin she is read for the quest. That quest is also where she will meet some interesting faces and among them a really interesting boy.

As you can see this story has everything anyone could ask for. A really great main character who is easy to connect with and besides her a really great side characters who make this story interesting and fun. With all that a quest which seems tough and where you cannot wait to see what happens next.

The only reason why I didn't enjoy this book fully is that there were moments when this story was really predictable and that did bother me. Although, at moments this story seemed for younger readers and it probably is meant for them so I understood that and I could enjoy it. The other thing that I wish I had seen here was the map of this world. I know that it is not possible to have it with small publishers or self publishing, but hopefully one day when this book gets published by some serious publisher (and it certainly deserves it) I hope to see one.

But all in all, even though younger readers will probably enjoy this book more, still my young heart was able to connect with it and fully enjoy it.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. I couldn't put it down and was horribly sad when it was over. I kept craving more. This book has a wide appeal that will keep readers of all ages begging for more.

Tomlinson's writing is rich with detail, and her ability to create unforgettable characters is unmatched. The characters have such an interesting and engaging repartee that they practically leap off the page and into real life. They are entirely relatable and quickly become beloved friends, annoying family members, or that horrible person we all know that just makes our blood run cold and our skin crawl.

The characters are deep, with various motivations and emotions. Their reactions are extremely realistic and unique, which adds to the personality development of each character. Even the villain has underlying issues that motivate her in a way that makes her understandable on a human level, while still encapsulating that absolute evil necessary to warrant a quest of this kind.

These fantastic characters can only be properly appreciated within their exciting story line. The book has everything quintessential to fantastic fantasy writing: magic, adventure, an evil to be conquered, romance. However, the story is nowhere near formulaic. One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is the introduction of so many different creatures. This is not your standard collection of elves, and, dwarves and orcs. There are a whole host of new races and creatures to inspire one's imagination. The plot grows and develops from page one, flowing like a river through valleys, fields, and forests, each with its own enjoyable piece of the whole story.

With her quick wit and creativity, Tomlinson transports you to another world and allows you the privilege of joining her lovable characters on their adventure -- all from the comfort of that cozy couch in your living room by the fireplace. In reading this book, you experience all the excitement, danger, and laughter of a real life adventure. This book will leave you feeling like you were on vacation. With her talent for character development and storytelling, Tomlinson is a breath of fresh air in the world of fantasy novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel, and I say with sincerity that we can expect great things from Tomlinson.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit before I began reading I was worried I would have to be critical of this novel. Since I've never read anything from the author and I'm extremely picky about writing styles. However, I was pleasantly surprised upon finishing up the book. While the book starts off a bit slow for my taste (only the first few pages) you quickly become involved in the world and characters created by Tomlinson.
Jahna, Silko, and Lilac are definitely a fantastic trio! Each individual complements one another and no one character feels more important than the other one. Even in book one you KNOW that this wouldn't work with Jahna alone. No excuses to not read this or enjoy it. :)
In a nutshell EXCELLENT read, clever characters, and I can't wait to read book two.

[Claudia {SparrowHawk} · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPARROW'S THOUGHTS:

One of the greatest pleasures in life -aside from delving into early church history, video games, ukulele jam sessions, and homeschooling- is reading a really awesome book and then proceeding to write an over-hyped book review of that said book. Folks, this is going to be one of those reviews.

Oh no!

. . .

Before I begin though, can you please hold on for just a sec. while I go and grab my cup of coffee from the kitchen counter!? I have been so incredibly giddy about writing this review, and with making sure my kids are comfortable and settled I must’ve forgotten to grab my cup of coffee!

*Scurries to the kitchen*

Okay. I'm back :) (Slurp)

The Empyrean Key turned out to be an unexpected surprise to my bibliophile saga, and a combination of things that I have desperately been in need of these past recent weeks. This is a rich fantasy novel that is both exhilarating and wistful. The storyline as a whole was so delicately astounding, that it literally felt as though the book was written especially for me. It featured so many of my favorite things: engrossing fanciful worlds with unthinkable creatures and elements, a few heart-wrenching moments that had me gripping my bed covers and book (well in this case, my tablet). Audacious quests that pointed the way to colorful and extraordinary towns, where I met the most peculiar people -who later went on to become the greatest key companions to such quests. A stunningly unforgettable storyline that never faltered, but remained solid and only heightened with pleasure. Did I mention there was an epic boss fight too!? Wait . . .am I reviewing a book or a video game? *grinning* (slurp).

Aaaand if that wasn't enough to make me love this book already, then come the characters. The three main characters are Jahna, who is our dazzling protagonist. Jahna finds herself in a complicated, “To be or not to be” predicament, and we suspect her hardships will not ease up, because like Superman, the weight of the world lies on her shoulders (slurp). Then, there is Lilac, a girl who would rather take up a sword, or an axe and join the cavalry over holding the fort at home with cooking and cleaning. And finally, there is our delicate flower Silko, the super geeky booknerd who is versed in all matters pertaining to Ardentia and the historical facts connected to its kingdoms. 

