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The Key of F: a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance for young adults
"A fantasy dystopia with engaging characters in a dark and dangerous society. The Hunger Games meets A Wrinkle in Time." Goodreads
In the Industrial District of Algea, the history taught to the children is a lie. No one remembers the rule of Princess Effailya, or what happened to her. They only remember she existed before the castle disappeared.
When Fale starts to receive visions that come true, she doesn't know what to do about it. Then she uses her vision to save the life of a boxer (and her crush), and they find themselves being stalked by thugs.
The good news- she has the key they want.
The bad news- they want her too, dead or alive.
The Key of F is a fast-paced, suspenseful adventure, with a strong female lead surviving her dystopian society and solving the mystery of a hidden war, with her tight-knit group of friends and hot crush, that you won't want to put down. It's a must-read for fans who fell in love with The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Reader series. If you're hooked on genre-blending sci-fi fantasy romance novels with action and adventure, you'll love The Key of F!
In the Industrial District of Algea, the history taught to the children is a lie. No one remembers the rule of Princess Effailya, or what happened to her. They only remember she existed before the castle disappeared.
When Fale starts to receive visions that come true, she doesn't know what to do about it. Then she uses her vision to save the life of a boxer (and her crush), and they find themselves being stalked by thugs.
The good news- she has the key they want.
The bad news- they want her too, dead or alive.
The Key of F is a fast-paced, suspenseful adventure, with a strong female lead surviving her dystopian society and solving the mystery of a hidden war, with her tight-knit group of friends and hot crush, that you won't want to put down. It's a must-read for fans who fell in love with The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Reader series. If you're hooked on genre-blending sci-fi fantasy romance novels with action and adventure, you'll love The Key of F!
365 pages, Paperback
Published June 20, 2018
47 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Haskin
7 books50 followersJennifer Haskin has a passion to help other authors with their writing journey, as well as achieving their publishing goals. She spent a few years learning the ropes of the publishing world as a literary agent, and then a publishing consultant, helping authors ready their submission materials to get the best shot at the contract of their dreams. An author herself, she works on marketing her YA fantasy romance trilogy and writing a new series, all while helping authors perfect their books as Associate Editor for Touchpoint Press. Her WIP is a dark YA Steampunk series and she blogs her own journey weekly with writing, editing, publishing and marketing advice. Books are pretty much her thing. Jenn lives in Kansas with her hubsalot and five teenagers, who provide plenty of YA angst to help her writing come alive. When she is not drinking a grande iced white mocha and writing a book or editing manuscripts, she's running a weekly writers' workshop. She is honored to be a new judge for the annual writing contest Ink & Insights in 2020. Come find her on social media and say hi @haskinauthor, and if you enjoy her books, she would be, like, Nutella-Ice-Cream-Happy if you’d leave a review.
www.amazon.com/author/jenniferhaskin
www.amazon.com/author/jenniferhaskin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 10, 2020
Sword wielding female MC, war, magic, mystery, mind reading, and evil doing wizards...
This all sounded good to me.
From the synopsis I assumed there would be a bit of a love story in here, but I didn't expect the MC to be perceived so weakly as a result. A teen-aged warrior, who just discovered she has magical powers and a giant mystery from her childhood...I expected Fale to be more badass.
The love story was a bit too all consuming and it took away from Fale's personality.
This is only book 1 and it ends with an adventure on the rise, so I have higher hopes for the next book.
Thanks to Jenn Haskins for my DRC and all the swag!
This all sounded good to me.
From the synopsis I assumed there would be a bit of a love story in here, but I didn't expect the MC to be perceived so weakly as a result. A teen-aged warrior, who just discovered she has magical powers and a giant mystery from her childhood...I expected Fale to be more badass.
The love story was a bit too all consuming and it took away from Fale's personality.
This is only book 1 and it ends with an adventure on the rise, so I have higher hopes for the next book.
Thanks to Jenn Haskins for my DRC and all the swag!
November 30, 2017
Having read many popular YA fantasy-dystopians, I’ve begun to recognize certain recurring themes. The “not-like-any-other-girl” teenaged main character, the brooding love interest, the woulda-coulda best friend, unfair and random class systems and a totalitarian government. I could go on. The list is LONGGG. From Divergent to The Red Queen, most current YA dystopians contain variations on the same tune. YA is so riddled with these writing cliches that a twitter account @DystopianYA has emerged to hilarious result. Unfortunately, Jennifer Haskin’s The Key of F falls into the same trope-y trap. But thankfully with the book’s accessible writing and fast-paced plot, I kinda didn’t mind.
Our main character, Fale, was raised by an adoptive father after her parents were murdered. That point aside, Fale’s life is pretty standard. As an adult, she intends to join her country’s peacekeeping force. She lives in a pretty awesome apartment. And courtesy of her adoptive father, Nelson, she has access to a big chunk of change. Really, Fale’s only worry is her crush on an unobtainable, angsty hunk o’manliness. In other words, she’s a normal teenager. However, on her 18th birthday, Fale’s quiet life is abruptly torn asunder when she becomes plagued with psychic visions. When Fale uses those visions to cheat death, she sets off a chain. A chain that will change her life, and the lives are her friends….FOREVER.
The Key of F’s success is due in large part to its clear, uncomplicated writing. I’m so over fantasies where it seems the author’s main objective is to create the craziest, most nonsensical words EVER. What’s with these extensive, unpronounceable names and titles composed primarily of vowels that all look vaguely welsh?! If as a librarian I can’t decipher them, what hope does Joe Schmo have? In this book, character names are unique, yet remain comprehensible. I can actually follow the plot without having to google every two seconds. THANK YOU, LOKI.
While discernable writing, a fast-paced plot, and an interesting societal structure are highlights, characters and relationships are a drawback. Fale is a typical “not-like-any-other-girl” protagonist. She starts off the book as a generic teen, yet little does she know she’s THE CHOSEN ONE. Like the book legit says: “you were not just any girl, but you were an extraordinary secret.” Can just once a fantasy-dystopian feature a regular person with no special powers who defeats the enemy with decent work ethic? Why isn’t that a thing???
Fale, apart from her super-special-magicness has no distinguishing characteristics. It’s difficult to describe Fale or identify with her when she’s just so….vanilla. Really, she’s no different than any number of YA fantasy-dystopian heroines.
But worse than bland Fale is Fale’s relationship with the broody, angst-filled Keron. Keron, our unattainable hunk o’manliness, is a fantocci. The guy needed a limb(s) replacement and Algea has worse insurance coverage than the USA, so he’s forced into lifelong servitude to repay his debts. In the book’s rigid, random caste system, fantocci are the lowest of the low. Untouchables, basically. This fact allegedly accounts for Keron’s dark, somber personality. I say, give the man a zoloft and let’s call it a day. Nevertheless, Fale is drawn to Keron’s "secret depths." The Fale-Keron romance vacillates between rom-com trope and forced antagonism. It’s like 27 Dresses meets The Hunger Games. And the lines spouted by both Fale and Keron are cringe-worthy. For example, “You make me feel whole. Like a real man and not a machine. Not a possession.” Really, dude? REALLY?!
But cliched lines aside, the more offensive part of this romance is how ridiculous Fale becomes whenever she’s in Keron’s presence. Fale, allegedly all “I’m a woman, hear me roar” devolves into a driveling Bella Swan-esque mess when Keron’s near. “We’re probably making him jealous as it is, Lisle. He’s not very good at sharing.” Since when did women become a possession to be traded back and forth? Sorry gurl, your “independent woman” act just doesn’t work when you espouse such ridiculous beliefs. And then there’s Fale’s utter obliviousness about her bestie Lisle’s true feelings. A BLIND MAN CAN TELL LISLE HAS THE HOTS FOR FALE. He literally says: “I get sad because princesses always look for a warted frog to kiss and find love, but overlook the wizard saving her life, because he loves her.” Number #1: dude, get a grip. And number #2: WAKE UP, FALE. I'm seriously concerned about your ability to successfully lead a revolution when you can't detect the world's most obvious crush. UGH.
The Key of F is basically Traci Chee’s The Reader crossed with Divergent and finished with a sprinkle of Harry Potter. Really, despite it’s flaws, it’s a fun read. The concept, while perhaps overly ambitious, is interesting. And there’s enough fight scenes, intrigue, and action to keep male reluctant readers engaged.
In summary: worth a read.
Our main character, Fale, was raised by an adoptive father after her parents were murdered. That point aside, Fale’s life is pretty standard. As an adult, she intends to join her country’s peacekeeping force. She lives in a pretty awesome apartment. And courtesy of her adoptive father, Nelson, she has access to a big chunk of change. Really, Fale’s only worry is her crush on an unobtainable, angsty hunk o’manliness. In other words, she’s a normal teenager. However, on her 18th birthday, Fale’s quiet life is abruptly torn asunder when she becomes plagued with psychic visions. When Fale uses those visions to cheat death, she sets off a chain. A chain that will change her life, and the lives are her friends….FOREVER.
The Key of F’s success is due in large part to its clear, uncomplicated writing. I’m so over fantasies where it seems the author’s main objective is to create the craziest, most nonsensical words EVER. What’s with these extensive, unpronounceable names and titles composed primarily of vowels that all look vaguely welsh?! If as a librarian I can’t decipher them, what hope does Joe Schmo have? In this book, character names are unique, yet remain comprehensible. I can actually follow the plot without having to google every two seconds. THANK YOU, LOKI.
While discernable writing, a fast-paced plot, and an interesting societal structure are highlights, characters and relationships are a drawback. Fale is a typical “not-like-any-other-girl” protagonist. She starts off the book as a generic teen, yet little does she know she’s THE CHOSEN ONE. Like the book legit says: “you were not just any girl, but you were an extraordinary secret.” Can just once a fantasy-dystopian feature a regular person with no special powers who defeats the enemy with decent work ethic? Why isn’t that a thing???
Fale, apart from her super-special-magicness has no distinguishing characteristics. It’s difficult to describe Fale or identify with her when she’s just so….vanilla. Really, she’s no different than any number of YA fantasy-dystopian heroines.
But worse than bland Fale is Fale’s relationship with the broody, angst-filled Keron. Keron, our unattainable hunk o’manliness, is a fantocci. The guy needed a limb(s) replacement and Algea has worse insurance coverage than the USA, so he’s forced into lifelong servitude to repay his debts. In the book’s rigid, random caste system, fantocci are the lowest of the low. Untouchables, basically. This fact allegedly accounts for Keron’s dark, somber personality. I say, give the man a zoloft and let’s call it a day. Nevertheless, Fale is drawn to Keron’s "secret depths." The Fale-Keron romance vacillates between rom-com trope and forced antagonism. It’s like 27 Dresses meets The Hunger Games. And the lines spouted by both Fale and Keron are cringe-worthy. For example, “You make me feel whole. Like a real man and not a machine. Not a possession.” Really, dude? REALLY?!
But cliched lines aside, the more offensive part of this romance is how ridiculous Fale becomes whenever she’s in Keron’s presence. Fale, allegedly all “I’m a woman, hear me roar” devolves into a driveling Bella Swan-esque mess when Keron’s near. “We’re probably making him jealous as it is, Lisle. He’s not very good at sharing.” Since when did women become a possession to be traded back and forth? Sorry gurl, your “independent woman” act just doesn’t work when you espouse such ridiculous beliefs. And then there’s Fale’s utter obliviousness about her bestie Lisle’s true feelings. A BLIND MAN CAN TELL LISLE HAS THE HOTS FOR FALE. He literally says: “I get sad because princesses always look for a warted frog to kiss and find love, but overlook the wizard saving her life, because he loves her.” Number #1: dude, get a grip. And number #2: WAKE UP, FALE. I'm seriously concerned about your ability to successfully lead a revolution when you can't detect the world's most obvious crush. UGH.
The Key of F is basically Traci Chee’s The Reader crossed with Divergent and finished with a sprinkle of Harry Potter. Really, despite it’s flaws, it’s a fun read. The concept, while perhaps overly ambitious, is interesting. And there’s enough fight scenes, intrigue, and action to keep male reluctant readers engaged.
In summary: worth a read.
November 18, 2017
*I received a free ARC of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This book is labelled as Young Adult fantasy, but I felt the characters and plot matured into adulthood as the story progressed. From starting off with schoolyard gossip about boys and lessons, the protaganist soon finds herself running, hiding and fighting for her life in some very adult situations.
There is a large romance element to the plot, with a traditional love triangle causing internal conflict to rival the external ‘lost magical princess’ tension. As usual, most of the romantic strife is down to lack of communication between the relevant characters, but here there are also some legitimate concerns related to the paths their lives must take, which creates a more adult and authentic relationship trial.
The secondary characters are interesting, in that every single one of them has plausible motive and opportunity to betray our protaganist, so the reader is constantly left second guessing the support network, even as Fale must rely on them. Fale herself is an excellent main character, with natural flaws and strengths, and a genuine ability to rescue herself from tricky situations via mental and physical prowess, which had me rejoicing!
There were some odd moments amongst her journey to independent womanhood, where she expressed desires to be ‘owned’ by Nelson and then Koren, which sat strangely with the freedom motifs expressed by and through Koren, Effailya’s Garrith subjects, and even Fale herself in their various oppressions by the aptly named Control. I actually found this apparent dichotomy quite true to life, as it is unsurprising for Fale to long to belong with her history of loss, even as she fights for control of her own life as she works toward adulthood.
The plot is superb. In summary it sounds like your standard YA fantasy plot: lost princess finds magic and has to save her people from an evil wizard against huge odds. However it is the detail that differentiates, and in this case the detail is exciting, chilling and fascinating. The magic factions are distinct; the setting a mixture of Hunger-Games-esque districts; and the idea of what happens to dissenters actually kept me up at night afterwards.
I am very excited for the rest of this series and hope Fale manages to resolve her love life relatively swiftly so that we can enjoy their great partnership tackling their corrupt, powerful enemy and saving the world!
This book is labelled as Young Adult fantasy, but I felt the characters and plot matured into adulthood as the story progressed. From starting off with schoolyard gossip about boys and lessons, the protaganist soon finds herself running, hiding and fighting for her life in some very adult situations.
There is a large romance element to the plot, with a traditional love triangle causing internal conflict to rival the external ‘lost magical princess’ tension. As usual, most of the romantic strife is down to lack of communication between the relevant characters, but here there are also some legitimate concerns related to the paths their lives must take, which creates a more adult and authentic relationship trial.
The secondary characters are interesting, in that every single one of them has plausible motive and opportunity to betray our protaganist, so the reader is constantly left second guessing the support network, even as Fale must rely on them. Fale herself is an excellent main character, with natural flaws and strengths, and a genuine ability to rescue herself from tricky situations via mental and physical prowess, which had me rejoicing!
There were some odd moments amongst her journey to independent womanhood, where she expressed desires to be ‘owned’ by Nelson and then Koren, which sat strangely with the freedom motifs expressed by and through Koren, Effailya’s Garrith subjects, and even Fale herself in their various oppressions by the aptly named Control. I actually found this apparent dichotomy quite true to life, as it is unsurprising for Fale to long to belong with her history of loss, even as she fights for control of her own life as she works toward adulthood.
The plot is superb. In summary it sounds like your standard YA fantasy plot: lost princess finds magic and has to save her people from an evil wizard against huge odds. However it is the detail that differentiates, and in this case the detail is exciting, chilling and fascinating. The magic factions are distinct; the setting a mixture of Hunger-Games-esque districts; and the idea of what happens to dissenters actually kept me up at night afterwards.
I am very excited for the rest of this series and hope Fale manages to resolve her love life relatively swiftly so that we can enjoy their great partnership tackling their corrupt, powerful enemy and saving the world!
December 13, 2017
The Key Of F is a fantastic cornerstone in building a new world of fantasy from the mind of Jennifer Haskin. The richness of the world is only tempered by the dark nature of the rigid class system found within. True fantasy allows readers to connect with other-worldly characters, and the Key of F accomplishes this by submerging the reader in a mad world with familiar themes. I was particularly drawn to the lower-class nature of cyborgs and how individuals who lose limbs are viewed as- somehow-less human for restoring them with cybernetics. Fale, the heroine, is also a page-turner in the beginning of her hero's quest from orphan to warrior. I definitely recommend readers dive into this world of love, loss, and magic to find pieces of themselves in the reflection of the fantastic.
January 13, 2018
My summary: In The Key of F, Takanori Warrior and eighteen-year-old Fale starts receiving visions of the future that become increasingly clearer each day. But it seems she's not the only one able to see her visions, and soon, the group that dominates this dystopian civilization puts a hit out on her and a close friend. The story mostly follows Fale and Keron as Fale learns who she really is and why Control is after her.
My Rating: 3/5
My Review: There were a lot of things I liked about The Key of F. Fale starts out as a badass Takanori Warrior and has quite a few fights where she really holds her own. She seems like a formidable opponent against Control and an equal match for Keron. However, somewhere in the middle, the plot started to spiral a bit. Fale starts to lean on Keron so much and become so dependent I no longer recognized her as the same character who had started this journey. I really liked the chemistry they seemed to have until they started arguing about things that didn't really matter and both started reacting immaturely in serious and deadly situations. I feel like this is a young adult trend that is widely accepted by readers, but it's just never been for me.
The plot started out strong and I felt like it was headed in a good direction. I couldn't put it down and read it for days straight. But somewhere toward the middle or end, there were multiple scenes that didn't really contribute to the story or push the plot forward. The dialogue became repetitive and unnecessary with the greetings and small-talk, and the meetings where not a whole lot was accomplished. It felt like the author was stalling on having the characters act so she could build the different relationships and add tension. Fale started making bad choices that almost got her killed time and time again against Keron's advice, and it seemed to switch back and forth between feminism and dependence where she would go against his wishes in one breath, claiming she was independent and could make her own choices, and in the next she would cry and ask him if he still wanted to keep her.
I really liked Keron and Fale's relationship at first. I felt like they had chemistry and I liked following them. I wish the author had let Fale be stronger and able to stand on her own as she had in the beginning of the book. A good relationship doesn't weaken you—it strengthens you. And an effective plot should push forward regardless of the relationship status. The main plot of The Key of F was not the relationship, but it felt like the rush to find the person kidnapped and locate the thing that was missing took a backburner to Keron and Fale's new issues in a big way.
I know many readers like having time to get to know the characters in the midst of the action, so others might appreciate all the slow pauses. However, I feel like a healthy balance is key, and a few things could be edited out or shortened to keep things from dragging too much. It is a good plot and I feel like it has great potential. The action scenes were well-written and exciting. The premise was intriguing. Again, I couldn't put it down for the first half and I was excited to wake up and pick it up the next morning. I wish I had been able to hold that enthusiasm, but I hope my review helps the author in some way.
My Rating: 3/5
My Review: There were a lot of things I liked about The Key of F. Fale starts out as a badass Takanori Warrior and has quite a few fights where she really holds her own. She seems like a formidable opponent against Control and an equal match for Keron. However, somewhere in the middle, the plot started to spiral a bit. Fale starts to lean on Keron so much and become so dependent I no longer recognized her as the same character who had started this journey. I really liked the chemistry they seemed to have until they started arguing about things that didn't really matter and both started reacting immaturely in serious and deadly situations. I feel like this is a young adult trend that is widely accepted by readers, but it's just never been for me.
The plot started out strong and I felt like it was headed in a good direction. I couldn't put it down and read it for days straight. But somewhere toward the middle or end, there were multiple scenes that didn't really contribute to the story or push the plot forward. The dialogue became repetitive and unnecessary with the greetings and small-talk, and the meetings where not a whole lot was accomplished. It felt like the author was stalling on having the characters act so she could build the different relationships and add tension. Fale started making bad choices that almost got her killed time and time again against Keron's advice, and it seemed to switch back and forth between feminism and dependence where she would go against his wishes in one breath, claiming she was independent and could make her own choices, and in the next she would cry and ask him if he still wanted to keep her.
I really liked Keron and Fale's relationship at first. I felt like they had chemistry and I liked following them. I wish the author had let Fale be stronger and able to stand on her own as she had in the beginning of the book. A good relationship doesn't weaken you—it strengthens you. And an effective plot should push forward regardless of the relationship status. The main plot of The Key of F was not the relationship, but it felt like the rush to find the person kidnapped and locate the thing that was missing took a backburner to Keron and Fale's new issues in a big way.
I know many readers like having time to get to know the characters in the midst of the action, so others might appreciate all the slow pauses. However, I feel like a healthy balance is key, and a few things could be edited out or shortened to keep things from dragging too much. It is a good plot and I feel like it has great potential. The action scenes were well-written and exciting. The premise was intriguing. Again, I couldn't put it down for the first half and I was excited to wake up and pick it up the next morning. I wish I had been able to hold that enthusiasm, but I hope my review helps the author in some way.
June 1, 2018
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"The Key of F" is book one of a fantastic YA Fantasy Series.
18-year-old Fale is an orphan warrior who has visions that predict the future. Fale is a character teens can relate to. Yes, she's special, but she's also awkward, genuine, and frightened. The secondary characters are fantastic as well, especially Fale's love interest, Keron, and her best friend Izzy. It's obvious Keron has feelings for Fale, but he keeps her at arms length, and Izzy is a best friend anyone would want. The story line is awesome - Fale realizes she's a princess with special powers who has to battle with a wizard.
The writing is superb and I look forward to reading book 2 in the series! Recommended for anyone who enjoys a YA fantasy!
"The Key of F" is book one of a fantastic YA Fantasy Series.
18-year-old Fale is an orphan warrior who has visions that predict the future. Fale is a character teens can relate to. Yes, she's special, but she's also awkward, genuine, and frightened. The secondary characters are fantastic as well, especially Fale's love interest, Keron, and her best friend Izzy. It's obvious Keron has feelings for Fale, but he keeps her at arms length, and Izzy is a best friend anyone would want. The story line is awesome - Fale realizes she's a princess with special powers who has to battle with a wizard.
The writing is superb and I look forward to reading book 2 in the series! Recommended for anyone who enjoys a YA fantasy!
February 27, 2018
*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review of The Key of F!
First off, I want to say that I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s pretty unusual for me to read fantasy for fun- usually I go for a contemporary or historical fiction, but books like this make me remember why I always end up looking fantasy.
There’s something about fantasy- the worldbuilding involved, the magical qualities, and the unpredictable plots- that draws me in every time. And The Key of F successfully hit all of these points.
**
I want to talk first about the worldbuilding and plot. After all, as I said above, those are key in fantasy novels, at least for me. The worldbuilding is done really well in The Key of F!
Sometimes when I’m reading the first book in a fantasy series, I truly feel as if I’m reading a history textbook. I can’t take in all the new information, so then I’m confused for the rest of the book. As a reader, I appreciated how spread out the introduction to the world was in The Key of F, and how a lot of it was blended in with the character’s natural conversations.
AND THE PLOT. The plot. It's a crazy ride.
Unpredictable! Twisting, and turning! It was like being on a rollercoaster, in a good way. I truthfully could not have predicted anything that happened, and that made the book a thousand times better.
**
I also really liked the writing style. The writing style appealed to me, making reading The Key of F enjoyable. I liked the use of dialogue to move the plot along- it worked nicely. I ended up liking the third person narration more than I thought I would. Even though it wasn't in first person, it provided me with lots of insight on what was going on in Fale's head.
**
The main character, Fale, was definitely my favorite. I love her character. IT IS AMAZING to read a book with such a strong female character!
Fale is independent. She’s strong. She’s a warrior (literally- she’s a warrior in the book). I find it amazing that after all the hardships she’s faced, after being orphaned as a child, she’s still willing to face more. She wants to fight, and I love that.
**
Besides the fantasy aspects of the book, romance also plays a pretty large role. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the love interest, Keron.
As the reader quickly finds out, Fale and Keron have a history between them. I started off disliking Keron because of this history, but as the book progresses I did grow to like him more. As he and Fale rebuild their relationship, he does become more likable.
However, I didn’t like how he was so controlling of Fale. It’s his job to protect her (his task is to be her bodyguard of sorts), but I felt like he spent too much time telling her what to do instead. At the end of the day, I personally felt like he was stifling Fale’s desires to be independent, and that’s why I just couldn’t grow to love him.
**
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It provided great fantasy elements, a strong main character, and overall just kept me on the edge of my chair. I can see myself rereading it, and I’m excited for more books in the series to come in the future.
To see my full review, visit my blog: https://purelyolivia.wordpress.com/20...
First off, I want to say that I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s pretty unusual for me to read fantasy for fun- usually I go for a contemporary or historical fiction, but books like this make me remember why I always end up looking fantasy.
There’s something about fantasy- the worldbuilding involved, the magical qualities, and the unpredictable plots- that draws me in every time. And The Key of F successfully hit all of these points.
**
I want to talk first about the worldbuilding and plot. After all, as I said above, those are key in fantasy novels, at least for me. The worldbuilding is done really well in The Key of F!
Sometimes when I’m reading the first book in a fantasy series, I truly feel as if I’m reading a history textbook. I can’t take in all the new information, so then I’m confused for the rest of the book. As a reader, I appreciated how spread out the introduction to the world was in The Key of F, and how a lot of it was blended in with the character’s natural conversations.
AND THE PLOT. The plot. It's a crazy ride.
Unpredictable! Twisting, and turning! It was like being on a rollercoaster, in a good way. I truthfully could not have predicted anything that happened, and that made the book a thousand times better.
**
I also really liked the writing style. The writing style appealed to me, making reading The Key of F enjoyable. I liked the use of dialogue to move the plot along- it worked nicely. I ended up liking the third person narration more than I thought I would. Even though it wasn't in first person, it provided me with lots of insight on what was going on in Fale's head.
**
The main character, Fale, was definitely my favorite. I love her character. IT IS AMAZING to read a book with such a strong female character!
Fale is independent. She’s strong. She’s a warrior (literally- she’s a warrior in the book). I find it amazing that after all the hardships she’s faced, after being orphaned as a child, she’s still willing to face more. She wants to fight, and I love that.
**
Besides the fantasy aspects of the book, romance also plays a pretty large role. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the love interest, Keron.
As the reader quickly finds out, Fale and Keron have a history between them. I started off disliking Keron because of this history, but as the book progresses I did grow to like him more. As he and Fale rebuild their relationship, he does become more likable.
However, I didn’t like how he was so controlling of Fale. It’s his job to protect her (his task is to be her bodyguard of sorts), but I felt like he spent too much time telling her what to do instead. At the end of the day, I personally felt like he was stifling Fale’s desires to be independent, and that’s why I just couldn’t grow to love him.
**
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It provided great fantasy elements, a strong main character, and overall just kept me on the edge of my chair. I can see myself rereading it, and I’m excited for more books in the series to come in the future.
To see my full review, visit my blog: https://purelyolivia.wordpress.com/20...
December 28, 2017
*I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Key of F is a YA dystopian novel containing some familiar themes but with a unique spin to them. Fale, our protag, is a teenage girl with teenage girl problems (i.e. guy trouble, struggles with self-image, etc.) All things most of us can relate to. However, she lives in an alternate universe in a country called Algea, that is separated into cities according to what they contribute to society. Her start in life was not the best being that she was orphaned at a young age. But after a friend of her father takes her in, life seems to go ok for her. She even trains to be a peacekeeper, which is a group that does just what the name implies, “keeps the peace” within the country.
Everything changes for Fale on her eighteenth birthday when she starts having visions that appear to be premonitions. These visions start a chain of events that send Fale on a journey of struggle and self-discovery, all with a supernatural twist.
The world that Jennifer Haskin has created is a big part of what makes this story such a fun read. There are some common dystopian-esque elements which may feel familiar (a big brother-like government force that monitors every aspect of the lives of its citizens, in this story aptly named “the control”) but this world really is unique in so many ways.
The hierarchy of their society was quite interesting. There are the respectable members of society and then there are the “Fantocci” who have been injured in some sort of accident. They are forced to replace their human limbs with bionic ones, the expense of which they pay back by essentially turning their lives over to the control and “working it off” for the rest of their lives.
The Fantocci are considered subhuman at best, but our progressive heroine happens to fall for one of them, the hunky muscle-bound Keron. And so, the romantic subplot ensues and keeps us wanting throughout the entire story up to the very end!
Another strong element to this story were the characters. Fale is not your average damsel in distress. She is a strong female heroine who is more than capable of taking care of herself. Her peacekeeper training has seen to that. Even so, the depth of her character is such that she is strong, yet fragile in many ways. As an orphan, she has a strong desire to feel like she belongs. She was also raised by a man, and missed out on the relationship talks and makeup tips that mothers and daughters typically share. She is very inexperienced in this way and it makes her all the more endearing and relatable.
