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The Crown of Fane #1
The Last Gatekeeper
Two worlds. One queen determined to rule both. And one teen girl who stands in her way.
Zanzibar MacKenzie knows she’s a freak. She has EHS – electrical hypersensitivity – which leaves her trying to live a Stone Age life in the twenty-first century: no internet, no phone, no point really.
On her seventeenth birthday she discovers the truth: she can’t stand electricity because she’s half-fae, and her mixed-blood makes her the only person on Earth able to control the gates that link the fae and human worlds.
With the help of Thanriel, an angel charged with keeping the worlds in balance, and Cal, an exiled fae, Zan – the girl who can’t flip a light switch – must now learn to control the elemental powers she never knew she had in order to defeat a queen bent on destruction.
Zanzibar MacKenzie knows she’s a freak. She has EHS – electrical hypersensitivity – which leaves her trying to live a Stone Age life in the twenty-first century: no internet, no phone, no point really.
On her seventeenth birthday she discovers the truth: she can’t stand electricity because she’s half-fae, and her mixed-blood makes her the only person on Earth able to control the gates that link the fae and human worlds.
With the help of Thanriel, an angel charged with keeping the worlds in balance, and Cal, an exiled fae, Zan – the girl who can’t flip a light switch – must now learn to control the elemental powers she never knew she had in order to defeat a queen bent on destruction.
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 14, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 20, 2017
Storyline was interesting. But I stopped about 40% in. Zanzibar's insta love was epic. Within the first 30 minutes she was a goner and less than 48 hrs she was in love. That was just beyond unbelievable. It just ruined the story for me. That portion was poorly written. I get it's fiction but it still has to make sense on some level and this was beyond that. I couldn't continue reading.
Maybe I've read too many YA books and the insta love is getting to me but this could have been a better read for me without Zan and Thanriel's instant love on.
Maybe I've read too many YA books and the insta love is getting to me but this could have been a better read for me without Zan and Thanriel's instant love on.
September 2, 2016
To read or not to read: Read. Although the romance brought my rating down quite a bit, The Last Gatekeeper is otherwise a fantastic story and a must read. Without Thanriel and the stupid twist , it would be a 5 star but, unfortunately, the romance is just too strong, resulting in a mere 3 stars.
Full review here
Full review here
July 9, 2015
4.5 stars
Up until the day of her 17th birthday, Zanzibar MacKenzie lead a very sheltered life. She always knew she was different, home schooled, no electrical appliances whatsoever in her life or environment and isolated by her EHS. Just how different, she was about to find out. While spending time with her only friend, Em, who lives nearby, and Em’s boyfriend at the beach, Zan thinks she spots a stranger on the cliff watching them.
Returning to the house, she finds her father slumped in the hallway, her mother is nowhere to be found and the diamond ring she always wears at the bottom of a glass of water. As Zan reaches for the ring she hears her mother’s voice, giving her instructions. Before she can begin to comprehend what’s happening there’s a knock at the door. It was the man from the clifftop. Thanriel, a talvarrine from the planet Talvar. An angel with wings. An alien. Zan’s life is about to change forever as Thanriel explains who he is and why he is there.
Zan is the last of the Gatekeepers, her special powers are needed to save Earth from being destroyed by the Queen of the planet Fane. After much persuasion, her abrasive cousin Cal, another of the fae on earth, agrees to help her.
The Last Gatekeeper is a very imaginative and well constructed young adult fantasy. The alien world of Fane is described in enough detail to give a really good visual image. Zan is an engaging protagonist, quite unlike your average teen, with her electrical hypersensitivity and way of life. Along with the typical teenage issues, she has a great deal more to contend with; getting to grips with her newly discovered powers, her immediate attraction to Thanriel and the impossibly huge responsibility which has been placed on her shoulders. I like Katy Haye’s writing style and the Northumbrian setting. Strong characters, a well paced narrative and a good plot, the never-ending fight between good and evil, make this a very enjoyable read.
Up until the day of her 17th birthday, Zanzibar MacKenzie lead a very sheltered life. She always knew she was different, home schooled, no electrical appliances whatsoever in her life or environment and isolated by her EHS. Just how different, she was about to find out. While spending time with her only friend, Em, who lives nearby, and Em’s boyfriend at the beach, Zan thinks she spots a stranger on the cliff watching them.
Returning to the house, she finds her father slumped in the hallway, her mother is nowhere to be found and the diamond ring she always wears at the bottom of a glass of water. As Zan reaches for the ring she hears her mother’s voice, giving her instructions. Before she can begin to comprehend what’s happening there’s a knock at the door. It was the man from the clifftop. Thanriel, a talvarrine from the planet Talvar. An angel with wings. An alien. Zan’s life is about to change forever as Thanriel explains who he is and why he is there.
Zan is the last of the Gatekeepers, her special powers are needed to save Earth from being destroyed by the Queen of the planet Fane. After much persuasion, her abrasive cousin Cal, another of the fae on earth, agrees to help her.
The Last Gatekeeper is a very imaginative and well constructed young adult fantasy. The alien world of Fane is described in enough detail to give a really good visual image. Zan is an engaging protagonist, quite unlike your average teen, with her electrical hypersensitivity and way of life. Along with the typical teenage issues, she has a great deal more to contend with; getting to grips with her newly discovered powers, her immediate attraction to Thanriel and the impossibly huge responsibility which has been placed on her shoulders. I like Katy Haye’s writing style and the Northumbrian setting. Strong characters, a well paced narrative and a good plot, the never-ending fight between good and evil, make this a very enjoyable read.
August 25, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the author does a great job of setting up the story by sharing with you the crippling decease of EHS that are main character is plagued with and how it separates and makes her unique for her task that is coming. I liked how you slowly discovered this world fane creatures that are needing her to save their world from the slow destruction that is being wrought on them by being connected to Earth. Their a love interest, their sadness and loss and of course their a unique world for you to discover and their more story to be had if you so choose to.