Moreover, The Empyrean Key goes on to lay out the diplomatic tensions between the different races within the world and proceeds to illustrate how these tensions affect each character individually, but it never overwhelms the characters or the story.

Outside the main story line, we are introduced to the royals of the kingdom. We immediately become acquainted with the ravenous greedy and selfish wicked queen Selizardra whose evil scheme may very well come back to bite her later on in the series. Together with Selizardra, we are introduced to Mydra, her daughter the princess and the rightful heir to the throne, or so we think. Mydra is unruly and highly unnerving, but what is a good story line without it’s unbearable villains right? (Slurp).

Interestingly enough, I found the basis of the royals story line to be one of the strongest ongoing themes in this book with the exploration of female identity issues, of female rulers and their political authority in their own right to rule. It's utterly dysfunctional, but brilliantly fabricated.

All that to say, The Empyrean Key was absolutely fantastic! In the end, the story proved to be one about friendship, loyalty, family, belonging, love, sacrifice and survival. I loved it; oh how I loved it (slurp) <3

Wow. Oddly enough, I fear this is all I can truly say on the book, because to say more would mean I'd have to share spoilers, and this to me would be unforgivable! So, do yourself a favor and go read this book! Like now. . .here, I'll make it easy for you :)



IN A NUTSHELL:
» J.L. Tomlinson's writing style and narration is sensational! Her writing is clean, concise and absorbing; the product of an author at the top of her game

» Immediately after reading the novel, I debriefed with Ben and remember saying something along these lines, "Gosh, this book reminded me so much of Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy X, I can't help but wonder if the author is familiar with these video games." To which Ben replied, "You should ask her." Well, instead of sending Mrs. Tomlinson, a personal message, I succeed to read her personal bio over at Goodreads, and then, it all made perfect sense :D


» The premise of the story is all so very clever, it actually reminded me a lot of Kristin Cashore's Graceling series, as well as a bit of the Final Fantasy realms

» Thank you J.L. Tomlinson for writing such a remarkable story and for thinking up these fantastic characters; this is the reason why I love, love, love reading; I am rooting for you J.L.!


»  Okay, I don't even know if this is considered a compliment or complaint, but you dangerously become so absorbed in the story that you lose touch with reality, because it literally feels as if you are watching the film (in your mind of course), that or an animated series (I had The Legend of Korra in mind). In other words, the author takes the back seat, because the story is that good. This is a good thing right? 

» The Empyrean Key is undoubtedly one of the greatest fantasy novels I have, and likely will read this year. This novel goes straight into my top 10 of 2014

» I wildly and madly loved The Emyprean Key and am eagerly anticipating its sequel. This is truly an unforgettable book and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone; it leaves a memorable aftertaste

» You can travel to the world of Ardentia and learn more about the novel here



3 Things I liked:
+ Jahna, Lilac & Silko. These three highly polished characters are very much the highlight of the entire novel. Lilac and Silko have hilarious misunderstandings, which yes, come across as incredibly rude and obnoxious, but they genuinely care for each other; immensely! Jahna on the other hand, is the glue that holds the three together; her passive aggressive personality is a perfect balance to this trio. I LOVED each one deeply. And I suspect it has to do with the plain fact that, their dialect, opinions, responses and struggles are ones that anyone can identify with. In fact, I coveted their friendship so much, and like Arns I longed to join their clan   

+ The character development blew me away; I felt a very deep emotional connection with each character to the point where they each felt tangible! Also, this novel seriously features some of the best lines and dialogue scenes I have ever read! I was mostly grinning and literally laughing out loud for most of my read; I had a blast :) 

+ The beauty of The Empyrean Key lies in the development of the world and its characters. I found it brilliant how JL Tomlinson created and developed this beautiful world of Ardentia with such small details that, not once, overwhelmed the story line

3 Things I Did Not Like:

- I realize this is totally unrelated to the book, but I don't like the waiting period. Although, we are left with a lovely note by the end of the novel, that gracefully informs us that the second novel, Veil of the Corrupter is due to come out early 2015 :D

- There were a few grammatical errors and some words that were missing here and there, but this is a footnote compared to the overall work of the novel
NOTE: I later came to discover that there are more than a few words that vary in spelling between New Zealand and America; so, this is a miserable mistake in my part ;)

- I'm finding it incredibly difficult to think up a third issue I might have bumped into, because the book was near perfection. Oh! How about a map! If not already created, a picture that illustrates the myriad of worlds/towns within Ardentia? Something like this maybe?

From Kristin Cashore's Bitterblue

Read full review here!

[Alyson Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: The Empyrean Key
Author: J.L Timlinson
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

JL Timlinson was kind enough to provide me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was first drawn in by the elegant writing style. It was not overly choppy, but, yet, smooth. There was just enough details to get the reader engaged in the world and it kept me interested. I was just overly surprised by how smoothly this was written.

I also liked all of the kingdoms that this book had. You simply cannot have high fantasy without having different little kingdoms and all of the normal clichés of this genre. It just would not be right. This book can be read by both younger or older readers. I am not sure if this is listed as young adult, but I would let a teenager read this. It is like a cleaner and younger version of A Song of Ice and Fire. It's not really a complicated story, which is a plus in my book.