The supporting characters are all solid as well, each of them having their own interesting back stories. As a result, we have an eclectic mix of human and supernatural characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. It makes for a fun ride.
There are still many unanswered questions relating to Fale’s visions, but that just leaves lots of opportunity for them to be answered in the next book, which I am looking forward to reading! All in all, the Key of F is a fun read and does not disappoint!
The Key of F is a YA dystopian novel containing some familiar themes but with a unique spin to them. Fale, our protag, is a teenage girl with teenage girl problems (i.e. guy trouble, struggles with self-image, etc.) All things most of us can relate to. However, she lives in an alternate universe in a country called Algea, that is separated into cities according to what they contribute to society. Her start in life was not the best being that she was orphaned at a young age. But after a friend of her father takes her in, life seems to go ok for her. She even trains to be a peacekeeper, which is a group that does just what the name implies, “keeps the peace” within the country.
Everything changes for Fale on her eighteenth birthday when she starts having visions that appear to be premonitions. These visions start a chain of events that send Fale on a journey of struggle and self-discovery, all with a supernatural twist.
The world that Jennifer Haskin has created is a big part of what makes this story such a fun read. There are some common dystopian-esque elements which may feel familiar (a big brother-like government force that monitors every aspect of the lives of its citizens, in this story aptly named “the control”) but this world really is unique in so many ways.
The hierarchy of their society was quite interesting. There are the respectable members of society and then there are the “Fantocci” who have been injured in some sort of accident. They are forced to replace their human limbs with bionic ones, the expense of which they pay back by essentially turning their lives over to the control and “working it off” for the rest of their lives.
The Fantocci are considered subhuman at best, but our progressive heroine happens to fall for one of them, the hunky muscle-bound Keron. And so, the romantic subplot ensues and keeps us wanting throughout the entire story up to the very end!
Another strong element to this story were the characters. Fale is not your average damsel in distress. She is a strong female heroine who is more than capable of taking care of herself. Her peacekeeper training has seen to that. Even so, the depth of her character is such that she is strong, yet fragile in many ways. As an orphan, she has a strong desire to feel like she belongs. She was also raised by a man, and missed out on the relationship talks and makeup tips that mothers and daughters typically share. She is very inexperienced in this way and it makes her all the more endearing and relatable.
The supporting characters are all solid as well, each of them having their own interesting back stories. As a result, we have an eclectic mix of human and supernatural characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. It makes for a fun ride.
There are still many unanswered questions relating to Fale’s visions, but that just leaves lots of opportunity for them to be answered in the next book, which I am looking forward to reading! All in all, the Key of F is a fun read and does not disappoint!
December 5, 2019
At just eight years old Fale lost her father and became an orphan as she lost her mother years before. Fale was taken in by an old friend of her father’s Nelson.
When Fale turned eighteen she came into her powers. She begins to have vision that come true. After using one of her vision to save a childhood friend’s life she is put on the radar of the Control Agency, the law of the city.
Fale and Keron’s lives are now in danger. Fale has key that was given to her by her father and the Control want it. Fale and Keron go into hiding after Nelson is taken. They are using Nelson to try and obtain the key from Fale. Fale has every intention of getting Nelson back alive if it is the last thing she does.
Fale is a princess warrior who has been trained to be a peace keeper. Fale gets her rewards from helping people not by being paid which is just how she likes it.
Fale and Keron have known each other since they were children and Fale has had a crush on Keron ever since without his knowledge of course. Fale is a little shy and awkward around Keron in the beginning but soon warms up towards him when they are forced to spend time together by having to go on the road and into hiding.
The Key of F is a fast paced read that kept me glued to the pages until I had read the last one. I was unable to put it down as the tension built and took me toward the end. Fale gets herself into trouble after trouble that left me gasping wondering if she was going to make it. The world building was just awesome, The Key of F was just full of excitement, action, mystery and a little romance to boot. I can’t wait for more in this new world of Freedom Fight.
I highly recommend The Key of F to all fans of fantasy and magic.
When Fale turned eighteen she came into her powers. She begins to have vision that come true. After using one of her vision to save a childhood friend’s life she is put on the radar of the Control Agency, the law of the city.
Fale and Keron’s lives are now in danger. Fale has key that was given to her by her father and the Control want it. Fale and Keron go into hiding after Nelson is taken. They are using Nelson to try and obtain the key from Fale. Fale has every intention of getting Nelson back alive if it is the last thing she does.
Fale is a princess warrior who has been trained to be a peace keeper. Fale gets her rewards from helping people not by being paid which is just how she likes it.
Fale and Keron have known each other since they were children and Fale has had a crush on Keron ever since without his knowledge of course. Fale is a little shy and awkward around Keron in the beginning but soon warms up towards him when they are forced to spend time together by having to go on the road and into hiding.
The Key of F is a fast paced read that kept me glued to the pages until I had read the last one. I was unable to put it down as the tension built and took me toward the end. Fale gets herself into trouble after trouble that left me gasping wondering if she was going to make it. The world building was just awesome, The Key of F was just full of excitement, action, mystery and a little romance to boot. I can’t wait for more in this new world of Freedom Fight.
I highly recommend The Key of F to all fans of fantasy and magic.
June 13, 2018
I met the author, Jenn Haskins, (virtually) before I found this book, and she's a really nice, and equally talented lady.
This book is fantasy, and starts with a girl called Fale, whose biggest problem in life is being rejected by the guy she has a crush on.
But that changes soon.
After messing up fate's path and saving her crush's life, she's forced to go on the run and handed a destiny of her own. One that she's not sure she can handle.
Haskins blends in scifi with her fantasy world, which adds depth to the story she's telling. One of the main characters has robotic parts, which earns him a less-than-human status. There's scientific advancement, but there's also magic hidden in its corners. Both elements play equally major roles.
What I like the most about this book, is the realistic way in which Fale is written. She doesn't suddenly go from a typical teenage girl with superficial problems to this mature warrior who's going to save a nation. In fact, this book focuses on character building and political background, and sets a sturdy stage for the next part of the story, where the promised action can truly begin.
This book is fantasy, and starts with a girl called Fale, whose biggest problem in life is being rejected by the guy she has a crush on.
But that changes soon.
After messing up fate's path and saving her crush's life, she's forced to go on the run and handed a destiny of her own. One that she's not sure she can handle.
Haskins blends in scifi with her fantasy world, which adds depth to the story she's telling. One of the main characters has robotic parts, which earns him a less-than-human status. There's scientific advancement, but there's also magic hidden in its corners. Both elements play equally major roles.
What I like the most about this book, is the realistic way in which Fale is written. She doesn't suddenly go from a typical teenage girl with superficial problems to this mature warrior who's going to save a nation. In fact, this book focuses on character building and political background, and sets a sturdy stage for the next part of the story, where the promised action can truly begin.
March 12, 2019
This week’s I Love Romance Blog review selection is The Key of F By Jennifer Haskin. With paranormal and sci-fi elements, this full-length novel is a great read.
Fale, who is as down-to-Earth as this is incredible, begins a journey to find out exactly who she is. When she starts having visions of the future and trying to do something about it, will she change it for the better or worse?
Really, I cannot say enough good things about this book - the storyline is well thought through, the dialogue is believable and relatable, and the interactions between the main characters keep you reading.
