Keys and Needles

Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the author for a honest review. I have also purchased this book via amazon.

Magic is seeping back into our world, via a portal. Humans gifted with magical powers are rounded up and put into controlled areas. Seventeen year old Tania is among them. Along with her friend, Logan, a not-so-human companion, she learns to survive in this new world. She has prophetic dreams, of a white woman stealing children from her world. Thus begins the tale of Keys and Needles.

What I liked: Michelle has made an extensive world for her characters to play in. Her magic has sound principles and I love how they work. What felt like a created world of her own, turned into a blend of faerie tales and Nordic mysticism. Very intriguing and left me wanting to know more. The story has a nice resolution (with a good twist to bring us into book two.

What I didn't like: The first part of the book is set firmly in a human-centric world. We learn more about Tania's ability to survive with her mark and how she is treated by normal people. Once we go beyond the portal, into the faerie realm, things move very fast. I would have liked to spend more time in this realm, instead of the massive build up in the real world.

Bottom Line: if you like books with creative magical systems and an in-depth world to play in, then you'll love Keys and Needles.