I also liked the characters a lot and their friendships were very real. It was very clear to me that the author had experience in creating such strong characters. The characterization did not seem forced to me and it seemed like the author really did take the time to get the know the characters prior to writing. There really was not a character in this that I thought was flat and simply was not well done. One thing that I picked up on that is not very common in this genre or writing at it. It is the females who are strong, while the one lone male lead always has his nose in a book. I am not saying that this is a bad thing, but it is just very uncommon in writing.

I also did not mind the changes in point of view. I like hearing about different characters and I like it even more when it is done so smoothly. I really do not know which point of view I liked better.
I did like the action scenes, but not all of them held my action. It is not that they were not well done, but there was just something missing from them. Don't ask me what, but there was just something missing. Another thing was I did not feel anything in cases of character death. It was just a little too dry.

Overall, this is not a bad book. I think that everyone of all ages will enjoy this. However, if you do not like cliffhanger endings or stories without a complete storyline, you will probably not like this book.

[Kritika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

First of all, thank you to Jo-Anne Tomlinson for her patience with me reviewing her book, It's taken me months but I finally did it!

I was really excited about this book because I've been trying to make it a point to read and support authors and books that feature diverse characters. I know that authors are getting better about including more diverse minor characters, but it's still rare for the main character to be a person of color. In The Empyrean Key, the main character is markedly dark skinned and faces some discrimination for it. I was also hooked by the roguish main characters, who con people for a living and crack jokes to deal with their meager existence (sound familiar, Gentleman Bastard fans?).

I can definitely say I enjoyed this book, and it was a fairly quick and entertaining read. The witty banter and the sarcasm was great, and I liked the unconventional main characters. Jahna is from a race of seers or prophets, but she doesn't know how to use her powers. Her best friends and partners in crime are Lilac, a large and brawny barmaid, and Silko, a scrawny bookworm. The three of them have a wonderful friendship, and it was endearing to see how despite all the bravado and teasing, they had each other's backs no matter what.

I did have a few minor complaints with this book (hence 3.5 stars). As I mentioned before, I was really excited to see how the author dealt with the issue of race and prejudice against her main character. While Jahna was discriminated against, it was more out of fear of her prophetic abilities; her race was almost a non-issue. I also expected a bit more depth in the three main characters. I felt like they were quirky and unique, but after a while there wasn't actually that much more to them. This book felt like the first few hundred pages of a giant epic fantasy novel, so perhaps the characters have a lot more growing to do, but they still felt a little flat in the second half of the book. And finally, the lukewarm romance that came out of nowhere. Jahna was suddenly blushing and thinking about a character who only made his appearance very late in the novel, and the whole thing seemed abrupt to me.

While I do have some reservations about this book, I definitely enjoyed it. I am looking forward to more of Tomlinson's work.

*A free copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Floryie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy from the author for an honest review*

First let me say what I didn't like about the book. The book cover was the only negative point I was able to find because seriously it doesn't do justice to the story at all! Good thing is that the book blurb makes up for it well. It gave a mix of facts and puzzles to get me interested in reading the book. And I wasn't disappointed. Actually, I went ahead and bought a copy of the book and also its sequel. Now I am (im)patiently waiting for the third book. I hope the author gets it out soon.

The beginning of the book sees the introduction of one of the protagonists, Jahna along with her supporting cast, Lilac and Silko. I call her a protagonist because I am sure that there are others who are also as important as her for the tale to unfold. I especially loved the solidarity and the friendship among the three. The starting was good with pulling me in to know the story behind their actions. And then the story flowed with no obstructions in either the plot or the characters till the end. The ending revealed a bit of the intricate mystery involved in the tale leaving me hungering for more information.

The characters were well developed and the side characters were introduced at the right points to add interesting twists to the story. At no time did I feel that the story was sluggish or abrupt. The pace was steady with the scenes syncing seamlessly. The descriptive language used helped me in visualising the world and the different people easily which added realism to the story in turn. The plot though having all the earmarks of a typical fantasy fare with the requisite hero/heroine, a quest and the journey towards that end, the author has kept it unique with her own slant. There is a tiny bit of romantic element for Jahna which has to be explored further in the next book.

So overall, I can recommend it to fantasy genre lovers who like their tales with adventurous overtones and a pinch of romance wholeheartedly.

My one line review : An adventurous fantasy tale with a pinch of romance and a strong female protagonist.

