Reviews

The Black Key by Amy Ewing

theowlerybooks's review against another edition

5.0

This series has super paced paced writing and keeps you wanting more at every chapter! If you enjoyed The Selection's pace and writing style you will love this! If you enjoyed the caste system and magical elements of The Red Queen you are sure to enjoy this story from beginning to end!

eve233456's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

zasou_reads's review against another edition

2.0

For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service of the royalty of the Jewel. But now, the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power. 
This YA dystopian fantasy is the third and last book in the Lone City series, and it was my least favorite of all. I completely disconnected from the story somewhere in book 2, yet I wanted to keep going in the hopes I would find what I felt in book 1 again... in vain. This one was about as long as the first two books, and yet it felt twice as long. I did not connect with this one, and I found it boring even if a million things were happening. 

blahnanas's review

fast-paced

2.5

ameserole's review against another edition

4.0

The Black Key was the last book in The Long City series. It also picked up right where the second book, The White Rose, left us with the cliffhanger. It shows us Violet trying to find and save her sister Hazel at any cost. However, she was also a huge influence to the rebellion because she was one of the leaders - but family will always come first to her.

I really liked how the story unfolded and how this book ultimately ended this pretty amazing series. It was a pretty quick read and was very hard to put down or walk away from. I just wanted to see how everything was going to play out. Plus, I really wanted to see if I would like it or not.

I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get to see some people's point of view - like, Lucian, Raven, or Ash's because sometimes I just wanted to see what was happening outside of the Jewel. This was due to the fact that Violet was mostly cut off from most of the rebellion groups because of her position and cause. So I was constantly looking and waiting for someone else's POV to show up so I could get the whole picture of everything happening.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can totally see myself rereading this series next year. Now I see myself trying to find the novellas online (for free) so I can read them and see what those little gems have to offer.

vidhi26p's review against another edition

3.0

This was honestly a pretty underwhelming end to a promising series. I wasn’t surprised or aghast at any point in time, it felt more like reading to finish the novel rather than reading because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. It’s a pretty short read though, and can easily be finished in a few hours.

strawberry2109's review

adventurous

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The last part of the Juwel was very disappointing. I knew from the beginning where to e story line will go and what will happen at the end. I also think that the last 20 pages are not relevant for the story. Very sad to end the book like this 

gduzey's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Loved how this rapped up the story. 

_rachelreads_'s review against another edition

4.0

A satisfying conclusion to an entertaining, fast-paced trilogy. Ewing's writing style remains straightforward and lacks ornamentation, but the story kept me turning the pages rapidly. Violet's saga perhaps wraps up a tad too quickly and the ending of the book feels a touch cliche, but this is an enjoyable and worthy read.

derbylea's review against another edition

4.0

Satisfying ending to the series. What I really love though is how much my students are enjoying these books. Any book that makes a 12 year old beg for the next edition is awesome in my eyes.