Series: Ruin
Trilogy (#2)
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: June 19, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: June 19, 2012
Summary: Hounded.
Haunted. Hunted. She is the most important person in the world. She is The Key.
In the ancient Turkish city of Ruin, American journalist Liv Adamsen lies in an
isolation ward staring at walls as blank as her memory. She knows she entered
the monumental Citadel at the heart of Ruin but can remember only darkness.
Something strange is stirring within her, whispering that she is 'the key'. But
the key to what? For the Ghost, a mercenary operating in the Syrian Desert, Liv
may unlock one of mankind's most potent secrets. For the brotherhood in the
Citadel -- now cursed by a terrible plague -- her return may secure the
mountain and ensure their survival. And for a powerful faction in Rome, she
threatens the very future of the Catholic Church. Hunted across continents and
caught in the centre of events that defy explanation, Liv turns to the only
person she trusts -- a charity worker named Gabriel Mann. Together their paths
lead to a shocking discovery -- one that will tear them apart and change the
world forever!
Review: In his debut novel, Sanctus, author Simon Toyne thrilled audiences with
his high concept, religious conspiracy thriller. The dazzling story continues
in The Key, the next novel in his planned trilogy. The novel opens days after
the events of the previous book. After her brother's strange death captured the
attention of the world, Liv Adamsen finds herself in a hospital bed, unable to
fully remember the events that brought her there. She can vaguely remember
entering the secretive religious Citadel located in Ruin, but has no clue how she
ended up in the hospital. Even worse, she is hearing whispers that claim she is
'the key'.
Unbeknownst to Liv, a web of
conspiracy is coming to fruition within the confines of the Catholic Church.
The mysterious inhabitants of the Citadel, known as the Sancti, were meant to
protect an ancient sacrament. When the sacrament was released, all leaders of
the group were killed, leaving the compound without a clear direction and
threatening the future of the entire church. Even more, a plague has set in, killing
the Sancti one by one. Leaders of the Vatican believe that Liv holds the key to
the sacrament, and will stop at nothing to return her to the Citadel. As a cat
and mouse chase ensues, Liv realizes the enormity of the situation. With the
aid of Gabriel Mann, a charity worker who's family has long sought to reveal
the sacrament, Liv must discover the true meaning of 'the key' before her life
and the fate of the entire world comes crashing down.
Despite the complexity of the
plot, Toyne expertly manages all aspects of the story through his streamlined
prose. The novel picks up right where Sanctus left off, allowing the urgency of
the story to permeate the entire novel and the characters to continue to
develop believable relationships and reactions to their situations. Toyne never
lets the enormity of his concept drown out the subtle motivations of his
characters. He seamlessly weaves actions, history, romance, and suspense into a
nonstop thriller that pulses forward to a shocking and extremely satisfying conclusion.
The Key successfully continues the precedent set by Sanctus, and leaves the
reader anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this gripping trilogy.
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