The Crown of Stars series is very pleasing though I am having trouble locating book 3 The Burning Stone. I really enjoyed the first 2 though.
I have the Golden Key on the go right now and like Ayra I am finding it difficult to get into. Then I saw the local library was having a book sale and I found 5 paperbacks there that I wanted to read. So the Golden Key is back on the shelf for now!
In the Crown of Stars if you have any theories about Alain let us hear 'em!
Rahl