The Keys Of The Oracle

The Dragonborn King

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
417 Pages
Reviewed on 02/14/2025
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

A.E. Zane has loved books since an early age. Fascinated by the mysteries of the world, she developed a deep interest in history, ancient discoveries, and forgotten myths and legends.
Like a character who wandered into the wrong story, she earned a degree in Economics and spent three years in law school, yet her love for reading and writing has always been her true passion. Now, she is thrilled to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an author.
A passionate traveler who has lived on two continents, she loves and cherishes each moment she spends with her daughter, fiancé, and their rescue dog—the most spoiled member of the family.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Yvonne Akinyi for Readers' Favorite

The Keys of the Oracle: The Dragonborn King by A. E. Zane is an epic fantasy following a prophecy that foretells the destiny of two realms. Oliver Rey is a young boy about to turn 13. Mysterious happenings have disrupted his childhood, ripping him from his father's loving care and placing him under the guardianship of his grandparents. Oliver had the unwavering love of his grandmother, the enchanting and adventurous tales of his grandfather, and the companionship of three loyal friends. Mysterious occurrences started again just before and on his 13th birthday. Seeking answers from his grandmother about these occurrences marks the beginning of a quest that leads him to forgotten worlds and a destiny that holds the delicate balance between the visible and invisible realms.

A. E. Zane does a great job with this story. The author masterfully blends elements of magic and mystical creatures with the natural environment while exploring aspects of good and evil through the supporting characters. Plot twists through backstories and revelations made the story captivating and I stayed up the whole night reading. Zane's writing is also detailed, descriptive, and evocative and I felt admiration, anger, fear, concern, sadness, and even dislike as the plot unfolded. By the end of the story, I could not help but admire Zane's masterful storytelling, where the story not only captivated my imagination but also evoked strong feelings and made me reflect on the many lessons from the plot twists and backstories. The pacing starts moderately with the backstory and builds up steadily as Oliver goes through maze-like challenges, keeping the reader captivated. Themes of power, love, family, leadership, corruption, unity, and friendship feature in this story, making The Keys of the Oracle ideal for young adults and older readers.

Emma Megan

The Keys of the Oracle: The Dragonborn King by A. E. Zane is an engrossing epic fantasy. A new war is brewing on the horizon: The War of the Blood, foretold in the book of The Order of the Ancients. Kizra, the Oracle and the daughter of Mother Earth herself, is entrusted with unlocking the full potential of the Dragonborn King. Her mission is to find the most powerful Guardian, a reborn Primal Tree Whisperer and a king of immense power, and to assist him in the fight against the Lord of the Drekkars and the Devourer of Souls. Oliver Rey is not only about to turn thirteen but also about to experience strange things that will lead him to discover that he has a great and grim destiny to fulfill. He must confront the ancient evil threatening the realms of Yiave and Bezmera. Will Oliver embrace his destiny once he learns about his legacy, discovers who he truly is, and sees the ancient dark forces that want to prevent him from reaching his full potential?

The Keys of the Oracle: The Dragonborn King by A. E. Zane is an utterly enthralling, rich, immersive story that I heartily recommend. It's well-crafted and epic in every sense, featuring a guardian, hidden realms, mystical creatures, epic battles, ancient prophecies, magic, dragons, and more. As this novel has tension, adventure, magic, mystery, secrets, betrayal, deceit, discoveries, and a magnificent cast of characters, there's no doubt that the next installment(s) will be worth waiting for. You'll love this book if you like stories where the protagonist must decode celestial patterns, unravel secret messages, travel back in time, and fight malevolent forces.

K.C. Finn

The Keys of the Oracle: The Dragonborn King by A. E. Zane introduces us to Oliver Rey, a nearly thirteen-year-old boy who suddenly finds out he’s part of an ancient battle between good and evil. As he learns the truth about his magical heritage, he’s thrown into a world of mythical creatures, hidden realms, and a prophecy that ties him to a long-lost past. With disaster on the horizon, Oliver must go on a dangerous quest to uncover the secrets of his ancestry and step into the role he was born to play. Zane creates a fantasy world packed with magic, adventure, and the timeless fight between light and darkness.

