The Key

Guardians of Time #3

by Marianne Curley

The battle to protect the future is coming to an end as the evil Order of Chaos launches their final attack on the Named. To defeat the Order, the Named must locate the Key to a treasury of weapons hidden somewhere in the ancient city of Atlantis. The race is on to capture the Key before a horde of undead soldiers find it. And as the Named work against time, one of their own is plotting against them.

"Enormously imaginative." -VOYA

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Time Travel, Fiction, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Romance

416 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2005

About the author

I loved reading from a young age and scoured my school libraries during my younger years, but I never thought I would become a writer. It was not until my mid-thirties, while teaching office studies and computers to adults at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus that I began to think seriously about writing. I took several courses and experimented with different styles and genres. With two teenage daughters at the time I fell into writing young adult paranormal and knew I'd found something I loved.

My first four novels, Old Magic, The Named, The Dark and The Key, were published by Bloomsbury Publishing in Australia, the UK, and the USA, with translations into more than a dozen foreign languages.

In 2004, just as The Key was being prepared for printing, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer called Myelofibrosis. With only a short time to live, I was given a stem-cell bone marrow transplant using my sister’s stem cells, which saved my life. I have now been cancer free for more than twenty years and have written a total of ten books. The Avena Series - Hidden, Broken and Fearless were published in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

In March 2018, I was finally able to publish the long-awaited fourth book to the Guardians of Time Series, called The Shadow. To unite the series, I brought out a new edition of the entire series with matching new fantasy covers tying the four books together.

Website: http://mariannecurley7.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianne.cur...
Facebook Author: https://www.facebook.com/MarianneCurl...
Insta: @marianne_curley

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so based on the ending, I'd love to give this book one star, because I can't possibly think of a worse ending. Firt of all, I didn't really like getting Matt and Rochelle's perspectives...Ethan and Isabel's and even Arkarians POV's were much more interesting. I also felt like Isabel and Ethan's parts in this last book were too small, and Matt's transition from a clueless no one to the leader who knew everything and had every power in the world..was way over the top.
The story in itself was entertaining and full of action, but I despise this book with all my heart because of the ending.
Ethan is my absolute favorite character, and he is the only one without a happy ending. Isabel and Arkarian will be together forever. Matt and Neriah will be together forever. Ethan will die alone. How is that not disgusting? After all he'd been through, it just isn't right for it to have worked out like that for him. Rochelle dying--no, not working for me.
On top of that, the ending was so abrupt, it was if there WAS no ending, and Curley just randomly stopped writing. There was no closure whatsoever, and I am appalled that a trilogy could possibly end like this--without an ending, and with the most most amazing of characters--Ethan--in a suicidal stupor? Really? THERE WAS NO ENDING!!

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have never hated a final book in a series as much as I hated this one. I was truly loving this light, romantic, and adventurous, multi-award winning fantasy trilogy. Finally I was onto book three, the last one. It was heartwrenching, main characters die all over the place, the romance is piling up, the blood is every-freakin'-where...it's beyond fabulous! It is soap opera galore, you have no clue what is going to happen next. You have hunches but damnit if the book doesn't stab you in the ass and throw the complete opposite of what you suspected in your face. Love it.

And then the ending. Now I won't give anything away but....wow. I flipped the page to see if there was more but the next page was simply the author's acknowledgements.


I kid you not that I really and truly thought that there were pages missing. I located another copy of the book from another library to see if that honestly was the ending. Turns out it was. The author stopped. Her mind went on 'empty' and she suddenly decided to just say 'fuck it!' and not actually complete the novel. This is the excuse I am saying to myself because I am so dismally unhappy. I start looking up reviews for this final book in the trilogy to see what others think because this ending is so obviously flawed that I cannot be the only one to think this. I am not truly satisfied until I see what others think.

Many love the final installment, they rave about it. Clearly they are off their rockers and their taste is flawed so I dismiss them. But there are so many that enjoyed this book. I am now deeply perplexed. Praise the sexy lord I found people that were on the same page as me.

The ending truly does suck. An extra chapter. That's all it needed.
It ruined everything else that happened in the book. Left me completely unsatisfied.

[LeNa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the series. Although I felt there was some sadness assosiated in the end and even though in every book there was a different POV (and it might be confusing sometimes because u need to remind yourself who is talking and thinking right now) you got to know every character (well at least 5) pretty close.

I had a bitter taste regarding Ethan after finishing the books. He was this sweet boy, who was suffering his hole life from the effects of what happened to his family, especially to his sister. And despite all this he had such strenght and confidence at what he was doing. His loyalty to the guard never seemed to fade no matter what.
Sadly I felt his character kinda got lost in "The key" I didn't mind reading from Matts and Rochelles POV but I would have loved to lern more about Ethan. It was such a cruel ending for him finding and loosing Rochelle at the same time. Also he was the only one left (except Dillon) not having the gift beeing immortal

[Gem (The Creepy Geek) · Rating 5 out of 5]

God even after all this time, the ending always destroys my soul.

You would think, having read it a dozen times and being well aware of what's coming, I would be prepared. But no. No, no. The pain is real.

