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King and Crown #1
Lock and Key
In a world forever changed by The Unveiling, where supernaturals revealed their existence to humanity...
Katherine "Kat" King is on the run.
Two years ago, she woke up in a cell, held captive by a mysterious organization known as Advent 9. Subjected to harsh experiments involving magic and mayhem, Kat struggled to hold on to her sanity.
But now, she's escaped Advent 9's grasp—and she intends to keep her freedom. Using the only two things that Advent 9 couldn't take her unrelenting stubbornness and the kind of attitude that can make a grown man cry.
_____
Liam Crown had it all once upon a time.
A star detective with a penchant for "magic tricks," Liam's life fell to pieces when an accident cost him his family—and his sobriety. Now he scrapes by with a PI license and spends most of his free time with a bottle in his hand.
But when a chance encounter with a strange woman makes him the target of a violent underground organization, Liam gets dragged out of his stagnant life and back into the danger zone he thought he'd left forever.
As the stakes begin to mount, Liam realizes that his old self is slowly coming back to life in the face of battle. Now all he has to do is survive the war.
Lock and Key is the first book in the action-packed King and Crown urban fantasy series.
Katherine "Kat" King is on the run.
Two years ago, she woke up in a cell, held captive by a mysterious organization known as Advent 9. Subjected to harsh experiments involving magic and mayhem, Kat struggled to hold on to her sanity.
But now, she's escaped Advent 9's grasp—and she intends to keep her freedom. Using the only two things that Advent 9 couldn't take her unrelenting stubbornness and the kind of attitude that can make a grown man cry.
_____
Liam Crown had it all once upon a time.
A star detective with a penchant for "magic tricks," Liam's life fell to pieces when an accident cost him his family—and his sobriety. Now he scrapes by with a PI license and spends most of his free time with a bottle in his hand.
But when a chance encounter with a strange woman makes him the target of a violent underground organization, Liam gets dragged out of his stagnant life and back into the danger zone he thought he'd left forever.
As the stakes begin to mount, Liam realizes that his old self is slowly coming back to life in the face of battle. Now all he has to do is survive the war.
Lock and Key is the first book in the action-packed King and Crown urban fantasy series.
- GenresUrban FantasyMagicFae
211 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2018
10 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Clara Coulson
27 books248 followersClara Coulson is an author of action-packed urban fantasy and paranormal thriller novels with sarcastic main characters and supernaturally empowered villains.
Currently living in the Middle of Nowhere, Virginia, Clara spends most of her time dreaming up bizarre paranormal scenarios and adapting them into novels and reading through the enormous backlog of books on her shelves.
Clara likes silly cats, pepperoni pizza, and collecting an absurd number of notebooks and BIC pens that she has no real use for.
Currently living in the Middle of Nowhere, Virginia, Clara spends most of her time dreaming up bizarre paranormal scenarios and adapting them into novels and reading through the enormous backlog of books on her shelves.
Clara likes silly cats, pepperoni pizza, and collecting an absurd number of notebooks and BIC pens that she has no real use for.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 12, 2020
I have read just about every book by this author except this one, and I was excited to find out she had rewritten and reissued this one. I dived right in once I had some time and started reading. This is a little different than the others I’ve read by this author, but it’s still just as good. Liam and Kat are such interesting characters, and we don’t know much about Kat’s past, nothing at all really, which I am so intrigued about. Liam is a nice guy that had been spiraling after the death of his family which he can’t remember. There is just so much to learn about them that we don’t know, and I’m itching to find out. I’m so glad the next book comes out soon. I liked the plot, but it did have something I don’t particularly like, but that’s on me not the author. Well-written, intriguing plot and great characters that you need to find out about. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
December 30, 2018
Intriguing Start to a New Urban Fantasy Series
This book is certainly intriguing. It raises all sorts of questions for future books, whilst answering some set up at the start of the book so it still works as a singular entity.
This book revolves around Liam Crowne a PI who left the police department of Salem’s Gate after the death of his wife and son. He’s been living in suspended animation, working on cheating spouses cases whilst drinking himself into oblivion every night. One of his only friends is Yun, runs a cafe and is a reincarnated thunder god.
Liam meets Kat King when she literally falls from the sky, when a teleportation spell goes a bit wrong. Kat has recently escaped from a lab where she has spent the last two years being experimented on and tortured to turn her into a supernatural weapon. She has no memory of life before her imprisonment. She heals at visible rate, is stuffed full of magical power and has speed, strength and stealth in abundance. Her escape has lead to being chased relentlessly by the shadowy organisation Advent 9 and she would do anything rather than return to life in the lab. Liam and Yun decide to help her.
It’s a fascinating story with plenty of supernatural politics, magic fights and interesting characters.
I really want to read the next book in the series because this book sets up a whole lot of interesting strands of potential plot directions.
This book is certainly intriguing. It raises all sorts of questions for future books, whilst answering some set up at the start of the book so it still works as a singular entity.
