The Eternity Gate by Katherine Briggs
YA Fantasy. 368 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
Destroy the key. Save her people and herself.
The Eternity Gate is found, and kings and monsters battle over its legends of treasure. But rumors whisper that someone stole the gate’s ancient key.
Seyo, handmaiden to the princess, keeps three secrets. First, she’s gifted in fire, not light, and may as well be cursed. Second, she translates a prophecy warning that the gate does not offer treasure but judgment. Third, Jorai, the scorned prince and Seyo’s confidant, entrusts her with the key and disappears.
Surrounded by war, Seyo and her companions embark on a journey to seek help from a faraway empire and find Jorai, unaware of the trap awaiting them. But what should Seyo do with the key? Who can survive judgment, especially someone as flawed as her? Will hiding the key—or destroying it—save her people or ensure their defeat?
My Review:
This is a contender for favorite read of 2024. Man on man, did I enjoy this one!
But first, the obligatory OOOH AHHH at the gorgeous cover! I love the streams of light!! And the colors are just so warm and inviting. Also, the keeeeyyy! So cool.
Okay, back to our regularly scheduled programing: the book review. As a storyteller and writer myself, I have spent years (no joke, almost a decade at this point) studying the art and craft of story. I have analyzed the pie out of some stories–books, songs, and movies alike–and researched and fiddled with many structures. I’m a nerd. What can I say? And in all my studying, I’ve learned a thing or two–who knew?!
Though I do still greatly enjoy stories (classic, beloved ones, hidden gems, and a few of the newer ones too), it can be a little hard sometimes to simply enjoy a story. To not automatically break it down, call the twists and turns (especially in movies man; it’s way too easy), and flip my analytical brain on. But Eternity Gate was a pure delight because it truly and genuinely surprised me. The plot took so many twists and turns and Briggs just continually pulled out something completely unexpected.
I found myself completely unsure of where in the world we would go next and delighted by the vast array of the plot threads, places, and cultures we encountered. This story allowed me to relax into the story (by which I mean, couldn’t put it down XD) without any hint of the analytical dissecting. I could turn that part of my brain off and just take joy in the story, and that was such a treat.
The characters were fun (boy, those names were hard though!) and the world was so intriguing, too. The magic system is what drew me in in the first place and ultimately pushed me to actually read the thing. I’m a sucker for some elemental magic! And the themes are delicate, but strong, ringing with truth and beauty. The depth of the faith of Seyo and her people really touched my heart. I think we need more stories like this, stories that point unabashedly to the hope and light we have in our Creator, stories that spur in us a yearning, desire, and motivation to praise and worship!
I quite unintentionally binge read this one in just a few days. And I am simply thrilled the sequel is coming out next month!! I need more of these people and places and this magic that seeps inside your soul. Oh, and the depth of their faith!
Content: no foul language, and I don’t remember much in the way of romance (there may have been some mild stuff, but it’s been a few months since I read it). There is definitely some fantasy violence and the story deals quite a bit with dark and light, so there is enslavement, contrast between noble and ignoble behavior, and war in the lands. But the story brims with hope and truth, too. I’d feel fine giving the story to 15/16+
More
Book 1 of the Threshold Duology is The Eternity Gate (5 Stars)
Book 2 is The Immortal Abyss
Check out more details on GR and stay tuned for thoughts on the conclusion!