I received this book in exhange for an honest review.
I've wanted to read this when it was known as The Key of Kilenya, and even though it's had some changes made, I'm so glad I finally read it. It's an easy read and since I wanted to read it, I knocked it out in two days.
Pearson doesn't hesitate to jump right into conflict, and that probably helped draw me in. I knew enough going on from reading the description, and then enough was explained after a tense moment, and then I was flying through the story. There wasn't really a dull moment in the story. There was either information, conflict, or insight into a person. I wasn't sitting there wondering when I thinks would pick up again.
All that is needed for a good story was there (such as world building), but since it's shorter there was not as much depth as other stories. That probably happens with shorter/easier reads. Even if it is a good story, there isn't as much content as a longer, harder book. The next book in the series will most likely delve into more aspects of the key, Jacob's future, and the future of the kingdom, but it was definitely "here's what's relevant."
When Aloren first entered, I wanted to scream at her several times. As the story progressed, I found myself warming up to her. I appreciate that Jacob accepted what he needed to do and didn't run around screaming "this isn't real!" because he couldn't handle it, but still wanted go back to his normal life. He also knew that in order to survive he needed to rely on people and information, and didn't try to do it himself.
The different creatures and species intrigued me. Their powers seemed amazing, and so the fact that there's a world that has all of them existing together (even the disgusting, vile ones, which with them I'm surprised some of the others lived as long) impressed me.
If you're looking for an easy read or something in the fantasy genre, I recommend that you pick up The Forsaken Prince. Following Jacob's adventures won't disappoint, and I'm wondering what he'll do next.