Review: The Seven - The Key of Credence by Veronica Mist

Book Description via Goodreads:

Paperback, 262 pages

October 7, 2011, Isshin Dream Publishing

First of five books. The Key of Credence tells us about Ryan and her friends and how their simple curiosity brought forth a multitude of problems to them. This book lets the readers experience an entirely new and different world—one that involves the Heavens and the Helles, and most of all—it shows how the humans themselves and how the innate goodness of their souls can create a huge difference on just about everything.

Source: Veronica Mist (Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

Mist offered a story that has a little bit of everything, adventure, horror, paranormal and friendship. First of all, I would like to say that this is the first time that I’ve read a YA novel by a Filipina author and I can really see the Philippine influence in her work.

Ryan is too old to be considered a kid but too young to be considered a teen. I picture her as a 12 year old girl, nearing 13, in my mind. With fair skin, a blaze inside her that makes everything she does and says intense, protectiveness for her family and friends and a curiosity that is present in all of us, she gave readers an interesting heroine. She was interested in the paranormal – 6^th sense, ghosts and the unexplained. So it wasn’t surprising that she would come up with a slightly crazy idea – to go to the middle of the woods at midnight with her friends and attempt to open their third eyes (mostly known as the sight needed so they can see ghosts.)

That little incident, of course, started the disaster and the adventure of Ryan and her friends. Now, they could see spirits and demons and other unidentified beings. Shocked and half-sane, the girls experienced a real terror that troubled their young minds. I love these girls. They were so different from one another, each one of them having a different ‘fire’ inside them. Dan is eccentric but beautiful. Ryan is hot-headed and passionate. Sam is smart and confident. Rei is peaceful, the usual peacemaker of the group.

Intero Regnum, the world in between the mortal world and Heaven/Hell, is the ideal place for fantasy lovers to go. Filled with all kinds of spirits from all the mythologies you’ve ever read about, including gnomes, beautiful elves, mushroom-like people and Nephilim, this place amazed me. It reminded me of Lord of the Rings, just with a youthful twist.

As Ryan dove deeper into the supernatural world, she met vibrant and intriguing characters – angels, demons, Nephilim, button people, shapeshifters, and more. Did I mention that said Nephilim guys are hot? To claim what was rightfully hers, to fulfill her destiny, she went on a journey that is dangerous, thrilling and surprising. As a kid, I found a thread of maturity in her that solidified as she shouldered a burden and a responsibility so heavy for someone her age. That’s something you have to find out in the novel. :)

The Seven – The Key of Credence is an exotic mix of various mythologies and cultures. It has a strong adventure vibe and a fantastic fantasy setting with a startling horror element. I highly recommend this to fantasy, mythology and paranormal readers!

Rating:

For interested Filipino bloggers, we’re going to be touring a finished copy of this book soon. You can still sign-up for the book tour! We need one more blogger.

Check out the trailer: