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casmith512's review
2.0
Eh. The premise of the series is fascinating but I was disappointed by the end. I never felt that the characters grew beyond their initial descriptions which, in some cases (*cough* Dillon), was frustrating. Overall, it was a bit flat and fairly predictable. Even the curve balls were more confusing or disjointed than interesting. A fun, easy series for teens who like fantasy, adventure, and romance but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who like depth in their reading.
hannahr_12's review
2.0
So, I finally read the last instalment of what was my favourite trilogy as a child, and I have to say, I'm disappointed. Yes it was exciting at times, and the twists and turns were completely surprising and woven together beautifully, but there were a few things wrong that ruined the whole thing for me.
Firstly - Matt. He goes from having zero powers to basically being the equivalent of a god in 0.5 seconds. His powers ended up being completely over the top and it felt like a cop-out to just have him be all-powerful and able to save the day all the time.
Second - The writing leaves something to be desired. I know it's not supposed to be beautifully written, but the whole book was pretty much a giant info-dump with the occasional smattering of action and romance.
Third - and most important - what the hell was that ending?!? I'm not sure it even counts as an ending. The book literally just stopped. No closure whatsoever. The way we left Ethan was the worst of all - we've been with him since the beginning, he's been through so much, and you're just going to leave him like that, devastated over Rochelle? Literally the least satisfying ending to a book I think I've ever read. I get that not everyone gets a happy ending, but come on.
Firstly - Matt. He goes from having zero powers to basically being the equivalent of a god in 0.5 seconds. His powers ended up being completely over the top and it felt like a cop-out to just have him be all-powerful and able to save the day all the time.
Second - The writing leaves something to be desired. I know it's not supposed to be beautifully written, but the whole book was pretty much a giant info-dump with the occasional smattering of action and romance.
Third - and most important - what the hell was that ending?!? I'm not sure it even counts as an ending. The book literally just stopped. No closure whatsoever. The way we left Ethan was the worst of all - we've been with him since the beginning, he's been through so much, and you're just going to leave him like that, devastated over Rochelle? Literally the least satisfying ending to a book I think I've ever read. I get that not everyone gets a happy ending, but come on.
read_with_riley's review
3.0
I didn't like The Key as much as the other two books, but it is still really really good, and I highly suggest it.
readingwitheden's review
4.0
I understand the shift in narrators but I didn't 100% like it. Apart from this I still think this trilogy is one of the most magical ones I've ever read. I adore this world and these characters.
emlickliter's review
adventurous
fast-paced
5.0
The Key by Marianne Curley – This book had me so tense. I don’t want to spoil it because it was well done, but I had a very vicious reaction to the end of this book. My 14 year old self said some very quiet bad words. I just found out that there is a 4th book…and I would have to reread this series because I don’t remember well enough to jump back in. But I am tempted because I’m now very curious! Happy Reading!
pablonjr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ciarramgrobe's review
As a teenager, this was my favorite series. The ending absolutely broke my heart and I wish the author would write a 4th book.
nicolemm_author's review
4.0
*****BIG SPOILER ALERT!!!!*****
I wish with all my heart that I could give this a 5 but I just can't. If this didn't have one of the most abrupt endings in all of the books I've ever read in my life, than this would definitely be 5 stars.
This third and final installment had the fast-paced action from the second book along with the romance from the second book, but after I finished the last sentence, I literally said outloud "what the f---?!" There was definitely a last chapter missing somehow... there had to be because you can't just end a thrilling and exciting series that way!
Here's what I would have put in the last chapter:
-The funeral: The whole chapter would have taken place in Athens where they bury the immortals (and Rochelle). Dartemis, the third of the immortal twins, would finally come out of hiding for this.
-Matt and Neriah: not much to complain about here. Just that maybe there would be more instances being together and their cuteness.
-Isabel and Arakarian AND Matt: This whole thing between them would be resolved. Matt would apologize for being an overprotective jerk and tell Arkarian that he trusts his sister with him, meaning they make up and can move on blah blah blah.
-Matt: He is promised to have a seat among the Tribunal after he has perfected the full potential of his powers, likely with more training with his real father, Dartemis.
-Ethan: There's really not much you can do with Ethan in this last chapter. Maybe a conversation between him and Isabel or him and Matt and what he's feeling.
-Everyone is gathered together at a grand feast at the very end, finally able to laugh a little and rest.
