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The Silver Key
“If those bad guys—Meladyne—if they have this Key, they will . . .?”
“Unlock the greatest power in all the universe and enslave every man, woman, and child on this planet, destroying the earth and all life as you know it; there will be nowhere to go but Meladyne. Then they’ll leave the Sunolians, the spirits, and all the magical creatures here to die.”
Alyssa pulled the Key out of her pocket and held it up. “Unless I protect this little thing?”
“Yes.”
Alyssa McCaw is a normal fourteen-year-old girl, perfectly happy with her life. But when one little key falls into her hands, her whole world is turned upside down. She suddenly finds herself whisked into a world full of the one thing she never would’ve thought possible: magic. At first, it appears to be a beautiful thing. But as Alyssa and her sister soon discover, magic, like all things, has a dark side. When her best friend Hazel is taken captive by a land of dark magic, it is up to Alyssa and her friends to rescue both Hazel and the world.
A classic tale of light versus dark, this book will pull you into a universe of love, betrayal, and, most of all, magic.
“Unlock the greatest power in all the universe and enslave every man, woman, and child on this planet, destroying the earth and all life as you know it; there will be nowhere to go but Meladyne. Then they’ll leave the Sunolians, the spirits, and all the magical creatures here to die.”
Alyssa pulled the Key out of her pocket and held it up. “Unless I protect this little thing?”
“Yes.”
Alyssa McCaw is a normal fourteen-year-old girl, perfectly happy with her life. But when one little key falls into her hands, her whole world is turned upside down. She suddenly finds herself whisked into a world full of the one thing she never would’ve thought possible: magic. At first, it appears to be a beautiful thing. But as Alyssa and her sister soon discover, magic, like all things, has a dark side. When her best friend Hazel is taken captive by a land of dark magic, it is up to Alyssa and her friends to rescue both Hazel and the world.
A classic tale of light versus dark, this book will pull you into a universe of love, betrayal, and, most of all, magic.
- GenresFantasy
316 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2016
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 3, 2017
ARC given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a pretty good book. It fell down a little on YA trope bingo BUT those who enjoy YA fantasy will probably really like this. The sudden appearance of magic, a twisting storyline, a relatable heroine and a quest - what's not to like? I went into this blind and I'm glad I did so that my reading experience wasn't influenced by things like the fact that the author is 14 (seriously nothing I wrote at 14 will ever see the light if day - which is a good thing!) Anyway while this book diesn't have any great deviations from the YA norm it treads the well worn ground with energy and enthusiasm, delivery an enjoyable tale with a hint of darkness. Good fun.
This was a pretty good book. It fell down a little on YA trope bingo BUT those who enjoy YA fantasy will probably really like this. The sudden appearance of magic, a twisting storyline, a relatable heroine and a quest - what's not to like? I went into this blind and I'm glad I did so that my reading experience wasn't influenced by things like the fact that the author is 14 (seriously nothing I wrote at 14 will ever see the light if day - which is a good thing!) Anyway while this book diesn't have any great deviations from the YA norm it treads the well worn ground with energy and enthusiasm, delivery an enjoyable tale with a hint of darkness. Good fun.
February 7, 2017
First of all, I have to say how impressed I am that the author of this book is just 14 years old! It's great that the author is in the demographic The Silver Key is written for.
That being said, I wish I hadn't know the author is 14 before I had read it. It didn't come across in the writing at first, but certain bits like, "I love you. Will you go out with me?" and "teenage Chris Hemsworth" give it away.
Perhaps my 2 out of 5 star rating is not fair, because I really do want to stress that I am impressed with the author, but for me, this story just okay. The story line is a little convoluted. It's surprisingly dark in that a bunch of characters die rather quickly and in violent ways. The reactions to these deaths aren't authentic to me. In a fantasy, you obviously suspend your disbelief, and The Silver Key calls for that a lot. It's a little convenient throughout that our main character Alyssa is the ultimate special snowflake, so yeah, just okay.
To the author: keep doing what you're doing! You obviously have world building skills, and writing chops beyond your years.
As for the 20-somethings who love YA fantasies like me, this isn't a must-read.
That being said, I wish I hadn't know the author is 14 before I had read it. It didn't come across in the writing at first, but certain bits like, "I love you. Will you go out with me?" and "teenage Chris Hemsworth" give it away.
Perhaps my 2 out of 5 star rating is not fair, because I really do want to stress that I am impressed with the author, but for me, this story just okay. The story line is a little convoluted. It's surprisingly dark in that a bunch of characters die rather quickly and in violent ways. The reactions to these deaths aren't authentic to me. In a fantasy, you obviously suspend your disbelief, and The Silver Key calls for that a lot. It's a little convenient throughout that our main character Alyssa is the ultimate special snowflake, so yeah, just okay.
To the author: keep doing what you're doing! You obviously have world building skills, and writing chops beyond your years.
As for the 20-somethings who love YA fantasies like me, this isn't a must-read.
December 27, 2016
An interesting element of this book is that the author herself is a Young Adult and a new author. This is what intrigued me to read The Silver Key.
