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: 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
Rating: Summary: A fitting conclusion to a fun and exciting trilogy! Review: I own and have read all three books in the "Key" series. While I enjoyed all three very much, I have a special feeling for this third book as I am a mom too and can sympathize with Zoe and her concern for her son Simon. Bradley was a very strong and likable character and his interaction with Simon was great! I really loved Rowena and Pitte and would love to have known even more of their story. All in all a wonderful book and series in the "magic" vein once again by Nora Roberts.
Rating: Summary: Of the three books in the series...this is not the best. Review: I read The Key Trilogy in one weekend. The first two books were engrossing, and Roberts did a great job developing the characters and their interactions between each other. I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Malory and Flynn's relationship blossomed, as well as Dana and Jordan's. On the other hand, Zoe and Brad were not as enticing of a pair as I had hoped. They had some great lines -- and Simon, the son, was awesome -- but overall the spark was missing between those two.
Upon reading the story, I got the impression that they got together merely because all of their other friends hooked up. Zoe's constant complaining, whining, and defensiveness got very old. Brad seemed like a nice guy, but I couldn't figure out why he was willing to stick with Zoe's whining. I guess it was Simon that made sticking in the relationship worthwhile.....
I was disappointed and sad that this last book in the series ended so flatly. I was happy it all came together in the end, but the characters needed some more work.
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: super ending to a great paranormal series! Review: Key of Valor is fitting end to the Key trilogy. It lacks the wonder of "new" of the first book, and does not back the emotional pack of the second, but it sustains the series end ends it with style. The thrill of paranormal books is being able to set your own rules and boundaries, and Roberts handles this with skill and fun.
They three books really need to be read together and in order, for it's very clear Roberts presumes you have read the book(s) that came before with each. But they are fast reads, enjoyable reads, and you are coming late to the series, as I have, you have the chance to read them all at once instead of waiting between installments.
This is some of the best writing Roberts has done this decade, and it's exciting to see Roberts venture in to the paranormal element so strongly based on Pict-Celt lore and myths as the foundation.
In the final tale, the quest to find the third key falls to Zoe McCourt, the mother. It's clear to us, if not to Zoe, that her ability to finding the third key, to release the demi-goddesses from their imprisonment by the evil sorcerer Zane, is her ability to find love with Brad Vane. It's not easy for Zoe, a girl raised in a trailer park. Her father left her and her three siblings to be raised alone by her hairdresser mother. It was a rough beginning leaving a young Zoe to yearn for finer things in life. The path to that better life seemed to fall apart when at sixteen Zoe became pregnant. Once again, the man in her life deserts her, leaving her to make a life for her and her son, Simon. That the father of Simon was a rich boy only makes it harder for Brad ¯ a very rich man ¯ to convince Zoe he truly wants a role in her life. Brad is determined to be at Zoe's side as she searches for the key, but Zoe's past experience with men sees her expecting Brad to bail one the quest is over and she doesn't want to be hurt again, doesn't want her son hurt.
This book sees Rowanne and Pitte taking a stronger role in the outcome. Since Zane has failed to abide by the rules of the Enchantment, Rowanne and Pitte risk their chance to return to the magical kingdom, in order to protect Zoe and her son.
It's a super ending to the trilogy. So if you like paranormals, don't miss this very fresh and vital tales!
Super use of Multi-POV (Point of View), the way all romances should be written!
Rating: Summary: fitting end to a wonderful paranormal series! Review: Key of Valor is fitting end to the Key trilogy. It lacks the wonder of "new" of the first book, and does not back the emotional pack of the second, but it sustains the series end ends it with style. The thrill of paranormal books is being able to set your own rules and boundaries, and Roberts handles this with skill and fun. They three books really need to be read together and in order, for it's very clear Roberts presumes you have read the book(s) that came before with each. But they are fast reads, enjoyable reads, and you are coming late to the series, as I have, you have the chance to read them all at once instead of waiting between installments. This is some of the best writing Roberts has done this decade, and it's exciting to see Roberts venture in to the paranormal element so strongly based on Pict-Celt lore and myths as the foundation. In the final tale, the quest to find the third key falls to Zoe McCourt, the mother. It's clear to us, if not to Zoe, that her ability to finding the third key, to release the demi-goddesses from their imprisonment by the evil sorcerer Zane, is her ability to find love with Brad Vane. It's not easy for Zoe, a girl raised in a trailer park. Her father left her and her three siblings to be raised alone by her hairdresser mother. It was a rough beginning leaving a young Zoe to yearn for finer things in life. The path to that better life seemed to fall apart when at sixteen Zoe became pregnant. Once again, the man in her life deserts her, leaving her to make a life for her and her son, Simon. That the father of Simon was a rich boy only makes it harder for Brad ¯ a very rich man ¯ to convince Zoe he truly wants a role in her life. Brad is determined to be at Zoe's side as she searches for the key, but Zoe's past experience with men sees her expecting Brad to bail one the quest is over and she doesn't want to be hurt again, doesn't want her son hurt. This book sees Rowanne and Pitte taking a stronger role in the outcome. Since Zane has failed to abide by the rules of the Enchantment, Rowanne and Pitte risk their chance to return to the magical kingdom, in order to protect Zoe and her son. It's a super ending to the trilogy. So if you like paranormals, don't miss this very fresh and vital tales!
Rating: Summary: Roberts Trilogies are Awesome Review: Key of Valor was an awesome book. I read the whole trilogy in three days!! This book, the first in the trilogy, was great and it kept me in suspense. Love Nora Roberts books, have pretty much all of her books. AWESOME author.
Jaime White
www.jpassistants.com
Rating: Summary: very enjoyable! Review: leave it to me to go on a long drive and pick up the third book in the series instead of the 1st. HAD to read something so I went ahead and read it. And really joyed the premise. Very fresh tale from Roberts. Going back to start over and I am sure I will enjoy it more once I have read the first two
Rating: Summary: Okay but could have been better Review: Not only is Zoe SuperMom, a Walmart version of Martha Stuart, and a female Bob Villa, she's also the perfect hairstylist, manicurist, etc, etc....she's an entire spa in one person. No one is that good at everything; she was rather unbelieveable. And she was so negative, distrusting, and defensive where Bradley was concerned--made her hard to like sometimes. Of all the guys, Bradley, who is perhaps the best of the three heroes, seemed to me to be the most trustworthy of a trustworthy trio of men. What a sweetheart! And he can do almost anything around the house, in addition to be rich, handsome, generous, and truly kind.
Simon, her son, is a terrific kid.....but again, nearly perfect. As much as you love 'em, kids aren't perfect. But he was often the glue that held the book and especially the romance together. And there were some very lovely scenes between Simon and Bradley.
The search for the key dragged in this one...it just didn't have the sense of urgency that the other two did, and it should have had more. The actual finding of the key was a letdown, even with the danger that immediately followed. The ending seemed to lack punch. A good series overall, but with some problems, though I'll admit to a few tears toward the end.
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