Is this so much to ask for? I guess so because Curley completely leaves you hanging without the promise of another book. Everything just felt completely unfinished. If the whole book had been about Ethan's revenge, then I can understand why it would have been that ending, but it was nothing like and that's why I was disappointed how this series ended. When I first started reading this last book, I had my reserves because I flipped through it and saw that every chapter was through the POV of Rochelle or Matt and I didn't really care about either one at first. I wanted to know more about Arkarian and Isabel, but about halfway through I realized that it had to be through new people because more things needed to be settled and we as the readers needed to witness their maturity in the first person. But like I said it was hard to accept right away.
Dillon was the most annoying character of the whole book. Even though I somehow knew he wasn't the traitor, there were many times where I wanted him to be. His attraction to Neriah was so unnatural that I couldn't really understand why he was infatuated with her... in fact I still don't get it but I suppose it's not really important in the long-run. I can't believe Mr. Carter was the traitor! I mean I expected it because Ethan always had a weird feeling about him and I knew it couldn't be Lady Arabella, but it was still a shock. Speaking of Lady Arabella, I was so sad when her and Lorian were unable to be together and never got the chance after he was killed by his power-hungry sister. Thank god her and Marduke died; both of them got what they deserved. It's just too bad Lorian had to die along with them.
I really loved this book all the way up until the end where there has to be a missing chapter. If anyone finds said chapter, please inform me because it has to be out there somewhere...
I wish with all my heart that I could give this a 5 but I just can't. If this didn't have one of the most abrupt endings in all of the books I've ever read in my life, than this would definitely be 5 stars.
This third and final installment had the fast-paced action from the second book along with the romance from the second book, but after I finished the last sentence, I literally said outloud "what the f---?!" There was definitely a last chapter missing somehow... there had to be because you can't just end a thrilling and exciting series that way!
Here's what I would have put in the last chapter:
-The funeral: The whole chapter would have taken place in Athens where they bury the immortals (and Rochelle). Dartemis, the third of the immortal twins, would finally come out of hiding for this.
-Matt and Neriah: not much to complain about here. Just that maybe there would be more instances being together and their cuteness.
-Isabel and Arakarian AND Matt: This whole thing between them would be resolved. Matt would apologize for being an overprotective jerk and tell Arkarian that he trusts his sister with him, meaning they make up and can move on blah blah blah.
-Matt: He is promised to have a seat among the Tribunal after he has perfected the full potential of his powers, likely with more training with his real father, Dartemis.
-Ethan: There's really not much you can do with Ethan in this last chapter. Maybe a conversation between him and Isabel or him and Matt and what he's feeling.
-Everyone is gathered together at a grand feast at the very end, finally able to laugh a little and rest.
Is this so much to ask for? I guess so because Curley completely leaves you hanging without the promise of another book. Everything just felt completely unfinished. If the whole book had been about Ethan's revenge, then I can understand why it would have been that ending, but it was nothing like and that's why I was disappointed how this series ended. When I first started reading this last book, I had my reserves because I flipped through it and saw that every chapter was through the POV of Rochelle or Matt and I didn't really care about either one at first. I wanted to know more about Arkarian and Isabel, but about halfway through I realized that it had to be through new people because more things needed to be settled and we as the readers needed to witness their maturity in the first person. But like I said it was hard to accept right away.
Dillon was the most annoying character of the whole book. Even though I somehow knew he wasn't the traitor, there were many times where I wanted him to be. His attraction to Neriah was so unnatural that I couldn't really understand why he was infatuated with her... in fact I still don't get it but I suppose it's not really important in the long-run. I can't believe Mr. Carter was the traitor! I mean I expected it because Ethan always had a weird feeling about him and I knew it couldn't be Lady Arabella, but it was still a shock. Speaking of Lady Arabella, I was so sad when her and Lorian were unable to be together and never got the chance after he was killed by his power-hungry sister. Thank god her and Marduke died; both of them got what they deserved. It's just too bad Lorian had to die along with them.
I really loved this book all the way up until the end where there has to be a missing chapter. If anyone finds said chapter, please inform me because it has to be out there somewhere...
mangaspoilersbtw's review
5.0
bu seri hakkında hatırladığım tek şey sonunun beni mahvetmiş olmasıydı. 4. kitabı hala okumadım çünkü Türkçesi yok lmao
kitap hakkındaki hikayemi twitterdan okuyabilirsiniz. böö
https://twitter.com/fazla_takma/status/1378732739520790530?s=19
kitap hakkındaki hikayemi twitterdan okuyabilirsiniz. böö
https://twitter.com/fazla_takma/status/1378732739520790530?s=19