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The Key (Guardians of Time #3)

by Marianne Curley (Goodreads Author)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 2,478 ratings · 121 reviews

In the thrilling, final installment of the Guardians of Time trilogy, tentative guard members Matt and Rochelle have emerged as crucial players in fulfilling the prophecy of the Named. Matt has learned that he is the son of an immortal, while Rochelle is struggling with her newfound powers and her fear that the group doesn't trust her. In fact, their leader is certain that...more

Paperback, 416 pages

Published October 3rd 2006 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens (first published June 11th 2005)

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Feb 22, 2009 LeNa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, time-travel, demons, immortals, paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy, magic, read-in-2009

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Feb 06, 2009 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: The Guardians of Time trilogy fans

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi, action-adventure, young-adult-lit, series

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 08, 2013 Dynamagne Pariñas rated it 2 of 5 stars

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...more 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. (less)

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Mar 22, 2011 Liz rated it 2 of 5 stars

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...more

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Jul 07, 2009 Loren rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 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 bega...more

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Apr 12, 2009 Krista (One Love) (Critical) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, tears, fave-author, wall-banger, ya

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...more

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Mar 22, 2011 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-11, series-teen

This is the third book in the Guardians of Time Trilogy.

This trilogy is a classic good versus bad + plenty of superpowers + lots of budding new love/relationships. Oh yeah, and of course...time travel.

A-ma-zing! Loved it. Funny, in I Am Number Four, I complained that I didn't like love stories in books. Well, the Guardians of Time Trilogy has LOTS of love going on. It seemed like every character! But, it didn't bug me at all. I'm not going to say too much about the story. One thing I liked was...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Becks rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 09, 2010 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

*****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......more *****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...(less)

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Dec 16, 2008 Mindy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 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...more 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.
(less)

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Aug 01, 2011 Elica added it

Honestly, the book for some reason got slightly immature.

The characters i mean.

Even the aduts are acting stupid!

And i mean isn't Lorian an IMMORTAL?

shouldn;t he be able to kill all those demons with like a swish of his finger?!?

And how pathetic was that ending when the dagger went to his throat?

And what of Lady Arbealla?

wtf!? Does she stay wit hDartemis?

I dislike the whole cliff ending, especially if this is the last book. I disliked Rochelle dying, if anything Dillon should of died, he hardly d...more

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Aug 16, 2011 Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

This conclusion starts with a dramatic meeting between the immortals that in turn gives the Named increased abilities. As the Named come to grips with the increased power they must locate a key that will change the course of the battle. Surprisingly there is only one solid example of time travel in this book before Matt is sent off to train and hone his skills to play his part in the prophecy. When Matt returns there is one more mission in time, to the lost city of Atlantis where Matt come face...more

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Feb 12, 2010 Olivia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

Okay, so I really liked this series and was excited to finish the third book in the trilogy. That said, I was disappointed by this book. I don't know if it is just because I didn't identify with Matt and Rochelle as well as the other characters and it was told from their point of view, because I still liked the way the story played out... until the last couple of chapters. I finished the book and had to go back and read the last pages again because I thought I had missed something. They story do...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Aliza rated it 2 of 5 stars

I agree with quite a few reviews for this book. Up until the end of this book I would have given it a 4 star rating. After the end of the book I would give it a 1 or less. I don't mind the death at the end of the book, I just mind the abruptness of it.....one of my favorite characters loses their "soul-mate" and is left heartbroken, then NOTHING. As another person commented, I turned the page to see if there was an epilogue or, well, anything at all. Instead that was it.

So my question is this......more

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Dec 30, 2010 Dani rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

No se por qué no disfruté tanto con este libro. Creo que por alguna razón estaba muy distraída.