A. E. Zane does an amazing job of building a world that feels new and exciting while still capturing everything we love about classic fantasy. From the very first chapter, the creatures, myths, and magical settings pulled me in completely. The story keeps a good balance between action and character growth, making Oliver’s journey feel real and engaging. I especially loved how Zane brings both epic battles and quiet moments of self-discovery to life with the same level of detail. The side characters are just as compelling, each one playing an important role in Oliver’s journey and the bigger mystery. What really stood out to me was how the book takes familiar fantasy ideas and makes them feel fresh by focusing on personal growth and the tough choices that come with destiny. Overall, I highly recommend The Keys of the Oracle: The Dragonborn King to anyone who loves fantasy packed with adventure, heart, and a hero finding his place in the world.

Rabia Tanveer

The Keys Of The Oracle is the first book in The Dragonborn King series by A. E. Zane. This epic fantasy follows Oliver Rey, an ordinary boy of almost thirteen, who discovers he is far from ordinary. As the descendant of the Born Ones (beings with eternal souls and dragon blood), Oliver is thrust into a hidden realm called Bezmera where he must embark on a dangerous quest to stop an ancient evil from rising again. Guided by the Oracle and joined by his friends, Oliver must read celestial messages and seek seven magical keys, each holding the power to prevent the impending catastrophe. Along his journey, he unlocks incredible abilities, including the power to communicate with the whispers of the trees, a gift inherited from his ancestors. As he encounters mythical creatures, battles dark forces, and unravels long-lost prophecies, Oliver’s destiny becomes intertwined with the fate of both the Visible and Invisible Realms.

Author A. E. Zane crafts a mesmerizing world filled with intricate lore, rich history, and a compelling magic system that seamlessly blends mythology and adventure. The fast pace keeps readers entertained until the end. I loved how the author balanced action-packed battles with moments of wonder and discovery. Oliver is a relatable protagonist. I enjoyed how his coming-of-age journey is believable. Although young, Oliver showed great maturity as he struggled with responsibility, friendship, and self-discovery. I absolutely loved Lord Zoldarg and how he brought a sense of looming dread with him. There was never a dull moment in the story and the author ensured the attention was always on Oliver and his quest. The Keys of the Oracle is an unforgettable novel filled with adventure, mystery, and magic. I loved the art, I loved the story, and I loved Oliver. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

Essien Asian

Oliver Rey seems like a typical boy. Besides a few scrapes, he does nothing out of the ordinary. That all changes on the eve of his thirteenth birthday when Oliver begins having strange visions about a mysterious box and an even stranger-looking two-headed eagle. Oliver does not realize it, but his unusual visions are a sign that he has a quintessential role in fulfilling an ancient prophecy in a distant land. Evil forces are gathering to assault the land of Bezmera, and the young boy is the only obstacle between them and victory. Only time will tell if he can fulfill the prophecy before it is too late in A.E. Zane's The Keys Of The Oracle.

A.E. Zane's The Keys Of The Oracle is the first installment in The Dragonborn King series. The world-building includes all the essential elements of an entertaining fantasy, such as impressive maps, stunning illustrations, and believable magical creatures. Some are familiar, while others, like the Mudlurks, arise from Zane's remarkable imagination. Character development is extensive, featuring detailed origin stories for the main players. The dialogue flows smoothly, sometimes resembling poetry. Action enthusiasts will appreciate the detailed battles, while adventure lovers will find the strategically placed puzzles engaging. The best part is how Zane's storytelling changes the narrative from a youthful adventure into a deep drama featuring conflicted heroes engaged in intriguing compromises. This book will appeal to drama and mystery readers. I can't wait to see how the sequel turns out.