Imagine my sheer f**kng delight that after ten years there is a book four. Yes, I'm sure it will break my heart to start but maybe, just maybe, it will put it back together again!

*Zooms away*

[rebecca | velvet opus · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of THE most disappointing ends to a series. I was so bored skimming the last 40% of this and I'm glad it's over so I can read something else.

-------------

Book 1, The Named: ★★★☆☆
Book 2, The Dark: ★★☆☆☆
Book 3, The Key: ★★☆☆☆
Book 4, (wait.. there's a book 4??): Oh hell no!

[Sandra Gallegos · Rating 1 out of 5]

AVISO: HAY SPOILERS DE TODA LA TRILOGÍA.

Sin duda alguna, este ha sido el peor final de saga que he leído en lo que va de año. A medida que leía, todo era una sucesión de "WTF???" que a veces me dejaban a cuadros, otras veces confusa, pero, sobre todo, terminaban provocando que me carcajeara por la cantidad de cosas sin sentido y al azar que pasan en este libro. Es que es todo tan by the face...

Sé que muchísima gente adora esta saga, y a mí hasta ahora me estaba gustando, pero creo que debería haberla leído con doce, trece, quizá catorce o quince años para que me hubiera encandilado tanto. Creo que, precisamente, fue más o menos con esa edad cuando leí El círculo de fuego (Old magic), de la misma autora, que sí que me encantó y que me sigue encantando hoy día, pero me temo que no puedo decir lo mismo de la trilogía Los Guardianes del Tiempo. Y voy a explicar por qué, aunque lo haré con spoilers de la saga entera, y lo aviso desde ya para que no haya ningún tipo de confusión.

Para empezar, algo que me ha fallado muchísimo es el modo en que están narrados los tres libros. Es que, a ver, primero tenemos de personajes principales a Ethan e Isabel, que son los que narran la acción, pero en el segundo libro, Ethan le pasa el relevo a Arkarian, el cual, sin embargo, tampoco es que tenga demasiado que contar debido a lo que le pasa, a él en concreto, en el segundo libro. Pero lo del tercero ya es que me parece casi de cachondeo: de repente, Matt, el hermano sobreprotector de Isabel, el que nunca había dado muestras de tener poderes, se convierte no sólo en el narrador masculino del último libro, sino en el hijo de un Inmortal, uno al que, por cierto, la autora se sacó del mangote, pero hablaré de eso más adelante. Porque lo de la narradora femenina es que también tiene tela: es ni más ni menos que Rochelle, alguien a quien apenas hemos conocido nada más que por encima desde el primer libro. La autora los elige a ellos igual que podría haber elegido, yo qué sé, al señor Carter, a Jimmy o incluso a Dillon, el pesao que no hacía sino caerme peor cada vez que aparecía en escena. Es que no le encuentro lógica al que en cada libro cambie de narradores. ¡No tiene sentido! Es totalmente random.

Igual que me pareció totalmente random lo del padre de Matt. En el segundo libro ya descubrimos que sólo es hermano de Isabel por parte de madre, pero lo que sí que fue un WTF en toda regla fue el que, de repente, resultara que Lorian y Lathenia, los dioses que encarnan el bien y el mal respectivamente, tuvieran otro hermano que, supuestamente, murió, pero que, en realidad, está escondido en vete a saber dónde, alguna especie de universo paralelo al que mandan a Matt para que sus poderes aparezcan de una vez. Y, encima, pretenden hacerme creer que, en unos pocos capítulos, justo después de haber conocido a su padre y sin ser capaz apenas de mantener la concentración, de repente Matt ya sea todo un experto, el más poderoso de los Elegidos, el líder, el que puede hacer prácticamente cualquier cosa que se le antoje. Y todo porque Dartemis, el hermano de Lorian y Lathenia, sigue vivo y a salvo en un recóndito rincón del universo al que la Diosa del Caos (Lathenia) no tiene acceso. Ven-ga-ya. Es que no, a ver, no me puedo creer algo así. El cambio de Matt es que es repentino, y lo de Dartemis bien podría considerarse un Deus ex machina en toda regla.

Y Rochelle, bueno, la chica no me caía mal y desde luego comprendemos su actitud, su recelo, el que se sienta siempre apartada por eso de ser considerada una traidora... Y sus poderes molan, aunque he de decir que no paraba de recordarme a Elsa, la de Frozen, por eso de tener que llevar guantes todo el rato para no dañar sin querer a nadie con los poderes de sus manos. Eso sí: eso de que solamente le dolieran cuando los demás le preguntaban, pues tampoco es creíble. A ella es que jamás la oímos quejarse; solamente cuando alguien le pregunta directamente si le duelen, ella primero piensa: "Muchísimo, cada vez más", y luego responde que no. Cosa que me parece bastante tonta teniendo en cuenta que ahí todo el mundo puede leer los pensamientos de los demás (a excepción de unos cuantos de los Elegidos). Algo muy cansino, by the way.

Lo que no me cuadró de Rochelle fue que no se supiera nada de dónde vive ni nada. Vemos dónde vive Neriah, la hija de Marduke; vemos dónde viven Matt e Isabel con Jimmy y la madre de los dos chicos; vemos dónde viven Ethan y Shaun, vemos dónde viven Arkarian y hasta los miembros del Tribunal... Pero no sabemos dónde vive Rochelle. Adónde va, ni con quién, cuando no se la requiere en la Guardia, o dónde duerme mientras su alma acude en una misión al pasado. En fin, solamente sabemos que tiene un padre violento que está en la cárcel, pero, que yo recuerde, jamás se indica si Rochelle vive sola, con su madre, con algún otro familiar... Nada.

Y, bueno, lo de su muerte es que ya fue el mayor WTF del mundo, junto con el final en sí del libro. Osea, la pobre chica se pasa la vida pasándolo mal, con un padre que le pegaba, con amigos que la daban de lado, luego la marginan en la Guardia porque todavía la consideran una traidora por haber estado a las órdenes de Marduke... Y, justo cuando parece que la pobrecita va a tener algo de felicidad, va Marduke y se la carga utilizando la flecha de Ethan. Es que, de verdad... yo es que no me lo creía. Es que me pareció todavía más random que todo el resto del libro, y mira que lo de después, el final en sí (Marduke convirtiéndose en piedra y, hala, ya no se sabe nada más de nada ni nadie), es de lo más cutre que hay, pero lo de Rochelle... Precisamente por eso de que la Profecía casi la señalaba a ella como uno de los Elegidos que moriría, pues tú llegas a pensar que la autora se guarda un as en la manga, que pasará algo, que se salvará, que Isabel la curará, o que directamente lo que Isabel vio no se cumplirá. Pero qué va. Es todo tal como te lo van diciendo a lo largo del libro, y tú dices: "¿Pa qué?" A ver, es que yo en estos casos me espero una vuelta de hoja, quizás algo que haga que todo cambie, no que todo se cumpla tal y como te lo van diciendo en todo el libro. Es casi como si la autora se spoileara a sí misma, y se pierde el elemento sorpresa. Aparte, eso de cortar la historia justo ahí, tras la muerte de Rochelle, con todos traumatizados, Ethan destrozado, Marduke convertido en piedra... pues me pareció como que faltaba algo. No sé, una manera precipitada y cutre de cerrar una historia, por otro lado, larga, enrevesada y a ratos confusa.
Oh, y no nos olvidemos de lo de que Marduke y Carter son hermanos. Eso ya es que me hizo carcajearme a mandíbula batiente XD Sobre todo cuando simplemente te lo dicen, que no te explican ni nada el que esos dos realmente puedan ser hermanos. ¿Cómo, a ver? Se supone que esos dos jamás se han visto y, sin embargo, ahí los tienes, hermanos y trabajando juntos al servicio de Lathenia. Pero la autora no se digna a explicar nada acerca de ellos, más allá de su parentesco. Es que casi me recordó a Once upon a time, donde todos son parientes de todos. Ya es que hasta me da la risa XD

Sobre el argumento en sí, lo cierto es que me gustaron mucho más los de los dos primeros libros. Los viajes al pasado, los Elegidos descubriendo sus poderes, la incursión al Inframundo... A ver, no es que me pareciera lo más novedoso y chachi del mundo mundial, pero eran unas buenas historias, me gustaban las tramas y subtramas, me encantó que Isabel fuera la narradora (un personaje con muchísima fuerza) y me encantó Ethan (por eso lamenté que se convirtiera en un mero secundario a partir del segundo libro). También me gustaba el misterio en torno a Arkarian, me intrigaba el potencial que parecía tener Matt, me sorprendía cada vez que se revelaba que tal o cual personaje también pertenecía a la Guardia... Y creo que es por eso precisamente por lo que este último libro me ha parecido, con perdón, una cagada monumental. Para mí, es como si la autora se hubiera cargado todo el trabajo y todo lo chachi que había en los dos primeros libros.

Esto se ve muy claramente con el tema del traidor. Todo el libro se lo pasan diciendo que si hay un traidor, que si es fulanito, que si es menganito... Le dan tantísimas vueltas y los personajes cambian de opinión tantísimas veces en apenas dos líneas, que es que parece que la autora quisiera sorprender, confundir al lector, pero no supiera cómo hacerlo. Matt, por ejemplo, sospecha de medio mundo, pero en cuanto dice: "Creo que él/ella es el traidor", viene otro, le rebate los argumentos y a las dos o tres líneas Matt está en plan: "Tiene razón, ¿pero cómo puedo haber pensado que él/ella sería el traidor?" Dos líneas, tres como mucho, ¿eh? No exagero. Demostrado. Dos malditas líneas son lo que Matt necesita para cambiar de opinión. Y tú, mientras, con cara de WTF.
(El traidor, por cierto, es el señor Carter, quien, como he dicho, resulta ser hermano de Marduke. No se sabe cómo, pero así es, así que Carter está de su lado.)

