Lynnie
young adult, action/suspense, fantasy
Sky Key is the second novel in the Endgame series by James Frey. These novels tell the story of a secret game for which the original human tribes (or "lines") of humanity have been preparing for thousands of years. Each line has a Player prepared at all times in anticipation of the future game and now it has finally begun. The current Players from each line are in a battle to win the game and save their line from the coming destruction. The first novel, Endgame: The Calling, (see our review here) described the beginning of the game and the search for the Earth Key. This novel details the continuing battles while the players search for the Sky Key.
Amy's Review
This book met my expectations. I figured this continuing saga, which started in Endgame: The Calling, would involve a lot of player movement, fighting, violence, technology, trickery, and death. In that, I was not disappointed. James Frey is a master at creating convoluted, intertwined storylines and describing the action scenes clearly. Unfortunately, this book grew tedious with all the jumping around from character to character and the obligatory duels and battles. I felt like I was being turned one way to watch an investigation/battle play out and then turned another way to watch yet another investigation/battle play out, etc. It was all interesting but it got a little exhausting, like being forced to watch TV with someone who changes channels too frequently. However, it was still exciting enough to keep me interested and I’ll read the next one when it is released.
Again, there is a game to be played with this novel in real life and lots of clues provided at the end of every chapter. And, again, I did not bother with this stuff. I will say that some of the illustrations in these clues were childish-looking which corrupted the integrity of the story. I mean, I wasn't necessarily thinking about the story as a YA novel while reading it until these illustrations popped up to remind me that this novel was geared toward the younger crowd.
Lynnie's Review
Here's a tip- don't read this book & any book in the Lorien series (also by Frey) in close proximity to each other. I read this within weeks of reading the latest Lorien book (The Fate of Ten) & at times it felt like I was reading the same book- the two have similar pacing, similar end-of-the-world-thanks-to-aliens scenarios, & super teenagers who have to save the world... I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had left more space between reading the two books.
That said, I was happy to continue the story of Endgame. Just as vicious as the first book, the teens battle to save their family lines and no one is spared from the brutality of Endgame. Fans of action will not be disappointed as the story moves forward quickly & violently as the players try to retrieve the second piece of Endgame's puzzle, the Sky Key.
I had my favorite players as well as players that I hoped would fail at every turn. I was as happy with the outcome as I was disappointed, but I enjoyed the fact that things in this book are not always predictable or straight forward. I like a book that keeps me guessing about what will happen next.
Thankfully Sky Key doesn't suffer from what I call "middle book syndrome" (Is this a trilogy? Please don't be longer than a trilogy.) where nothing of consequence happens in the 2nd book and it feels more like a place keeper than an actual story. There's plenty going on in Sky Key so if you enjoyed Endgame: The Calling, you'll find yourself wrapped up in this book as well. I'm eager for the 3rd book and to see how it all ends.
No comments:
Post a Comment