It’s not often a first book does well. I can speak from experience; Elisabeth has, too. It’s all the more difficult when the writer is young—even the most talented kid probably hasn’t had time to truly hone their craft. But for all that, The Key of Amatahns is a fantastic first work, for all its freckles. More than that, it has all the beauty of a young dream. It reminded me of the first few dozen times I put pen to paper to tell a new story; somehow, as I turned the pages and listened to the Broken Enchantments companion audio, it felt fresh in the truest sense. I never knew what might be around any corner, and it was invigorating. And I ADORED the Mazag! Even with experienced masters, most high fantasy writers seem to stick to the standard three or four “human with one odd trait” inhuman peoples; seeing a race so clearly original and far from human as the Mazag was deeply refreshing. The accompanying mythology about them was equally new and welcome. Of course, no first work is flawless; one might get tired of Lucan’s constant evasion of consequences. But, judging by all her subsequent work, it’s an element she has masterfully ironed out.
All in all, whether through the ebook here or the Broken Enchantments recording, The Key of Amatahns is a wonderfully charming first work; one that deserves much more love, and one I highly recommend.