June 27, 2016
Over all, I really enjoyed this book and the creativeness of the story. It didn't take long to get invested in what was going to happen and the book left me wanting to read more of this universe. If you like true fantasy, with a hint of an urban twist I definitely recommend this book!
Full Review: http://www.yafangirlreviews.com/2016/...
Full Review: http://www.yafangirlreviews.com/2016/...
October 3, 2016
Another captivating read from Katy Haye. Big fan.
Check out my full review here: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
Check out my full review here: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...
December 23, 2016
ARC kindly provided by Katy Haye in exchange for an honest review.
Review
Rating Plan
1 star : Strongly did not like the book, writing and plot was bad. Idea of the book was against my liking.
2 star : Didn't like it, didn't find it interesting or gripping. Seemed to drag on to me.
3 star : An average book. Wasn't bad or good. Everything else was well done. Original idea.
4 star : Like a 3 star but has potential to it as a series or the book grew on me as it progressed and certain scenes captured me. I Enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
5 star : I LOVED IT! I stayed up late until 3 am. Author is a genius, characters, plot, idea, development, EVERYTHING was EXCELLENT. Nothing else can possibly be said except that its 5 STAR!
Review
'The Last Gatekeeper' is the first novel in 'The Chronicles of Kane' series and my THIRD charming novel by Katy Haye. Having accidentally read the sequel in the series first, I can most assuredly say that you can read either novel in this series as standalones. However, I really enjoyed this first novel - much more so than the sequel - and would recommend reading the first before the second as it really would make the second novel that much better.
1. I totally shipped Thanriel and Zanzibar. They made for such a good couple and the chemistry between them was absolutely spectacular. Their love story was poignant and heartfelt. It made me tear up and then wish to tear my heart out because I would get so emotionally involved. Just a warning ahead for slightly younger readers: there are some sexy times in here. ;)
2. The author's writing was imaginative and used a great deal of imagery which I appreciated a great deal as a reader. It allowed for the setting to come across beautifully and clearly in my mind's eye.
3. The blurb needs some working on. It didn't capture the plot as well as it should have and it honestly nearly dissuaded me from picking up the novel. The only reason I decided to read it was because I've read Katy Haye's previous works and enjoyed them a great deal.
4. The adventure and battle scenes were written incredibly well! Writing battle scenes is hard work, and not all authors are able to execute these scenes with solidity and umph. Katy Haye was able to write them with elegance and mastery which I loved. The battles scenes didn't bore me or had me wrinkling my nose in distaste (like many novels do). Instead, I was often gripped and reading as fast as my eyes could.
5. The pace was well done! I loved that it moved at a steady pace and with enough speed that there was a flow to the plot, yet not fast enough that there was too much happening. It was yet another thing that had me reading till the last page.
6. I enjoyed the plot twists but I felt like some of them happened too soon and at too young an age for Zanzibar. I can't spoil them for you, but I bet most readers would also agree. There are definite methods for preventing such results and the ignorance of Zanzibar grated in my nerves a little, hence bringing down the rating.
7. Unfortunately there were some parts that had me yawning in boredom and just wishing to finish reading the silly novel. I was left unsatisfied at different points in the novel and that was yet another reason why my rating was brought down. I still can't pinpoint what it was that had me yawning, but I wish that it could be remedied.
Congratulations to Katy Haye on publishing the FIRST novel in 'The Chronicles of Fane' series!
Rating Plan
1 star : Strongly did not like the book, writing and plot was bad. Idea of the book was against my liking.
2 star : Didn't like it, didn't find it interesting or gripping. Seemed to drag on to me.
3 star : An average book. Wasn't bad or good. Everything else was well done. Original idea.
4 star : Like a 3 star but has potential to it as a series or the book grew on me as it progressed and certain scenes captured me. I Enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
5 star : I LOVED IT! I stayed up late until 3 am. Author is a genius, characters, plot, idea, development, EVERYTHING was EXCELLENT. Nothing else can possibly be said except that its 5 STAR!
May 15, 2017
Faerie and angel folklore collide into one immensely satisfying coming of age story. If The Last Gatekeeper were a statue, I’d say it was whittled to perfection: there are no unnecessary descriptions or dragging introspections. The action is steady, the world and magic system consistent and the characters are VERY likeable.
I was not crazy about the INSTALOVE at the beginning, but it played out nicely, and by the end, you are totally rooting for Zan and Thanriel.
My favorite thing about The Last Gatekeeper is the heroine, Zanzibar or Zan. She’s strong, and willful, but also sweet and smart, everything a heroine should be. At the end of the book (and what an ending that was! WOW!), she reminded me of Khaleesi from Game of Thrones.
I was not crazy about the INSTALOVE at the beginning, but it played out nicely, and by the end, you are totally rooting for Zan and Thanriel.
My favorite thing about The Last Gatekeeper is the heroine, Zanzibar or Zan. She’s strong, and willful, but also sweet and smart, everything a heroine should be. At the end of the book (and what an ending that was! WOW!), she reminded me of Khaleesi from Game of Thrones.
May 9, 2017
I highly recommend reading The Last Gatekeeper. It is an awesome story of love, duty, magic and power. Zan is part human and part Fane, what humans call Fae. Thanriel is a Talvarrine, what humans think of as Angels. Together they must work to save the planets of Earth and Fane to restore the natural balance. Fane is out to destroy Earth so they can take it over because their planet is dying. Can Zan and Thanriel save both worlds and each other? You will have to read it to find out.
January 27, 2022
DNF. I got 41 percent of the way through and lost interest. I always seem to lose interest when it comes to training with powers. Thanriel was amusing in that he didn’t know anything about being a human, but everything was just so cryptic. The main character really just had no idea what was going on and didn’t seem to be asking the right questions.
March 15, 2017
Amazing book that leaves you wanting to read more. Absolutely fantastic and a great author as well
September 10, 2016
The Last Gatekeeper by Katy Haye
Read on 8/16 to page 37, on 8/19 to page 68, on 8/21 to page 80, on 8/25 to page 104, on 8/26 to page 114, on 8/30 to The End
"I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review." Today I reviewed the Reading Deals Review Club “rules” once again because I was distraught. The rule is actually “Only provide honest, constructive reviews”. Some folks may not notice the difference. But I do.
My 2 star rating is based on Amazon’s 2 star rating (I didn’t like it), but I won’t argue with Goodread’s 2 star rating (It was ok.) which makes it sound better. I would not recommend this book. There are some interesting concepts with interconnecting fantasy worlds.
I look at the massive number of 4 and 5 star reviews (at several locations) and think to myself. “I wish I read that book.” There’s no need to detail anything at all about the book. Between the blurbs and the reviews it is pretty much covered top to bottom. There’s no question what is going on, or what happens, or by who. I doubt I could write a spoiler not already written. A person may be able to read the blurb and several reviews and never need read the book. I felt similar about White Fang by Jack London, so it may just be one of my personal quirks.
I did not connect with this book on any level. Not with one character, hard as tried, as dearly as I wanted to. I thought the relationships were contrived and melodramatic. The dialog, when written so I could understand it was beyond my ability to suspend disbelief.
I’m sad as I wanted to like this book. I’ve been writing reviews for ages, writing critiques on unpublished manuscripts for decades, and thought this Reading Deals Review Club might afford me some opportunities to be helpful to beginning writers. So I’m going to try despite my rather harsh feelings about this book.
There are formulas for success with fiction that are well known. There are a hundred books on such things. Ms. Haye asserts she’s studied the science of story and this is the only thing I can imagine she means. And like a mechanic putting the right pieces in the right places she did do a rather remarkable job. In fact, my notes to myself remarks, “she hits her plot points like a metronome.”. That is no small compliment. In that sense, this book should have been as wonderful as all the praise it has received. I felt however the writing skill, the craft of writing, some elements of the fundamentals were all lacking.
I committed to finish reading this book and even 3 paragraphs into the book I knew I didn’t want to. I literally have 4000 words of criticism in my notes. Realizing I may never finish this book I dug in and plowed through the last third, ignoring every time some thing or another completely knocked me out of the book, and just kept at it. Doing that I was able to find some enjoyment in the book. By the end I was actually curious about one or two decisions Ms. Haye had her heroine Zan waffle towards.
I’d like to point out I have rated this book higher than “Catcher in the Rye”. While Mr. Salinger writes better, he could have learned a great deal about story from Ms. Haye.
I hope Ms. Haye continues to have wonderful success with these stories of hers and that her ardent fans continue to support her efforts.
View all my Goodreads reviews
My Perspicacious Blog has Book Reviews and other odds and ends.
And The Sagely Fox (Watching, Learning, Thinking)... a place for Book Reviews and other observations.
Read on 8/16 to page 37, on 8/19 to page 68, on 8/21 to page 80, on 8/25 to page 104, on 8/26 to page 114, on 8/30 to The End
"I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review." Today I reviewed the Reading Deals Review Club “rules” once again because I was distraught. The rule is actually “Only provide honest, constructive reviews”. Some folks may not notice the difference. But I do.
My 2 star rating is based on Amazon’s 2 star rating (I didn’t like it), but I won’t argue with Goodread’s 2 star rating (It was ok.) which makes it sound better. I would not recommend this book. There are some interesting concepts with interconnecting fantasy worlds.
I look at the massive number of 4 and 5 star reviews (at several locations) and think to myself. “I wish I read that book.” There’s no need to detail anything at all about the book. Between the blurbs and the reviews it is pretty much covered top to bottom. There’s no question what is going on, or what happens, or by who. I doubt I could write a spoiler not already written. A person may be able to read the blurb and several reviews and never need read the book. I felt similar about White Fang by Jack London, so it may just be one of my personal quirks.
I did not connect with this book on any level. Not with one character, hard as tried, as dearly as I wanted to. I thought the relationships were contrived and melodramatic. The dialog, when written so I could understand it was beyond my ability to suspend disbelief.
I’m sad as I wanted to like this book. I’ve been writing reviews for ages, writing critiques on unpublished manuscripts for decades, and thought this Reading Deals Review Club might afford me some opportunities to be helpful to beginning writers. So I’m going to try despite my rather harsh feelings about this book.
There are formulas for success with fiction that are well known. There are a hundred books on such things. Ms. Haye asserts she’s studied the science of story and this is the only thing I can imagine she means. And like a mechanic putting the right pieces in the right places she did do a rather remarkable job. In fact, my notes to myself remarks, “she hits her plot points like a metronome.”. That is no small compliment. In that sense, this book should have been as wonderful as all the praise it has received. I felt however the writing skill, the craft of writing, some elements of the fundamentals were all lacking.
I committed to finish reading this book and even 3 paragraphs into the book I knew I didn’t want to. I literally have 4000 words of criticism in my notes. Realizing I may never finish this book I dug in and plowed through the last third, ignoring every time some thing or another completely knocked me out of the book, and just kept at it. Doing that I was able to find some enjoyment in the book. By the end I was actually curious about one or two decisions Ms. Haye had her heroine Zan waffle towards.
I’d like to point out I have rated this book higher than “Catcher in the Rye”. While Mr. Salinger writes better, he could have learned a great deal about story from Ms. Haye.
I hope Ms. Haye continues to have wonderful success with these stories of hers and that her ardent fans continue to support her efforts.
View all my Goodreads reviews
My Perspicacious Blog has Book Reviews and other odds and ends.
And The Sagely Fox (Watching, Learning, Thinking)... a place for Book Reviews and other observations.
September 10, 2016
Ho letto molte recensioni positive su questo libro, ma a me non è piaciuto per niente. È decisamente uno dei libri peggiori che io abbia mai letto!
Non era male l'idea di tre mondi collegati da portali e l'autrice poteva sfruttarla molto meglio. Invece ha creato una storia banale e prevedibile. Lo svolgimento è decisamente quello di uno young adult qualsiasi, non se ne discosta per niente ed è decisamente noioso. Abbiamo un'adolescente strana che si sente esclusa, un fatto straordinario che avviene il giorno del suo compleanno e che porta la stessa adolscente banale e con i capelli sporchi di prima ad essere l'unica che può salvare il mondo. Abbiamo il belloccio di turno di cui lei si infatua perdutamente e il compare cattivo ma dal cuore d'oro che la accompagna nella sua avventura e che le fan più hardcore adorano. Abbiamo la cattiva e la lotta per sconfiggerla, la sua morte e il prevedibilissimo finale. Quelli che vengono presentati come colpi di scena sono in realtà fatti che si possono vedere lontano un miglio, non ci sono sorprese di alcun tipo.
Non mi è piaciuta neanche la storia d'amore, se così si può chiamare, tra Zan e Thanriel. Non solo è forzatissima ma rasenta anche il ridicolo. Oltre al fatto che, in un punto molto alla Stephenie Meyer, lui se ne esce dicendo che lei è il suo cioccolato preferito, tutta la storia si svolge nel giro di una manciata di giorni. E per di più, si conoscono sopra il corpo svenuto del padre di lei e si scambiano il primo bacio e promesse di fedeltà dopo che i paramedici lo hanno portato via! Non so se vi potete rendere conto del ridicolo. Si dicono "ti amo" dopo due giorni (li ho contati) e dopo tre vanno a letto insieme, il che risulta, tra l'altro, in un figlio.
I personaggi sono stereotipati e per niente originali. La protagonista, Zanzibar, oltre allo sfortunato nome, ha anche un carattere che vorrebbe somigliare molto a quello di Blue di Raven Boys e a quello di Bella di Twilight, che aveva tanti difetti, sì, ma almeno era caratterizzata. Thanriel è praticamente la fotocopia cartacea di Castiel di Supernatural, con tanto di battute penosamente simili. Cal, un esemplare di stronzo dal cuore d'oro, personaggio di cui di solito finisco per innamorarmi, è invece di una banalità immane che mi ha lasciato senza parole. Vorrebbe somigliare a Draco Malfoy nelle sue frecciatine e nel suo elitismo, ma non ci va neanche vicino.
Se c'era un messaggio nascosto nella trama, mi è sfuggito. Certo, tanto di cappello per aver cercato di inserire il fatto che è importante proteggere l'ambiente, ma aver reso una pazza omicida il veicolo di questo messaggio forse non è stata una mossa vincente. Inoltre è veramente un tema toccato di passaggio e forse non si può neanche definire tale.
Non era male l'idea di tre mondi collegati da portali e l'autrice poteva sfruttarla molto meglio. Invece ha creato una storia banale e prevedibile. Lo svolgimento è decisamente quello di uno young adult qualsiasi, non se ne discosta per niente ed è decisamente noioso. Abbiamo un'adolescente strana che si sente esclusa, un fatto straordinario che avviene il giorno del suo compleanno e che porta la stessa adolscente banale e con i capelli sporchi di prima ad essere l'unica che può salvare il mondo. Abbiamo il belloccio di turno di cui lei si infatua perdutamente e il compare cattivo ma dal cuore d'oro che la accompagna nella sua avventura e che le fan più hardcore adorano. Abbiamo la cattiva e la lotta per sconfiggerla, la sua morte e il prevedibilissimo finale. Quelli che vengono presentati come colpi di scena sono in realtà fatti che si possono vedere lontano un miglio, non ci sono sorprese di alcun tipo.
Non mi è piaciuta neanche la storia d'amore, se così si può chiamare, tra Zan e Thanriel. Non solo è forzatissima ma rasenta anche il ridicolo. Oltre al fatto che, in un punto molto alla Stephenie Meyer, lui se ne esce dicendo che lei è il suo cioccolato preferito, tutta la storia si svolge nel giro di una manciata di giorni. E per di più, si conoscono sopra il corpo svenuto del padre di lei e si scambiano il primo bacio e promesse di fedeltà dopo che i paramedici lo hanno portato via! Non so se vi potete rendere conto del ridicolo. Si dicono "ti amo" dopo due giorni (li ho contati) e dopo tre vanno a letto insieme, il che risulta, tra l'altro, in un figlio.
I personaggi sono stereotipati e per niente originali. La protagonista, Zanzibar, oltre allo sfortunato nome, ha anche un carattere che vorrebbe somigliare molto a quello di Blue di Raven Boys e a quello di Bella di Twilight, che aveva tanti difetti, sì, ma almeno era caratterizzata. Thanriel è praticamente la fotocopia cartacea di Castiel di Supernatural, con tanto di battute penosamente simili. Cal, un esemplare di stronzo dal cuore d'oro, personaggio di cui di solito finisco per innamorarmi, è invece di una banalità immane che mi ha lasciato senza parole. Vorrebbe somigliare a Draco Malfoy nelle sue frecciatine e nel suo elitismo, ma non ci va neanche vicino.
Se c'era un messaggio nascosto nella trama, mi è sfuggito. Certo, tanto di cappello per aver cercato di inserire il fatto che è importante proteggere l'ambiente, ma aver reso una pazza omicida il veicolo di questo messaggio forse non è stata una mossa vincente. Inoltre è veramente un tema toccato di passaggio e forse non si può neanche definire tale.
August 29, 2016
Zanzibar “Zan” MacKenzie comes home one day to find her father asleep and she is unable to wake him. Then she discovers that her mother is missing in action. She is left all alone not knowing what to do with nowhere to turn. She has been home schooled and without any contact with the outside world except for her two best friends Em and Jamie.
After calling for an ambulance there is a knock at the door. Upon opening the door she sees a stranger standing there. She has never seen this guy before in her life well unless you wanted to count earlier today when she was at the beach with Em and Jamie and she saw him in the distance watching her.
