4.50

4

May 28, 2016

Three keys, three women, and three men. This entire trilogy was a quick read, filled with really fun characters, and a little quirky magical mystery. You really had to suspend some of your beliefs to really truly believe everything that was going on, I guess this would be considered magical realism??? Not sure...
Each book and bald a different woman looking for her key, each book involve a love story, and each book involved a little danger and Mistry. Altogether very good!

4

Jun 27, 2018

I love Nora's paranormal trilogies. This was a re-read for me, and I loved it.

3

Feb 13, 2011

I am not going to review every Nora Roberts book that I have read in the past because she is quite prolific and it would get redundant and I honestly cannot remember all the plots. I think someone finds someone else attractive but at least one cannot admit it so there is sexual tension, then lots of sex, and then they live happily ever after? Sometimes there is some magic , a family legacy, or a mystery. Certainly not great works of literature (however still 100% better than “the grapes of wrath I am not going to review every Nora Roberts book that I have read in the past because she is quite prolific and it would get redundant and I honestly cannot remember all the plots. I think someone finds someone else attractive but at least one cannot admit it so there is sexual tension, then lots of sex, and then they live happily ever after? Sometimes there is some magic , a family legacy, or a mystery. Certainly not great works of literature (however still 100% better than “the grapes of wrath”). I think I have read every one of her books to date because despite the cheesy nature, the ending is always happy and the read is easy. Frankly, I like these books and will continue to read each one that comes out. I am going to post this same review for each of her books that I have read in the past. ...more

4

Aug 11, 2012

A great read. I turn to Nora Roberts for a quick escape, fun story, and romance. This one had mystery and intrigue as well.

4

Jan 02, 2016

Liked these stories, but, abridged...ugh. Must read unabridged quickly.

5

Jun 15, 2011

Great trilogy! I love how Roberts weaves myth into her stories.

5

Jun 13, 2011

Have reread this series numerous times. Nothing like Nora Roberts - always facinating and fun.

3

Aug 25, 2019

This trilogy missed the mark for me for some reason. Story felt old by the end, and I was just waiting for it to end. It was still entertaining and creative just didn’t resonate with me.

5

Feb 22, 2018

Key Trilogy

Just as wonderful the 2nd time around. Love the characters as always. Thank you for all the books you write. Your fan always.

5

Oct 14, 2018

Nora Roberts Key Trilogy

Nora Roberts always tells great stories in her books and i have been reading them for years her trilogy books are the best along with the others.

5

Sep 19, 2018

My very first Nora Roberts books and I was so impressed. Absolutely loved this series. It had so much more depth and imagination than I ever expected from a romance writer.

5

Sep 16, 2018

Beyond Fantastical

This trilogy has everything you could want in a story. Intrigue, romance, magic, and the characters are smart and savy and I hated when it ended.

3

Sep 30, 2019

I really enjoyed the series. However I couldn't give it a 4+star rating because of language and sex. I've read other books by other authors that were just as good without including a lot of language and descriptive sex.

5

Dec 04, 2017

What exquisite planning

The trilogy needed such strong plot lines, and complex details. Roberts laid it out like a master. The love stories, the magic, the characters are unique and not repeats. Good job!

5

Oct 06, 2017

So sorry it's over!

Read this a long time ago but it was chosen by book club so I got to read it again. Even better this time... go ahead, get wrapped up in the keys. You know you want to....

5

Oct 16, 2018

I love books you have to fight yourself to put down and once again this was one

I love books you have to fight yourself too put down and once again this was one . It held your attention and imagination all at once

5

Sep 14, 2019

One of my favorite "go to" series

Sometimes you're just in the mood for a little magic. The Key Trilogy satisfies the usual romance quest requirements and takes you on a journey in a world you wish were real, with beautiful, witty women and gorgeous rich men. As with most Nora Roberts books, everything is a touch too perfect... Which is what makes it a great escape read.

5

Apr 09, 2019

I loved this trilogy. A couple of the women were initially so argumentative that it seemed unrealistic that their suitors remained interested. But, that was the only major flaw, and things did change as the stories progressed. I liked the stories so much because they caused me to reflect on choices, miracles, and paths taken in my own life.

Nora Roberts has a wonderful imagination and gift for storytelling.

5

May 15, 2019

Still fantastic - 3rd reading

It's like visiting old and dear friends! I read this trilogy originally a decade ago when it was first published in paperback - and it just gets better. I can't understand why this hasn't been made into a movie with fantastic special effects. I have to warn that this digital version has some glitches in formatting that makes the reading difficult - sloppy editing/proofreading. But still one of Nora's best!

3

May 27, 2018

I read the Keys Trilogy straight in a row: Key of Light, Key of Knowledge, Key of Valor. While some elements were charming (the women building their Indulgence dream into reality) and fun (the relationships with the men, particularly Simon, and Moe, the dog), other aspects were tiresome (the predictable writing and the path to finding the keys). I usually love Nora Roberts writing, but this trilogy was just so-so.

5

Jan 26, 2017

This is a re-read for me. I read this trilogy back when it was first released, then again a year later. I saw a quote from the book, which made me want to pick up the books again. I'm so glad I did. It had been long enough that while I remembered the basic storyline, I'd forgotten much of the journey. And that's the point of these books, the journey to find the lost keys and the journey for two people falling in love. I really enjoy many of Nora Roberts' books, but the Key trilogy probably still This is a re-read for me. I read this trilogy back when it was first released, then again a year later. I saw a quote from the book, which made me want to pick up the books again. I'm so glad I did. It had been long enough that while I remembered the basic storyline, I'd forgotten much of the journey. And that's the point of these books, the journey to find the lost keys and the journey for two people falling in love. I really enjoy many of Nora Roberts' books, but the Key trilogy probably still stands as my favorite. ...more

3

Jan 04, 2020

When I first read it, I really liked these 3 books a lot. I am re-reading them and it's definitely loosing its appeal. The first two trilogy is a lot better than the third one. There is seriously no logical reason in the pairing of the handsome Bradley the IVth and Zoe with her huge inferiority complex that miraculously disappears within two chapters after two books of repeated snarling and rudeness that we had to put up with as readers. With the author writing about H being head over heels When I first read it, I really liked these 3 books a lot. I am re-reading them and it's definitely loosing its appeal. The first two trilogy is a lot better than the third one. There is seriously no logical reason in the pairing of the handsome Bradley the IVth and Zoe with her huge inferiority complex that miraculously disappears within two chapters after two books of repeated snarling and rudeness that we had to put up with as readers. With the author writing about H being head over heels without the slightest encouragement from h so it comes across as an infatuation to the readers but building it up as true love feels like the author forcing it on us readers without working it into the story. ...more

5

Jul 18, 2018

I did reviews on the individual books in this trilogy, where I rate them on the specifics of each. But for this review, I want to rate the trilogy as a whole... and I'll share my kindle highlights (for those who care about those things).

As a whole, I really, really enjoyed it. Yes, I could nitpick... and I do some of that in the individual reviews. But the whole arc, and the characters... who they became, how they grew... I just loved it. When I think of this book, it is like a warm bonfire in I did reviews on the individual books in this trilogy, where I rate them on the specifics of each. But for this review, I want to rate the trilogy as a whole... and I'll share my kindle highlights (for those who care about those things).

As a whole, I really, really enjoyed it. Yes, I could nitpick... and I do some of that in the individual reviews. But the whole arc, and the characters... who they became, how they grew... I just loved it. When I think of this book, it is like a warm bonfire in my heart. I loved the fantasy elements, but I also loved how they weren't overbearing, didn't throw out all the rules of the plot and just *waves hands* MAGIC! This was solid storytelling, and I really enjoyed it. This is one I'll re-read again and again.

*****5 stars***** ...more

0

Oct 11, 2019

This is one of my favorite trilogy's from Nora Roberts.

I really enjoy the magic, and the story that goes with that, I love the bonds of friendship, kinship and family that are created within the story, while it goes on through its endless challenges and hurdles.

This was a reread for me, but one that i really enjoy and will reread one again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mixture of love story, friendships, family bonds with the added bonus of having magic elements thrown This is one of my favorite trilogy's from Nora Roberts.

I really enjoy the magic, and the story that goes with that, I love the bonds of friendship, kinship and family that are created within the story, while it goes on through its endless challenges and hurdles.

This was a reread for me, but one that i really enjoy and will reread one again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mixture of love story, friendships, family bonds with the added bonus of having magic elements thrown into the mix.

Its one of the things i love about Nora Roberts novels, you never know what your getting when you pick up the novel to read it. Most will always come to expect a romance, but its always so much more than that, sometimes its a murder mystery, sometimes its a bit of a thriller, sometimes its a story about myths and magic and sometimes its a mixture of all the above.

Great Read!! ...more

5

Sep 08, 2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Nora Roberts doesn't do what is currently called paranormal romance, even when old legends or ghosts show up in the background of a series, but this is one of her most openly supernatural trilogies (the Donovan legacy has psi-powers and stuff) with four romances - one established thousands of years ago but still valid (which was lovely) - and three that develop through the plot: three fae princesses were cursed to sleep unless three human women could find the keys that open the soul casket that Nora Roberts doesn't do what is currently called paranormal romance, even when old legends or ghosts show up in the background of a series, but this is one of her most openly supernatural trilogies (the Donovan legacy has psi-powers and stuff) with four romances - one established thousands of years ago but still valid (which was lovely) - and three that develop through the plot: three fae princesses were cursed to sleep unless three human women could find the keys that open the soul casket that holds their souls. It can only be attempted once in every generation - and this time the chance to help (and high rewards) is offered to three women in a small but pretty town in the US.

Key of Light
Malory Price has just had one of the worst days, jobwise, of her life and lost her longtime job at an art gallery. When the invitation to a gothic castle-like house on the outskirts of town comes her way, she hopes she'll be able to convince the owners to buy something from her former gallery so that the owner of said gallery (whose new trophy wife sacked her) might ask her back.

She meets two other women there and each for their own reason they accept the challenge and danger of looking for the keys to the soul casked from Rowena and her lover, the fae guardians.

This whole series is a fascinating twist on plot elements we've seen in other NR romances (how couldn't it be ^^, with her prolific writing) in a very attractive combination - the women become fast friends (aren't lifelong friends as in other series, or sisters as in other series) and open a shop together during all three books.

They are very different but complement each other (that is usually the case with these stories) - the next new twist is that the men who end up being their perfect partners all DO know each other and have grown up in this small town (only one of the women is a native) and they have been the best of friends and it shows in their interactions.

The first guy to be mated off is another version of the Bride Quartet's Carter McGuire (the BQ is a later series): the beta supportive male who knows what he is doing, who understands the compromises he had to make and is totally secure in himself so that when he actually wants something, he is prepared to move all out. Flynn, the brother of Dana (one of the other women involved) owns and runs the newspaper in town but has been in a rut because people who remember his mother as the owner and chief editor have been treating him like a kid still. In this book he not only reconnects to his two childhood best friends but also makes a move to get the woman he wants and set limits on what he will allow "for old time's sake".

Mallory on the other hand finds the support of her dreams and her "crazy" quest in Flynn (who uses his research skills, too) and moves in with him - the conflict in this book is within the quest and in the introduction of the various romances, because all the heroines and heroes are introduced at once, working on the mystery - so if you want to read for angsty romance and strong conflict between heroine and hero, this wouldn't be a book for you. It's more about meshing each other's lives and finding out what is important for each of them and just enjoying the exploration.

Key of Knowledge
Dana, the Amazonian take charge sister of Flynn, is a dedicated librarian and just like Mallory she gets a real kick at work because of a jealous co-worker this time. This time the love story is a friends-to-lovers story with historical baggage. She has always been in love with one of Flynn's friends, moody Jordan and had one incredible fling with him when he was dealing with the upset from his mother's horrible fast illness and death - we learn that he just couldn't handle staying in town at the time and she was a few years younger and he didn't return from New York because he wasn't able to build a relationship then.

Dana has had lovers since but not at the moment and when Jordan returns it is not only her disappointment and resentment that come to life again: he really has to successfully crawl until she'll see him as more than just a nice break in her current sexual draught (she has thrown herself and all her research skills into the quest and into building that new shop with her new friends).

There's a lovely paean to books and book-loving included in this particular novel which is just delicious (Jordan is an author, by the way and his books play a big role in the mystery part).


Key of Valor
This was my favourite of the three books because it showed a woman who had come from the poorest roots and had made the mistake of believing a rich teenager and then become pregnant believing in that she could do better, going out and doing so AND successfully raising her awesome son into the bargain (it did turn into a bit of a fantasy when she was not only awesome at her job as beautician and hairdresser but also the perfect interior decorator and business woman - I do hope there are woman who find themselves reflected in this character, but I got a bit of an inferiority complex, especially considering her past).

Zoe McCourt has the initial idea and drive for the new store and a lot of her plans are what gets realized concerning the store because she has an eye for interior decoration, too, on the shoestring she was able to afford so her son would have the best home she could offer him.

All through the two previous books she has thrown of sparks with the richest of the three boyhood friends, Brad, whose father owns a home improvement store business chain that has struck it big and was away from the small town for a few decades. He fell in love with a portrait of her (all the girls look like the three fae princesses) drawn by Rowena and when he sees her in the flesh the attraction is instant.

But Zoe, having been stung by a rich kid once (although she adores her son and pities the father's family for not wanting to have contact with him), is very careful about her physical attraction to him and he must try to curb his alpha tendencies and take-charge personality to win both her and her son's trust.

Zoe even deals with her past directly by visiting her mother and taking Brad along, so he can see where she came from. Which makes her the stronger in this relationship by far, to my mind, and once she overcomes the feeling that his money makes him more important than her, she can openly accept the love that he has for her son, her son for him and they both for each other.

To reiterate: this trilogy works better than the Dream trilogy on reread.
...more