¿Y lo de la Atlántida? Ay, mamma mía... A ver, sé que esto es una historia de fantasía y tal, pero eso de que la autora venga y me diga que, en el año 9695 antes de Cristo, existiera una civilización con tecnología mucho, muchísimo más avanzada que la que tenemos en la actualidad, más de diez mil años después, es que eso sí que NO ME LO CREO. Coño, ¿cómo va a ser eso posible? Un poquito de lógica, seriedad y verosimilitud, por favor. POR FAVOR. Es que ni de coña. No. No me trago que hace más de diez siglos existiera una tecnología más avanzada que la nuestra. Que me dicen que va a existir en el futuro, dentro de diez siglos, pues sí, mira, me cuadra más. Pero ¿antes de Cristo? ¿Antes de Troya? ¿Antes del Imperio Romano e, incluso, casi a la par que el Imperio Egipcio? (Claro que esto último, depende, you know, los Imperios duraron muchos años y tal, pero you know what I mean.) Es que no, leches, QUE NO. De verdad que cuando llegué a esa parte estaba por tirar el libro por la puñetera ventana de la sarta de tonterías y cosas sin lógica alguna que estaba leyendo. Creo que ha sido la mayor patada a la Historia que he leído nunca. Y tampoco es que yo sea una experta en Historia ni muchísimo menos, pero, coño... Hay ciertas cosas que, es que, vaya telita...

En fin, creo que poco más me queda por comentar, y menos mal, porque a lo tonto me ha quedado una señora crítica la mar de larga xD Espero que los fans de esta trilogía entiendan mi punto de vista y mi opinión, porque, al fin y al cabo, esto no es más que lo que yo pienso de este libro, nada más. No pretendo con esto pisotear la opinión de nadie, ni hacerle cambiar de idea, ni que sea mi opinión la que se imponga; ni muchísimo menos. Tan sólo digo lo que yo pienso acerca de esta saga, y realmente me da pena que todo haya sido tan WTF, porque ya digo que los dos primeros libros me gustaron bastante (al menos mucho más que este último), y creo que muchos de los personajes son redondos e increíbles (en especial Ethan, Isabel y Rochelle, junto con Neriah, que me ha sorprendido para bien).
Pero una cosa es que yo quiera que algo me guste, y otra, que me guste de verdad.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining end to the trilogy. The two POVs offered in this book are Matt and Rochelle. They aren't my favorite narrators out of the lot. I kind of missed the characters from the two previous books, but I can see why the focus shifted to these two.

There's not a lot of time travel since the conflict comes to a head in the present. I didn't really miss it that much, though, since this series has never really spent much time on the actual time travel.

I tried not to get hung up on a couple of things - insta-love abounds in this one even more than the second book, and the big question of who the traitor is gets out of hand. I felt like the various suspicions, while creating suspense and drama, were also unrealistic and caused a lot of unnecessary grief. All they would have had to do was remember the actual prophecy to help them narrow the field... just saying. But I suppose you have to have a story, right? And it did keep me guessing.

Just a quick heads-up for those of you who think you're on a lighthearted adventure where all ends well. This ended up being more tragic than I expected - not everyone survives. But I was ok with the ending for the most part, probably because the POV shift made me not care so much. There was plenty of suspense and danger throughout, and it was a lot of fun to read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****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...

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd actually like to give this book at 3.5. I didn't like it as much as the first two and I HATED the ending. But, all in all it was an enjoyable series.

I want to start with the things I really liked about this book as well as the other two. They are totally action packed. And not in a way that sacrifices character development for action scenes (see the Midnighter series by Scott Westerfeld). Curley manages to weave in depth to her characters in a way that isn't bogged down with over detailed monologues (see The Inheritance books by Christopher Paolini). She's a very skilled writer giving away character plot points via natural flowing story line and dialogue.

Now, that being said, the twist at the end was a little predictable. Mr. Carter was and always had been the obvious choice for the traitor and the somewhat annoying framing of Lady Arrabella felt forced.

I also hated what became of Matt. Really he changed and began to speak exactly like Arkarian or one of the Tribunal - in old fashioned tones. I realize he changed through his training, but to the point of practically being a whole new character was a bit of a leap for me to make. I would have liked it if he had been a little more of himself before the training.

And to the final point - I really feel like Curley let me down with Rochelle. Her character had so much potential just to die in the end. Also, for all the things Ethan did, how truly good he was, to be cheated in the end with Rochelle's death was just irritating. Everyone BUT Ethan gets a happy ending. And why didn't anyone EVER make an attempt to befriend Rochelle earlier? The ending also felt forced to me. Like Curley had to go that route to fulfill her own prophecy that the group is so tied to. Not that I think everyone should have a happy ending and that having Arkarian with Isabel, Matt with Neriah AND Ethan with Rochelle would have likely been a little too happy - I just wish it had ended a little happier.

I may read her other book Old Magic, but I've got so many other books to read, it may be a while.

While this series will definitely be interesting and identifiable for teens, I kinda wished that the characters had been older and this was an adult book. I think the concepts are interesting and would have been a great adult series.