She learns that this stranger is Thanriel, a talvarrine from the planet Talvar and he has wings. Through Thanriel she learns that her mother is a fae from the planet Fane. So that would make her half fae half human. Oh and she is also the last gatekeeper and that she has to close the gates.
Zan is like whoa, whoa slow down, you except me to believe all of this? A stranger shows up at her down with all of this weird stuff about other planets and that fairies are real. No way man. But the more he talks the more she starts to actually believe him. He is telling her that the queen from the planet Fane wants to start a war and kill everyone and everything on Earth and then claim it for her own.
Zan must close the gates between Fane and Earth to stop the queen. Zan has a very big decision to make. To close the gates or not to close the gates. What will she do? If she doesn’t close the gates all life on Earth is gone. But there are consequences if she closes the gates and there are consequences if she doesn’t close the gates. Which one can she live with?
The Last Gatekeeper is not the first book by Katy Haye that I have read and it won’t be the last. Katy knows how to write a book that will pull you in and won’t let go until you have turned that last page leaving you wanting more. I have enjoyed following along with Zan, Thanriel, Cal and all the other characters on their journeys and hope to follow them on more of their journeys in the future. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book The Dreamseer to find out more about life on Zane and what Zan and everyone else is up to. If you have not read The Last Gatekeeper then I would like to suggest that you do. The Last Gatekeeper is out of this world.
After calling for an ambulance there is a knock at the door. Upon opening the door she sees a stranger standing there. She has never seen this guy before in her life well unless you wanted to count earlier today when she was at the beach with Em and Jamie and she saw him in the distance watching her.
She learns that this stranger is Thanriel, a talvarrine from the planet Talvar and he has wings. Through Thanriel she learns that her mother is a fae from the planet Fane. So that would make her half fae half human. Oh and she is also the last gatekeeper and that she has to close the gates.
Zan is like whoa, whoa slow down, you except me to believe all of this? A stranger shows up at her down with all of this weird stuff about other planets and that fairies are real. No way man. But the more he talks the more she starts to actually believe him. He is telling her that the queen from the planet Fane wants to start a war and kill everyone and everything on Earth and then claim it for her own.
Zan must close the gates between Fane and Earth to stop the queen. Zan has a very big decision to make. To close the gates or not to close the gates. What will she do? If she doesn’t close the gates all life on Earth is gone. But there are consequences if she closes the gates and there are consequences if she doesn’t close the gates. Which one can she live with?
The Last Gatekeeper is not the first book by Katy Haye that I have read and it won’t be the last. Katy knows how to write a book that will pull you in and won’t let go until you have turned that last page leaving you wanting more. I have enjoyed following along with Zan, Thanriel, Cal and all the other characters on their journeys and hope to follow them on more of their journeys in the future. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book The Dreamseer to find out more about life on Zane and what Zan and everyone else is up to. If you have not read The Last Gatekeeper then I would like to suggest that you do. The Last Gatekeeper is out of this world.
July 12, 2015
This is the first book I have read by Kathy and it will not be my last
This book is a YA
fantasy novel and I really did enjoy it it very fast paced it will keep you on the edge of your seat i loved the end it will keep you on the edge of your seat it soon became a page turner for me it very well written it so easy to read
I loved all the characters they are were very strong and very likeable
Zan the main character she the heroine she had alway felt she was different to others but why ?
I liked zan character she was smart and feisty can she works out why she feel different it takes her by surprise you could to read to see why she got a few problems can she find a way to solve them you will be pull into her character you will be there helping her out
This story just pull you into the plot Zan a Gatekeeper Her task is to close the three gates between the Fane's world and earth.How can she do this ? This story has
it all a lovely love story ,suspense ,fantasy and it packed with action I did find it very dark in places but i enjoy that it hooked me
I liked all the Angels and fairies in the other world Fane what at places i want to go there can Zan help the two warring worlds it the good v the bad i sometimes found Zan very inexperienced and trying to cope with so many challenges in her life she just like most teenagers do i felt she founded her powers hard to cope with her attraction to Thanriel was so lovely to read about I was hooked from the first to the last page i can not wait for the next book what next for them
Please read you will love it it very easy to read a nice introduction to this wonderful services a great first book
This book is a YA
fantasy novel and I really did enjoy it it very fast paced it will keep you on the edge of your seat i loved the end it will keep you on the edge of your seat it soon became a page turner for me it very well written it so easy to read
I loved all the characters they are were very strong and very likeable
Zan the main character she the heroine she had alway felt she was different to others but why ?
I liked zan character she was smart and feisty can she works out why she feel different it takes her by surprise you could to read to see why she got a few problems can she find a way to solve them you will be pull into her character you will be there helping her out
This story just pull you into the plot Zan a Gatekeeper Her task is to close the three gates between the Fane's world and earth.How can she do this ? This story has
it all a lovely love story ,suspense ,fantasy and it packed with action I did find it very dark in places but i enjoy that it hooked me
I liked all the Angels and fairies in the other world Fane what at places i want to go there can Zan help the two warring worlds it the good v the bad i sometimes found Zan very inexperienced and trying to cope with so many challenges in her life she just like most teenagers do i felt she founded her powers hard to cope with her attraction to Thanriel was so lovely to read about I was hooked from the first to the last page i can not wait for the next book what next for them
Please read you will love it it very easy to read a nice introduction to this wonderful services a great first book
July 7, 2015
he Last Gatekeeper is a fantastic Young Adult fantasy book and the first in a series. Set in England, we meet Zan who is different from other young people. She lives an isolated lifestyle with her parents as she and her mother suffer from a condition that makes them ill around anything electrical. This is an actual illness! Anyway, Zan and her mother are at loggerheads constantly and Zan feels she does not fit in anywhere. However, the disappearance of her mother soon sees Zan on a journey she did not think possible.