My rating : 4/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Floryie @ http://thebookdrealms.blogspot.com

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins by introducing us to Jahna and her friends, the bookish Silko and the Amazonian Lilac, running a betting scam. Their desire for money and lack of morals was not, for me, the best introduction to a bunch of teenage protagonists, but once past the first chapter, the story moved into their regular home life in a quiet fishing village and their characters and relationships began to develop, making them far more likeable.
Jahna has a chip on her shoulder over her mother’s refusal to discuss Jahna’s burgeoning psychic powers, even though her mother’s bloodline is their source. Silko and Lilac develop nicely as diametrically opposed types, both physically and mentally, yet both are rough diamonds with great loyalty to the trio of friends.
The writing carries you easily forward, despite the niggling annoyance that the story proper takes so long to get going. This is a richly imagined world, with great depth to its culture and religion, and the people who inhabit it are equally well rounded, with clearly individual voices and understandable motives.
About a third of the way in, the plot kicks in with a vengeance, becoming a traditional quest story.
Only the first steps of the quest are completed in this book, and with 3 more of the 5-part key yet to find, there is plenty more to come. The villains are shaping up nicely, with a malicious god manipulating the queen and her daughter, the heir to the kingdom. This particular tome ends on a dark note, which felt right for the story, and I look forward to continuing to discover how it all unfolds.
The version I read was provided for an honest review, and was sorely in need of editing, both in terms of correct word and punctuation usage, and a couple of those odd ‘excuse me?’ moments when the characters made stupid decisions for the sake of the plot. I understand it has been edited since then, so I cannot give opinion on how it now stands in respect of those items – better, I hope, as it deserves to be a fine book, for the scope of the writer’s imagination and her skill with dialogue and character.
Definitely some violence; no sex (as yet); I would class it as a YA/NA, read, and if you don’t mind the slow start in favour of excellent character development, highly recommended.

[Melissa Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a copy in exchange for an honest review

“They pushed a path through the crowd, desperate to find this cunning thief, Jahna scanned every face she passed, looked down every side street, but as each possible hiding place turned up empty results, she became more panicked.”

4 stars!! This book is so well written, you can’t help but be sucked in. While fantasy isn’t my usual reading genre, I really enjoyed this book. The details are so well written it makes you feel like you are actually in the book with the characters! Really great book!

The first book in a new epic fantasy series...

Jahna Mornglow is a thief, a liar and an unassuming misfit, a half-breed of the loathed and ostracized Narcean race, born with the abilities of prophecy and telepathy.

The dull monotony of her beachside home is eased by nights in the outer villages, scamming unsuspecting fishermen out of their hard earned coin. It is the most fun and profit Jahna and her friends, a brawling barmaid and a bullied bookworm, can expect from their lower class lives.

The land of Ardentia is vast and magical, carved by the Celestial gods and ruled by their mortal descendants. With a once great king now mysteriously ill, a hundred years war raging in the east and whispers of the return of an ancient evil, Ardentia's fate balances on the tip of a blade.

The ghosts of Jahna's past will call upon her, revealing hidden enemies, precious secrets and a fragmented artifact that will breath new life into the myths of old.

Can Jahna keep safe a world that has shunned and discarded her?

This book as you read is so visually stunning. The details are out of this world! The characters are so well written it makes you really feel like you are in the book with them, experiencing the same things they are going through as well! Again I’m not a huge fantasy fan, but I am a fan now!! Great book!!

**Received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Read and reviewed by Melissa for Alpha Book Club**

[Alan Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Disclaimer* I was given a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Starting out the story was full of vivid description and detail. Jahna has grown up in the small secluded town of Groden Cove. She spends lots of time with her two friends Silko, a book nerd, and Lilac an overgrown girl that wants more than anything to become a warrior and fight. Having been banished from her native Narcean lands and unable to get her mother to help her understand her "gifts", she struggles to understand her powers to see the future.
Although the story starts out strong, for me it slowed down a bit too much after the first chapter, spending most of the time going through the three companions daily adventures. Although this did help with the character development and build the characters personalities, I felt the main storyline should have been built into the story much sooner to help with the lag of the plot.
Once the actual plot started to develop and the characters got into it the story was great. Characters all interacted with one another very well and it didn't take long to become fused into the story. The main thing I really disliked about the story was the end. Yes, it is the start of a series, however the way it ended just wasn't for me. I will be reading the next in line for the series but I felt let down at the end of this one. The abrupt ending left something on the table for the next book, but in my opinion there could have been a lot more added to this story and still had been something left for the next book.
As far as how I rated the book, I would give it a 3.5-3.75. The rating could have been much higher and I really feel this is the start of a very good series and will be looking forward to reading the rest of it. Thanks to the author for allowing me to read and critique it.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ‘The Empyrean Key’ we meet Jahra, a young girl who gambles to make some extra money together with her two best friends. Jahra is good in gambling, especially since she is also really good in cheating due to the gift she inherited.
Jahra has a lot of questions about who her father is, and why her mom never wants to talk about her past. Since her mom never tells her anything about that, their relationship is not so good and Jahra feels frustrated a lot. One day her life changes forever when she sees someone deliver a package to her mom. Soon Jahra finds out what her mom kept a secret for a very long time. Unfortunately there is no time for Jahra to get used to what she now knows, her land and everyone she loves is in danger.

I was a little surprised when I started reading this book and immediately found myself really enjoying it. The writing is very easy to follow. The author created a whole new world, and she was really able to make it interesting to read. Most times when I read about a new world I find the most parts a little boring because it takes so much time from the ‘real’ story. In this book that wasn’t an issue at all. The introduction into the new world was nicely blend into the story.

