About Me

The story behind A Book A Week, and the reader behind the reviews.

It started with a New Year's resolution:
1 book a week, 52 books in a year.
I kept reading, and it grew into something much more.

Back in 2011, I was an avid reader who had somehow lost my way with reading. Between working and being a full-time student, reading for pleasure had slowly fallen by the wayside.

I wanted to change that. So I gave myself a New Year's resolution to read one book every week for a year. I started A Book A Week on January 1, 2012 as a way to hold myself accountable and share what I was reading along the way.

I didn't quite reach my goal that first year, but I kept reading. I kept reviewing. And all these years later, I'm still here, looking forward to whatever book comes next. Some years I crush my goals, some years I don't, but my love for a good book has never wavered.

Line drawing portrait of Ethan

Hi, I'm Ethan

Reader. Blogger.
Book lover.

I'm a lifelong reader with a particular soft spot for mysteries and thrillers. I've always loved the genre, and I credit those stories—the twists, suspense, and need to know what happens next—with keeping me a reader as an adult. My reading has taken me in all kinds of directions since then, but I'll always come back to a good mystery.

I love creepy horror novels. A fascinating work of nonfiction can completely pull me in, too. And I've found plenty of favorites in science fiction, literary fiction, romance, and other genres I might never have picked up when I first started the blog. That's part of the fun. I never quite know what kind of story is going to grab me next.

When I'm not reading or writing reviews, you'll usually find me at home with my husband and our pets. I'm a classically trained musician and composer, an enthusiastic home cook, and a backyard gardener. There's usually a trip to look forward to or some new project that has caught my interest, too.

At the end of the day, I just really love books. There's nothing quite like discovering a story I can't put down or finding an author I can't wait to read again. Even when a book doesn't quite work for me, I still enjoy thinking about why and putting those thoughts into words. That's what keeps me reading, reviewing, and sharing it all here on A Book A Week.

Loose hand-drawn fountain pen illustration

Review Disclaimer

Honest reviews, always.

Some of the books I review are ones I've purchased myself. Others are provided by publishers or authors in exchange for an honest review. Either way, what I write here is always what I really think.

Not every book is going to work for every reader, and that's part of the fun of talking about books. I'll tell you what worked for me, what didn't, and hopefully give you enough to decide whether a book might be right for you.

Good, bad, or somewhere in between, you'll always get my honest take.

Contact

Have a question about the blog, a book you think I should read, or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you.

Drop me a note using the form below.

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I'm always happy to hear from readers, publishers, authors, and fellow book lovers.

Review Copies

I'm always open to considering books for review. I read across a pretty wide range of genres, though mysteries and thrillers tend to be particular favorites. If you'd like me to consider a book, send along a little information about it and why you think it might be a good fit for A Book A Week.

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Review requests, interviews, features, or something else you have in mind? Send me a note. I'm always happy to hear about new books and opportunities that might be a good fit for the blog.

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Book Review

The Key by Simon Toyne

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Book A Week
Review / archive
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.

For more information, visit the author's website,
http://www.simontoyne.net/, Amazon http://www.amazon.com/review/R3P028OQH22W4M/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
and http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13092142-the-key.

(week 25, book 28)
Posted by Ethan EmailComments

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12 Comments

Comments

  1. sherriJune 19, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    I read the review on Amazon and clicked on the yes button that it was helpful. My e-mail address is sherriwhitern(at)gmail(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carl ScottJune 19, 2012 at 4:09 PM

    Hi Ethan, I read your review and marked it as helpful. I was #3.
    carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jonathan WilhoitJune 19, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Sounds like a great read, Ethan. Thanks for reviewing it. I would sign up for the giveaway, but I'm so backed up on books right now, it's really not fair. I'll keep to the sidelines this time and leave this one up to the folks who need the reading material. ;)

    Jonathan @ www.ireadabookonce.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. KHAIRU DHANANIJune 22, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    I liked the review. and completed the above step.

    parwaizriaz@gmail.com

    But m in Canada, Ethan ... too bad , lets c ..

    Thanks , bye :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. KayeDeanJune 24, 2012 at 3:55 AM

    Great review. Now I will have to read #'s 1 and 2 in the trilogy.
    sandym204@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. 365_books_a_yearJune 25, 2012 at 9:31 AM

    I did the Amazon thing. My email is 365booksayear(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownJune 26, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    read the review, and would love to read the book!
    kelly goss
    twonamechick@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Linda TrinkleinJune 28, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    "YeS" the review was helpful :)
    lzamudio02 @ hotmail .com

    thank-you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Between the BindJune 28, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    Hey John!

    New follower here. :) Saw your over on Book Blogs and am glad that I did. I like the varied genre's you seem to review. Refreshing! If you'd like, head on over to my blog: http://betweenthebind.blogspot.com and check out my crazy! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 3, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    I said yes the review was helpful. allisonmoyer (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  11. JulieJuly 3, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    Yes the review was helpful wandam967@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. EthanJuly 4, 2012 at 8:32 AM

    Congratulations to Sherri! She will receive a copy of The Key by Simon Toyne. Thanks to the publisher for making this giveaway available, and thanks to all who entered. Be sure to check this site for future giveaway opportunities.

    ReplyDelete

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