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M1-The Black Key
Would you have taken a bite of the apple? I probably would have…
"Amazing story, thrilling and emotional rollercoaster ride. Cleverly plotted and action-packed, M1-The Black Key delivers plenty of drama, angst, twists and turns, mystery, suspense, heartfelt emotions, and romance." Bette T.
"One thousand years of Edenic paradise is shattered by a brutal betrayal and murder, but more than blood stains the gilded halls of the Alanthian Palace in this genre bending first novel of the Millennium Series.
Royal cousins, Peter and Josiah, come of age in an idyllic world until a violent coup rocks their kingdom. When a fallen angel breaks free and aligns with Josiah’s power-hungry uncle, Josiah is forced to flee, leaving young Peter behind to face his homicidal father and an evil entity who stalks him in the dark.
Caught in a web of supernatural danger and intrigue, the two princes plot revolution as Alanthia spirals into chaos. Peter embarks on a dangerous plan to overthrow his father, while Josiah seeks the aid of Millennial Earth’s supreme ruler, The Iron King.
A world away, refugees Davianna and Astrid discover a mysterious artifact with the power to destroy everything. Wicked forces, intent on finding their treasure, launch a global manhunt that sends the girls running for their lives.
Kingdoms and hearts collide in epic adventure, as the royals and the refugees battle evil and evade all who covet - The Black Key.
If you liked The Lord of the Rings, you are going to love M1-The Black Key. Staci Morrison’s debut novel is amazing. Incredibly layered and woven together, she builds a story that feels like you are watching a movie in your mind.
Ready to enter the Millennium? Grab this one now!"
"Amazing story, thrilling and emotional rollercoaster ride. Cleverly plotted and action-packed, M1-The Black Key delivers plenty of drama, angst, twists and turns, mystery, suspense, heartfelt emotions, and romance." Bette T.
"One thousand years of Edenic paradise is shattered by a brutal betrayal and murder, but more than blood stains the gilded halls of the Alanthian Palace in this genre bending first novel of the Millennium Series.
Royal cousins, Peter and Josiah, come of age in an idyllic world until a violent coup rocks their kingdom. When a fallen angel breaks free and aligns with Josiah’s power-hungry uncle, Josiah is forced to flee, leaving young Peter behind to face his homicidal father and an evil entity who stalks him in the dark.
Caught in a web of supernatural danger and intrigue, the two princes plot revolution as Alanthia spirals into chaos. Peter embarks on a dangerous plan to overthrow his father, while Josiah seeks the aid of Millennial Earth’s supreme ruler, The Iron King.
A world away, refugees Davianna and Astrid discover a mysterious artifact with the power to destroy everything. Wicked forces, intent on finding their treasure, launch a global manhunt that sends the girls running for their lives.
Kingdoms and hearts collide in epic adventure, as the royals and the refugees battle evil and evade all who covet - The Black Key.
If you liked The Lord of the Rings, you are going to love M1-The Black Key. Staci Morrison’s debut novel is amazing. Incredibly layered and woven together, she builds a story that feels like you are watching a movie in your mind.
Ready to enter the Millennium? Grab this one now!"
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2021
16 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Staci Morrison
6 books30 followersIf you are searching for something new in Christian Fiction or are just weary of the woke agenda in mainstream novels, she just might be the author for you.
Her best friend gave her a tea towel that read, “I love Jesus, but I cuss a little.” It holds a place of honor in her busy kitchen.
An avid cross-genre reader and natural storyteller, she dreamed of writing stories that blended everything she loved. Eventually, she went for it, and the creative explosion resulted in the ground-breaking Millennium Series.
An international business executive by trade, she stays up too late and gets through the day fueled on coffee and boundless energy.
Check out her website at Alanthia.com and give her a quick follow. Thanks!
Her best friend gave her a tea towel that read, “I love Jesus, but I cuss a little.” It holds a place of honor in her busy kitchen.
An avid cross-genre reader and natural storyteller, she dreamed of writing stories that blended everything she loved. Eventually, she went for it, and the creative explosion resulted in the ground-breaking Millennium Series.
An international business executive by trade, she stays up too late and gets through the day fueled on coffee and boundless energy.
Check out her website at Alanthia.com and give her a quick follow. Thanks!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 8, 2022
I don’t actually know how to categorise this book!
There’s fantasy
There romance
There’s action
There’s mystery
I liked it. There’s so much going on.
2 princes - cousins
Murder
Demons
2 strong females on the run
Angels
Sounds good right? Yeap I liked the audio.
4 stars
Stand alone novel
Hea? Yes
Good world building? Yes
SFC? Yes
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review
There’s fantasy
There romance
There’s action
There’s mystery
I liked it. There’s so much going on.
2 princes - cousins
Murder
Demons
2 strong females on the run
Angels
Sounds good right? Yeap I liked the audio.
4 stars
Stand alone novel
Hea? Yes
Good world building? Yes
SFC? Yes
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review
December 26, 2021
I freaking LOVED this!!!
I don’t even know how to explain how much I enjoyed this book. The combination of modern technology, Royal rulers & religious beliefs was positively brilliant. I was intrigued and engaged not to mention utterly fascinated by the way this story was written. The despair, the romance and the magical aspect all coming together to create a unique storyline that I can’t stop talking about. Strong female characters and determined male heroes who won’t let anyone or anything stop them from carrying out their missions. Evil characters and demons lurking everywhere, not to mention a few angels. I want to say so much more but I don’t want to give any spoilers. But I will say faith can be a powerful thing.
Let’s talk narration. When I’ve barely started a new book and I’m already researching the narrator, then I’m absolutely taken in by his performance. Nicholas Boulton is pure genius. His performance was absolutely brilliant. The characters, the accents, no matter whether it’s male or female, old or young, good or evil, he freaking nailed it. It was like watching a movie. I was totally engaged and on the edge of my seat. Fantastic pairing of author & narrator. Very entertaining! Well done everyone!
This is book 1 with an HEA (sort of lol) meaning there’s more to come I’m certain but this doesn’t leave you with a cliffhanger.
I highly recommend this book.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
I don’t even know how to explain how much I enjoyed this book. The combination of modern technology, Royal rulers & religious beliefs was positively brilliant. I was intrigued and engaged not to mention utterly fascinated by the way this story was written. The despair, the romance and the magical aspect all coming together to create a unique storyline that I can’t stop talking about. Strong female characters and determined male heroes who won’t let anyone or anything stop them from carrying out their missions. Evil characters and demons lurking everywhere, not to mention a few angels. I want to say so much more but I don’t want to give any spoilers. But I will say faith can be a powerful thing.
Let’s talk narration. When I’ve barely started a new book and I’m already researching the narrator, then I’m absolutely taken in by his performance. Nicholas Boulton is pure genius. His performance was absolutely brilliant. The characters, the accents, no matter whether it’s male or female, old or young, good or evil, he freaking nailed it. It was like watching a movie. I was totally engaged and on the edge of my seat. Fantastic pairing of author & narrator. Very entertaining! Well done everyone!
This is book 1 with an HEA (sort of lol) meaning there’s more to come I’m certain but this doesn’t leave you with a cliffhanger.
I highly recommend this book.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
September 27, 2021
Great story. AMAZING narration by Nicholas Boulton, who is always fabulous.
January 23, 2022
M1 The Black Key is the debut novel from Author Staci Morrison, but it certainly does not read like a debut novel. Ms. Morrison takes us on a journey of Royalty, deception, Murder, and a sinister plot unlike anything I've read previous. I LOVED this novel. I also have listened to the Audiobook which is stunning. The narrator is beyond compare. Nicholas Boulton outdid himself on this book.
This book has everything I love, and I'm going to say if you're not in love with Prince Peter Ben Korah by the end of this novel, you might not be breathing.
Read it. You won't regret it.
This book has everything I love, and I'm going to say if you're not in love with Prince Peter Ben Korah by the end of this novel, you might not be breathing.
Read it. You won't regret it.
January 24, 2022
*Review*
5 stars. I was introduced to this author and series by a friend I am so glad that she recommended it.
Black Key is a one size fit all genere and has everything, and does not disappoint or feel like is forced Staci Morrison writing style and the way she created this world is absolutely fantastic. I was hooked from page and felt engaged and intrigued through our the whole book. can't wait to read the next 2 that are available. This is a must have and defenitly recommend this book
5 stars. I was introduced to this author and series by a friend I am so glad that she recommended it.
Black Key is a one size fit all genere and has everything, and does not disappoint or feel like is forced Staci Morrison writing style and the way she created this world is absolutely fantastic. I was hooked from page and felt engaged and intrigued through our the whole book. can't wait to read the next 2 that are available. This is a must have and defenitly recommend this book
April 27, 2024
When I started this book I went in not knowing what to expect at all. It's like the end of the world and the beginning all at the same time. It shows how even though you are struggling God is still with you the whole time. Don't mistake it for your typical Christian novel though. It's so much more. I can tell that the authors heart went into this book. Beautiful, beautiful book. 10/10 for me.
March 6, 2022
Great Story & Narration🎧 A Fascinating Adventure!
M1-The Black Key
Millennium
By: Staci Morrison
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
Wow, this fascinating and imaginative story grabs your attention right from the start and captivates it the entire book. I can’t believe this is Staci Morrison’s debut novel, she is a gifted author with an impressive writing style and a brilliant mind. The storylines and characters she created are intriguing and the character development and world building is phenomenal. I loved her imaginative recreation of the world, after the destruction of the world as we know it, they have banned modern day technology and conveniences in the new world and there is a new hierarchy governing the people. There are four lead characters and plenty of support characters, as well as secondary characters who play major roles. I was rooting for those four characters throughout the entire book, starting with the royal princes, Josiah and Peter, the suffering those two endured thanks to Peter’s evil father, King Korah, the ruler of Alanthian was atrocious. We first meet these two when Peter was a young boy and Josiah, his older cousin, was growing up in the palace. Astrid and Davianna are an ocean away in Greece, they meet at Camp Eiran, a pilgrim camp. This is where Davianna finds an accent artifact, she does not know what it is and does not open it right away, but when she does, all hell breaks loose. She senses its evil and closes it right away, but the damage was already done and they need to flee for their lives. Ms. Morrison weaves a complex web, bringing the four lead characters together. It was great to watch everything unfold and fall into place. This cleverly plotted action-packed story contains plenty of drama, angst, twists and turns, mystery, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions, and romance. Staci Morrison, thank you for this amazing story and the thrilling and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Staci Morrison cast the perfect narrator to bring her story and characters to life. Nicholas Boulton is a talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. He did a great job covering the voices for all the characters, giving each their own distinct sound, making easy to follow along and tell who is who. He grasped each of their personas, sounding believable and just as I pictured the characters to sound. You could hear how much heart he put into his performance as he captures all the characters’ emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this fabulous listen.
M1-The Black Key
Millennium
By: Staci Morrison
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
Wow, this fascinating and imaginative story grabs your attention right from the start and captivates it the entire book. I can’t believe this is Staci Morrison’s debut novel, she is a gifted author with an impressive writing style and a brilliant mind. The storylines and characters she created are intriguing and the character development and world building is phenomenal. I loved her imaginative recreation of the world, after the destruction of the world as we know it, they have banned modern day technology and conveniences in the new world and there is a new hierarchy governing the people. There are four lead characters and plenty of support characters, as well as secondary characters who play major roles. I was rooting for those four characters throughout the entire book, starting with the royal princes, Josiah and Peter, the suffering those two endured thanks to Peter’s evil father, King Korah, the ruler of Alanthian was atrocious. We first meet these two when Peter was a young boy and Josiah, his older cousin, was growing up in the palace. Astrid and Davianna are an ocean away in Greece, they meet at Camp Eiran, a pilgrim camp. This is where Davianna finds an accent artifact, she does not know what it is and does not open it right away, but when she does, all hell breaks loose. She senses its evil and closes it right away, but the damage was already done and they need to flee for their lives. Ms. Morrison weaves a complex web, bringing the four lead characters together. It was great to watch everything unfold and fall into place. This cleverly plotted action-packed story contains plenty of drama, angst, twists and turns, mystery, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions, and romance. Staci Morrison, thank you for this amazing story and the thrilling and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Staci Morrison cast the perfect narrator to bring her story and characters to life. Nicholas Boulton is a talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. He did a great job covering the voices for all the characters, giving each their own distinct sound, making easy to follow along and tell who is who. He grasped each of their personas, sounding believable and just as I pictured the characters to sound. You could hear how much heart he put into his performance as he captures all the characters’ emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this fabulous listen.
February 15, 2022
Rebellion has begun in the city of Alanthia, ending a thousand years of paradise. And now stands a great new millennium. History will repeat itself. Man will fall to evil in the name of power.
Peter has known for years the evil that visits the halls of his home. It has taken control of his father, and rules his own life for years. His cousin, Josiah has been framed for murder, and the two cousins will not find each other for years.
Two girls living as pilgrims in camps have the greatest burden of all—the keeper of an ancient artifact from the lost age, the black key. Once open, all powers of evil will walk the earth, and the world will once again be laden with evil.
But where there is evil, there is also good. The Iron God has made these two pilgrim girls, Davianna and Astrid keepers of the black key. But with responsibility comes burden.
The Iron God has reformed Peter of his wicked ways, and with his cousin Josiah by his side, these two Princes will find and protect the pilgrim girls. But evil can shade itself with beauty, tricking even the most faithful.
The Millennial Series is a realistic view of life years after the rapture. The story is sprinkled with love, loss, evil, and good—a genre of its own. Peter, Josiah, Davianna, and Astrid are chosen by the Iron God to protect and reframe the Rebellion. But when evil no longer has to hide in the shadows, the good of man will forever be lost.
Peter has known for years the evil that visits the halls of his home. It has taken control of his father, and rules his own life for years. His cousin, Josiah has been framed for murder, and the two cousins will not find each other for years.
Two girls living as pilgrims in camps have the greatest burden of all—the keeper of an ancient artifact from the lost age, the black key. Once open, all powers of evil will walk the earth, and the world will once again be laden with evil.
But where there is evil, there is also good. The Iron God has made these two pilgrim girls, Davianna and Astrid keepers of the black key. But with responsibility comes burden.
The Iron God has reformed Peter of his wicked ways, and with his cousin Josiah by his side, these two Princes will find and protect the pilgrim girls. But evil can shade itself with beauty, tricking even the most faithful.
The Millennial Series is a realistic view of life years after the rapture. The story is sprinkled with love, loss, evil, and good—a genre of its own. Peter, Josiah, Davianna, and Astrid are chosen by the Iron God to protect and reframe the Rebellion. But when evil no longer has to hide in the shadows, the good of man will forever be lost.
July 24, 2022
M1-The Black Key
Millennium
By: Staci Morrison
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
Looking for a book that will combine all the best of thrilling suspense, religion, incredible mystery and a hint of suspense, then this is the book for you. Staci Morrison's debut novel is amazing. Modern technology as we know it is gone. Can we even imagine it? New government is in place, and things are completely different. And Davianna uncovers an artifact which is about to change everything. Now things really begin. Four major players, from royalty to demons the many characters build the story and build a world that is like watching a movie in your mind. Peter, King Korah, Astrid and Davianna are masterfully brought together and the magic is built. Incredibly layered and woven together, Morrison has created her own world that I am looking forward to continuing to venture into. Grab this one now!
Nicolas Boulton is perfect casting for this story. A master a voices and accents, he is able to give each of the many characters their own style and sound, and makes them easy to distinguish. I am a huge fan of his narrations and this stretches his talent and shows his vast versatility. Fantastic!
Millennium
By: Staci Morrison
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
Looking for a book that will combine all the best of thrilling suspense, religion, incredible mystery and a hint of suspense, then this is the book for you. Staci Morrison's debut novel is amazing. Modern technology as we know it is gone. Can we even imagine it? New government is in place, and things are completely different. And Davianna uncovers an artifact which is about to change everything. Now things really begin. Four major players, from royalty to demons the many characters build the story and build a world that is like watching a movie in your mind. Peter, King Korah, Astrid and Davianna are masterfully brought together and the magic is built. Incredibly layered and woven together, Morrison has created her own world that I am looking forward to continuing to venture into. Grab this one now!
Nicolas Boulton is perfect casting for this story. A master a voices and accents, he is able to give each of the many characters their own style and sound, and makes them easy to distinguish. I am a huge fan of his narrations and this stretches his talent and shows his vast versatility. Fantastic!
September 19, 2022
Audiobook review:
I have to admit I don’t usually read or listen to this genre so it did take me longer to get through it. There was a lot going on in this book and so many characters that it did get a bit confusing at times but also interesting. It’s hard to believe that this was author Staci Morrison’s debut novel with how much detail was in the book and how well developed all the characters were; relationships were complexed and so much action going on. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story and characters to life; he was able to convey each character’s personality and emotions throughout the story. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy action & adventure, science fiction and fantasy.
I have to admit I don’t usually read or listen to this genre so it did take me longer to get through it. There was a lot going on in this book and so many characters that it did get a bit confusing at times but also interesting. It’s hard to believe that this was author Staci Morrison’s debut novel with how much detail was in the book and how well developed all the characters were; relationships were complexed and so much action going on. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story and characters to life; he was able to convey each character’s personality and emotions throughout the story. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy action & adventure, science fiction and fantasy.
May 7, 2024
The following is a duplicate of my Amazon review for this book.
There is plenty of action in this overall well-written Biblical fantasy adventure. In a world where the use of technology has been forbidden, the brutal Prince Korah swears allegiance to a powerful fallen angel who seeks an artifact known as The Black Key.
Korah kills his brother, King Eamonn, and assumes Alanthia's throne. He intends to kill his nephew Josiah; however, Josiah fakes his own suicide and assumes a new identity, joining a group of rebels.
Korah’s son Peter swears revenge on his father after his father kills his mother. However, revenge will take a long time to come. In the meantime, Peter sinks into debauchery to distract himself from his unhappiness at his situation. The fallen angel terrorizes Peter.
The story reads like an action thriller mixed with an epic swords and sorcery fantasy. The author makes it easy to follow the diverging and eventually re-converging paths of Prince Josiah and Prince Peter. The development of the major characters is excellent, allowing the reader to feel as if they are really in the presence of brutal megalomaniac Korah, honorable Josiah, and conflicted Prince Peter. I also greatly enjoyed the inclusion of Benny, a delightful little Dachshund pup.
I initially thought the most interesting parts of the story were fated to include only the male characters. I was happily surprised by the introduction of Astrid and Davianna, a pair of strong-willed young women with important roles to play.
The descriptions of the angels and the Gune are impressive. The excellent scene descriptions bring life to the story. The following example is one of my favorites.
The two men stood in silence, contemplating the serene gardens. Below, a groundskeeper cut a chessboard pattern in the lawn, sending the clean smell of fresh grass up to the balcony. The rhythmic clicking of the mower blades melded with the lapping river and the rustle of wind through the trees, hypnotic and relaxing.
Despite the story’s strong positive points, there are several reasons why I can’t in good conscience give a five-star rating.
I dislike appearance-based insults, and there is low-grade but evident disdain for larger people. Also, the depictions of the Greeks, both deities and humans, as lecherous homosexuals are questionable. After Antiochus gets fresh with a man named Guan, Orion says to Guan, “He’s Greek. What did you expect?” The depiction of Zeus as a flamboyant queen is also over the top. I suppose both of these scenarios could be tongue-in-cheek, but the humor fails to land.
Taunting a man by calling him a woman or implying that he is inferior because his adversary is a woman, or worse, a homosexual man, is beyond the pale. An incident of this kind transpires in the following scene.
“Marduk has always been a mighty fighter. Your nemesis is a woman,” Gabriel taunted. “No, he is worse than a woman, Zeus the Prince of Greece.”
Although I am an agnostic, I find it difficult to picture archangels stooping to junior high-level jibes. The archangels are impressive to behold, but their immature snarking is contradictory behavior in what should be highly dignified heavenly beings, not wisecracking celestial schoolboys.
There is a very uncomfortable sex scene between two of the characters. Reading this scene made my private parts want to crawl into my body and hide. It is high time that society stopped romanticizing painful penetration during first sexual encounters. If care is taken between partners, the receiver’s first time need not be painful. To be fair, a gentler love scene between the same characters was far more enjoyable.
If I had to read one more line about a male observation of a female’s incredible ass, I would have thrown the book across the room were it a physical copy. Women do have value aside from our incredible asses, bountiful breasts, sunny smiles, smoldering eyes, and ability to cheerfully and subserviently cook and serve coffee to our manly lords and masters. It’s discouraging to watch a shrewd and clever female character devolve into a domesticated dingbat or slinky minx in the presence of the Conquering Hero.
"There was no denying she was anything other than a curvy, busty, round ass, little female with big, beautiful brown eyes, a pretty oval face, and those pink heart-shaped lips."
Could she be a human being with a personality, a brain, and skills, not just a piece of tail for the Conquering Hero to ogle? Reading lines like the above, I wondered if I had been teleported back to the 1960s and hired to peruse men’s adventure stories to see if they were right for Playboy’s audience. Yes, Mr. Hefner, your magazine’s readers are sure to appreciate this one!
On the positive side, the espionage scenarios were engaging, exciting, and downright fun. Prince Peter is much more than meets the eye. His canniness and strength always rise to the surface even as he struggles against difficult personal challenges such as addiction and depression. This combination of traits makes him one of my favorite characters.
I appreciate the author’s handling of issues such as addiction and complex PTSD. The inner turmoil caused by these conditions can make forming close bonds with others challenging. The author depicts this compassionately and compellingly.
The book is the first in a series and ends on a cliffhanger.
I would recommend this story for mature readers who enjoy a gritty story with plenty of action and adventure and who do not mind graphic descriptions of sex and violence. Because of the adult subject matter, the book is unsuitable for a young audience.
I received an ARC copy of the book from The Niche Reader.
There is plenty of action in this overall well-written Biblical fantasy adventure. In a world where the use of technology has been forbidden, the brutal Prince Korah swears allegiance to a powerful fallen angel who seeks an artifact known as The Black Key.
Korah kills his brother, King Eamonn, and assumes Alanthia's throne. He intends to kill his nephew Josiah; however, Josiah fakes his own suicide and assumes a new identity, joining a group of rebels.
Korah’s son Peter swears revenge on his father after his father kills his mother. However, revenge will take a long time to come. In the meantime, Peter sinks into debauchery to distract himself from his unhappiness at his situation. The fallen angel terrorizes Peter.
The story reads like an action thriller mixed with an epic swords and sorcery fantasy. The author makes it easy to follow the diverging and eventually re-converging paths of Prince Josiah and Prince Peter. The development of the major characters is excellent, allowing the reader to feel as if they are really in the presence of brutal megalomaniac Korah, honorable Josiah, and conflicted Prince Peter. I also greatly enjoyed the inclusion of Benny, a delightful little Dachshund pup.
I initially thought the most interesting parts of the story were fated to include only the male characters. I was happily surprised by the introduction of Astrid and Davianna, a pair of strong-willed young women with important roles to play.
The descriptions of the angels and the Gune are impressive. The excellent scene descriptions bring life to the story. The following example is one of my favorites.
The two men stood in silence, contemplating the serene gardens. Below, a groundskeeper cut a chessboard pattern in the lawn, sending the clean smell of fresh grass up to the balcony. The rhythmic clicking of the mower blades melded with the lapping river and the rustle of wind through the trees, hypnotic and relaxing.
Despite the story’s strong positive points, there are several reasons why I can’t in good conscience give a five-star rating.
I dislike appearance-based insults, and there is low-grade but evident disdain for larger people. Also, the depictions of the Greeks, both deities and humans, as lecherous homosexuals are questionable. After Antiochus gets fresh with a man named Guan, Orion says to Guan, “He’s Greek. What did you expect?” The depiction of Zeus as a flamboyant queen is also over the top. I suppose both of these scenarios could be tongue-in-cheek, but the humor fails to land.
Taunting a man by calling him a woman or implying that he is inferior because his adversary is a woman, or worse, a homosexual man, is beyond the pale. An incident of this kind transpires in the following scene.
“Marduk has always been a mighty fighter. Your nemesis is a woman,” Gabriel taunted. “No, he is worse than a woman, Zeus the Prince of Greece.”
Although I am an agnostic, I find it difficult to picture archangels stooping to junior high-level jibes. The archangels are impressive to behold, but their immature snarking is contradictory behavior in what should be highly dignified heavenly beings, not wisecracking celestial schoolboys.
There is a very uncomfortable sex scene between two of the characters. Reading this scene made my private parts want to crawl into my body and hide. It is high time that society stopped romanticizing painful penetration during first sexual encounters. If care is taken between partners, the receiver’s first time need not be painful. To be fair, a gentler love scene between the same characters was far more enjoyable.
If I had to read one more line about a male observation of a female’s incredible ass, I would have thrown the book across the room were it a physical copy. Women do have value aside from our incredible asses, bountiful breasts, sunny smiles, smoldering eyes, and ability to cheerfully and subserviently cook and serve coffee to our manly lords and masters. It’s discouraging to watch a shrewd and clever female character devolve into a domesticated dingbat or slinky minx in the presence of the Conquering Hero.
"There was no denying she was anything other than a curvy, busty, round ass, little female with big, beautiful brown eyes, a pretty oval face, and those pink heart-shaped lips."
Could she be a human being with a personality, a brain, and skills, not just a piece of tail for the Conquering Hero to ogle? Reading lines like the above, I wondered if I had been teleported back to the 1960s and hired to peruse men’s adventure stories to see if they were right for Playboy’s audience. Yes, Mr. Hefner, your magazine’s readers are sure to appreciate this one!
On the positive side, the espionage scenarios were engaging, exciting, and downright fun. Prince Peter is much more than meets the eye. His canniness and strength always rise to the surface even as he struggles against difficult personal challenges such as addiction and depression. This combination of traits makes him one of my favorite characters.
I appreciate the author’s handling of issues such as addiction and complex PTSD. The inner turmoil caused by these conditions can make forming close bonds with others challenging. The author depicts this compassionately and compellingly.
The book is the first in a series and ends on a cliffhanger.
I would recommend this story for mature readers who enjoy a gritty story with plenty of action and adventure and who do not mind graphic descriptions of sex and violence. Because of the adult subject matter, the book is unsuitable for a young audience.
I received an ARC copy of the book from The Niche Reader.
May 2, 2023
I don’t even know how to explain how much I enjoyed this book. The combination of modern technology, Royal rulers & religious beliefs was positively brilliant. I was intrigued and engaged not to mention utterly fascinated by the way this story was written. The despair, the romance and the magical aspect all coming together to create a unique storyline that I can’t stop talking about. Strong female characters and determined male heroes who won’t let anyone or anything stop them from carrying out their missions. Evil characters and demons lurking everywhere, not to mention a few angels. I want to say so much more but I don’t want to give any spoilers. But I will say faith can be a powerful thing.
Let’s talk narration. When I’ve barely started a new book and I’m already researching the narrator, then I’m absolutely taken in by his performance. Nicholas Boulton is pure genius. His performance was absolutely brilliant. The characters, the accents, no matter whether it’s male or female, old or young, good or evil, he freaking nailed it. It was like watching a movie. I was totally engaged and on the edge of my seat. Fantastic pairing of author & narrator. Very entertaining! Well done everyone!
This is book 1 with an HEA (sort of lol) meaning there’s more to come I’m certain but this doesn’t leave you with a cliffhanger.
Let’s talk narration. When I’ve barely started a new book and I’m already researching the narrator, then I’m absolutely taken in by his performance. Nicholas Boulton is pure genius. His performance was absolutely brilliant. The characters, the accents, no matter whether it’s male or female, old or young, good or evil, he freaking nailed it. It was like watching a movie. I was totally engaged and on the edge of my seat. Fantastic pairing of author & narrator. Very entertaining! Well done everyone!
This is book 1 with an HEA (sort of lol) meaning there’s more to come I’m certain but this doesn’t leave you with a cliffhanger.
July 17, 2025
An unapologetic, soul-deep epic that dares to dream bigger.
The Black Key is not just a novel, it’s an awakening. Staci Morrison has crafted a world so immersive, so layered, and so emotionally resonant that I found myself pausing just to breathe. Imagine if The Lord of the Rings, The Book of Revelation, and Red Queen had a literary child raised on truth, grit, and heart, that’s Alanthia.
This story pulses with ancient betrayal, divine conflict, royal legacy, and spiritual warfare, all woven into a plot that never lets up. From the haunting beauty of a broken Eden to the suspenseful unraveling of kingdoms, Morrison delivers a tale that is both prophetic and personal.
Josiah and Peter are complex, courageous, and torn in ways that feel painfully real. Davianna and Astrid? Icons in the making. And the fallen angel storyline? Chilling. Brilliant. Timely.
But what struck me most was Morrison’s refusal to compromise, on her values, her imagination, or her message. She proves that Christian fiction doesn’t have to be safe or sanitized. It can be bold, cinematic, raw, and still deeply redemptive.
If you’re tired of fiction that either numbs you or preaches at you, read this. If you want to feel something again, read this. And if you’ve ever believed your story didn’t “fit the mold,” read this and rise.
The Black Key is not just a novel, it’s an awakening. Staci Morrison has crafted a world so immersive, so layered, and so emotionally resonant that I found myself pausing just to breathe. Imagine if The Lord of the Rings, The Book of Revelation, and Red Queen had a literary child raised on truth, grit, and heart, that’s Alanthia.
This story pulses with ancient betrayal, divine conflict, royal legacy, and spiritual warfare, all woven into a plot that never lets up. From the haunting beauty of a broken Eden to the suspenseful unraveling of kingdoms, Morrison delivers a tale that is both prophetic and personal.
Josiah and Peter are complex, courageous, and torn in ways that feel painfully real. Davianna and Astrid? Icons in the making. And the fallen angel storyline? Chilling. Brilliant. Timely.
But what struck me most was Morrison’s refusal to compromise, on her values, her imagination, or her message. She proves that Christian fiction doesn’t have to be safe or sanitized. It can be bold, cinematic, raw, and still deeply redemptive.
If you’re tired of fiction that either numbs you or preaches at you, read this. If you want to feel something again, read this. And if you’ve ever believed your story didn’t “fit the mold,” read this and rise.
July 8, 2024
I received an eARC copy of this book for an honest review.
I almost DNF’ed this book but, as it was an ARC read so I felt some guilt. For me, there were a few things I didn’t like about this book, but mainly the structure. It was broken down in to parts; then in to dates, following a timeline; and finally then broken in to sections, sometimes highlighting who’s POV and sometimes not. This is where it got more confusing as there were sooooo many POV’s and they changed halfway through a section - I had no idea who I was meant to be reading as. And finally, the smut…why? It felt unnecessary, like the author was trying to expand her audience range. All of this was such a shame as I really liked the idea and the premise.
I almost DNF’ed this book but, as it was an ARC read so I felt some guilt. For me, there were a few things I didn’t like about this book, but mainly the structure. It was broken down in to parts; then in to dates, following a timeline; and finally then broken in to sections, sometimes highlighting who’s POV and sometimes not. This is where it got more confusing as there were sooooo many POV’s and they changed halfway through a section - I had no idea who I was meant to be reading as. And finally, the smut…why? It felt unnecessary, like the author was trying to expand her audience range. All of this was such a shame as I really liked the idea and the premise.
January 26, 2022
first the narrator did an amazing job with the voices.
second this is a long story so for me personally I had to do it in parts. I can't listen to anything for to long and that's just a me thing.
I did find it hard to get into for the first couple of parts there is a lot going on so you may not want to multi task at least not for the beginning of it.
although onces the story got going it was really good. i would listen to the narrator and read/listening to this author again.
second this is a long story so for me personally I had to do it in parts. I can't listen to anything for to long and that's just a me thing.
I did find it hard to get into for the first couple of parts there is a lot going on so you may not want to multi task at least not for the beginning of it.
although onces the story got going it was really good. i would listen to the narrator and read/listening to this author again.
May 6, 2024
1000 years after the Rapture, technology and cars have been banned. The Iron King considers technology an abomination. King Korah brings technology back into the world and is instantly cursed by the Iron King. Korah releases evil entities in the Palace.
Religious based book. The plot had many twists and turns along with a high speed chase. It was a great book!!! The characters had depth and the world was amazing. Good vs. Evil
Religious based book. The plot had many twists and turns along with a high speed chase. It was a great book!!! The characters had depth and the world was amazing. Good vs. Evil
August 26, 2024
Wow.
The end of the book rocked me. I wept and felt the joy my beliefs. I wept and felt he heartbreak of doubt and confliction. I wept in compassion and understanding.
Dear Staci, never doubt yourself. There are those of us out here that needed this story.
The end of the book rocked me. I wept and felt the joy my beliefs. I wept and felt he heartbreak of doubt and confliction. I wept in compassion and understanding.
Dear Staci, never doubt yourself. There are those of us out here that needed this story.
January 20, 2023
Though this genre was new to me, I found that the author excels in character development and
their adventures were captivating, to say the least.
their adventures were captivating, to say the least.
May 14, 2024
This story had everything from spirituality to spice...fight scenes to scripture, evil vs. good. The story line was full of history, suspense, and action which kept me turning the pages.
June 1, 2024
Epic Fiction….
You want Christian Fiction, fantasy, drama, thriller, little bit of spice and so much more this book is for you….
I got so much packed in that it will keep you interested.
It’s in third person POV I’m not a fan of that… but I’m a fan of this book and author…
Give it a try.
You want Christian Fiction, fantasy, drama, thriller, little bit of spice and so much more this book is for you….
I got so much packed in that it will keep you interested.
It’s in third person POV I’m not a fan of that… but I’m a fan of this book and author…
Give it a try.
July 28, 2024
Dnf 40
July 1, 2024
4 Stars
Peter is my favorite character from this book my poor love and all his trauma. This book mixes Christianity, with fantasy, and throw in some spice. This book is full of betrayal, diverse characters, and intrigue. You should defiantly check this book out and I can't wait to read book 2.
Peter is my favorite character from this book my poor love and all his trauma. This book mixes Christianity, with fantasy, and throw in some spice. This book is full of betrayal, diverse characters, and intrigue. You should defiantly check this book out and I can't wait to read book 2.
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