The Quest for the Last Key
Written: Sep 20 '07 (Updated Sep 24 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Great characters. Fun book
Cons: Nothing
The Bottom Line: This book is an excellent conclusion to the trilogy. Highly recommend not only this book but the entire series.
|
|
|
| jsmorris's Full Review: Nora Roberts - Key of Valor |
KEY OF VALOR is the last book in Nora Roberts’s Key Trilogy and it’s my favorite in this series. I have to admit that I enjoyed these books but at times they were a bit too far from reality to suit me. Ok I know they are fantasy based but some of the things I just couldn’t grasp. I could relate and understand the things happening in today’s world but I couldn’t grasp the reasons behind certain things that had happened centuries ago and a clear cut answer was never given.
Three demigoddesses have had their souls trapped in a glass box for centuries. According to legend, the demigoddesses cannot be freed until three mortal women find three keys to this glass box that houses their souls. Each of the women who agree to search for the key will be given $ 25,000 and if they succeed they will be given a million dollars. The modern-day women must find keys to unlock the glass box that houses these souls through a series of clues unique to each woman’s forte. The three that were chosen were Malory (Key of Light), Dana (Key of Knowledge) and Zoe (Key of Valor). Each is in need of the money but is nervous about the endeavor. This part was fine with me, it was the reasons those three were chosen and how the mortals go about freeing the souls that had me scratching my head. It seems that the only common factors in the three mortal women were their need for money and their being single and not in a relationship.
KEY OF VALOR brings Zoe McCourt to the forefront. Zoe is a hairstylist who is trying to start a business with her friends, Dana (KEY OF KNOWLEDGE) and Malory (KEY OF LIGHT). There is a lot of pressure on Zoe since she is the last one to try to find a key. If she fails in finding the last key they won’t be able to unlock the souls. She has a month to figure out the cryptic clues that will lead her to the key. It sounds like a lot of time but it always has the heroine racing against the last few hours in order to succeed. Added to the quest is an evil sorcerer, Zane, who goes out of his way to foil the women’s quest and he pulls out all the stops with Zoe.
Once again Nora Roberts blends the mystery/fantasy genres with romance. I think since she began as a romance writer she always falls back on her strength in this area to help enhance her other books. So blended into KEY OF VALOR we see Bradley Vane, IV, who is smitten with Zoe. Zoe has a son, Simon, to think about and avoids involvement with Brad. She doesn’t want to be a play thing and feels that his family would never approve of his involvement with a working class girl like her. But doing what Roberts does best, she has Zoe soon smitten and she can no longer deny her feelings.
The characters are what make this book so good. Each of the heroines in this series is wonderful and down to earth. Zoe is feisty, clever, and determined to do whatever it takes to provide a good life for her son. Brad is sexy, rich, and somehow avoided the snobbiness sometimes associated with the very wealthy. We’re given glimpses into what has been happening with the characters from the previous two books and it’s like a family reunion.
The ending was a bit dramatic but expected. There is no illusion as to what could possibly happen and it’s clear from the middle of the book what will transpire. Even knowing the outcome doesn’t detour from the enjoyment in following the journey these women take. The diversions taken when Simon is featured are wonderfully humorous and will have you smiling as you read. It’s definitely a fun distraction from the main event.
Overall this book is a great conclusion to the series. It will hold your interest from the first page until the last word is read. Although a bit on the predictable side, the story is one that is fun and just one of those feel-good type tales.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jsmorris
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Susie Morris
Location: Southern California
Reviews written: 682
Trusted by: 294 members
About Me:
Broken hearts sometimes don't mend...but life goes on.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.