Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com
Due to an agreement between the humans and Nightlings, the two are never to meet. But when Genna and her younger brother, Dan, venture outside at night, when everyone is supposed to be safe inside, to get a special sap to save their mother, things begin to change. They are told by a Nightling slave the truth of what is really happening between the Nightlings and humans. The leader of the human village, Genna and Dan's "uncle," has made a deal with the Nightling king that will result in his own immortality but the downfall of every other human.
Genna and Dan must strike their own deal with the Nightling king and set out on their own journey to not only save themselves and their family but everyone in their village -- as well as the Nightlings.
Filled with adventure and striking prose, THE RUBY KEY is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while. The characters, even the non-human ones, were realistic, and every single one of them played an important part in the unfolding plot. The plot itself was unpredictable and filled with twists and turns you never see coming. The ending even keeps you begging for more.
Holly Lisle may be an accomplished adult author, but her name is sure to become a popular one among teen fiction, too.
Due to an agreement between the humans and Nightlings, the two are never to meet. But when Genna and her younger brother, Dan, venture outside at night, when everyone is supposed to be safe inside, to get a special sap to save their mother, things begin to change. They are told by a Nightling slave the truth of what is really happening between the Nightlings and humans. The leader of the human village, Genna and Dan's "uncle," has made a deal with the Nightling king that will result in his own immortality but the downfall of every other human.
Genna and Dan must strike their own deal with the Nightling king and set out on their own journey to not only save themselves and their family but everyone in their village -- as well as the Nightlings.
Filled with adventure and striking prose, THE RUBY KEY is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while. The characters, even the non-human ones, were realistic, and every single one of them played an important part in the unfolding plot. The plot itself was unpredictable and filled with twists and turns you never see coming. The ending even keeps you begging for more.
Holly Lisle may be an accomplished adult author, but her name is sure to become a popular one among teen fiction, too.
This is the first book in Lisle's Sun and Moon trilogy. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I had read a couple of Lisle's older books back when I was in high school and remember liking them. Well I am glad I picked this up because it was a great book!
Gennadara and Daneth live in a small village called Hillrush and along with the other villagers struggling to maintain peace with the Nightlings, a race that can only emerge at night that is ruled by the evil and immortal Letrin. When Gennadara and Dan find there mother has caught a wasting illness, they seek to make a bargain with Letrin to save their mother's live. Little do they know that bargain they make will take them on a great adventure and force them into an age old struggle beyond their imagining.
This was a really well done book. All of the characters are engaging and interesting. Gennadara is especially intriguing; she is a somewhat timid girl with a core of strength and determination that is admirable. The world Lisle creates is interesting and immense; just the surface of this world is touched in this book with hints showing the larger struggle humanity faces against the Nightlings. Lisle does an excellent job describing the surroundings in a way that really conveys the dark and dank mood of the settings. In general the book is very well-written and Lisle shows great skill in creating a readable and intelligent writing style with excellent plot weaving.
There aren't a ton of action scenes, the majority of this book focuses on adventuring, but both the adventuring and action scenes are very well done. The whole time you are left wondering if Gennadara and Dan will make it in time to save their mother and this really propels the story forward making it hard to put down. You never know what fantastical creature will appear around which corner or what a character will do next. Lisle also adds a thread of humor into both Gennadara's and the Cat's personality that keeps the story from taking itself too seriously.
The best thing about this book is that it reminds me a lot of a good old classic fairy tale or folktale, with a bit more added. At first the story seems contained, but then it is broadened to deal with all of humanity. I just really, really, enjoyed it and couldn't find a single thing about it I didn't like. My biggest complaint is that now I want to read the next book in the series RIGHT NOW! It was a great book, suited for younger children as well as young adults and adults.
Gennadara and Daneth live in a small village called Hillrush and along with the other villagers struggling to maintain peace with the Nightlings, a race that can only emerge at night that is ruled by the evil and immortal Letrin. When Gennadara and Dan find there mother has caught a wasting illness, they seek to make a bargain with Letrin to save their mother's live. Little do they know that bargain they make will take them on a great adventure and force them into an age old struggle beyond their imagining.
This was a really well done book. All of the characters are engaging and interesting. Gennadara is especially intriguing; she is a somewhat timid girl with a core of strength and determination that is admirable. The world Lisle creates is interesting and immense; just the surface of this world is touched in this book with hints showing the larger struggle humanity faces against the Nightlings. Lisle does an excellent job describing the surroundings in a way that really conveys the dark and dank mood of the settings. In general the book is very well-written and Lisle shows great skill in creating a readable and intelligent writing style with excellent plot weaving.
There aren't a ton of action scenes, the majority of this book focuses on adventuring, but both the adventuring and action scenes are very well done. The whole time you are left wondering if Gennadara and Dan will make it in time to save their mother and this really propels the story forward making it hard to put down. You never know what fantastical creature will appear around which corner or what a character will do next. Lisle also adds a thread of humor into both Gennadara's and the Cat's personality that keeps the story from taking itself too seriously.
The best thing about this book is that it reminds me a lot of a good old classic fairy tale or folktale, with a bit more added. At first the story seems contained, but then it is broadened to deal with all of humanity. I just really, really, enjoyed it and couldn't find a single thing about it I didn't like. My biggest complaint is that now I want to read the next book in the series RIGHT NOW! It was a great book, suited for younger children as well as young adults and adults.
Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com
Due to an agreement between the humans and Nightlings, the two are never to meet. But when Genna and her younger brother, Dan, venture outside at night, when everyone is supposed to be safe inside, to get a special sap to save their mother, things begin to change. They are told by a Nightling slave the truth of what is really happening between the Nightlings and humans. The leader of the human village, Genna and Dan's "uncle," has made a deal with the Nightling king that will result in his own immortality but the downfall of every other human.
Genna and Dan must strike their own deal with the Nightling king and set out on their own journey to not only save themselves and their family but everyone in their village -- as well as the Nightlings.
Filled with adventure and striking prose, THE RUBY KEY is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while. The characters, even the non-human ones, were realistic, and every single one of them played an important part in the unfolding plot. The plot itself was unpredictable and filled with twists and turns you never see coming. The ending even keeps you begging for more.
Holly Lisle may be an accomplished adult author, but her name is sure to become a popular one among teen fiction, too.
Due to an agreement between the humans and Nightlings, the two are never to meet. But when Genna and her younger brother, Dan, venture outside at night, when everyone is supposed to be safe inside, to get a special sap to save their mother, things begin to change. They are told by a Nightling slave the truth of what is really happening between the Nightlings and humans. The leader of the human village, Genna and Dan's "uncle," has made a deal with the Nightling king that will result in his own immortality but the downfall of every other human.
Genna and Dan must strike their own deal with the Nightling king and set out on their own journey to not only save themselves and their family but everyone in their village -- as well as the Nightlings.
Filled with adventure and striking prose, THE RUBY KEY is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while. The characters, even the non-human ones, were realistic, and every single one of them played an important part in the unfolding plot. The plot itself was unpredictable and filled with twists and turns you never see coming. The ending even keeps you begging for more.
Holly Lisle may be an accomplished adult author, but her name is sure to become a popular one among teen fiction, too.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Though the reading level is listed as 9 - 12 on PBS and the main characters are young teens (I think), the plot twists and the gradual revealing of hidden truths kept my interest. The main quester and her companions are very realistic. They don't spontaneously do the right thing. They make mistakes and have weaknesses. There are two main races, who have sworn not to interact beyond certain set rituals, to prevent another war. Humans go out in the day, and the nightlings at night. The village of humans and the nearby city of nightlings are both led by unsavory characters who have made an evil bargain, and the quest is to find the key to bring them down. Now I want to read the next book!