Creo que concluyó bien, no me gustan esos finales tan maravillosamente terminados en que todo calza y son felices por siempre, los concidero muy ingenuos. Sin embargo no puedo evitar sentir cierto grado de injusticia con lo de Rochelle, tuvo en toda la trilogía que.. serían unos dos minutos de felicidad, me sentí muy triste. Creo que finalmente es con esa sensación con la que me quedo y no me gusta por...more

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Mar 23, 2009 Morning rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 13, 2009 Sirharasi rated it 3 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure if I should give this three or four stars. I'd like to give it three and a half, but that's not an option.
The Key is told through the eyes of Matt and Rochelle. I see why the author decided to tell this part of the story from their point of view, but I really missed seeing the story through the eyes of Ethan, Isabel, and Arakarian.
One of my favorite parts was the ending. It was fast-paced, and a lot was resolved. But, at the same time, it left a lot unexplained. There are many loo...more

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Nov 28, 2008 Elizabeth marked it as to-read

The Order of Chaos begins its final and devastating assault on the Named in a desperate bid to annihilate them and gain absolute control of all the realms.

The Named are in trouble. Not only must they find the precious lost key to unlock their ancient treasury of weapons, but there is a traitor in their midst. Suspicion is making them weaker, as the prophecy predicted, and they desperately need new hope.

This final volume in the Guardians of Time Trilogy is told from the perspectives of Matt and...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads

I debated on what rating to actually give this final book as there are some really great parts, though there are also some slow parts and a number of mistakes in the text annoyed me, though I think the more apt rating is somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. The lead up to the end was great, though the very ending was ridiculous! It just ended! If I didnt know better I would say that there were pages missing. It just felt as though more was needed. It is the very end which really bought down my opini...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Isabelle Low rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 13-14

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 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 natura...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Salva rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dziś rano skończyłam trzecią książkę z cyklu Marianne Curley The Guardians of time. Składa się on z 3 części: The Named, The Dark i The Key. Wszystkie trzy czytałam w języku angielskim i wpłynęło to znacząco na mój odbiór. Odkryłam bowiem, że kocham czytać w języku angielskim. Na dodatek przyznanie się przed samą sobą do tego, co lubię wyszło mi na zdrowie.

Podchodziłam do pierwszej książki z trójcy trochę jak pies do jeża. Czytałam wcześniej inną książkę, pierwszą normalną książkę fabularną po...more Dziś rano skończyłam trzecią książkę z cyklu Marianne Curley The Guardians of time. Składa się on z 3 części: The Named, The Dark i The Key. Wszystkie trzy czytałam w języku angielskim i wpłynęło to znacząco na mój odbiór. Odkryłam bowiem, że kocham czytać w języku angielskim. Na dodatek przyznanie się przed samą sobą do tego, co lubię wyszło mi na zdrowie.

Podchodziłam do pierwszej książki z trójcy trochę jak pies do jeża. Czytałam wcześniej inną książkę, pierwszą normalną książkę fabularną po angielsku Darke Academy cz.1 i pozostawiła ona we mnie pewien niesmak. The Named poczekało sobie zatem kilka dni zanim dojrzałam do sięgnięcia po nią. Pierwsze co mi się rzuciło w oczęta to inny język niż ten, którym posługiwała się autorka Darke. Zrozumiałam w czym rzecz dopiero potem, kiedy serducho rozpłynęło mi się pod wpływem przeczytania ukochanego słowa "Australia". Podeszłam do książki dość sceptycznie. Zaczęłam ją czytać w okolicznościach nieco niesprzyjających docenianiu lektury jako takiej, mianowicie na wykładzie z Metodologii, najnudniejszym i najbardziej niezrozumiałym na jakim kiedykolwiek byłam. Ever. Nawet fizyka była bardziej zrozumiała. W takich warunkach wszystko, nawet napisy na ławkach były bardziej interesujące. Można powiedzieć, że ksiązka trafiła na sprzyjający moment jesli chodzi o ilość uwagi jaką jej poświęciłam ale było to na zasadzie "lepszy rydz niż nic". Tydzień później, tzn dzisiaj, kończyłam trzecią część cyklu na tych samych zajęciach, z wypiekami na twarzy i niemal łzami w oczach pod sam koniec.

