Key of Knowledge (Key Trilogy, 2)

Rating:
Summary: Great 2nd Book in a Trilogy
Review: Nora Roberts is to romance what Stephen King is to horror. Now of course, some of her books are better written than others, but she always has a good story to tell -- and Key of Knowledge is both well written and a good story. I'm not going to re-hash the plot of this book, it's already been done and done well. But I wanted to say that it is a great 2nd book in a trilogy. So often authors will suck you in with great concepts in the first book of a trilogy and then fail to deliver in the 2nd and 3rd books. (Most notably for Ms. Roberts is her Three Sisters Trilogy). But this second book rocks! It keeps up the energy of the first and even though it is a love story and we know how it's going to end -- she keeps up a level of suspense in the story itself. I can't wait to read the third book.

Rating:
Summary: An Average Read...
Review: Nora Roberts reuses some of her classic character archetypes in the second `key' novel, Key of Knowledge. This time, Nora pits the brainy jilted Librarian (Dana) character against Prodigal Son character (Jordan Hawke) with mixed results in my opinion. On one hand, these two characters have more chemistry than the previous couple (Malory and Flynn), but on the other hand I felt the romance between these two was subsumed by a rather boring conflict from their past that I cared nothing about. This conflict made Dana go around acting like an angry hen, and had Jordan wallowing in self pity and condemnation for most of the book; I quickly grew bored with this, and wished the author had chosen another way to provide conflict between the protagonist and her love interest.

The plot? Find a silly mystic key, have plenty of girl chat, and find your `true' love, all in four weeks or pay the price... Lose 1 year of your life. (It's funny to me that none of the girls seem at all concerned about that little catch).

Several things rankled about "Knowledge." 1. Too much chatty `girl talk.' (Frankly, so much time in this book was filled with female bonding I felt like I was listening to Fried Green Tomatoes). 2. An uninspiring hero. (Jordan Hawke was a big blank in my book). 3. Jordan's really really annoying nickname for the heroine. What's up with that? The hero calls Dana "Stretch", and every time this nickname is uttered, it pulled me COMPLETELY out of the romance. `Stretch' is just /not/ a flattering nickname for a heroine and seems more fitting to call a male cowboy character or an undertaker than a heroine, (however tall). Perhaps this annoyance was worse because I listened to it in Audio format 3. And finally the dog... Moe... Man... Enough with the dog... I felt like I was reading a Koontz book. :Sighs:.

This book would've been better if Nora pushed the envelope a little, and made the villain Cain really really bad, instead of just annoying, and over the top. Overall, I found Key of knowledge to be a rather weak romantic novel, with an interesting premise and occasional elements of brilliance. I like Nora's trilogy's but I prefer her Chesapeake Bay series, and her Three Sister's Island series. For some reason the fantasy elements and the characters failed to grab me in this one.

Rating:
Summary: The key to life
Review: Of the Key Trilogy books, the second one is the best one. I read all three in one weekend; and even though I was disappointed by the third book in the series, the second book made the whole series a worthwhile read.

Dana Steele was an enjoyable character, and solidly developed. Her strengths and weaknesses made the reader sympathetic to her situation, as well as want to root her on as she deliberated her relationship with Jordan. In addition, Jordan was a great character and complimented Dana's personality. He was the perfect male character in this series, as I connected more with his personality than Flynn and Brad. He seemed more mature, grounded, and knew what he wanted. Flynn seemed the immature, goofy guy running the local paper (had great snappy dialogue in the first book, though). Brad was a consummate gentleman, but toooooooo patient to tolerate Zoe's whining and insecurities.

Overall, this book is highly recommended!!

Rating:
Summary: Awsem Book
Review: She has done it again with this great triology. They keep getting better from book one.

Rating:
Summary: Predictable and Boring
Review: The characters in this book were sooo predictable. There was no plot and the characters are NOT well developed which makes them uninteresting.

Rating:
Summary: The series continues!
Review: The Key Series is turning out to be something away from the ordinary from Nora Roberts. I feel that she is experimenting in new areas with new styles to keep her writing fresh and her fans hooked. I am enjoying this series.

Rating:
Summary: Just as fast paced as the first installment
Review: The second installment of this trilogy doesn't disappoint. I just had to read this in one sitting because I couldn't stand not knowing how Dana finaly triumphed and found her "key"!

Rating:
Summary: Another keeper
Review: This 2nd book in the trilogy doesn't disappoint. Here we follow Dana and her quest for the key. I won't give the story away in spite of the fact it's rather predictable how it all turns out. The getting there is the fun part anyway. If you're anything like me, you'll cry and laugh right along with the characters. Enjoy!!

Rating:
Summary: One of My Favorits
Review: This book was very good. I have read the first one, as well, and can't wait for the third one to be in stores. It has a great plot and as usual has an Irish twist. If you are any way interested in Nora Roberts you will most definently love this book as well! You must read the first book "Key of Light" first, though.

Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: This is a book (with the rest of the Key Triolgy) that I will remember forever. The characters are unforgettable and hot. You have NO idea how it will end until well the last few pages! I hope you enjoy because I did!