After Alison’s mother passes away, Alison finds an ornate skeleton key and a letter tucked away in an unused dresser. In the letter, her mother explains that she came from a different world, a world that can be accessed through a door with the key. She left that world when she was pregnant with Alison, and her father still lives in that world. But if Alison walks through the door into another realm, she might not ever be able to return.
Alison has no family left, and the thought that her father might be alive persuades her to use the key. She emerges in a beautiful land carpeted with flowers, a land she recognizes from her recurring dreams. And then she comes face to face with the man that had been starring in those dreams.
The author created an interesting world with the Azure Kingdom. A medieval kingdom with dragons, castles, dungeons, knights, and feuding kings. But the kingdom also had electricity, plumbing, and modern clothing, it made an interesting contrast. The descriptions of the kingdom and the dragons were vividly done and I could picture everything just as it happened.
I’d describe this as more of a romance than a fantasy, a lot of the focus is on Alison and Lucas and their instant attraction to each other. For Alison it’s insta-lust, and for Lucas it’s insta-love. I do prefer my romance to develop naturally, but insta-love can work if the characters are fleshed out enough for me to see why they’re attracted to each other. There’s some steamy scenes, but it’s not overdone.
The narration was done well, Sarah Puckett’s voice fit my image of Alison perfectly. She brought the story to life. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.