The Named rozpoczyna się wizją małej dziewczynki mordowanej przez potwora na oczach jej młodszego brata. Zniesmaczona przypomniałam sobie początek Darke Academy, gdzie początek wyglądał dość podobnie. Też była istota płci żeńskiej i też, oh jakże się nie spodziewaliśmy, została zamordowana. Nihil novi. W przypadku Darke Academy mieliśmy do czynienia z nadprzyrodzonymi istotami w subtelnym wydaniu. The Named mnie zaskoczyło nagłym wpleceniem wątku fantastycznego. Nagłym jak nagłym, może powinnam napisać, że w zasadzie nigdy nie czytywałam fantastyki? Wychodziłam z założenia, że te klimaty mnie nie kręcą. O jakże się myliłam... Porównania do Darke Academy pojawiały się jedynie na samym początku. Oba cykle 3 książkowe, przy czym Darke było pierwszym jakiego dotknęłam, nic zatem dziwnego że porównania narzucały się same. Darke się własnego wpisu w moim księżniczkowym journalu nie doczeka więc Obrońcy Czasu muszą mi wybaczyć. Biorąc pod uwagę jakie peany pochwalne im szykuję myślę, ze zrobią to bez problemu.

Czytając sarkastycznie rzucałam sobie uwagi w stylu "oho, znowuż dziewuszkę zamordowali, ciekawe co wykombinują tym razem". Zastanawiam się na ile mój pozytywny stosunek do lektury był spowodowany mangowo-animowym 6-letnim doświadczeniem. Jestem obyta z pewnymi schematami, niemal nic mnie nie dziwi (poza Agathą Christie) i mnóstwo rzeczy mi się podoba. Dawniej przeklinałam swój los zwykłego szarego commonera, ale teraz się cieszę, że brak mi wysublimowanego gustu. Bardzo szybko poczułam więź z głównym bohaterem, co było o tyle proste, że mam słabość do tych rycerzowatych typów, którym tylko białego konia brakuje (i piątej klepki zazwyczaj też). Niemniej dopiero pojawienie się postaci Arkariana zatrzęsło moim dotychczasowym światopoglądem i otworzyło drzwi do nieznanego mi dotąd świata odczuć i emocji i ssania pt:"bo-ja-to-muszę-teraz-koniecznie-czytać". Wystarczyło, że facet ma niebieskie włosy, fioletowe oczy, wygląda jak 18 latek mimo sześciu setek na karku. Tak drodzy państwo, Arkarian jest starym prykiem i na dodatek pedofilem o czym świadczą jego skłonności, których nie omieszkam wspomnieć za chwilę. Główny bohater - Ethan wydał mi się bardzo sensowny, chociż setting na początku mnie mocno kłuł w poczucie realizmu. Nie martwię się tym teraz bo poczucie realizmu zdechło niedługo potem i nie było czego kłuć. Setting jest idiotyczny i zawiera dziury jak stąd do Ameryki. Na szczęście poza kilkoma momentami kiedy absurd sytuacji przebijał się przez moją ślepotę na idiotyzmy przedstawionego świata nie przeszkadzało mi to aż tak bardzo. W sumie miałam poczekać z tym do konkluzji, ale nie mogę się oprzeć. Fascynuje mnie jedna sprawa, jakim cudem coś co ma tak kretyński setting i bohaterów, którzy się zachowują jakby coś im mózgi wyżarło, mogło mnie trzymać w takim napięciu. Czytałam książki z wypiekami na twarzy zapominając o całym świecie. Chciałam tylko czytać i czytać i czytać i przeżywałam lekturę jak mrówka okres. Byłam niesamowicie ciekawa co będzie dalej i czego się dowiem i jaka relacja tym razem się utworzy. W sumie książkę trudno nazwać nieprzewidywalną, zaskoczyła mnie bodaj dwa razy, całą resztę sobie mogłam dośpiewać. Moje obeznanie ze znaczącymi zbliżeniami w anime służyło mi pomocą w przewidywaniu wydarzeń. Nic nie dzieje się przypadkowo i dopóki nie mamy do czynienia z Durarą czy Baccano nawet ja jestem w stanie ogarnąć, że podkreślanie dwa razy "jakie on ma ZIELONE oczy" mocno sugeruje kto stanowi istotną postać w gronie naszych robaczków. Tożsamość Bastiana nie była trudna do odgadnięcia.