This book is extremely well-written and thought out and I look forward to reading the next one in the series - I give The Key of F By Jennifer Haskin 5 STARS!
Fale, who is as down-to-Earth as this is incredible, begins a journey to find out exactly who she is. When she starts having visions of the future and trying to do something about it, will she change it for the better or worse?
Really, I cannot say enough good things about this book - the storyline is well thought through, the dialogue is believable and relatable, and the interactions between the main characters keep you reading.
This book is extremely well-written and thought out and I look forward to reading the next one in the series - I give The Key of F By Jennifer Haskin 5 STARS!
August 22, 2018
If you enjoy reading YA fantasy then this book is for you. The talented author, Jennifer Haskin, has created a world full of engaging characters that face a dark and dangerous society. Fale, the spunky heroine, is drawn to her mission with determination and passion. The story moves at a rapid pace and unfolds a tale of not only magic, wizards, and warriors, but also an enticing romance. The dialogue is crisp, and the characters are well developed. I'm certain you'll find yourself rooting for Fale and her circle of valiant friends. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment of the Freedom Fight Trilogy!
March 10, 2020
Gripping and fast paced.
With a strong female lead and surprises throughout the book it still doesn’t prepare you for the excellent ending. I cannot wait to read the second book, but let me tell you about this one. When I first started reading it I thought I would get a handle on what the book was about and read the rest later… I was wrong I couldn’t stop reading it this book is so good. These are characters you will think about after you put the book down I totally recommend this book to anyone who likes sci-fi and just plain good story telling.
With a strong female lead and surprises throughout the book it still doesn’t prepare you for the excellent ending. I cannot wait to read the second book, but let me tell you about this one. When I first started reading it I thought I would get a handle on what the book was about and read the rest later… I was wrong I couldn’t stop reading it this book is so good. These are characters you will think about after you put the book down I totally recommend this book to anyone who likes sci-fi and just plain good story telling.
April 9, 2020
OMG!
I read this in one night. I can't believe it ended the way it did. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT TO CONTINUE!
Without leaving any spoilers, I can't wait to see what is going to happen...
Fale is a wonderful character, she was dealt the worst hand I thought possible, until I met Keron.
I was quickly transported into a world of wizards and mages. The world written in a way I couldn't wait to find out more. I can't wait to read more.
I read this in one night. I can't believe it ended the way it did. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT TO CONTINUE!
Without leaving any spoilers, I can't wait to see what is going to happen...
Fale is a wonderful character, she was dealt the worst hand I thought possible, until I met Keron.
I was quickly transported into a world of wizards and mages. The world written in a way I couldn't wait to find out more. I can't wait to read more.
April 30, 2018
Highly recommend!! There was so much I loved about this book...It got right to the good stuff quick and stayed there! The writing is truly unique style. Oftentimes I found it reminded me of a Wrinkle in Time with an amazing new world and lots to discover and unfold. I look forward to it being a series and continuing Fale's adventures.
February 9, 2020
I have received a free copy of this book. What a great book with interesting characters. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I hope that Fale and Keron figure things out and don’t let others deceive them, especially someone they think is on their side.
December 18, 2017
I really liked this book. The story was well told, the heroine was fresh and the drama, compelling. Even though YA is not my usual genre, I rally liked the way the story unfolded.
June 4, 2019
I couldn't put it down! It sucked me in from the beginning! I can't wait to see what happens!
July 25, 2019
This story is a keeper.
It's the first of a series
that I will read and enjoy
repeatedly.
Phyllis S.
It's the first of a series
that I will read and enjoy
repeatedly.
Phyllis S.
March 9, 2020
>Book Review – The Key of F
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Freedom Fight Trilogy and ends in a cliffhanger. The book takes place in the future where each town contributes something major to society. The future actually seems a bit backwards. The town that Fale, Keron and Lisle live in is the manufacturing town. The scenery is all factories and city scape. Fale is the main character. She started seeing futuristic visions after she turned 18. She is an orphan. He mother was killed. Fale was raised by a friend of her father. The scenes with this man and Fale are a little creepy. I almost felt a lust coming off of the man in regards to an oblivious Fale.
>Keron is the on again/off again love interest for Fale. He lost an arm and leg in a manufacturing accident. Society gave him a prosthetic leg and arm and then promptly put him in involuntary servitude for life, in order to pay for the appendages. Once again, for a society set in the future, they act backwards, having slaves. There are a lot of sword battles that tend to be confusingly wordy. I am sure the descriptions of the sword fights are probably accurate, but they make for dull reading.
>This book is appropriate for new adults (18+). I am giving this book 4 stars. There aren’t any erotic scenes, but a lot is implied. The book ends with a quest to save everyone. Magic is now an accepted part of the world.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Freedom Fight Trilogy and ends in a cliffhanger. The book takes place in the future where each town contributes something major to society. The future actually seems a bit backwards. The town that Fale, Keron and Lisle live in is the manufacturing town. The scenery is all factories and city scape. Fale is the main character. She started seeing futuristic visions after she turned 18. She is an orphan. He mother was killed. Fale was raised by a friend of her father. The scenes with this man and Fale are a little creepy. I almost felt a lust coming off of the man in regards to an oblivious Fale.
>Keron is the on again/off again love interest for Fale. He lost an arm and leg in a manufacturing accident. Society gave him a prosthetic leg and arm and then promptly put him in involuntary servitude for life, in order to pay for the appendages. Once again, for a society set in the future, they act backwards, having slaves. There are a lot of sword battles that tend to be confusingly wordy. I am sure the descriptions of the sword fights are probably accurate, but they make for dull reading.
>This book is appropriate for new adults (18+). I am giving this book 4 stars. There aren’t any erotic scenes, but a lot is implied. The book ends with a quest to save everyone. Magic is now an accepted part of the world.
Read
February 4, 2019The Key of F is an ambitious young adult novel that straddles a number of genres. It has the intensive surveillance and the high-tech body modification of science fiction. It has the wizards and mages and the Chosen One narrative of fantasy. And it has the makeovers and petty jealousies of high school and college books. It's not until about half-way through the book that those three strands come together and we see where it's all been leading.
The main thrust of the novel follows Fale, an orphan who has been entrusted with a mysterious key and who is on a quest to find her guardian and mentor, Nelson. But of course it's not as simple as that, and her investigations only present further missions. I did wonder whether her name, and 'Effailya', from which it's derived, could be a punning clue to where this series is eventually going to end up... We'll see about that one. She's variously helped and hindered by friends Keron, Izzy and Lisle, who represent other groups within the social makeup of Algea, and the differences between classes and occupations lead to some conflict between the four – something that will no doubt be explored further in later instalments.
I was fascinated by the brief glimpses we got of the system that underpins this world: where people are forced to work in an environment that seems set up to seriously injure them, at which point their only option is expensive prostheses, which they then spend the rest of their lives paying off. It was a neat satire on certain real-life systems, and I'd have liked to have seen more exploration of it. But I was puzzled, too: daiquiris, lasagna, katanas and rock bands suggested the influence of an Earth culture that appeared never to have existed in this world.
This is only the first of the series, so no doubt some of my questions will be answered in the next book!
