LitPick Review
Light Locked by A.K. Chandler tells the adventures of a Veilin princess as she tries to destroy a cursed Medallion which could end the whole of humanity. Clea, who is a Veilin and the last princess of Loda, was escaping Shambelin with the Deadlock Medallion, which she had stolen, hanging on her neck. She wandered in the forest seeking directions back to her city. Her mission was to get the Medallion destroyed, since it posed a great threat to the existence of humanity. The journey back to the city of Loda is very dangerous, and thus she would require the help of a man named Ryson, a Kaletik. With Ryson by her side, the two would have to overcome dangers and death threats, and most of all, develop trust for one another.
Opinion:
Light Locked is a thrilling fantasy adventure book. In the story, the author made use of mythical places such as the city of Loda, the city of Virday, and also unique characters who possess the ability or power to bless or curse an enemy during a fight. Also in the story, the protagonist embarks on a dangerous journey which could be considered a heroic one since accomplishing her mission could mean saving lives. In the plot, there were fast-paced actions and witty and engaging conversations, though at some points the dialogue was sharp and snappy due to Ryson's hate for conversation between him and Clea. He prefers a silent travel, but not Clea.
The author's dynamic and vivid descriptions of actions, character movements such as walking pace, the atmosphere of the places used in the book like the dark forest of the Soul of Shambelin, and sensory details like the sounds and sight of the characters created vibrant imagery. This style of writing made the book a gripping one that would keep a reader hooked.
The locations used in the book were like places such as Virday, the city where Clea was running away from, and it was also the same place she met Ryson who accompanied her through the forest. Another place is the City of Loda, Clea's city. It was the city where she was sure the Medallion could be destroyed since the inhabitants possess great power. It was more like a civilized city compared to Virday with developed technology such as the camera used to take the photograph seen by Ryson. The author's portrayal of these places was very vivid. I felt as though I was walking alongside the protagonist as she navigated the ancient city of Virday and the dangers that hid behind the towering trees in the forest. I could not help but immerse myself in the story as I let my imagination take full control.
The characters begin with Clea, a Lodain princess and a brave one at that. Her bravery could be seen in the way it shone through her willingness and desire to save Althala, a Lodain woman she met alongside the other women and children that were with her, even though she was stopped by Ryson. Clea's mission is to save people from the destructive power of the Deadlock Medallion. Since venturing into Shambelin was deadly, she required the help of Ryson. Ryson is another character used in the book. He is more like a warrior, and he is to travel with Clea back to her city by guiding and giving her directions. His behavior might seem very harsh and wicked, but he is a very likeable character and his small acts of care, like giving Clea his cloak when she was cold, felt nice. They are realistic characters and sometimes funny too. While reading, I could feel their mutual relationship develop into something romantic and trust me, it felt very heartwarming.
The book is everything a fantasy adventure book with a pinch of romance should be, and I would like to recommend this book to anyone interested in these genres.