Kto nie czytał Obrońców, a chce niech nie czyta dalej bo się zaspoileruje. Jakbym znała spoilery przypuszczalnie dużo większą uwagę zwracałabym na wady historii. Końcówka mnie trzymała w napięciu. Nawet pomimo niesamowicie irytującego Matta i Rochelle, z której się nie wiadomo kiedy zrobiła przestraszona straumatyzowana dzieweczka. A którą autorka twardo przedstawia jako outsiderkę z wyboru, opryskliwą i z charakterem, który deprymuje innych. Pożądałam jak kania dżdżu momentu w którym Ethan wreszcie przyzna przed samym sobą, że tak to ONA jest jego soulmatem. W ogóle to dzieciaczki fajnie mieli, wszystkie soulmaty pod nosem, pozazdrościć. Co by było wszak jakby soulmate był chińczykiem, który sobie umarł 3000 lat wstecz? To by był dopiero ambaras! Ale nie, tak źle nie było. Mieliśmy tylko pairing 16 latki z 630 letnim facetem. Nic szczególnego w końcu...

Będzie mała dygresyjka, jako żywo nie mogę przestać, myśląc o komnatach Arkariana, wyobrażać sobie tego stołu kuchennego u Gumisiów razem z całym pomieszczeniem. Wizja mi bardzo pasuje do opowieści.

Przechodząc do poważnej analizy bo już mi w kolejce tupie kolejna książka. Nie dość, że rano skończyłam jedną to kolejnego dnia wieczorem już jest po kolejnej. Nie poznaję siebie, jak mojego Kazehayę kocham!

