My favorite book is called Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands. It is a mystery novel and involves magic, alchemy, and frequent explosions.
Blackthorn Key is set in London, in 1665. It is about a young apprentice apothecary and his loyal (but slightly less enthusiastic) friend, the son of a local baker. As the tale unwinds, a mysterious band of killers and their accomplices move throughout London seeking a mysterious substance called the Archangel’s Fire. It is up to the two teenage apprentices to figure out who the killers are, who they are after, and how to stop them before London is destroyed.
Blackthorn Key has plenty of humor, action, and well-placed plot twists that will have you begging for more well after you finish the book. One of my favorite things about it is that there are codes and mysteries so well-explained that the entire series perfectly aligns with every clue. Everything was thought out and planned for, even the tiniest detail wasn’t left out. It’s incredible to see Kevin Sands’ mind at work.
Each of the five books in the series has a different story to them; one about the plagues in London, another about the French Royals, and the backstory of the Knights Templar. Each of them are so unique, so different from the rest, and fit so well with the plot that after your first taste of these books, you will reread them for years to come.
My favorite part of the first book is when the main character, Christopher Rowe, tricks the villain into exploding the Archangel’s Fire (modern-day Nitroglycerin) and destroying everything he had worked for in a matter of seconds. My second favorite part is the first line of the book, where Christopher says to his friend, ‘Let’s build a cannon.’ After you start this book, you will be hooked on the rest of the series!
The only thing I’d say isn’t great in the book is that it can get a bit too descriptive and slightly gross. For example, my least favorite part of the book is when Christopher’s kindly master, Benedict Blackthorn, is murdered by the Cult of the Archangel. I would recommend age 13 and up to read this one just because of the graphic descriptions, although they are brief. I know that if you read it you will love it, and the entire series!
The star rating on Amazon is 4.6 stars. I disagree, I think this book should get 4.9 stars, because of how well it is written and planned out.
If this book was to be made into a movie, it would be PG-13 because of some of the action and creepy scenes.
Read Blackthorn Key or the other books in the series? Tell me what you think!
Stay magical,