This is a great book to kick off the series. It is paced well throughout and I enjoyed Katy Haye's writing style. Aimed at older teens, I think this book will keep readers gripped. As a young adult, this book would have been right up my street. Fantasy, love, good versus evil and a fight to do what is right against all the odds. As though that is enough for one teenager to deal with, Zan must save the world! So, not your average teenager! Although, like any teenager, Zan also has to deal with moral issues around love, sex, friendship, fear and just not getting on with parents. I found her to be a likeable character who was sassy and yet vulnerable all at the same time, with the heart of a lion.
I sat up the early hours to finish this book and its only left me thirsty for the next book in the series. Well done to Katy Haye for an excellent debut novel and I look forward to the next installment.
This is a great book to kick off the series. It is paced well throughout and I enjoyed Katy Haye's writing style. Aimed at older teens, I think this book will keep readers gripped. As a young adult, this book would have been right up my street. Fantasy, love, good versus evil and a fight to do what is right against all the odds. As though that is enough for one teenager to deal with, Zan must save the world! So, not your average teenager! Although, like any teenager, Zan also has to deal with moral issues around love, sex, friendship, fear and just not getting on with parents. I found her to be a likeable character who was sassy and yet vulnerable all at the same time, with the heart of a lion.
I sat up the early hours to finish this book and its only left me thirsty for the next book in the series. Well done to Katy Haye for an excellent debut novel and I look forward to the next installment.
August 31, 2016
My rating: 5
Guys! This book!! Way better than I even expected!! Holy crap!
Okay, lets break it down.
Zanzibar, known better as Zan, is a teenage girl who's always lead more of a sheltered life... she was home schooled and had no electricity in her life at all. She was completely isolated. Somewhere deep down, she understood in her own way that all of this was because she was "different".
While having a normal-ish day at the beach with her friends, she thinks she spots a guy up on a cliff, watching them, studying them. Things kind of set off from there in a weird series of events that gets Zan to an understanding that life will never, ever be the same again.
This story is unlike anything I've read before, and I've read a lot of books. Especially in this young adult fantasy genre. I was completely blown away by the creativity behind this plot, and the characters just seem so real! They were extremely well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them, getting to know what made them tick and how they related to the story/plot, and how they would help or hinder Zan and her goals! It was an amazing experience and one I would recommend to anyone that enjoys stories dealing with fae creatures, likes fantasy or even dystopia in the YA realm.
This was my first book by Katy, and it definitely won't be the last! I really enjoyed her way of writing, her sections of prose are amazing and I really loved her sections of dialogue even more!
Guys! This book!! Way better than I even expected!! Holy crap!
Okay, lets break it down.
Zanzibar, known better as Zan, is a teenage girl who's always lead more of a sheltered life... she was home schooled and had no electricity in her life at all. She was completely isolated. Somewhere deep down, she understood in her own way that all of this was because she was "different".
While having a normal-ish day at the beach with her friends, she thinks she spots a guy up on a cliff, watching them, studying them. Things kind of set off from there in a weird series of events that gets Zan to an understanding that life will never, ever be the same again.
This story is unlike anything I've read before, and I've read a lot of books. Especially in this young adult fantasy genre. I was completely blown away by the creativity behind this plot, and the characters just seem so real! They were extremely well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them, getting to know what made them tick and how they related to the story/plot, and how they would help or hinder Zan and her goals! It was an amazing experience and one I would recommend to anyone that enjoys stories dealing with fae creatures, likes fantasy or even dystopia in the YA realm.
This was my first book by Katy, and it definitely won't be the last! I really enjoyed her way of writing, her sections of prose are amazing and I really loved her sections of dialogue even more!
August 18, 2016
This book is a very well written story about a seventeen year old girl who discovers that she is the last living gatekeeper. In order to save Earth from destruction she must travel to her mother's home world and seal the last three open gates between Fane and Earth. If she fails at this task, the Fane queen will send an army through the gates that will destroy all life and all structures on Earth. To accomplish the mission, Zan has only the help of Cal, her cousin and a full blooded Fane who has been hiding out on Earth, and Thanriel, a native of Talvar, the second planet tied to Earth.
This book is full of adventure. Not only does Zan have to lean to use her power quickly, she also has only a very limited time to actually get all three gates sealed. She has to choose between following her heart and doing everything in her power to prevent disaster. From a strained relationship with her mother to a budding relationship with Thanriel, Zan's struggle to do what is right is very well written. All of the feelings she has are believable and the situations she finds herself in range from exciting to heart rending. I read this book straight through, as it was so good I couldn't put it down.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.
This book is full of adventure. Not only does Zan have to lean to use her power quickly, she also has only a very limited time to actually get all three gates sealed. She has to choose between following her heart and doing everything in her power to prevent disaster. From a strained relationship with her mother to a budding relationship with Thanriel, Zan's struggle to do what is right is very well written. All of the feelings she has are believable and the situations she finds herself in range from exciting to heart rending. I read this book straight through, as it was so good I couldn't put it down.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, through Reading Deals, so I could give an honest review.
October 31, 2016
Zanzibar MacKenzie knows she’s a freak. She has EHS – electrical hypersensitivity – which leaves her trying to live a Stone Age life in the twenty-first century: no internet, no phone, no point really. On her seventeenth birthday she discovers the truth: she can’t stand electricity because she’s half-fae, and her mixed-blood makes her the only person on Earth able to control the gates that link the fae and human worlds. With the help of Thanriel, an angel charged with keeping the worlds in balance, and Cal, an exiled fae, Zan must learn to control new elemental powers she never knew she had in order to defeat a queen bent on earth's destruction.
Aside from the love interest between Zan and Thanriel (which in my opinion happened much too fast to the point it wasn't believable) the plot of Zan being the only one who could close the gate between the worlds was interesting. I would have liked to see the relationship build more slowly b/c it left me not liking Thanriel and made me suspicious of him and his motives. And honestly there is much more important events going on like stopping the Fae Queen from destroying earth and the humans. Cal, who comes in later into the story is interesting b/c Zan doesn't know who he is and what's his background. Loved his attitude since it was a stark contrast to Thanriel.