The characters were also very enjoyable. Jahra was easy to love. The way she gambled and how she spend her days.. I really liked her. And her two best friends Silko and Lilac were also very enjoyable to read about. I especially loved reading about their weird and very interesting friendship. I don’t think this book would be half as good without this friendship, it definitely made this book for me.

This book had a nice blend of action and ‘slow’ scenes. It was fun to read and definitely kept me interested until the very last page. I’ll definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Empyrean Key, while fantasy, was a fast moving and easy going read. I really enjoyed it. The characters, the setting, the plot; everything about this book was unique. And even though it is a fantasy book, I had no trouble following along. (Sometimes in other fantasy worlds it’s hard to keep everything straight; not in this book. Easy peasy.)

The main character, Jahna, goes through some serious trials and tribulations and then finds out that she must go on a mission to save the world. Her two best friends, Silko and Lilac accompany her on this mission. The story kind of reminding me of Lord of the Rings. I can’t quite put my finger on why, except the fact that the characters are all so different, believable, and likeable (this is of course, a compliment!)

There were also multiple humorous times which made me laugh out loud, and a possible romantic interest appears as well, which I’m excited to learn more about.

I read this book quickly, and look forward to reading the next book in the series. I’d definitely recommend!

My Rating: 4 Stars



Some of my favorite quotes:

Jahna felt a churning in her stomach, a cold shiver racing up her spine and she was struck by a horrible feeling that unsettled and scared her.

A feeling that things were about to change.

———————————–

After all, even the slightest ripple in the ocean can create a mighty wave.

——————————————

“Any problems?” she asked.

“Not a one,” Arn replied. “Like candy from a baby.”

Lilac gestured to the cuts on their faces. “Babies with knives?”

————————————————

***I received a free copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.***

[Kirsty (Amethyst Bookwyrm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm

Thanks to J L Tomlinson for giving me this book to review.

In Ardentia, Jahna has spent all her life living in the safety of Groden Cove with her two best friends, bloodthirsty Lilac and bookworm Silko, and her mother. But her mother will not tell her about their Narcean abilities or who her father is. However, Jahna’s fate is linked to the Narcean Soothsayer Friziel and the dying King Myole as evil is threatening war torn Ardentia. When Jahna learns about her lineage and the peace of Groden Cove is disturbed, Jahna, along with her friends are sent on a quest to restore an artefact called the Empyrean Key.

The Empyrean Key is a really enjoyable fantasy book, with action a slight hint of romance and vivid detail heavy story. The book was a bit slow especially the first half as it spend way too long in Groden Cove, but the second half picks up and gets better.

Jahna is a complex character, she comes across as a normal teen but is also protective and is desperate to find out about her past and her powers. Silko and Lilac are amusing but very different characters and really care about Jahna and the three make a dysfunction trio.

This is a good book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would recommend The Empyrean Key to fans of YA fantasy books.

[TrueLovesFirstBite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been in a real reading funk lately, having encountered nothing but back to back 'meh' reads. I'm so glad to have found this book.

Refreshing and character driven, but the humour had me hooked alone. Can't wait to read the next part of Jahna, Lilac, Silko and *squee* Arn's journey.

[Nicola Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not being a regular reader of fantasy I took a little bit of time to get into this book. OnceI did I was hooked.
Loved the different dynamics between the characters that the story-line showcased well. Eagerly awaiting the next book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story. solid start. i felt like some parts were rushed to get the characters where they needed to be next. as a result, the storyline wasn't as full as would have liked. but its just the beginning and i like the world the the author has created.
left me curious about the characters.

[Ben Arroyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was AMAZING!!! I can’t wait to read Veil of the Corrupter. I have to wait for the paperback though. Can’t bring myself to read it on a tablet. This series deserves to be held and felt with heart and hands!

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I say I will never be disappointed in fantasy reading. Absolutley amazing plots and couldn't take me eyes away from the page. Fantastic book and fingers crossed for the second one to come through

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting start to this series and while I am definitely going to continue on with the next book, I still had some issues with THE EMPYREAN KEY. Ones that I think may make it less enjoyable to someone who isn't super into high fantasy. And even though I finished this book relatively quickly, I still found myself able to take breaks and walk away from it without any issue.

The Good:
I thought the pacing of Jahna's story was really good. It hit all the right marks while also subverting some of the typical tropes. I really like the main story overall and thought that it was well plotted. I think the story itself has a lot of potential and will be really interesting. I love good vs evil plots and I am pretty sure this is going to fulfill that for me in a really good way.

Jahna was a big part in my enjoyment of this novel. I liked Jahna and that she wanted to learn more about her magic and was stubborn in that regard. I also liked that Jahna was willing to do whatever it took in order to fulfill her destiny. I really enjoyed that her friends already saw her as a leader so it was natural to them that she should rule. I think that she had the most growth and personal development in this novel and I think she is a really strong lead.

The Not So Good:
I thought switching to the other cast of characters, the ones with (dying) King Myole at the Castle, including Jahna's "evil counterpart" (more on this later) was a bad move at the time we were given it. It took us out of the story of Jahna and her quest and told us information that was kind of useless to us at the time. I think that section of story would have either been better suited as a short epilogue (like we were given, which was GREAT! It gave us the needed information to tie some pieces together without having a huge chunk of our time spent in the Castle) or to start the next story! I just felt like it was a bit of cut and paste in a way -- almost as though the author wasn't quite sure where it should go, so it went there.

The worldbuilding was a bit minimal but I think we got the important bits to keep us in the story and up to date. There was a bit of infodumping at the beginning about the legends and stories that are treated as religion but they were really interesting so I didn't mind. I would have liked a bit more information about the magic and the key itself instead of the random bits we got throughout. I feel like I'm still not 100% sure why the key is so important -- and if it is so important why others aren't looking for it.

I thought the characters were kind of flat at some points. They all felt like carbon cuts of stereotypes that you see in fantasy novels. And while this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just wasn't exactly what I wanted in this one. I think seeing Lilac at the end having the nightmare PTSD symptom was the most character development in this novel tbh. And sure, we were just starting to get to know some of the characters, but the descriptions of others were just downright laughable.

For example, Mydra is Jahna's half sister, who is supposedly going to be evil and destroy the world, and we know this because she likes pretty dresses and acts like a brat to her servants. And the Queen was one bad evil stereotype after another until the end. Like I got the impression from reading the section with her included that she didn't like the King at all, but that wasn't the case. I just feel like there wasn't any development of the characters at all.

And finally some of the situations the characters put themselves into and subsequently got themselves out of were, well, stupid. Instead of using finding the next stone to develop the characters, it was made to seem like an unimportant part of the plot because of how ridiculous the scenario was. I thought that would have been a great time for Lilac to really shine and show some character but instead we got a weird meat eating scene that will probably occur in my dreams tonight and haunt me.

Recommendation?
I would wait to see what the next book is like and what the reviews coming out of it say before starting this one. I think this one will appeal to fans of high fantasy but there are some missing pieces to make it the next great high fantasy read that you should pick up. I do think I will continue the story, however, because I like to know how things play out.

Books and Ladders | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'

[Jolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review on my blog The Fictional Reader

First of all, I want to thank the author for her patience. She kindly sent me an ebook months ago, and I’ve only now come around to reading and reviewing it.

This book should be right up my alley. It’s a fantasy novel -which is my favorite genre- about three friends, a dying king, an ancient evil and cultures with special abilities. Doesn’t that all sound so epic? Plus, the reviews on Goodreads are so positive and exciting. So I was intrigued by The Empyrean Key! And while I did enjoy it, I have to say that it wasn’t totally for me. So let’s get into it.

PLOT

We start the story when Jahna, Silko and Lilac are in their hometown, Groden Cove. It’s a very small village near the sea and all three of them want to leave. They’re saving up money –by scamming people in what seems like an incredibly cool game– so they can leave. Unfortunately, some things happen and they are forced to leave with a different purpose in mind. I do think that this all sounds really cool. And I did enjoy the plot of the story. When there was action, I was engrossed. But that’s where one of my “meh-aspects” of this book falls: I felt like a lot of this book was filler. It takes a long time for the three to get on the road, which you already know happens from the synopsis. So while I was reading, I was just waiting for what I knew was going to happen.

The first part felt really slow to me, which made it harder to really get into the story. The second part is much more action-packed, and a lot of other characters are introduced. This part captured my attention much more easily and I went through it much faster.

CHARACTERS

As I mentioned before, each of the characters had a reason to leave. Silko wants to visit the famous library his grandparents worked at. He is the smaller and bookish one of the three and the library is his dream. Jahna wants to leave as well. She’s half Narcean, a race of people who have the ability to see visions, and (half-)Narceans aren’t the most welcome people in Ardentia, the country they live in. Lilac wants to go to battle. All of her brothers have left to fight in the army, and she is stuck helping her father in his bar. Doesn’t that all sound fantastic?

I agree, it sounds fantastic. But I have to admit that here as well, I had some aspects I felt a bit “meh” about. For example, why are Silko and Lilac friends? Just because of Jahna? I know what it’s like to have a friend you constantly banter with. The kind of friendship where you playfully insult each other. But this was more than that. She actually tried to hit him so badly once, Jahna could barely stop her. She constantly insults everything he likes or does. He thinks -and says- that she’s a dumb brute. I just didn’t get it. Their banter was too much for me. While these characters were there for each other at times, other times they were so rude to each other! If I would have been one of them, some people would have gotten kicked in the shins. Just saying.

At times, I loved all of them. And at other times, I just didn’t. Lilac can be very protective of her friends –a great quality– but she just seemed like the stereotype of a brute, in female form. Jahna was interesting and a great friend as well, constantly keeping the other two together, but she had a side to her that I didn’t like, and can’t really explain… And while I loved our bookish Silko, he could be really insensitive sometimes. It’s good that characters have flaws, don’t get me wrong. No one is perfect, so a character shouldn’t be either. But in this case, it sometimes truly bothered me.

My favorite character? Arn. He shows up in the second half of this book and I’m going to be honest: I smiled whenever I read his name. He is such a fun and interesting character!

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Like I said before, this book just wasn’t really for me. While I enjoyed the story, there were several aspects I had some trouble accepting. I gave this a 3-star rating because it was exactly that to me: an okay read. There are so many people who really love this book, so I suggest giving it a try if the synopsis sounds appealing to you!

[Mark Lein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars! Jahna Mornglow is a Narcean, one with the power to see the world around them in a different way and see the future, though she does not yet know the extent of her abilities. She is raised in a small and secluded town and has little knowledge of her kind as her mother refuses to enlighten her. Her days are filled with time spent with her close friends, a loud and large barmaid and a self-made scholar and nerd and she has taken to using the little power under her control to con money from people to fund an escape from the small town and adventure with her friends to the capital city.
The larger world is under threat. The king lies dying and with him the light and hope of the world. The constant threat from a neighboring land is held at bay but the strength of the mighty army is dwindling. It has been decided, against tradition that the king’s daughter is to replace him on the throne, but if that happens, disaster will come quickly.
Through a series of events, Jahna finds out she is the only one that can change the course of history but she must go on a quest to forge the Key and prove her worth. At first she shies away from that path, only when the town is attacked and she loses someone dear, does she decide to venture from all that she has known in search of her newly discovered birthright. I will stop there to let you, the reader; find out more of the living world the author has created.
Of the issues I had with this book, number one was the length. The first 45% seemed like an intro that could have been tied up in a couple chapters. Then there was the slightly jarring transition from the protagonist’s story to the larger royal storyline that, while important and truly great to get into, pulled you away from Jahna for a chapter or two too long. The minor issues were a number of spelling mistakes and/or missing words but they did not take away from the overall writing. Another small gripe I had was the portrayal of the main characters, especially the young women. I believe they are meant to be mid to late teens in a medieval type setting (when to be 14-16 was to be an adult), but they were written as if they were younger and more immature. There seemed to be a little too much of the current and real world in the interaction between daughter and mother, etc. and between the three friends; a slight lack of depth early on, though it improved later on.
The cover is decent, based on the layout it seems more like a video game cover than a novel, but it works.
Of the characters in the first half, I wanted to know more about Mogrim and the fighting he and his brothers were involved in and the little you see of him open up about his experience was tempting but never went anywhere. I also liked the Narcean seer, Friziel, and the three cousin lords and felt a stronger urge to read more content about them than the main protagonist. The storyline that involved the royal family etc. was interesting and had the right amount of intrigue and depth to keep me coming back and needing more.
Once the story got rolling about halfway through the book with an attack on Jahna’s town it began to flow much better. The quest to find the secrets to save the world began and was generally strong and interesting and kept me entertained throughout. The battle scenes were decently done and flowed well and there was enough going on to keep me wondering what would happen next.
Bottom line, if the novel had been a bit shorter, I believe I would have really enjoyed it. While the writing could have been a little tighter and dialog more fitting of the setting/place, it was generally very well done. This is a great read for those readers that like to get to know a character outside of a greater storyline, to walk with them through their daily life before it is overturned by events and to see them change little by little in the chaos that ensues. I encourage younger readers to pick this up and get a taste of what J.L. Tomlinson has to offer.

[Molly Mortensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Point of View: Third Distant (Jahna, Lilac, Silko, Friziel, Selizardra, Mydra)

I guess it’s no surprise that a book that took me TEN DAYS to read would be hard to review. The Empyrean Key had such potential, but I actually almost gave up. (Which I hate doing) I liked the magic and the intrigue in the castle. (and a certain thief ;) ) But those things weren’t used enough.

Most of the book is told by Jahna with occasional paragraphs told by her two friends (It takes a little getting used to, but in the end I liked it) the bookworm Silko and the giant girl who wishes she could be a fighter, Lilac. The other main narrator is Mydra the king’s daughter, but lots of other characters have their own chapter too. (Which surprisingly wasn’t confusing)

Narceans aren’t the only race with special powers, and there are also the Vessels, people chosen by the gods should they wish to return again who can control the elements. (Not sure what they have to do with anything yet though)

The Good:

I liked how the story alternated between Jahna and those in the castle. I actually preferred the intrigue in the castle to Jahna’s quest. (I love political intrigue in books!)

Jahna, Lilac and Silko had a great friendship, which felt very real. (Yes I have weird friends) I loved how they joked with each other.

The world building and powers of this book were the best and most unique aspect of the book. (and why I kept reading) All of the little touches really added to the story, from the implanted stone which helped harness Narcean powers, to the whale like creatures the villagers rode on to go fishing. (And I can’t even mention the best part!)

There is a love interest! (Or at least a flirt) He doesn’t come in until the end of the book and I really wish he was in it more because he’s such an interesting and fun character!

The Bad:

Most of this book is Jahna, Silko, & Lilac’s quest to save the kingdom, but it took too long for things to get started. After a great first chapter the pace slows WAY down and for a good chunk of the beginning of the book nothing really happens. Jahna’s everyday life was rather boring. (Sorry!)

