| Genre | Gay / Fantasy / Psychic Powers / High Fantasy / Magic / Mythological Creatures / Shifters / Wizards, Witches, and Mages / Young Adult / Romance / Action/Adventure |
| Reviewed by | Lena Grey on 06-October-2016 |
On his way to meet a fate he'd rather avoid, homeless gay teen Lucky steps through a wizard's door and is caught up in a whirlwind quest and an ancient war. He tries to convince himself that his involvement with sword fights, magic, and interworld travel is a fluke, and that ice-breathing dragons and fire-breathing eagles don't really exist. But with each passing hour, he remembers more about who he is and where he's from, and with help, he begins to claim his power.
Lucky might someday rule a nation, but before he can do that, he must remember his true name, accept his destiny, and master his extraordinary abilities. Only then can he help to banish the evil that has invaded earth and find his way home—through a gateway to another world.
First Edition published as Beyond the Wizard's Threshold by Marion Margaret Press, November 2010
Lucky, from 'Key of Behliseth' by Lou Hoffman, like many teens his age just wants to be normal, to have a loving family, and a safe place to call home. As it is, he's a fifteen-year-old with no family, no home, and no memory of his childhood. Lucky doesn't feel so lucky at all. The one thing he has is a friend called Hank, who takes care of him for three years. When Hank is murdered, again, Lucky has no one. Being the resilient young man that he is, Lucky doesn't give up. He finds a way to survive and continues to hope that things will get better.
Lucky's dream of having a “normal” life evaporates when he meets an elderly man named Thurlock, who turns out to be a wizard. When Thurlock steals Lucky's key, his only keepsake from his childhood, Lucky is incensed and goes straight to Thurlock's to retrieve it. Once Lucky is there, Thurlock and his warrior, Han, begin to tell Lucky an incredible tale about another life in an alternate world called Ethra where he has an important status. Lucky doesn't want to believe him, but as Thurlock continues, it jogs Lucky's memory and he begins to dream of times from his childhood. Also, Thurlock knows his real name is Luccan. Thurlock doesn't want to tell him everything because Lucky needs to recall memories himself in order to get back to Ethra. Thurlock wants Lucky close because Isa, the evil witch who banished him, is now searching for him. Isa wants to take Lucky back to Ethra and manipulate him into using his powers for the dark side. Isa wants Lucky for the magic he possesses even though, at this point, Lucky is not aware of how powerful he is. Thurlock is bound and determined that Isa will never get Lucky and is ready and willing to die trying to keep him safe.
When it's clear that they are running out of time, Thurlock and Lucky go through the portal to Ethra. Lucky knows he's not in Kansas anymore when he encounters magic, witches, wizards, shape shifters, sorcerers, and other odd creatures. When Lucky is captured by Isa, Han, and his odd assortment of friends try their best to defend him but, as valiantly as they try to help, there are simply too many bad guys. When Thurlock arrives they are relieved, but still haven't found a way to help Lucky. Thurlock heads to the room where Isa is holding Lucky and a fierce battle occurs that includes an unexpected ally. Isa is determined to keep Lucky and fights with everything she has. Thurlock still has some tricks up his sleeve, but whether or not it will be enough to save Lucky remains to be seen.
One of the best parts of this book is Lou's captivating writing style. The world building is amazing as well as the characters. In some books, the details can get too heavy, but not in this one. I was compelled to read every word and envision places, people, and events in vivid color. I can easily imagine this as a movie. The story is dark in some places, but Lou balances the negativity with the humor and unique personalities of her characters. I liked that although Lucky has prestige, power he's not even sure about, ingenuity, and wisdom past his years – he is also stubborn, rash, impulsive, and insecure just like most fifteen-year-old boys tend to be. I found it endearing. Lucky has a huge task ahead of him. Not only does he have to work his way through all of the “ordinary” trials and tribulations of being a teenager, he also has to fight for his life because of the role he plays in Ethra's society. There's a theme of hope, endurance, and second chances that touched my heart and added a quality of brightness to the book. If you like fantasy, alternate worlds, witches, wizards, shape shifters, and other magical things, you may enjoy this story. Thank you, Lou, for an amazing romp through an incredible world.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by the author for the purpose of a review.
| Format | ebook and print |
| Length | Novel, 296 pages/102274 words |
| Heat Level | |
| Publication Date | 11-September-2014 |
| Price | $6.99 ebook, $16.99 paperback, $16.99 bundle |
| Buy Link | https://www.harmonyinkpress.com/books/key-of-behliseth-by-lou-hoffmann-103-b |
