3 out of 4 stars
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The Key of F, by Jennifer Haskin, is set in the fictional land of Algea. Each of the geographic regions are designated to perform a particular function, such as farming. As the story opens, we are introduced to three friends. They are students at a university that is located in the industrial region. Fale and Izzy are studying martial arts. Fale is eager to become a “takanori.” Achieving this status would make her part of a warrior clan that is charged with maintaining unity among the various groups in Algea. The third student, Lisle, is an apprentice wizard.
Lisle is in love with Fale, but she loves Keron. He initially rejects her affection. Keron fears he is not good enough for Fale, because he has a metal arm and leg. These metallic enhancements make him a “fantocci,” an outcast in their society. To pay for the expensive surgeries required for such enhancements, these individuals are forced to work as bondsmen. They are indebted, for life, to a shadowy government organization known as the Control Agency. However, his fate lies elsewhere. Keron will become Fale’s protector or “wardsman.”
On her eighteenth birthday, Fale begins to have visions of the future. She then finds herself being chased by unknown foes. These events are related to a key that her father gave to Fale just before he died. As a result, Fale and Keron begin to undertake a dangerous adventure. They will be aided by Lisle and Izzy. Along the way, Fale will discover that she is not who she believes herself to be and that she must manifest a destiny inherited from her ancestor, Princess Effailya.
The book presents an interesting set of questions. Why is Fale having visions and how are they related to the key? Who is chasing her and why? What is the hidden history of Algea and why is it been suppressed by the Control Agency?
I was first drawn to this novel because of the cover art. It has an appealing use of color, as well as interesting drawings of Fale and Keron. One can be disappointed by a book whose story does not live up to the promise hinted at by a good cover. Therefore, I was pleased to find that this novel contained plot points that held my attention. One such element was the group’s search for a particular machine. It can only be unlocked with Fale’s key, but the machine itself is also the “key” to saving her people.
I also liked the two main characters. Fale is young but brave. Keron is strong but sensitive. Finally, I appreciated that this book, the first of a trilogy, ended at a good breaking point. Enough issues were resolved for the novel to be satisfying, yet there was sufficient setup to generate interest in the second book.
Given that this is a young adult novel, one would expect the dialogue to reflect the age of the characters and how they would speak with their peers. However, the dialogue was overly simplistic, even allowing for the young adult book category. Also, the writing style often lacked depth or flair. Finally, there were more than a few errors. For example, “There were prototypes and metal gadgets galore, but none fitted her key.”
I would recommend this book to those interested in young adult or fantasy novels. The romantic interactions are not graphic and would be appropriate for older teenagers. The plot elements gave this novel the potential to reach four stars. However, I rate The Key of F 3 out of 4 stars, due to the writing style and errors. Nonetheless, this book piqued my interest and I would read the next one in the series.
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The Key of F
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