Jahna also came off rather selfish at times. We spent so much time in her normal life, but all she seems to do is sleep in, lay on the beach, and play with her friends. She’s eighteen in a medieval world. Shouldn’t she have a job or at least help her mother out around the house? (Guess not)

Towards the end it started to get good, but then it was over. Where’s the rest?

Will I read the next one? Yes.

I’m afraid that this quest is going to last too long and be too predictable, but I care enough about the characters and want to know how it’s resolved. Also I’m hoping there will be more magic in the next books and maybe even a battle. (Since this is classified as high fantasy.)

Predictability: 4 out of 5 (Where 1 is George RR Martin (If the characters make a plan or think about the future I know it isn’t going to go that way.) And 5 is Cinder (where I guessed what was going to happen long before it did, but it was still a great book.)

Source: The author contacted me and asked if I would review this book.

My Rating: 6/10 Stars

My Summary:

Jahna is a Narcean, a race which has the ability to see the future and read people’s minds, but because she’s never lived among her people and her mother won’t teach her, Jahna’s powers are minimal and she has to touch someone to see something.

Due to the king’s failing heath the country is in a crisis. The Narcean Seer to the king believes the queen to be behind the king’s mysterious illness, so he sets things in motion to protect the kingdom, which will change Jahna’s everyday live forever.

[Carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at: A Girl that Likes Books

The author contacted me and sent me a copy of this book for an honest review. This review is not sponsored nor influenced in anyway. The book was published on August 27th, 2014.

3.5 stars

First impression

A fantasy book sent in the world of Ardentia. Jahna is a Narcean teenager growing up in Ardentian soil, her pale hair and skin color giving her away easily. She doesn't know much of her past, her mom won't talk to her about it and so, she is determined to know more and helping her to do so she has her two friends, Lilac a strong girl from a family of warriors, and Silko, a fragile but smart boy who loves knowledge and books.

At the same time, the king of Ardentia, the light of the Kingdom, is dying. With no male heirs, Princess Mydra would have to take the throne, except that...over centuries this has never happened. Never before a King didn't have sons, and the Queen Selizardra is suspected of being the culprit also adding to the case against her that she a foreigner.

Jahna will finally get some answers to her past but in doing so, she will realize she is in for way more than she expected for.

Final thoughts

The author did a wonderful job building this new world, sometimes I would feel lost with so many new terms that were never explained. See, this is a delicate balance I find when reading fantasy or science fiction: with new words/terms sometimes authors either over explain or as in this case, don't explain them enough. The first case makes me feel like the author wants to take me by the hand, and in the second, well, I have to re read paragraphs several times to try to understand what is going on and my brain then disconnects.

I quite enjoyed the secondary characters, mostly Lilac and Silko; but I didn't completely fell for Jahna and found her a bit predictable as well as her story. The abrupt changes from Jahna's story to Mydra's made it pretty obvious (to me at least) what was going on between them, and without this surprise element the rest of the story felt...sort of short I am afraid.

I think this would be a better read for a MA or early YA group of readers. My cousin is 10 years younger than I am and I am pretty sure she would enjoy the whole story, and continue the series.

[Levian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jahna was raised in a small town, spending her days with her close friends. they hoped to collect enough money to venture into the city. Jahna had the ability of prophecy and telepathy. however, being banished, her mother refused to help her nurture her abilities. only after Jahna discovered her powerful lineage did she realized her strength. with the king dying, the neighboring country planned to take advantage of the situation. when Jahna found out that she had the power to protect their land, she set out on a journey to discover her birthright.

I received a free e-book from the author in exchange of a review. I wasn’t a huge fan for the historical genre but was intrigued by the magical part of it. the first half of the book was mostly unimportant, though it helped to introduce a character more thoroughly, it still seemed unnecessary. I almost gave up reading because of it but was pleased to held onto the book, even though it took me quite a while to finally get into the story. when I finally did, I couldn’t put the book down. the story only truly started when their town was attacked and the story started to become increasingly captivating. curiosity had me flying through the pages with anticipation ever since.

my link: here

[KT · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started with a bang. I loved the first chapter! It got me excited to read about Jahna but the next 30% or so is incredibly slow. I understand that there needs to be world building but it wasn't holding my attention very well. The book picked up again close to halfway but it never had me as interested as the first chapter.

Overall I enjoyed a lot of this book but never found myself loving anything. The writing, story, plot and characters were all just OK to me.

If you a big fan of fantasy I would recommend checking this one out.

[Amy (I'd Rather Be Sleeping)]

DNF - 31%

Why?

I'm sorry to say because I'm bored. Nothing happens in this story and I don't like the characters enough to actually stick around and read about them in their boring town doing boring things. Also, I like the banter of people bickering, but in this book Jahna, the main character, constantly has to put herself physically between her two friends - because she is genuinely afraid that one of them will literally kill the other. And these are friends because...

[Jo-Anne Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know what? I really liked it ;=)