Moje zdziwienie ilością elementów nadprzyrodzonych trwało dosyć krótko. Zwłaszcza, że dość szybko spodobał mi się pomysł i postaci. Narracja wg kilku bohaterów byla wyśmienitym pomysłem. Uważałam tak tylko do momentu przeczytania kolejnej części czyli The Dark gdzie wyszło mi to bokiem, nosem i uszami. Pomysł sam w sobie niegłupi, jednak wykonanie położyło go na łopatki. Ja się przywiązuję do bohaterów, których poznaję jako pierwszych. Ethan zatem zajął zaszczytne miejsce i lubiłam go właściwie do samego końca nawet pomimo kilku wpadek z Mattem (aczkolwiek podziwiam go do dziś za uzasadnienie dlaczego Mattowi nie przylał jak ten go pobił o Isabel po raz pierwszy). Jego trauma i rozterki były prawdziwe i początkowe użeranie się z Isabel przeurocze. Lubię formowanie przyjaźni w ten właśnie sposób. Arkarian dopełniał obraz, będąc tajemniczym bizonem w czarnym bucie. Z niebieskimi włosami i fioletowymi oczami o czym autorka przypominała na każdym kroku. Ethan generalnie dużo się nie zmienił przez wszystkie części poza tym, że irytowało mnie jego niezdecydowanie. Nie ufał Rochelle, dobrze, miał prawo. Ale do diabła czemu jej tak uparcie bronił? To nie miało sensu! Bo jego intuicja... Intuicja psia jego mać! Na dodatek potem wychodziły wielkie fochy o czytanie mu w głowie. Nagle jak się Rochelle usprawniła w tej kwestii to wykrywał każde wejście do jego główki na jakie się odważyła. Niestety jest to jedna z dziurek faublarnych, która sprawia że czasami miałam wrażenie, ze patrzę na podarte sitko zamiast na Fabułę-chan. Arkarian na początku był facetem sensownym, z planem, z tajemnicą za pasem. Był ciekawy, z biegiem czasu zaczął się z niego robić rozmamłaniec, który Wierzy i UFA. To dotyczyło wszystkich, w stosunku do Isabel jednak bił rekordy. Jego zachowanie przypominało zachowanie 13 latka, który się zakochał po raz pierwszy. Wiwat dojrzałość u faceta, który ma 630 lat i ciało 18 latka. Nie powinno mnie to dziwić, ciało 18 latka sugeruje całkiem intensywną imprezę hormonów w środku więc może ja się czepiam. Isabel zachowywała się dużo sensowniej na początku. Poza jednym aspektem. Teraz przejdę do ciernia, który mnie dziabał od samego początku, którego nie mogłam znieść i na który nie mogłam patrzeć. Matt. Ten facet doprowadzał mnie do furii, do szaleństwa. Dziwię się, że go nikt nie zabił wcześniej. Jego pożalcie się niebiosa poczucie odpowiedzialności było wzięte z powietrza i nie trzymało się kupy. Obrona siostry jest ze wszech miar chwalebna, ale ten idiota zajmował się jedynie tym, jak uprzykrzyć jej życie. Czego nie mogłam znieść natomiast, że wszyscy mu na to pozwalają i cackają się z nim jak ze śmierdzącym jajkiem. Były powody żeby się cackać jak światło dzienne ujrzała Przepowiednia. Wcześniej nie widziałam żadnego powodu żeby pozwalać mu na tak skandaliczne zachowanie. Przeginał zwłaszcza z wpychaniem się z nosem do związku Arkariana i Isabel, gdzie jakoś trudno było mi sobie wyobrazić żeby robili coś naprawdę złego. JEMU nikt się nie miał prawa wpychać do związku z Rochelle, ale w drugą stronę to robił co chciał. Nie masz to jak zaufanie. Kolejną postacią tego typu, przez którą toczyłam pianę z pyska był Dillon. Wrzód na... Wrzód. Niech będzie, że pobił akurat osobę która na obicie mordy zasługiwała od dawna, ale nie w tym kontekście. Nie wiem czemu z uporem maniaka autorka robiła z postaci kukiełki, którymi sobie majtała jak jej się podobało nie dbając o logikę ich poczynań. Konstrukcja postaci leżała i kwiczała i najwyraźniej podrygiwała w agonii. To jak bardzo out of character zachowywały się postaci w trzeciej części powinnam może pominąć uprzejmym milczeniem. Ale nie pominę, bo narratorami byli jedynie Matt i Rochelle. Gdzie z Matta wychodził sukinkot jakich mało natomiast z Rochelle nieśmiała panienka. Gdzie się podziała odważna, charakterna manipulatorka? Nie lubię postaci w tym typie, ale one naprawdę żyją i ja doceniam jeśli prowadzone są konsekwentnie. Rochelle obijała się pomiędzy uczuciem do Ethana, a poczuciem wyobcowania z grupy. Dillon zachowywał się jak tłumok, który nie rozumie co się do niego mówi. Ktoś powinien był mu dać po pysku w odpowiednim czasie i nawet nie upieram się, że koniecznie musiała to być Neriah. Osoby, które mają lepszą percepcję na idiotyzmy fabularne powinny sobie zdecydowanie lekturę odpuścić.

Zgłoszę jeszcze tylko jeden protest, bardzo chciałam rozwiązania wątku Lorian i Lady Arabelli. No głupi był jak but, ale chciałam jakiegoś ognistego romansu między zimnym Nieśmiertelnym, a Lodową damą. Lorian żył sobie ileś wieków i tak go nagle naszło "oh kurna jaka szkoda, że w sumie to nie nie mam płci, mimo że jestem facetem, poleciałbym na nią!". Co mi przypomina, że ilość informacji w stylu "o, to jesteś moim ojcem?" nasuwa nieodparte skojarzenia z Modą na sukces. Romanse zresztą też. Ale nie, Lorian sobie zdechł. I nie było ognistego romansu :< Zabicie Rochelle też było idiotyczne i wrzucone bardzo na siłę w fabułę książki, w której wcześniej osoba zabita spokojnie wracała do świata żywych. Nie miało to za grosz sensu. Odniosłam wrażenie, że autorka chciała żeby zakończenie było dramatyczne więc zabiła randomowo postaci, które się jeszcze do swoich drugich połówek nie zdążyły przywiązać. Coby nie było zbyt sielankowo. Zabieg zostawił mnie z bardzo dużym niedosytem w sercu. Tak samo jak i zakończenie, które ja zakwalifikowałam do urwanych. To byłby ten moment w anime, w którym bym rzucała przedmiotami po ścianach, że nie ma jeszcze jednego podsumowującego i rozluźniającego napięcie odcinka. Zapewne stąd ogromna potrzeba skomentowania przeczytanej historii. Od wczoraj nie daje mi spokoju. Mam nadzieję, że niniejszym komentarzem odczepię się wreszcie od tych książek.