The main thrust of the novel follows Fale, an orphan who has been entrusted with a mysterious key and who is on a quest to find her guardian and mentor, Nelson. But of course it's not as simple as that, and her investigations only present further missions. I did wonder whether her name, and 'Effailya', from which it's derived, could be a punning clue to where this series is eventually going to end up... We'll see about that one. She's variously helped and hindered by friends Keron, Izzy and Lisle, who represent other groups within the social makeup of Algea, and the differences between classes and occupations lead to some conflict between the four – something that will no doubt be explored further in later instalments.
I was fascinated by the brief glimpses we got of the system that underpins this world: where people are forced to work in an environment that seems set up to seriously injure them, at which point their only option is expensive prostheses, which they then spend the rest of their lives paying off. It was a neat satire on certain real-life systems, and I'd have liked to have seen more exploration of it. But I was puzzled, too: daiquiris, lasagna, katanas and rock bands suggested the influence of an Earth culture that appeared never to have existed in this world.
This is only the first of the series, so no doubt some of my questions will be answered in the next book!
April 30, 2020
With an engaging plot and relatable cast, The Key of F is an exciting fantasy adventure and coming-of-age romance. The teen characters are written in a very authentic way, which is refreshing in a time where so many books and movies put extremely mature sensibilities commonly seen in older adults in an 18-year-old protagonist. (This phenomenon is reflected in the many movies and television shows that cast actors in their 20s and 30s to play high school kids.) The Key of F is different.
Jennifer Haskin understands her target audience: writing teens who are authentic in both their individual mannerisms and in their interactions with one another. Having believable characters was critical to the success of this story because of the extraordinary, magical, and sometimes terrifying world Haskin has created.
Let's talk about that world.
Fale and her friends inhabit a world where a dystopian government keeps people in line by separating regions based on the goods they produce. This is reflected in many aspects of the society, such as access to what type of food is available depending on where you live. People who have been injured must repay their debt to the government for medical care (limb replacements) they receive, and the process of that repayment is lifelong servitude that forces them to the bottom caste in their society. I agree with the other reviewer who stated that the punishment for dissenters was chilling.
Fale struggles in her identity as both a fierce warrior and a teenage girl devoted to her crush while also trying to reconcile her destiny concerning a secret war between wizards and blood mages.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy Twilight, Divergent, and The Hunger Games.
Jennifer Haskin understands her target audience: writing teens who are authentic in both their individual mannerisms and in their interactions with one another. Having believable characters was critical to the success of this story because of the extraordinary, magical, and sometimes terrifying world Haskin has created.
Let's talk about that world.
Fale and her friends inhabit a world where a dystopian government keeps people in line by separating regions based on the goods they produce. This is reflected in many aspects of the society, such as access to what type of food is available depending on where you live. People who have been injured must repay their debt to the government for medical care (limb replacements) they receive, and the process of that repayment is lifelong servitude that forces them to the bottom caste in their society. I agree with the other reviewer who stated that the punishment for dissenters was chilling.
Fale struggles in her identity as both a fierce warrior and a teenage girl devoted to her crush while also trying to reconcile her destiny concerning a secret war between wizards and blood mages.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy Twilight, Divergent, and The Hunger Games.
April 30, 2020
First book in this series, starts out great. There is lots of action and some romance and magic as well. Set in the future Fale has mostly raised herself. Her parents died when she was quite young and she has not been connected to anyone much since. She came home at age 8 to find her father dying after a severe beating .
She was taken in by an “uncle” Nelson, a friend of her father who tried to do his best raising her. The uncle has gone missing and now Fale is trying to find him. She has a few friends who join the plot and are helping some more actively than others.
Fale has visions that play a big role in the first half of the story but fade over the course of the telling. She is attacked early in the story and believes her attackers were after a key of “f” that she wears around her neck. At this point Keron enters her life. After patching her up her injuries from the attack he becomes her protector and friend, a previous crush of Falon’s.
Fale has done extensive training with sword work and works and teaches some classes at TacTrack. A kind of indoor workout center.
Things speed up considerably at this point, there is fight, hiding and a ton of running that follows
Too much to explain further without giving away too much. Cliffhangers at the end , but it is a series. I will read the rest, because I want to know the end.
I received an ARC e-copy of this book from NetGalley. All of the review is my opinion.
I hope you read and enjoy as I did
She was taken in by an “uncle” Nelson, a friend of her father who tried to do his best raising her. The uncle has gone missing and now Fale is trying to find him. She has a few friends who join the plot and are helping some more actively than others.
Fale has visions that play a big role in the first half of the story but fade over the course of the telling. She is attacked early in the story and believes her attackers were after a key of “f” that she wears around her neck. At this point Keron enters her life. After patching her up her injuries from the attack he becomes her protector and friend, a previous crush of Falon’s.
Fale has done extensive training with sword work and works and teaches some classes at TacTrack. A kind of indoor workout center.
Things speed up considerably at this point, there is fight, hiding and a ton of running that follows
Too much to explain further without giving away too much. Cliffhangers at the end , but it is a series. I will read the rest, because I want to know the end.
I received an ARC e-copy of this book from NetGalley. All of the review is my opinion.
I hope you read and enjoy as I did
March 29, 2019
Fale, Takanori warrior-in-training, begins having visions on her eighteenth birthday. When she realizes the visions are coming true, she intervenes and changes one to save the life of her crush. Soon after, thugs climb out of the woodwork chasing them with the intent to kill. Their only clue lies in the key Fale wears, given to her by her father on his deathbed. Could the key have something to do with her destiny? Can they live long enough to find the answers?
"The Key of F" is book one of a fantastic YA Fantasy Series.
Haskins has created a fantasy dystopia that is complex, but not too overwhelming.
The story line has lots of action and conflict, both emotionally and physically.
Haskins blends in sci-fi with her fantasy world, which adds depth to the story she's telling.
The author has created a world full of engaging characters that face a dark and dangerous society.
The dialogue is crisp, and the characters are well developed.
My personal opinion is we have The Hunger Games meets A Wrinkle in Time; looking forward to see where this develops.
Highly recommend reading.
I received an ARC from AuthorsXP in exchange for an honest review.
"The Key of F" is book one of a fantastic YA Fantasy Series.
Haskins has created a fantasy dystopia that is complex, but not too overwhelming.
The story line has lots of action and conflict, both emotionally and physically.
Haskins blends in sci-fi with her fantasy world, which adds depth to the story she's telling.
The author has created a world full of engaging characters that face a dark and dangerous society.
The dialogue is crisp, and the characters are well developed.
My personal opinion is we have The Hunger Games meets A Wrinkle in Time; looking forward to see where this develops.
Highly recommend reading.
I received an ARC from AuthorsXP in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2020
Jennifer Haskin delivers a heart-pounding fantasy adventure with The Key of F! After witnessing her father’s murder, Fale grows up protecting a mysterious artifact, The Key of F. Later, she finds herself on the run for saving her love, Keron. This leads her to uncover secrets about the strange artifact, leading her to learn that there’s more at stake than just her and Keron’s life. I loved the characters in this book and Haskin’s writing style seamlessly lets you get immersed in the story! The history of the world and the secrets behind the Key of F are really cool, leaving me intrigued to see where the adventure goes next. If you’re looking for a good fantasy tale with a tight focus on characters, come unlock the mystery of The Key of F!
