Review: Unlocking the mysteries of early civilizations??? Do I care?
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 18, 2011
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for doing a review.  Unfortunately, the review will not be very glowing.  This is a hunt for ancient treasures - the granite key being a stone with etchings that is supposed to unlock the mysteries to finding some major artifacts having to do with the truth about the early civilizations of the world before the "warlords" took over and rewrote history.  Odd - but OK - hunting for artifacts is a plot device that has often been used.  Traveling around the world and discussing some of these archeological sites can be interesting.The plot line is OK.  It has the potential for more interest than it actually generates.  There is the early murder, which adds the mystery, and then the two forces both looking for the mystery of the key.  One side is the Arkana, having existed for centuries and hiding artifacts that prove their theory of the "true" beginnings of civilization.  The other side is a religious cult, deeply secretive, with a leader of questionable moral integrity.  I had to stretch my believability a little for both sides, but this is a work of fiction, after all.  And, we do need the good and the evil.The characters were the weakest link.  Some of them have potential, but none seem to develop beyond the one-sided.  Maybe more will happen in the rest of series.  One can only hope.  Cassie, the main character, is particularly irritating.  I had to keep telling myself she was just being "funny" when she said some of the dumbest things I have ever read.  And she is supposed to have the powers that will allow the Arkana to prevail?  Give me a break.  Almost all of the characters were more like caricatures than real, but at least some of them were likable.  I believe this is supposed to be a young adult fiction, and it might be more appealing to that group.This is the first book in the series, and I will not bother with the follow up books.  Well, maybe I would read the next one if I got a free copy - maybe not.  I read 60 or 70 books a year, and I won't hold my breath waiting for the next installment.