Rating: 
Summary: Best of the Three
Review: I wish I had not finished this book so very fast (but who could help it?) because I loved it half to death. The third in Roberts' new "Key" trilogy, "Key of Valor" tells the story of Zoe, the last of the three seemingly ordinary Pennsylvania women who must find a magic key as part of a Celtic quest.As I mentioned in my reviews of the two earlier books, "Key of Light" and "Key of Knowledge," only Nora Roberts could make such an outlandish plot completely believeable. You've got your basic gods and goddesses--stuck in our world for over 3000 years. You've got a nasty evil sorcerer. You've got your magic spells, your swirling fogs, your not-so-coincidental coincidences. Sigh. And it all makes a perfect whole. Zoe, a highly self-sufficient woman who had a son out of wedlock at the age of 16, has fought every day since to make a good life for her beloved child and for herself. And by taking on odd jobs, pinching pennies, and becoming a master at do-it-yourself projects, she has succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. Only Zoe cannot see the gift she has brought to others--she is too busy raising her son and fighting like a tigress against anyone who wants to help her. But she must have help if she is to find the final key to unlock the captive souls of three half-human, half-goddesses. That would mean she needs a male in the picture, perhaps one Bradley Vane IV, man of privilege and family. And that is the very last thing she wants or needs, even though he attracts her like no other. A perfect Nora plot, a perfect Nora ending. Read it and treat yourself to some mindless bliss.
Rating:
Summary: Great ending to a great trilogy
Review: Key of Valor is the third and final book of Nora Robert's Key series. It started with Key of Light and Key of Knowledge...three women who are brought together to find 3 mysterious and enchanted keys to unlock the box that holds the souls of 3 demigoddesses. Key of Valor is Zoe and Brad's story. Zoe is a single mother raising her son Simon. She is mistrustful of Brad who is a rich businessman. But Brad has always been attracted to Zoe, even before they met, he saw a painting of her face and it has haunted him. Now, Brad fights to be included in her and her son's life. Complicating their relationship is Zoe's search for the Key and the threats/evil that want to prevent her from finding it. Kane is an evil otherworldly sorcerer who is going to try and stop Zoe from her quest.
Helping Zoe is Brad, as well as the mysterious Rowena and Pitte and also zoe's friends..Mallory, Dana, Flynn and Jordan (all of whom had their own stories in the previous novels.) Key of Valor is great in that the relationships between the 3 women are just as important as the relationship between zoe and brad, and zoe and her son. It is nice to see such strong and complex friendships and to re visit with the heroes and heroines of the first 2 novels. The story line is interesting and well paced...there never seems to be a dull moment in either the quest for the key, or the relationship between the two main characters. The final ending is exciting and well planned...a fitting ending to this great trilogy!
Rating:
Summary: A really fun read
Review: There is an art to writing so many books and having so few fall short. Nora Roberts has a talent for relationship writing. If you like a generous mix of humor and mayhem with your romance this is an excellent series. There are tender moments and laugh out loud moments. The one liners the characters fire off at each other are some of the best. The plot moves at a steady clip and the story is entertaining. I suggest you buy all three and read one after the other. Its a really fun read. I hope she comes back later to write about Simon. He's a fun kid and with the adults who will be around as he grows, he can't help but be an outrageously fun adult.
Rating:
Summary: Best of the Three
Review: I wish I had not finished this book so very fast (but who could help it?) because I loved it half to death. The third in Roberts' new "Key" trilogy, "Key of Valor" tells the story of Zoe, the last of the three seemingly ordinary Pennsylvania women who must find a magic key as part of a Celtic quest. As I mentioned in my reviews of the two earlier books, "Key of Light" and "Key of Knowledge," only Nora Roberts could make such an outlandish plot completely believeable. You've got your basic gods and goddesses--stuck in our world for over 3000 years. You've got a nasty evil sorcerer. You've got your magic spells, your swirling fogs, your not-so-coincidental coincidences. Sigh. And it all makes a perfect whole. Zoe, a highly self-sufficient woman who had a son out of wedlock at the age of 16, has fought every day since to make a good life for her beloved child and for herself. And by taking on odd jobs, pinching pennies, and becoming a master at do-it-yourself projects, she has succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. Only Zoe cannot see the gift she has brought to others--she is too busy raising her son and fighting like a tigress against anyone who wants to help her. But she must have help if she is to find the final key to unlock the captive souls of three half-human, half-goddesses. That would mean she needs a male in the picture, perhaps one Bradley Vane IV, man of privilege and family. And that is the very last thing she wants or needs, even though he attracts her like no other. A perfect Nora plot, a perfect Nora ending. Read it and treat yourself to some mindless bliss.
Rating:
Summary: Nice finish to the triology!
Review: I've been enthralled with the Key trilogy since I picked up KEY OF LIGHT a short few months ago! The three books are about three women (Malory, Dana and Zoe) who embark on a quest to recover three keys in order to unlock the Box of Souls where three Celtic demigoddesses are trapped. Oh, there's also an evil sorcerer named Kane who is trying to stop them. Sounds silly, but Nora Roberts manages to pull it off! This final book is Zoe's story. Zoe was a struggling hairdresser until the quest started, now she is on her way to a better life, starting a business with Malory and Dana and entering in to a relationship with the enterprising Brad Vane (who is also connected to the quest along with Flynn and Jordan). The chemistry between Zoe and Brad is great, though I was a bit disappointed in this novel! In the first two, they were constantly at each other's throats, and suddenly in this book Zoe has an almost complete attitude change towards him. Even so, that's a minor complaint and the rest of the novel was great! I really enjoyed reading the conclusion to the story, and Nora Roberts ties up all the loose ends wonderfully. I adore her trilogies and this is one of my favorites! I highly recommend all three books, and for those who like her stories - check out the Chesapeake Bay trilogy! It's one of my favorites!
Rating: 
Summary: Not so perfect ending
Review: "Key of Valor" was actually my least favorite of the trilogy. In this novel Zoe McCourt's turn has come to find the last and final key to unlock the demigoddesses soul and outwit the evil Kane. Zoe herself is an interesting person. At times seemingly prim and proper, she turns out to be quite the protective mama bear that won't accept help. The only reason why I honestly disliked this book was the hap dash ending. Having watched her two friends go thru the same struggles, Zoe had a relatively good grasp of what was required of her as did we the reader. In her quest to find herself and confront her past, she omitted the biggest aspect, that of her child's father. At a very young age Zoe became pregnant and left in shame. While she returned back to confront her mother who felt Zoe wouldn't amount to much, she never confronted her child's father as if to say "look at me now". He was mentioned a number of times, but nothing materialized. Zoe also had to overcome her prejudices against Bradley Vane. Deeming him a snob on first encounter, she refuses to have anything to do with him, for she is embarrassed of her roots, afraid that he will look down upon her or she won't do the right thing. Isn't that rather oxymoronic and ultimately defeatist? A self-fulfilling prophecy waiting to happen? The Goddess Rowena deemed Zoe the one that she cared the most about, the warrior mother, and yet this mother had a lot to learn and not enough pages to do so in.
Rating:
Summary: The Keys were Fantastic
Review: I love Nora Roberts. She is one of the best authors I've ever read, in any genre, and, while I have friends scoff at me for putting her up with the likes of Flannery O'Connor or Poe, the woman is able to weave a story in your mind...and captivate you until the end. The Key trilogy was no exception to the rule, so, if you love Nora, buy these books!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome ending to the trilogy!
Review: Three demi-goddesses are under a spell. They sleep in glass coffins, beyond the Veil. Their souls are locked away in the Box of Souls, which can only be opened by three keys turned by human hands. In each generation three human women are born who have the means to find the three keys and end the curse. Each, in turn, has one moon phase to find a key. If the first fails, game over. If the first succeeds, the second woman takes up the quest, and so on. If any of the three mortal females fail, they each lose an undisclosed year of her life. If all three succeed, the demigoddesses will awaken and each of the three human women will receive one million dollars. The first two keys have been located. Zoe is now up at bat. Zoe's demigoddess is the warrior. Her truth is Valor and Courage. The fierce mother demands her nine-year-old, Simon, be protected from Kane. In no way can Kane be able to use Simon against Zoe and her quest. Rowena and Pitte are way ahead of Zoe there. Protection spells from them, as well as, from other gods behind the Curtain of Dreams, were weaved around Simon immediately upon the second key being found. Simon's protection is guaranteed. However, there is still Brad. No matter how much Zoe battles to guard her heart from Brad, she is losing it. Even if she gave her heart to Brad, what about her son? How can Zoe trust Brad not to hurt Simon? Oh, not physically. But Simon clearly enjoys Brad's company. (And the game room from heaven in Brad's mansion is a young boy's dream!) If it does not work out between her and Brad, Simon could be emotionally hurt. At the same time, Brad is definitely needed to help with the quest. Since Zoe has to find the very last key, Kane, the evil sorcerer, will do ANYTHING to make sure Zoe fails! ***** I do not know if the first of the trilogy is my favorite or this one! Since Kane changed the rules in the last book, the quests have become deadly, to gods and mortals alike! I knew, as the reader, that this book would be the most breath taking, simply because the last demigoddess was a warrior. I knew there would be the ultimate battle, before and after the key. Therefore, needless-to-say, this book ROCKS! Fast paced, mysterious, romantic, and a bit of magic within each page of this fairy tale come to life. Highly recommended series! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Rating:
Summary: Great Finish!
Review: I have read all three books in this trilogy. I will say I have loved them all but this last one is my absolute favorite! I enjoyed the friendships formed, reading of the dreams that came true and the quest for the keys. Good writing. A great way to lose yourself in a terrific book.
Rating:
Summary: DYNAMIC VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Review: Dynamic and dramatic both describe Susan Ericksen's vocal performance of the final epic in the exciting Key series. As listeners and readers will remember the first book in the trilogy, Key Of Light, introduced three women - gallery owner Malory Price, Librarian Dana Steele, and hairdresser Zoe McCourt. The women found themselves faced with an amazing challenge - to find the three keys which will unlock the Box of Souls and release the souls of three Celtic demigoddesses. Two keys have so far been discovered. Now, in the final book of the trilogy the spotlight is on Zoe. It falls to her to find the third key to free the souls imprisoned by a demonic sorcerer. Brad, whom we also remember from the previous books, is there to help her. A single mom, Zoe takes pride in her independence and accomplishments to date, but who would disdain a handsome helper for long? It's always a tad sad when the final word in a trilogy is heard or read. However, Ms. Roberts brought this to such a satisfactory conclusion that regret was replaced by contentment. - Gail Cooke
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