January 17, 2020
This book was very easy and fun to read because once I would pick it up I wouldn't want to put it down until I had too. I was surprised at how it kept my interest throughout the story, truly. I wasn't sure what to expect from a novel about magic but also technology. In my opinion, combining these two elements can be very difficult, and because I lean more fantasy, books that have technology as a major plot point tend to lose my interest. This story, however, did not. I was pleasantly surprised to read all the different plot twists and read about meet all of the main characters. I definitely recommend this story to anyone who lobes magic and sassy characters!
March 6, 2019
I will start by saying I haven't read many fantasy/dystopian books, but Jennifer Haskin created a world that drew me in and kept me turning the pages. I liked the relationships between the the characters, especially Fale and Keron. I liked how Fale kept discovering new things about herself and how determined she was in following through with her mission. I knew this was the first in a series, but was still disappointed the way we were left hanging. Something should have been resolved, in my opinion. Still, it was a fun read.
January 12, 2020
I read this for a colleague and I'm glad I did. A page-turning adventure featuring endearing but flawed characters coming of age as they take on a daunting quest to save their people. Set in a believable fantasy world of mages, evil wizards, magical powers, tender vulnerabilities, and a reluctant young queen, the story spins a refreshing twist on age-old themes of self-discovery, first-romance angst, love triangles, and seeking a better world.
March 9, 2020
Since I got an ARC from Netgalley, I felt compelled to finish this, but I didn't especially enjoy it. I was annoyed when it ended as a cliffhanger, but not so frustrated as I might have been if I had cared about what happened next.
Fale, the heroine of the story, was immature, emotional, and irritating. She kept doing stupid things, not considering her actions in advance, jumping to conclusions, and attributing motives that were inaccurate. Keron, her boyfriend/protector, is more mature, though perhaps a bit misguided.
Conversations are stilted and inauthentic. The plot, though interesting, had some holes. For example, Fale injured her hand and had it bandaged. Lucien sliced the knife into her left palm, then used her right thumb to press into the blood to make a thumbprint. But her right hand, wrapped in a bandage would mean this would be difficult and likely to get blood all over the bandage.
Also, I must point out that the past tense of “drag” is “dragged,” not “drug.” The past tense of “spring” is “sprang,” not “sprung,” although “had sprung” would have been okay.
Fale, the heroine of the story, was immature, emotional, and irritating. She kept doing stupid things, not considering her actions in advance, jumping to conclusions, and attributing motives that were inaccurate. Keron, her boyfriend/protector, is more mature, though perhaps a bit misguided.
Conversations are stilted and inauthentic. The plot, though interesting, had some holes. For example, Fale injured her hand and had it bandaged. Lucien sliced the knife into her left palm, then used her right thumb to press into the blood to make a thumbprint. But her right hand, wrapped in a bandage would mean this would be difficult and likely to get blood all over the bandage.
Also, I must point out that the past tense of “drag” is “dragged,” not “drug.” The past tense of “spring” is “sprang,” not “sprung,” although “had sprung” would have been okay.
July 29, 2021
*I received a free ARC of this book. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This book is labelled as Young Adult fantasy, but I felt the characters and plot matured into adulthood as the story progressed. From starting off with schoolyard gossip about boys and lessons, the protaganist soon finds herself running, hiding and fighting for her life in some very adult situations.
There is a large romance element to the plot, with a traditional love triangle causing internal conflict to rival the external ‘lost magical princess’ tension. As usual, most of the romantic strife is down to lack of communication between the relevant characters, but here there are also some legitimate concerns related to the paths their lives must take, which creates a more adult and authentic relationship trial.
The secondary characters are interesting, in that every single one of them has plausible motive and opportunity to betray our protaganist, so the reader is constantly left second guessing the support network, even as Fale must rely on them. Fale herself is an excellent main character, with natural flaws and strengths, and a genuine ability to rescue herself from tricky situations via mental and physical prowess, which had me rejoicing!
There were some odd moments amongst her journey to independent womanhood, where she expressed desires to be ‘owned’ by Nelson and then Koren, which sat strangely with the freedom motifs expressed by and through Koren, Effailya’s Garrith subjects, and even Fale herself in their various oppressions by the aptly named Control. I actually found this apparent dichotomy quite true to life, as it is unsurprising for Fale to long to belong with her history of loss, even as she fights for control of her own life as she works toward adulthood.
The plot is superb. In summary it sounds like your standard YA fantasy plot: lost princess finds magic and has to save her people from an evil wizard against huge odds. However it is the detail that differentiates, and in this case the detail is exciting, chilling and fascinating. The magic factions are distinct; the setting a mixture of Hunger-Games-esque districts; and the idea of what happens to dissenters actually kept me up at night afterwards.
I am very excited for the rest of this series and hope Fale manages to resolve her love life relatively swiftly so that we can enjoy their great partnership tackling their corrupt, powerful enemy and saving the world!
'Rowdies stood, cocking their heads in interest, shifting their weight from foot to foot like skittish wild animals. Fale felt a familiar tingling down her arms and body. This time, pictures flashed through her mind. Vivid scenes of blood and danger, telling a story, played in her head and she knew what she needed to do.'
– Jennifer Haskin, Princess of the Blood Mages
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
This book is labelled as Young Adult fantasy, but I felt the characters and plot matured into adulthood as the story progressed. From starting off with schoolyard gossip about boys and lessons, the protaganist soon finds herself running, hiding and fighting for her life in some very adult situations.
There is a large romance element to the plot, with a traditional love triangle causing internal conflict to rival the external ‘lost magical princess’ tension. As usual, most of the romantic strife is down to lack of communication between the relevant characters, but here there are also some legitimate concerns related to the paths their lives must take, which creates a more adult and authentic relationship trial.
The secondary characters are interesting, in that every single one of them has plausible motive and opportunity to betray our protaganist, so the reader is constantly left second guessing the support network, even as Fale must rely on them. Fale herself is an excellent main character, with natural flaws and strengths, and a genuine ability to rescue herself from tricky situations via mental and physical prowess, which had me rejoicing!
There were some odd moments amongst her journey to independent womanhood, where she expressed desires to be ‘owned’ by Nelson and then Koren, which sat strangely with the freedom motifs expressed by and through Koren, Effailya’s Garrith subjects, and even Fale herself in their various oppressions by the aptly named Control. I actually found this apparent dichotomy quite true to life, as it is unsurprising for Fale to long to belong with her history of loss, even as she fights for control of her own life as she works toward adulthood.
The plot is superb. In summary it sounds like your standard YA fantasy plot: lost princess finds magic and has to save her people from an evil wizard against huge odds. However it is the detail that differentiates, and in this case the detail is exciting, chilling and fascinating. The magic factions are distinct; the setting a mixture of Hunger-Games-esque districts; and the idea of what happens to dissenters actually kept me up at night afterwards.
I am very excited for the rest of this series and hope Fale manages to resolve her love life relatively swiftly so that we can enjoy their great partnership tackling their corrupt, powerful enemy and saving the world!
'Rowdies stood, cocking their heads in interest, shifting their weight from foot to foot like skittish wild animals. Fale felt a familiar tingling down her arms and body. This time, pictures flashed through her mind. Vivid scenes of blood and danger, telling a story, played in her head and she knew what she needed to do.'
– Jennifer Haskin, Princess of the Blood Mages
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
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