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is actually more like 3-3.5 stars, however I docked a star because

1) Lorian's gender neutrality is treated horribly. The pronoun used for Lorian is always always "he" and about five to seven times, it is said that there is no way for Lorian to have romantic feelings for a woman without being male. As someone who identifies mainly as gender neutral, it is painful to read this sentiment over and over again

2) Dillon's misogyny, while briefly addressed, isn't really called out more. Not only does he feel like he has the right to Neriah, demanding that because he "claimed" her first then Matt can't express feelings for her and she can't choose Matt, but it doesn't come to anything. There is no point to the entire plotline of Dillon being ridiculously and stupidly jealous. His entire character is basically useless

I love this series. I've always loved this series since I was a kid, but the first point was painful to read and the second was annoying, so I tragically have to rate this book low

[Özde · Rating 4 out of 5]

kitabın sonundan nefret ettim hala kendime gelemedim. böyle hayal gücü olmaz ola. isyan ediyorum yazara. 1 yıldız vericem son 20 sayfa yüzünden... kıyma kitaba özde diyorum. çok sürükleyici bir seri ama böyle biticeğini bilseydim son kitabı yada son sayfaları okumazdım. bütün hayallerimi yıktın Marianne isyan ediyorum sana

[Fedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It was a common YA story at the beginning, but... The feelings! The tension! The suspicion shifting from one to another endlessly... The third book of the series is really great, even after all these years, even after I've read all those YA series... Definitely a 5 star book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Marianne Curley is an amazing author indeed!

[Courtney Robeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOOOOOOOOO! WHAT IS THIS ENDING?!?! IT CAN'T END LIKE THAT!

[Dynamagne Pariñas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The span between the time I read the second book and the last book is years because I wasn't able to find a copy of The Key in any of the bookstores I went to. Alas I finally found a copy and when I started reading it, I was taken again to a whole new world created by Marianne Curley. I didn't mind that the writing suited an eight-year-old reader, this is a book for children anyway. I didn't mind that the different love stories weren't dwelled much into because this isn't a romance novel in the first place. What some goodreads reviewers call as 'instalove', I didn't mind because Curley brought up the concept of 'soulmates' which backed up the seemingly forced romances. There are a lot of things that did bother me:

- The different narrators spoke in THE SAME voice. Unless the narrator was describing something about his/her superpowers or his/her life, I couldn't tell who was narrating at that moment. There were times when I had to go back to the first page of the chapter just to know who was telling the story.

-I wasn't attached to any of the new characters. I remember reading the first two books and I really liked Ethan and Isabel. I felt like the author did not effectively make an in depth characterization of Dillon, Neriah, Rochelle and Matt. I didn't Identify with Matt and Rochelle even though they were the main narrators of the book.

- This third complaint is connected to the second. One of the main goals of authors is to provoke feelings from readers. As I didn't get attached to the characters, their deaths didn't provoke any emotion from me.

-This is what I don't get: if the immortals are powerful why are they letting a bunch of teenagers join the war? I know they're "named" and all but since the immortals are the ones giving "gifts" shouldn't they have unlimited power? And with such, why couldn't they beat the dark side themselves?

- Why is Matt more powerful than Arkarian? The Prophecy isn't enough of an explanation. They are both sons of immortals. Are their dads not of equal level? (Dartemis and Lorian respectively)

- Why was Matt speaking like one of the immortals when he became the leader? Was part of his training with Dartemis to learn how to speak like a person from centuries ago? I understand that he had to gain respect and show his authority but it felt like he became someone from the tribunal who inhabited a teenage boy's body. I didn't see Matt anymore.

- I was really unsatisfied with the ending. It felt like there is a chapter or two missing. The story felt unresolved. Did the publisher give a deadline to the author and the author's only goal was to meet it without finishing the story? We will never know.

-I feel really bad for Ethan. He doesn't deserve his ending. The author may have felt that she needed to make someone's ending unhappy so that the end doesn't sound too happy and cheesy. Ethan's ending was too forced and unfair.

I read the first two books years ago so I may have had overlooked the same issues. But I'm older now and I choose not to turn my blind side. I am giving this book the lowest rating out of the three because it wasn't as fast paced and exciting as I remember the first two books to be.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series begins and ends with Ethan.

The narrators may switch repeatedly for a greater perspective but it always comes back to this boy. His life riddled with despair, every chance for happiness ripped away just at the moment where he might begin to heal. Sera's departure, Rochelle's death... I can't bear to think how damaged Ethan would be after these events. I wonder if Curley even knew, she didn't write it, after all. In the first book, I mourned his potential romance with Isabel as she began to look to Arkarian. In the second, I watched him, distraught, as he sought to save his mother from her seemingly inevitable death. In the last, as he struggled with his emotions for a girl he thought he could never love... and sadly, it came to be.

Thwarted love. Lady Arabella loses her soulmate and in his final moments The Immortal was still apparently unaware of her affections. There is nothing sadder than this.

Matt, presented as overprotective and obnoxious in the first book grows into a strong and ultimately beloved character over the course of this final chapter. For me this simply meant that I didn't resent him for taking what I believed to be Ethan's rightful slot as narrator. I'm glad that he, at least, survived to covet his blossoming relationship with Neriah.

Rochelle. I think it's fair to say that this heroine is given the bulk of the book to speak her mind; perhaps two thirds of the narrative is hers. As such, her desperate need to be accepted, to be forgiven, to be loved by Ethan comes across with a poignancy I've rarely experienced. It all goes to sweeten the bitterness of her sacrifice.

Her final act of redemption.

[Filip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Na téhle knize jsem si jasně ukázal, jak moc jsem se za ty dva roky změnil. Vyvoleného jsem přečetl v roce 2012, když jsem toho nepřečetl moc a říkal si, jak je první díl série úplně dokonalý. Jenže než se mi podařilo dostat se k dílu třetímu, uběhla poměrně dlouhá doba a mě pod rukama prošlo několik epických, ale taky průměrných knih. A potom jsem začal číst Klíč a uvědomil si, že jsem asi vážně od té doby dospěl. To, co mi přišlo zajímavé a dokonalé, se stalo průměrné a ničím nezajímavé. Čtení mi dělalo problémy a dokonce se mi ani pořádně nepodařilo si užít konec trilogie tak, jak jsem chtěl. V těch třinácti/čtrnácti to bylo dokonalé. Ale dnes jsem na to už asi vážně starý a vážně to pro mě není.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly don’t think I’ve ever read such a poor book unfortunately. It was so rushed and filled with plot holes and strange events.

Off the top of my head:
Last book they couldn’t rescue Arkarian but this time it’s fine to go rescue Neriah?

Dillon and Matt are both awful

Dartrix can’t be in the world because magic might be used by the goddess and yet Matt has magic and is fine? Oh and she already had a Mage?

What are Arkarian’s powers? Everyone has 2 but agelessness was gifted so doesn’t count

Ethan’s power of illusion is never explained and can be anything for the plot. It’s an illusion that is real…so not an illusion then?

The final 50 pages was just a rushed mess.

[meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gulping deep breaths, Ethan falls to the ground. In a moment of madness he grabs hold of the arrow with two hands and rips it screaming out of her chest. Everyone gasps and looks away.

‘The poison arrow is gone!’ he bellows, a look of insanity in his eyes. ‘Now she can be healed!’

rochelle and ethan simultaneously invented both love and fridging. absolutely classic times. don’t read these books they’re really bad

[Lozza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final part of the trilogy was much more enjoyable that the previous installments.
A number of predictable "twists" as usual, one genuine "omg" moment and a fairly weak/unsatisfying ending though.
I'm glad to have finished the series and am glad I read it. It's not one that I'll bother to reread again though.

[Alicia Ceasar · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy I decided to reread this series.

[eliska · Rating 3 out of 5]

ive read this whole book series when i was just about 10 years old and i loved it. can i say the same thing now?

i think that the story had an AMAZING potential. the whole time traveling, idea with the wars, pandemics being the orders doing was a great explanation. yet the author struggled with expressing it all.
i wish we would get more side characters other than the 9 named and two characters from the Order. id love to know more about the tribunal members. i want to know more about lady arabella, lord penbarin (tbh, id prefer them together more and lorians dead anyway) what if we got characters that werent on either side? characters who are just normal humans but are still important to the story? we couldve gotten a normal human being soulmate of a named. so much of an angst potential.. there were so many angst potential scenes. of course that the author had to make the least likeable character (marcus carter) the traitor. the family arc with marduke was boring. what if someone else was the traitor? shaun or neriah would make such good plotwists.
the author struggles with ‘show, don’t say.’ yes, matt did spend 6 months training but how come was he so good at everything once he came back? not once did he waver. how come did he come to the fact that hes the leader so easily? he hadnt made a single mistake. and if he did, it wasnt much of a problem. (no, rochelles death wasnt his fault.)
i so wish we got more of the powers of the named. whats shauns power? whats jimmys? she didnt properly explain. dillons other power? arkarians other than being an eternal and a truthseer? when he fought lanthania in the second book, he used some kind of power to manipulate the energy in the fire. is that a weapon or something that he ‘could just do?’ - not my words, page 359 of The Key. marcus’ other power? neriahs? she can draw, she can transform into animals, and she has a connection to animals, as seen when she was calming down the wild horses, even before the gifts from the Tribunal.
the characters were plain and basic. isabel was just a stubborn schoolgirl who never took no as an answer. arkarian was just the wise and smart one. rochelles whole personality was based around nobody believing in her. jimmy was just ‘the protector’. shaun was barely there. neriah was just the beautiful round faced girl who was mardukes daughter. and matt was a stupid boy who accepted his role in two days. i feel like she really struggled with writing them as human as possible because in the first two books, arkarians and isabel pissed me off so bad. no 15 years old girl thinks like that. and whys nobody talking about a 600+ year old guy is dating a 16 year old bro thats so weird
the author also seems to be very into love at first sight trope but tbh having reading it 3 damn times it got annoying. we got NOTHING but some eye contacts and suddenly both of the characters knew they were made for eachother. okay, yeah. matts and neriahs trope was a bit better but he folded way too quick so it actually sucked even more.
the whole world building was i feel way too rushed. there was barely anything happening. the lorian and lathania fight took like two lines and they both died anyway wtf. rochelles death was rushed and actually really emotionless idk how that made me cry back then.
so yeah. the book isnt bad, isnt good. its mid. tho out of the three, its the best one, thats for sure.

[Eva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Creo que hacía tiempo que un libro me dejaba tan mala sensación.

En primer lugar, ¿qué tiene la autora contra la pobre Rochelle? Todos la menosprecian y la tratan de traidora. A Dillon que está en su misma situación todos se lo perdonan, y el único motivo que se me ocurre es que es por ser mujer. Ethan se lo dice claramente al final: intimida a todos porque es guapa y poderosa ¿¡WTF!? TODOS tienen poderes asombrosos y peligrosos, ¡pero SOLO a ella la juzgan por los mismos! De verdad o la autora es una machista o no entiendo nada.

En segundo lugar está el tema de la profecía y de los elegidos. El peso que esto ha tenido en la historia ha sido nulo exceptuando para el tema de las armas, el traidor y la muerte que anuncia. Se supone que son 9 elegidos, pero son 10 protagonistas (con algunos 0 peso en la historia): Ethan, Isabel, Arkarian, Matt, Rochelle, Carter, Jimmy, Neriah, Shaun y Dillon. Y claro, falta UN arma. Porque hay uno que NO es elegido: Dillon. Y claro, ¿a quién se la quitamos para aliviar el peso de culpa de Matt por haber hecho una estúpida promesa? Pues a Rochelle, claro que sí, que ella ya es suficiente poderosa. Ni a Arkarian ni al propio Matt, que son medio-inmortales y no les hace ninguna de falta, no, no. A ella, que no vaya a ser que se convierta en alguien mucho más fuerte(que algún chico). Ahí vi a Matt TAN egoísta que no sé cómo nadie de los personajes reaccionó a parte de Ethan, y además sabiendo que a ella le asustan sus poderes, ¡y NO quiere utilizarlos!

¿Alguien me puede explicar por qué tienen que dejar que Matt sea el líder? ¿Por qué ha hecho un curso exprés de poderes y es el más fuerte de todos? ¿Acaso la fuerza hace un buen líder? ¿Por qué lo dice una profecía que no se sabe quién la escribió y que tampoco se sabe bien a quién designa? Que un chico de 15 años lidere en vez de uno de 600 es tan inverosímil que me parece que la historia esté escrita por un niño.

También están las GRANDES lagunas que tiene: quiénes eran los inmortales, quién hizo la profecía, quién decía quién era un elegido y quién no, porqué el rey Ricardo estaba con Lathenia en su palacio (esto me dejó muy descolocada), cómo, cuándo y porqué Rochelle se pasó a la Orden, cómo conoció a Marduke, porqué el señor Carter quería que un demonio matara a Rochelle (otro WTF), cómo Mardurke y Carter podían ser hermanos y nadie saberlo, etc, etc, etc...

Y luego está el tema del final, que a parte de ser abrupto, es mezquino. Isabel puede cambiar el curso de la historia gracias a sus visiones, pero justamente la de Rochelle no puede. ¡Qué casualidad!
Que se muera por haber estado en el pasado en el lado de Lathenia, ¿no?


Cuando terminé el libro estuve apunto de tirarlo a la papelera.

En fin, no digo más que me enervo.

[Saimi Korhonen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But trust is what the Guard is all about. Faith in what doesn't always make sense."

The Key is a wonderful, action-packed, emotional finale to this wonderful trilogy (The Shadow, the fourth book is still resolutely ignored in this house). The Key is told from the POVs of Matt, who is struggling with his position as the prophecied leader of the Guard and the Named, and of Rochelle, who is struggling with her past as the enemy's minion and trying her best to convince everyone that she is part of the Guard and has left her past behind. I love Matt (he is my favorite) and Rochelle a lot, and their POVs are super fun and engaging to read. The time-travels in this book are amazing, as is the overall development of the world, characters and the story.

This time reading this book - I don't know how many times I've read this trilogy, but it's a lot - I found myself falling even more in love with Matt. He is a wonderful, interesting character and I like how he is both an epic destined hero and a stupid teenage boy. I also found myself getting truly attached to the character of Neriah for the first time. I've always liked her, but I've never cared for her too much, but this time I really, really liked her. The character of Jimmy also has always been someone I liked, but this time reading the books I've realized just how whole-heartedly I love him. As I said to my sister (with who I am reading these books), I would 100% marry him. But yeah, I just love these characters so much and they mean the world to me. I've been reading this trilogy since I was a kid and I can't describe how deeply ingrained in my heart and mind these people and this story is.

I've really enjoyed this re-read. The Guardians of Time trilogy remains one of my fave series' of all time. It's not perfect and it uses some tropes I am not a big fan of (insta-love etc.) but it still holds up in my opinion. The characters are great, the magic system is wonderful and the books are just really, really fun. Whenever I read them, I feel just really happy and cozy. I get excited about the same things each time, I laugh at the same jokes and the events always make me emotional, no matter that I've read and experienced them a dozen times before.

One more thing, if you read these books, I highly suggest stopping at book three and not picking up The Shadow cause in my humble opinion it destroys much of what was so great about the original books and especially this last book, the Key. I hate to be rude but still, don't do it. This story works so well as a trilogy.

[Isabelle Low · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read the previous two books of the series, the impending fight between the Order and the Guards were was as tense as it could be. Through its pacing and rising of mistrust within the Guard itself, the reader themselves start taking on the role of a detective as well, hoping to help uncover who the traitor is before the Guards do. In addition you see Matt and Rochelle grow through the chapters, especially since we'll find it shocking that Matt had changed drastically - maturely- and naturally readers would grow to like (if not love them). Throughout the chapter new stakes are raised that keeps readers on their toes which keeps the story interesting and engaging which is essential for the book since TIME is of the essence.

I would have given this book 4/5 stars if it wasn't for the abrupt ending that was a total let down. With Rochelle's death came shock especially since we thought that Isabel's vision may not come true anymore! I especially grew to love Rochelle, so her death came as a shock. I have no problem that Rochelle's last moments was quick as her death. But I was so disappointed at the resolution of the war. We have Ethan's denial, which is heart breaking since he lost his sister and his love because of the same person, and what we are left with is his revenge that he does not pull through and Marduke's death. Not only does the conclusion not conclude, it does not have a cliff- hanger effect that us leaves us wondering what happen. The result is more of a "so...." effect. It concludes nothing nor suggest anything.

I seriously loved the Guardians of Time series, but the end of the Trilogy was a total let down and left me rather upset since there was a potential for the ending to be superb and impactful like the rest of the story was. I'd still read the whole series again someday but it'll take sometime to get over the unsatisfactory ending.

Happy Reading!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the Guardians of Time trilogy, by Marianne Curley. By the beginning of this book, many additions have been accumulated by the Guard, including Ethan's father, Matt, Mr. Carter, Jimmy, and -shockingly- Rochelle. At the same time, The Order is gearing up for their final, all-out assault on the Guard, hoping to eliminate it entirely.
The alternating perspectives of Matt and Rochelle in this book were good, but nowhere near as entertaining as Ethan and Isabel in the first. Rochelle's however, gives us insight to the true innocence, if you will, of all of the character's she touches, and her feelings for Ethan. Matt's as well provides major insight, as we find out that he is an immortal, and he finally comes into his powers. I also think that the romance between him and Neriah was the most natural and beautiful of the series.
The is one was harder to get through than the other two, but the part that confused me most was the ending. It was powerful, considering the last few events (Rochelle's death, the Immortals' death), but I was hoping there would have been a little bit more, and that there would have been a bit happier of an ending. In all honesty, it felt a bit like a cliff hanger. Nonetheless, I enjoyed most of it and recommend it to fans of the series.

[MTeresa LTI · Rating 3 out of 5]

How a scene can shape your perception of a story forever! For me, this trilogy was the story of Ethan and Rochelle. As it turns out, it was really some fleeting moments and one life-changing scene. Yes, that one. That beautiful well-written one, completely perfect (imo, much better than any of the other love stories in the trilogy).

Don't get me wrong: I like the rest of characters and I think they are well developed. The plot is pretty solid most of the time (only Matt's sudden improvement and the inconsistencies in the final battle are my complaints, but hey, we can't be perfect). However, I loved to see Ethan grow in his role and personality (the threats to his life and the absurd amount of times he almost loses it is a joke or what?), and I particularly loved Rochelle's perspective. It's so realistic! People are so threatened by beautiful powerful women! It even felt unfair how no one ever questioned Dillon, but Rochelle felt it differently. Until the end. And that makes everything all the more unfair...

Anyway, let's see how the continuation goes. It'll be my first time reading it and I'm kind of scared... (especially because I even wrote my own continuation as a fanfic back in the time)

[Andrómeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro me ha dejado literalmente con el corazón en la boca. El final, oh dioses, me ha hecho lagrimear un poco sinceramente. El libro es algo que vale la pena leer (en si toda la trilogía) pues por lo menos a mi me lo parece. Tiene de todo un poco y sin duda te logra sorprender con los sucesos. Me gustó el hecho de que fueran contados desde diferentes perspectivas, eso como que te ayuda a conocer un poco más los personajes y le da también cierta intriga porque mientras no sabes qué está pasando con los demás.
Me cuesta pensar que ya no leeré nada más de estas aventuras sin duda emocionantes.

[Still Life With Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pues me ha gustado bastante más que la primera vez que lo leí. No sé si será porque ya sabía lo que iba a pasar, porque ahora hay otro libro a continuación, o porque ya estoy acostumbrada a los finales amargos. Sigue teniendo cosas que me hacen poca gracia, como la falta de protagonismo para los personajes principales de los libros anteriores. Pero con esta relectura he podido apreciar algunos de los aspectos positivos, por ejemplo, en La Llave hay mucha más acción que en Los Elegidos o La Oscuridad. En conclusión se puede decir que ha sido una relectura positiva.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

A weak four stars. More like 3.5. Definitely the best book of the series. Some parts were too convenient and I was not a big fan of the ending.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS book reminds me why I always loved reading so much.