This book revolves around Liam Crowne a PI who left the police department of Salem’s Gate after the death of his wife and son. He’s been living in suspended animation, working on cheating spouses cases whilst drinking himself into oblivion every night. One of his only friends is Yun, runs a cafe and is a reincarnated thunder god.
Liam meets Kat King when she literally falls from the sky, when a teleportation spell goes a bit wrong. Kat has recently escaped from a lab where she has spent the last two years being experimented on and tortured to turn her into a supernatural weapon. She has no memory of life before her imprisonment. She heals at visible rate, is stuffed full of magical power and has speed, strength and stealth in abundance. Her escape has lead to being chased relentlessly by the shadowy organisation Advent 9 and she would do anything rather than return to life in the lab. Liam and Yun decide to help her.
It’s a fascinating story with plenty of supernatural politics, magic fights and interesting characters.
I really want to read the next book in the series because this book sets up a whole lot of interesting strands of potential plot directions.
March 9, 2020
Supernatural creatures exist, but not everyone is willing to just get along. Our heroine was held captive and experimented on by a mysterious organization. One that is now hunting her and our hero has been dragged into the conflict.
This is the start of an urban fantasy series and it starts with a wallop. The story is well written, easy to read and packed with intrigue and action from the start. Our characters are well developed for what we see, but there is clearly much more to them than meets the eye. Something I definitely look forward to exploring in more depth in future books. Similarly, we get a glimpse of the world they live in, but at this point there are more questions than answers. But the plot is very engaging and I find I want to explore those mysterious, so sign me up for the next book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is the start of an urban fantasy series and it starts with a wallop. The story is well written, easy to read and packed with intrigue and action from the start. Our characters are well developed for what we see, but there is clearly much more to them than meets the eye. Something I definitely look forward to exploring in more depth in future books. Similarly, we get a glimpse of the world they live in, but at this point there are more questions than answers. But the plot is very engaging and I find I want to explore those mysterious, so sign me up for the next book.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
January 17, 2020
I received an ARC edition of this book from the author.
This certainly came across as a first book in series (which it is, but I mean it in the lots of build-up and still a lot of unanswered questions way). Kat has no memory of her past beyond being a test subject held by a secret organization, the last survivor of the test subjects she knows about. Liam is a former cop with a tragic past. They certainly have an good dynamic together, a bit standoffish but still very protective and caring.
There is some room for expansion of the world-building in the coming books, but there is a decent base to work from in this story. Enough secondary characters to add interest, but not so many to overwhelm the story. There are a lot of plot threads that can be expanded in the coming stories, not enough to really be considered a cliffhanger, but very much a to be continued feel.
This certainly came across as a first book in series (which it is, but I mean it in the lots of build-up and still a lot of unanswered questions way). Kat has no memory of her past beyond being a test subject held by a secret organization, the last survivor of the test subjects she knows about. Liam is a former cop with a tragic past. They certainly have an good dynamic together, a bit standoffish but still very protective and caring.
There is some room for expansion of the world-building in the coming books, but there is a decent base to work from in this story. Enough secondary characters to add interest, but not so many to overwhelm the story. There are a lot of plot threads that can be expanded in the coming stories, not enough to really be considered a cliffhanger, but very much a to be continued feel.
January 23, 2020
This is my first book by Clara Coulson and hot dang, i was hooked with in the first chapter. Kat King is running for her life, a life she doesn’t remember before two years prior when Advent 9 started experimenting on her. With her last shreds of hope starting to unravel she meets Liam Crown. A former detective with a drinking problem to burry the trauma of his past. The two of them balance each other so well!
This story was written with the skill of grasping your full attention with characters that entrance you. It’s action packed and leaves you with so many questions begging for more.
In a world that is changing full of Magic’s and supernaturals I can’t wait to dive into the next segment!
This story was written with the skill of grasping your full attention with characters that entrance you. It’s action packed and leaves you with so many questions begging for more.
In a world that is changing full of Magic’s and supernaturals I can’t wait to dive into the next segment!
January 27, 2020
First book in another great urban fantasy series by Clara Coulson
Clara Coulson drops us right into the action with Kat, a woman abducted and experimented on by a nefarious organization, Advent 9. She escapes and is by accident paired up with Liam. The two individuals, broken in different ways, team up to take on the evil A 9.
There are no wasted words as Clara crafts this new magical realm and spins and engrossing tale. She starts developing the characters, both good and of not so good character and sets the stage for the next installment in this universe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Clara Coulson drops us right into the action with Kat, a woman abducted and experimented on by a nefarious organization, Advent 9. She escapes and is by accident paired up with Liam. The two individuals, broken in different ways, team up to take on the evil A 9.
There are no wasted words as Clara crafts this new magical realm and spins and engrossing tale. She starts developing the characters, both good and of not so good character and sets the stage for the next installment in this universe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 21, 2020
What I needed.
Wow! This book started with a punch to the gut. I was having a not okay day when I decided to have a go at this book. My day improved immediately. This is a world of different supernaturals and humans trying to figure out how to live in the same world. Let me tell you, it ain't easy. This story is just so engrossing. From beginning to end. Once I started it, I had to finish it. In fact, I'm getting ready to buy the next installment as soon as I write this review. That's the best praise you can give any book.
Wow! This book started with a punch to the gut. I was having a not okay day when I decided to have a go at this book. My day improved immediately. This is a world of different supernaturals and humans trying to figure out how to live in the same world. Let me tell you, it ain't easy. This story is just so engrossing. From beginning to end. Once I started it, I had to finish it. In fact, I'm getting ready to buy the next installment as soon as I write this review. That's the best praise you can give any book.
March 8, 2020
Forced narrative
So much of the plot is forced, it doesn’t flow well. The little bits of foreshadowing drop with resounding thuds. Worldbuilding happens at random and sprays about like a loose firehose.
Then there is the ridiculous characters. It’s too early to know so much about so many. Their actions and reactions were overblown and histrionic. Then they suddenly became superheroes. Or have information that hasn’t been presented to them yet.
The whole thing was overly dramatic. The pacing was wrong.
This badly needs a solid content editor.
So much of the plot is forced, it doesn’t flow well. The little bits of foreshadowing drop with resounding thuds. Worldbuilding happens at random and sprays about like a loose firehose.
Then there is the ridiculous characters. It’s too early to know so much about so many. Their actions and reactions were overblown and histrionic. Then they suddenly became superheroes. Or have information that hasn’t been presented to them yet.
The whole thing was overly dramatic. The pacing was wrong.
This badly needs a solid content editor.
January 17, 2020
Kat and Liam take the mayhem that has shaped them as their respective worlds fell apart, work together in an unlikely alliance, and blow obstacles out of their way - along with blowing your mind with crazy action and multi-layered characters.
Their wounds and their pasts make them different, yet uniquely powerful in their own ways.
Intense action and adventure.
When does the next one come out?
Their wounds and their pasts make them different, yet uniquely powerful in their own ways.
Intense action and adventure.
When does the next one come out?
January 30, 2020
Lock and Key by Clara Coulson is an amazing story that I have read. This is book number one in this amazing series that I can not wait to read the next book cause I am so in love with this series already. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about thrillers and fantasy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2018
Fantastic start to new series!
I'm a big fan of the City of Crows series so of course I had to read Lock & Key when it came out. Great book! I really like both Kat and Liam . Interesting world and very good storyline. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
I'm a big fan of the City of Crows series so of course I had to read Lock & Key when it came out. Great book! I really like both Kat and Liam . Interesting world and very good storyline. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
March 1, 2020
Enjoyed it
I saw the second one advertised on FB.. Thought that the concept sounded interesting and downloaded the first. It is interesting with a new world and good characters. However, the deal made was a bit obvious. Enjoyed it enough to get the second.
I saw the second one advertised on FB.. Thought that the concept sounded interesting and downloaded the first. It is interesting with a new world and good characters. However, the deal made was a bit obvious. Enjoyed it enough to get the second.
March 11, 2020
I really liked it
It was good. I really enjoyed this book, so much I read the next book also and really can't wait until the next book comes out. I have purchased the first book of two of this author's other series to checkout as well.
It was good. I really enjoyed this book, so much I read the next book also and really can't wait until the next book comes out. I have purchased the first book of two of this author's other series to checkout as well.
May 26, 2022
Simple and enjoyable...
I picked up this book several months ago and finally got around to reading it. Wish I had done so earlier. It turned out to be very interesting and enjoyable. Thank you, Clara Coulson.
I picked up this book several months ago and finally got around to reading it. Wish I had done so earlier. It turned out to be very interesting and enjoyable. Thank you, Clara Coulson.
October 22, 2018
Good read
I enjoyed Lock and Key. All the different aspects of the world setting were laid out so they were easily followed, without over explaining.
I enjoyed Lock and Key. All the different aspects of the world setting were laid out so they were easily followed, without over explaining.
January 24, 2020
Very interesting new series. It was fun to unravel the mysteries of Liam and Kat and can honestly say I faint wait for the next book! Definitely recommend!
January 26, 2020
This is book one in a new series I'm fairly new to Clara's story's but she writes great characters and I'm excited to see where this series goes.
January 13, 2020
Book one it what I see as a new series from an excellent urban fantasy author. And it didn’t disappoint, it was what I would expect and more besides. I am so glad to have met Kat and Liam. Roll on book two. Highly recommended.
July 7, 2020
Good book
An entertaining read full of action. I have a feeling that there will be mind.boggling reveals in the next book..
An entertaining read full of action. I have a feeling that there will be mind.boggling reveals in the next book..
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews