Title: The Key
Author: Mats Strandberg
First published November 1, 2013
864 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781468306736 (ISBN10: 1468306731)
Rating: 4.11
Overview
The Key, the epic conclusion to the Engelsfors Trilogy, is a pulse-pounding blend of dark magic and teenage angst. With rights sold in 29 countries, this international sensation is not to be missed.
After the devastating events of Fire, the last remaining Chosen Ones are left to face the demonic forces plaguing Engelsfors. With evil on the rise once again, the Chosen Ones must put their personal struggles aside and unite to prevent the apocalypse.
But as time runs out and the stakes get higher, tensions rise and threaten to tear them apart. Will they be able to fulfil the prophecy and save the world?
Whatever the outcome, one thing is for sure: nothing will ever be the same again.
About the Author
Mats Strandberg is a talented writer who has received recognition for his work as a novelist and journalist. He shares his insights regularly in Sweden’s largest evening newspaper and has been honored with the title of Columnist of the Year by the Newspapers and Magazines organization in his home country.
He also has an impressive track record of three published novels, which have been picked up for publication in many other nations.
Editoral Review
Mats Strandberg’s 2013 novel, The Key, is a captivating and chilling work of literary horror that explores themes of belonging, grief, and the power of secrets. Strandberg, a Swedish author known for his supernatural novels and screenplays, weaves a complex and emotionally charged story that will leave readers both haunted and mesmerized.
Set in a small town in Sweden, The Key centers around the murder of a teenage girl named Rebecka. The story follows a cast of characters, including the victim’s friends and family, as they grapple with their grief and try to make sense of the tragedy.
As the investigation deepens, dark secrets come to light, and the town’s long-held suspicion and mistrust of outsiders boil to the surface. The novel’s characters are expertly drawn, and readers will find themselves deeply invested in their fates.
Strandberg masterfully captures the nuances of their emotions, portraying the frustration, guilt, and despair that come with loss. The writing is lyrical, with vivid descriptions that bring the town and its inhabitants to life.
Strandberg builds suspense slowly, but surely, keeping readers on edge with the threat of supernatural forces at play. One of the strengths of The Key is Strandberg’s use of symbolism and foreshadowing.
As the title suggests, “keys” play a central role in the story, representing the secrets that the town’s residents keep hidden. The themes of belonging and exclusion are also expertly explored through the use of imagery, such as the recurring motif of the town’s border crossing.
However, the novel is not without its weaknesses. The pacing can be slow at times, and some readers may find the supernatural elements to be too heavy-handed.
Additionally, the novel’s exploration of immigration and xenophobia, while timely and important, sometimes feels heavy-handed and didactic. Overall, The Key is a beautifully crafted novel that will appeal to fans of literary horror and mystery.
Strandberg’s writing is haunting and evocative, and the characters are richly drawn. While it may not be perfect, it is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after the final page.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
