Review: Sky Key, by James Frey

⬂↘⬊ Initial Thoughts ⬋↙⬃

       Another week brings another review, and I’m so excited to be sharing the second Endgame book with you! (If you want to read my review for The Calling, click here.) I read The Calling over a year ago, and it took me forever to get copies of books two and three to read next. Once I did order the next books, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to jump back into the world because it had been so long since I’d read the first book... So, me being my glorious self, I put off reading the next book even longer. #Genius. However, after

​looking for summaries and finding nothing as comprehensive as I needed, I took the plunge. The great thing is that it worked out wonderfully. The author did a great job of quickly summing up the first book and continuing the story. Sometimes I feel like authors can go a little overboard with the recaps, but James Frey found a great balance where he reminded the reader of the essential events and left out everything else. 

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⬂↘⬊ Action Action Action ⬋↙⬃

       One thing I did forget about this series was how eloquently the fight scenes are written. When I’m reading them, even though I don’t have any fighting experience, I can always picture everything that happens in the scene. Not only do they jump off the page, but these sequences also flow well. That is SO important to this book because the plot relies so heavily on action. The writing is what makes this book special for me.

⬂↘⬊ Different Players ⬋↙⬃

      Split perspectives is another writing device that can make or break a novel. While the author wrote the book in 3rd person, he still takes on a different voice for each player’s section of the story. Frey’s skill shines in the chapters where most or all of the remaining players are together. He switches voices between paragraphs which would be confusing from any other author. I always know on which character I’m focused, even if the passage does not directly state whose viewpoint is being used. I’ve never read a book where the author has that level of skill when it comes to voice, and it continues to blow me away.

⬂↘⬊ My Girl Sarah ⬋↙⬃

       I have said it over and over, but I think one of the most important things a book has to have is a main character who is relatable. For me, I have related to Sarah from the beginning of the series. She is a recent high school grad from the Midwest who was very involved and at the top of her class. I’ve never read about a character who was just like me, and it’s easy to experience Endgame from her perspective. I can’t wait to see how Sarah and the other players’ stories end.

⬂↘⬊ Overall ⬋↙⬃

       I loved being able to get back to Endgame, and I’m excited to Play on here soon.

The Bookish Player of the 322nd line,
Ashton

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       The sequel to the New York Times bestseller and international multimedia phenomenon, Endgame: The Calling.
       Endgame is here. Earth Key has been found. Two keys—and nine Players—remain. The keys must be found, and only one Player can win.
       Queens, New York. Aisling Kopp believes the unthinkable: that Endgame can be stopped. But before she can get home to regroup, she is approached by the CIA. They know about Endgame. And they have their own ideas about how it should be Played. Ideas that could change everything.
       Kingdom of Aksum, Ethiopia. Hilal ibn Isa al-Salt narrowly survived an attack that leaves him horribly disfigured. He now knows something the other Players 

do not. But the Aksumites have a secret that is unique to their line. A secret that can help redeem humanity—and maybe even be used to help defeat the beings behind Endgame.
       London, England. Sarah Alopay has found the first key. She is with Jago—and they are winning.But getting Earth Key has come at a great cost to Sarah. The only thing that keeps the demons at bay is Playing. Playing to win.
       Sky Key—wherever it is, whatever it is—is next. And the nine remaining Players will stop at nothing to get it.

⬂↘⬊ Discuss ⬋↙⬃

What’s your favorite action-based series?
​How do you predict Endgame ends?