The pace of the book was consistent and kept me reeled in, wanting to know more about the world and the different characters. There were no moments that lagged or felt that they did not belong in the book. I am utterly impressed with this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The pace of the book was consistent and kept me reeled in, wanting to know more about the world and the different characters. There were no moments that lagged or felt that they did not belong in the book. I am utterly impressed with this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 18, 2017
I'm very impressed that this was written by a fourteen-year-old that enjoys colorguard and acting. Woot! I would say that this book is more middle grade with some very dark plot lines though. I had a difficult time with this book and I honestly didn't want to finish it.
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March 1, 2017I received an ARC from the publisher in return for an honest review.
I couldn't make myself keep reading. I felt the story line was very scattered and I had a hard time keeping track of the characters. Most of the dialog and character development was stilted and unrealistic. The writing style didn't work for me at all and was off-putting at times. I read about 100 pages, but decided that there are too many other things out there I want to read rather than try to force myself to read something I'm not enjoying. Some older MG readers and younger teens who enjoy lighter fantasy may enjoy this, but it's just not right for me.
I couldn't make myself keep reading. I felt the story line was very scattered and I had a hard time keeping track of the characters. Most of the dialog and character development was stilted and unrealistic. The writing style didn't work for me at all and was off-putting at times. I read about 100 pages, but decided that there are too many other things out there I want to read rather than try to force myself to read something I'm not enjoying. Some older MG readers and younger teens who enjoy lighter fantasy may enjoy this, but it's just not right for me.
December 6, 2020
Great fantasy adventure for fans of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Keeper of the Lost Cities!
February 11, 2017
A quest, a key that magically appears, a world that needs saving and a heroine who thinks she can do it. Elena Schauweker's novel, The Silver Key, is just such a story, a battle between light and darkness. It has a strong beginning, and a cast of character that you will come to like. In my opinion, the story is yet a little under-developed. Sometimes things worked out way too conveniently for the heroine. And sometimes the rules of the magic or of the worlds weren't fully formed ideas; they appeared and then became irrelevant. However, despite it's flaws, the story is an adventure. And as Bella would probably proclaim: It's full of magic!
I have to say that I was surprised to reach the end of the book and find out that the author is only 14. It made me look at the inconsistencies in the story differently. I think the author has a lot of potential, and as she continues to refine her skills, we are going to see great things from her.
I have to say that I was surprised to reach the end of the book and find out that the author is only 14. It made me look at the inconsistencies in the story differently. I think the author has a lot of potential, and as she continues to refine her skills, we are going to see great things from her.
February 10, 2017
(
I received this book free in exchange for my honest review
)
I must say I am whole heartily impressed with this book, and what gets me more is the age of the author. At 14 to write and published a book, wow. When I was 14 I was lucky to get to the bus on time or have my homework done. (I was a lazy kid).
I love the flow of this book, it was fast pace and kept my interest from start to finish. There were no gaps, there was always something going on, and that is a good way to start off with your first book.
Most times the first book in a series is chalk full of info, basically it's just a big info dump and 9 times out of 10 we get through a first book just to read the second. I am that this wasn't the case for this book.
The magic school setting was done good, I don't often read choses sort of books, mostly because at my age reading about the hell that was hight school/ middle school - is just plain old annoying. I'm a pretty sassy lady, even when I was younger, so went I read about the "mean girls" and "the bullies" I just screamed in my head "Just throat punch them!" so yeah.
I don't want to get to much into this school of magic, because believe me, this isn't like anything you've read before.
In all I highly recommend this book, it's something special, and I can't wait for the next instillment.
Happy Reading
E.A. Walsh
I must say I am whole heartily impressed with this book, and what gets me more is the age of the author. At 14 to write and published a book, wow. When I was 14 I was lucky to get to the bus on time or have my homework done. (I was a lazy kid).
I love the flow of this book, it was fast pace and kept my interest from start to finish. There were no gaps, there was always something going on, and that is a good way to start off with your first book.
Most times the first book in a series is chalk full of info, basically it's just a big info dump and 9 times out of 10 we get through a first book just to read the second. I am that this wasn't the case for this book.
The magic school setting was done good, I don't often read choses sort of books, mostly because at my age reading about the hell that was hight school/ middle school - is just plain old annoying. I'm a pretty sassy lady, even when I was younger, so went I read about the "mean girls" and "the bullies" I just screamed in my head "Just throat punch them!" so yeah.
I don't want to get to much into this school of magic, because believe me, this isn't like anything you've read before.
In all I highly recommend this book, it's something special, and I can't wait for the next instillment.
Happy Reading
E.A. Walsh
December 17, 2016
I enjoy reading books by new authors especially when they are first starting out and it an extra special treat when the author is the same age group that the genre is aimed at. This author is able to draw you into this unique story that you can really relate to. I always intrigued by stories that center around mystery and saving other worlds and that you are the one that holds the key to saving it. This was a delightful read and you really pick it and leave a review cause i think we are going to see a lot from this young lady.
February 2, 2017
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion)
Right from the beginning, this story grabs the reader’s interest on the trials of tribulations of Alyssa and her little sister, Bella in a fight against light and darkness, good and evil, within the world and inside yourself. This story is a great insight into what you can accomplish with great determination and lots of heart.
Right from the beginning, this story grabs the reader’s interest on the trials of tribulations of Alyssa and her little sister, Bella in a fight against light and darkness, good and evil, within the world and inside yourself. This story is a great insight into what you can accomplish with great determination and lots of heart.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews