The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts

A Book Review
Reviewed by Marci G. Baun © 2004

Wild Child Publishing.com © 2004

Key of Light
Key of Knowledge
Key of Valor

Last month as the last two weeks before my due date approached, I read and read and read. Why? Upon the advice of my aunt and my midwives, they recommended I take those last two weeks to rest, relax and prepare for labor. I didn't really believe that I would be able to do this since I am notorious for being on the go 24/7. Fortunately, I have a very wise aunt. She picked up several romance novels at a used book sale for me anyway. Although I had a lot of things I wanted to complete around the house, to be honest, I found myself to be too tired to do much of anything. So, I sat down and read. Beyond editing WC, I really don't do reading anymore. Who has the time? However, I made time those two weeks and read all of them. Well, almost all of them. Some I just couldn't stomach. Not because I have anything against romance novels. Matter of fact, romance novels are my preference for when I need some down time, but, recently, finding good romance novels has been difficult. I have long since grown out of the hair-for-brains protagonists, slap-her-around-and-bend-her-to-your-will heroes, and the heroines who enjoy that kind of treatment. I am so past that. So, as is my wont now, if a book does not catch my interest within the first two or three pages, I don't waste my time. (With stories, it's the first paragraph or two.) Of all the books I read, the set I liked the most, and surprised me the most, was this trilogy by Nora Roberts.

I have never cared much for Nora Roberts. While she may be one of the most popular romance novelists out there, the books I have read in the past by her just weren't in my style. I like limited point of views (POVs) of, preferably, one person - the heroine. Roberts has a tendency to write in several POVs. When I wish to veg, which is usually why I will read a romance novel, I don't want to keep track of what every one is thinking, what's happening in his or her life, etc. On top of this, I much prefer story lines set in historical settings or, at the very least, fantasy/magic/suspense mixed into a modern setting. My view of Roberts' more recent novels was modern romances of the Harlequin variety. This was only my assumption as I had read maybe one or two of her books, and they were of the Harlequin kind. They did not impress me. So, when I began this series, it was with a bit of trepidation. But the books were free, and I had time to kill.

The result: While I am still not a complete convert, I would recommend this trilogy as a nice, light read, certainly superior to many romance novels out there now.

The trilogy follows one month in secession in the life of three different women -- Malory, Dana, and Zoe, respectively - on their individual quests to free the daughters of two Celtic gods. Each woman must find a "key" that will unlock one of the locks on the chest holding the daughters captive. The women are given exactly one moon cycle to do so. If they fail... Well, I will let you find that out. However, if these women are successful, they stand to gain a great deal monetarily as well as personally. In the process of realizing their quest and freeing these daughters, they will also free themselves of their own inner demons.

Now, a romance novel wouldn't be a romance novel if it didn't involve at least one hunky man. Since there are three heroines, there are three hunky heroes to drool over. These men are sensitive, intelligent, and comparable in looks to Brad Pitt, Mel Gibson, or whoever is your favorite, daydream-able actor du jour. Each man is intricately woven into "his" woman's quest. In other words, if the woman refuses to acknowledge her ultimate relationship with and love of this man, she won't complete her quest. (I'm not giving anything away that you, if you read romances, already don't know, so don't growl at me.)

The plot, story and description are excellent. Roberts has an economy of words when it comes to her descriptions that is admirable and makes me wish more authors did the same. Usually, when an author goes into a descriptive passage, I have a tendency to skim. The description seems like filler to me. However, not Roberts. I read every single word of her descriptions. Needless to say, I was impressed.

That being said, I have two complaints. The first, you can probably guess: Just too many POVs for my taste. The second? By the end of the first book, I knew all of the characters and knew who would love whom at the end of book three. I didn't want to know this. Why keep reading the other two books when I know the men and the ending? Oh, I know the women will find the keys and save the daughters. That's a given. Maybe not how it will be done, but I know it will happen. I just don't want to know who will end up with whom until I am into the next book. The only way I can see accomplishing this in the way Roberts has it set up is to introduce the new man when the new quest begins. By introducing all of the characters in the first book, the men, and thus the story, had less impact, in my opinion. This method fairly shouted that these books were formulaic. Yes, I know romance novels are formulaic by nature, but I don't want it to be so apparent. Leave me a little mystery, a new man to meet for each book. For this reason, I nearly didn't read the other two books.

But I did. And, for all of that griping, I am glad I finished the series. Roberts gives enough twists and turns to keep any reader happy. And, like every good romance novel, she ends it with true love conquering all. Really... Who could ask for anything more? And, yes, they are worth the $7.99 a piece.

Key of Light
Key of Knowledge
Key of Valor