Aside from the love interest between Zan and Thanriel (which in my opinion happened much too fast to the point it wasn't believable) the plot of Zan being the only one who could close the gate between the worlds was interesting. I would have liked to see the relationship build more slowly b/c it left me not liking Thanriel and made me suspicious of him and his motives. And honestly there is much more important events going on like stopping the Fae Queen from destroying earth and the humans. Cal, who comes in later into the story is interesting b/c Zan doesn't know who he is and what's his background. Loved his attitude since it was a stark contrast to Thanriel.
March 29, 2015
The Last Gatekeeper is a rather fast moving book. I like books that are faster moving, but I did find it too fast at certain parts. I didn't warm up to the main character until the end due to the speed of the book. The book starts on Zanzibar's 17th birthday. She doesn't have a lot of back story, but Zanzibar is a sassy/stereotypical teen girl. She doesn't follow directions, she falls in love with a man she hasn't even known for a full week, and she is pretty ignorant of her task. Being ignorant isn't her fault, her mother hid the fact that she was alien from her. I feel like the beginning was an info dump, it might have been better to drag out a bit more.
That being said after I got passed the first 50ish pages the story was great. I think it moved much smoother. Zanzibar became a much more relatable character. I feel like this might have been Katy Haye's intention at the start. Making Zan seem like a child and having her move on to being more adult. I was pretty shocked in how it ended, seeing as Zanzibar is only 17. I suppose if you're old enough to save the world, you're old enough to take on those two tasks. The book didn't leave off in a cliffhanger, but I still wanted more at the end. I would read the second in the series. I think this was a good debut 4/5
That being said after I got passed the first 50ish pages the story was great. I think it moved much smoother. Zanzibar became a much more relatable character. I feel like this might have been Katy Haye's intention at the start. Making Zan seem like a child and having her move on to being more adult. I was pretty shocked in how it ended, seeing as Zanzibar is only 17. I suppose if you're old enough to save the world, you're old enough to take on those two tasks. The book didn't leave off in a cliffhanger, but I still wanted more at the end. I would read the second in the series. I think this was a good debut 4/5
July 8, 2015
The story begins on Zan Mackenzie's seventeenth birthday when after a row with her mother, her father allows her to slip away to the beach to meet her friend Em and her boyfriend Jamie. On her return she finds her father unconscious and her mother missing and is confronted by the mysterious, otherworldly Thanriel (an angel) who explains that like her mother, she is a fane, or fairy. She is also a Gatekeeper and he has come to help her use her powers to save the world from destruction. Her task is to close the three gates between the Fane's world and earth.
This amazing book, written from Zan’s viewpoint, deals with so many different issues. Firstly there is the classic battle between good and evil. Then there is Zan herself; young, inexperienced and trying to cope with so many fresh challenges in her life - her newly discovered fane powers, her developing attraction to Thanriel and, of course, the responsibility for saving the world. I was hooked from page one and really loved Zan’s character – she’s smart and feisty and of course, the gorgeous Thanriel leaves you breathless. By the time I had finished, all I could think about was what was going to happen to Zan and Thanriel in the next book. A very worthy five star read with great potential as a movie!
This amazing book, written from Zan’s viewpoint, deals with so many different issues. Firstly there is the classic battle between good and evil. Then there is Zan herself; young, inexperienced and trying to cope with so many fresh challenges in her life - her newly discovered fane powers, her developing attraction to Thanriel and, of course, the responsibility for saving the world. I was hooked from page one and really loved Zan’s character – she’s smart and feisty and of course, the gorgeous Thanriel leaves you breathless. By the time I had finished, all I could think about was what was going to happen to Zan and Thanriel in the next book. A very worthy five star read with great potential as a movie!
November 17, 2014
This is a very fast paced YA read. Zanzibar lives a very rural life because she has Electrical Hypersensitivity (it’s a real thing, I looked it up!) and generally feels like she’s a bit of a freak. On her 17th birthday everything changes. She finds out she’s part Fae – which explains why she never felt she fit in.
Zan has a fairly sharp and snarky voice, which I liked. The love interest, Thanriel, is a Talvarrine (which is pretty close to an Angel), who doesn’t like wearing a shirt because of the wings. The Fae fall into two camps - sharp and helpful or evil, evil, evil. My favourite character was Cal, a fae in the human world who is cynical and sarcastic, but ultimately a good guy. I love the name Zanzibar too.
The Last Gatekeeper is a fast paced read, and I galloped through it. I even read it while stirring dinner on the hob. The story is gripping and, occasionally, brutal (not gory, just brutal). Angels, Fairies and portals between worlds, what’s not to like?
I got this book as a review copy from Katy Haye. I actually requested it from her because I’ve met Katy in real life and enjoyed talking to her, so I figured I’d like her book. Turns out I was right.
Zan has a fairly sharp and snarky voice, which I liked. The love interest, Thanriel, is a Talvarrine (which is pretty close to an Angel), who doesn’t like wearing a shirt because of the wings. The Fae fall into two camps - sharp and helpful or evil, evil, evil. My favourite character was Cal, a fae in the human world who is cynical and sarcastic, but ultimately a good guy. I love the name Zanzibar too.
The Last Gatekeeper is a fast paced read, and I galloped through it. I even read it while stirring dinner on the hob. The story is gripping and, occasionally, brutal (not gory, just brutal). Angels, Fairies and portals between worlds, what’s not to like?
I got this book as a review copy from Katy Haye. I actually requested it from her because I’ve met Katy in real life and enjoyed talking to her, so I figured I’d like her book. Turns out I was right.
July 4, 2015
The Last Gatekeeper is a fantasy read and tops the high end of the YA for me because of its storyline for teenager Zanzibar Mackenzie. This is the first book in The Chronicles Of Fane series.
Zan suffers from electric hypersensitivity as does her mother, it means they can have no electrical items in their house, no internet , no phone, no TV. Zan is home-schooled because she couldn't cope with all the electrical interference associated with a school. At home they live a primitive life and Zan feels like a freak.
A freak until the day she discovers that she is a half-alien and her hypersensitivity can be dulled by the presence of super-hunk Thanriel a Talvarrine. His appearance follows the disappearance of her Mum and the discovery of her Dad lost in a deep sleep which no-one can wake him from.
With Than's help Zan seeks out Cal and is told she is a gatekeeper between the human and Fane world and that she must stop the Queen of the Fane from destroying the human world.
I liked the fact this book was set in Britain, much of the YA fantasy book series I read are set in the US, this is a refreshing change. For lovers of YA fantasy books this book ticks all the boxes.
Zan suffers from electric hypersensitivity as does her mother, it means they can have no electrical items in their house, no internet , no phone, no TV. Zan is home-schooled because she couldn't cope with all the electrical interference associated with a school. At home they live a primitive life and Zan feels like a freak.
A freak until the day she discovers that she is a half-alien and her hypersensitivity can be dulled by the presence of super-hunk Thanriel a Talvarrine. His appearance follows the disappearance of her Mum and the discovery of her Dad lost in a deep sleep which no-one can wake him from.
With Than's help Zan seeks out Cal and is told she is a gatekeeper between the human and Fane world and that she must stop the Queen of the Fane from destroying the human world.
I liked the fact this book was set in Britain, much of the YA fantasy book series I read are set in the US, this is a refreshing change. For lovers of YA fantasy books this book ticks all the boxes.
June 16, 2015
Imagine a world without internet and mobile phones. Imagine being a teenager in that world… Not easy. Zanzibar has always known she was different but when the mysterious Thanriel knocks on her door, she learns that being different has its advantages. With Thanriel and her cousin Cal she’s thrown into a world populated by angels and fairies and discovers that her special abilities are needed to restore the balance between two warring worlds. And life suddenly becomes a lot more complicated…
I loved this novel for its sheer inventiveness – I’d give anything to be able to “bound” (= long distance jumping) like Cal and Zan! The author has a fantastic ability to describe the alien world and weave in the physicality of the other-worldly creatures without the action becoming contrived. Despite the light touches in the narrative there is something dark and sinister at the heart of the story, and it’s left slightly open-ended which leaves scope for a sequel.
I loved this novel for its sheer inventiveness – I’d give anything to be able to “bound” (= long distance jumping) like Cal and Zan! The author has a fantastic ability to describe the alien world and weave in the physicality of the other-worldly creatures without the action becoming contrived. Despite the light touches in the narrative there is something dark and sinister at the heart of the story, and it’s left slightly open-ended which leaves scope for a sequel.
March 10, 2016
"I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review and I have to say I love it - I hope that this isn't just one book that they continue to build on the story line. We are introduced to the Last Fane Gatekeeper Zanzibar but she of course doesn't know that is what she is. Her mother is a Fane and her father a human - Zanzibar is tasked with closing the last three portals on Fane to save earth from the evil "fairies" - who also happens to be her aunt - and a horrible "being". The book was immersive and had me from the first page - in the end Zan is the queen of the fane and is looking to make a portal to get to her "boyfriend" that is on another planet and is also the father of her unborn child.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read the book!
Thank you so much for allowing me to read the book!
July 10, 2015
I liked the book. I liked the plot line of the story. I just couldn't connect with the main character Zanzibar, so I didn't feel her, like it felt she was to good to be true. The first half was okay. The romance between Thanriel and Zan felt like it was fast but I guess it may be because I didn't connect to the main character. But the story got more interesting when Cal and her crossed to Fane. It got more interesting and liked how it ended. And it seems there may be more books in the series which I would like to read cuz I do want to know what is life after saving the world. A one time read for me.
October 4, 2016
This book is about a half Fae- half human girl,Zan, who is the last Gatekeeper and is the only one person who can save the world from the destructive clutches of the Queen of Fane.She ,along with Thaniel and Cal embarks on this journey of discovering her powers and saving the planet Earth.--
This was a really steady paced pleasant read with a smart,strong and positively feisty protagonist and a equally adorable love interest and a snarky side character.And I think this is a really understood book.So,if you are looking for a quick YA fantasy read,this is the book for you!
Rating- 4.5 stars
For full review- https://liveinthepagesofbooks.wordpre...
This was a really steady paced pleasant read with a smart,strong and positively feisty protagonist and a equally adorable love interest and a snarky side character.And I think this is a really understood book.So,if you are looking for a quick YA fantasy read,this is the book for you!
Rating- 4.5 stars
For full review- https://liveinthepagesofbooks.wordpre...
August 24, 2015
Love, love, love this. Jut when you're thinking, OK, it's about aliens, there are angels and fairies. And they're going to destroy the world ... Not only that, but Katy Haye's brought to life a group of believable characters to people her world and there's plenty of action to keep you turning the pages. Can't wait to find out what's going to happen next!
February 16, 2016
Beautifully done!
Very intriguing storyline.. Couldn't put it down ..
Would recommend for anyone 15 and up (adult theme involved .. Even if it was brought up tastefully).
Zan's life changes on her birthday.. Suddenly she changes from a girl who wants to have a normal life.. To a girl who has to save everyone.. Beautifully done..
Very intriguing storyline.. Couldn't put it down ..
Would recommend for anyone 15 and up (adult theme involved .. Even if it was brought up tastefully).
Zan's life changes on her birthday.. Suddenly she changes from a girl who wants to have a normal life.. To a girl who has to save everyone.. Beautifully done..
March 20, 2015
Enjoyable modern fantasy, well written with a fast-paced plot and strong characters. Zan, the heroine, has always known she was different but just how different takes even her by surprise! Exciting story with intriguing love interest. Excellent first novel!
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