World Famous Comics: Key to Aten (First Chronicle of Aten) (First Chronicles of Aten)
Key to Aten (First Chronicle of Aten) (First Chronicles of Aten)
By: Lynn Sinclair Publisher: Brown Barn Books Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Brown Barn Books Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 179 Publication Date: May 30, 2005 Reading Level: Young Adult
A fantasy full of deceit Reviewed by Ian McCurley, age 13, for Reader Views (1/07)
Jodi is 16 years old and hasn't talked to her friend Neil much in the past three years. One day, when she's walking through the forest, she comes upon him sleeping on the side of a path. When she touches his arm to wake him up, she is sucked through the earth and finds herself on a hilltop with Neil. They are captured by the Hachi, basketball-sized spiders which eat their victims alive. Jodi and Neil are rescued by Arax and his nephew, Caden, who are the leaders of one of the many tribes of Aten. While at first they seem friendly, Jodi and Neil find that they are to be sold as slaves in the town of Holo. When Jodi and Caden are separated from Neil, Arax and the rest of the tribe, she learns that Caden is not the monster she once thought he was, and that he had the ability to control people with his voice. She also realizes that she is falling in love with him. They wind up in the forest of the Awes where they meet up with Aladar who steals Jodi and threatens to marry her off to his cook. However, this is just an elaborate prank, and she is taken to Holo anyway. The major spots her immediately as an outsider, attempts to kidnap her and fails. Jodi is just about to be sold when Neil awakens. They are both back on the side of the path in the forest. Several days later, she finds Neil at the same spot again, and they are transported back to Aten. This time, they find themselves at the side of an old, cracked highway. Since on Aten they normally fight with swords and bows and ride horses down dirt roads, what was a highway doing in Aten? As Jodi meets up with Caden's tribe once more, the question is asked, "Is Aten just a dream world, or is it something more?"
"Key to Aten" is for kids age 11 and up who enjoy science-fiction and fantasy. The author's point is that not all is as it seems because in "Key to Aten," Jodi's allies become her enemies just as her foes become her friends. Even the world of Aten itself is not what it first seemed.
Lynn Sinclair outdoes herself in the book "Key to Aten" which is a story full of harsh environments and lovable characters. Watch out for the second chronicle of Aten, "Return to Aten."
Fairly good Parts of the story are predictable, and in parts the characters' motivations aren't necessarily clear. And there are characters who don't so much show us their personalities as tell them to us (or someone else tells the heroine what another person's personality is like). There's a "but" coming, and here it is: But there are flashes of enormous fun and thrilling originality--another reviewer mentioned the sentient, playful(?) maze--and there is mystery, and there are people who are not what they seem, and the plot will keep the reader guessing. The book has too much "telling" and not enough "showing," but a more disappointing aspect is that the author quickly abandons the question of whether Aten is real or not, except for a few offhand comments. I was intrigued by how the two people from "our" world would explore the question of reality versus dream, whether the one person believed the other was even there at all, whether they thought they had hooked into each other's dreams because of a psychic bond from a long-lost friendship, how much one should question whether one can fall in love with a dream.... Oh, maybe I just wanted it to be a different book instead of flowing like the light, brisk romance it is. I rate this book "average," but I'm glad I read it. Good for readers looking for a brief foray into a dream and a romance (with a hint of mystery and danger).
Must read for romance and fantasy lovers Key to Aten is a wonderfully entertaining book that takes the reader to a far off world filled with mystery, intrigue, romance and fantasy. It is a place in which the imagined becomes real and the real becomes ever so dangerous for a lost teenaged girl. Forests that grow or diminish at the command of a powerful, handsome leader, unavoidable flying mazes, prisons and slave auctions all contribute seamlessly to this fast paced novel richly spiced with a blossoming romance. Key to Aten is a great read, leaving this reader anxiously awaiting the second book of the series.
For Fantasy lovers everywhere I very much enjoyed this book. The bond between Jodi and Neil was extraordinary. I was overjoyed to see a lot of great topics in this book; it had romance, friendship and fighting all at once. The way the author put every sentence, every word was amazing. It is a wonderful fantasy for ages 12 and up. Even those who don't usually read fantasy, will not be able to put this book down.
Wonderful! In KEY TO ATEN, the reader travels with sixteen-year-old Jodi Greer to a mystical and frightening world, a world where she holds the key to its future-a world where she alone faces a decision that will determine her own future and safety. Jodi's journey to Aten is filled with twists and turns throughout, magical places, fascinating characters, and a story that keeps the pages turning.
Ms. Sinclair has a way with description that not only sets the stage-it takes you there! I'm looking forward to seeing the next book of the series on the shelves.
Absolutely wonderful! A must read for both teens and adults who love well-written stories filled with friendship, romance, suspense, adventure, and mystical, yet terrifying worlds
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