I to wszechobecne nagradzanie niesubordynacji!!! Na to zabrakło mi nawet słów komentarza, nawet mój sarkazm wysiadł.

Jakkolwiek z powyższego podsumowania wynika, że lektura jest rzadkim chłamem nie mogłam się od niej oderwać, tęsknię za nią i naprawdę rozbudziła we mnie niesamowite żądze o jakie się nie podejrzewałam. Żądze czytania, pochłaniania kolejnych lektur i pisania o nich. Mogłabym bez końca czytać o tamtym świecie i o postaciach. Autorka umiała trzymać w napięciu i nie nudziłam się ani przez chwilę. I za to wielkie brawa.
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Aug 24, 2012 *~Sammy~* rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought that this book was a really good end to this series. This was such a new and unique series, unlike any other book I have ever read. This was a fun series to read for that reason alone, but it had many other reasons to be as good as it turned out to be. Some reasons are how well the characters are made and the conflicts between them are so addicting! Another is the story alone was just incredible and I am so glad I found these books and read them! The only problem I had was the ending,...more

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Sep 01, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, loved-them-but-wont-read-them-again, books-the-library-has

I really LOVED this whole series and going into this last and final book it didn't let me down. Right from the start it captures and keeps your attention until the very end...but that's where it really falls flat. I wish Marianne would have put in an epilogue. It ends with something to be desired. Your left with so many questions on what happens with the rest of the characters and how they're going to put everything back together in their world. It leaves you with a sense of loss and the 'and th...more

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May 01, 2008 Kaleb rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kaleb
5/1/08
LA
The Key

The key is the last book in the guardians of time series by Marianne Curley. I have not been able to read the first two books in this series. So it took me a little while to get what is going on. But when I caught on, I was on a wild ride that only stopped at the end of the book. So there are three immortals, two brothers and a sister and the sister is evil and wants to take over the world and its realms. Lorain is one of the brothers who are trying to stop his sister from wo...more

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May 19, 2012 Sally Berrow rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 12, 2013 Inga rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was hoping for a nice conclusion of the story as this was the third and the last book of series however after reading it I was stunned for a long time and not in a good way.
All I could have asked is: "Where is the damn epilogue???" Even though book from beginning was quite okay, it got too soppy with all love stories and I-will-ever-be-together-with-you and good and evil fight. Ending was just awful, it would be like if Tolkien would have finished his trilogy when gates of Mordor started to o...more

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Oct 06, 2012 Illyria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: knížky-v-češtině

Konečně nadešel čas rozhodující bitvy a na poslední chvíly je řád chaosu po dlouhém a neúprosném boji poražen. Dobro a zlo se na Zemi vyrovnají a příšery z podsvětí se vrátí tam odkud přišly.
Polovina příběhu byl vyprávěný z Mattovi perspektivy a to z pochopitelných důvodů, mně byl však nesympatický (ale dalo se to vydržet). Naopak Rochelle jsem si obzvlášť oblíbila - o to víc mě ranil její tragický konec. Celý jsem to probrečela! A chudák Ethan... Pochybuju, že se s tím někdy smířím :(
Taky mi by...more

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Mar 19, 2011 Noodle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Just finished reading The Key by Marianne Curley, final book in The Guardians of Time series.

A little bit of a let down after the last excellent book, which was from Isabel & Akarian's perspective.

This book, from Matt & Rochelle's view, was not quite as good, but still enjoyable all the same.

It gets a 6/10: "Good light-weight read, well done" on the NBRS.

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Oct 26, 2010 Say rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: october-2010-reads

aww...it's the end...done...finished....through. i'm happy and sad at the same time. happy coz it's one of the best fantasy books ive read so far. i totally love the story, the characters, the setting and everything. sad coz its finished already and i want more! i felt sad for ethan coz he lost his soulmate, rochelle but at least all things were clear with them when she died. a great book and a must read.

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Mar 17, 2013 Tricia Cheung rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

I loved this series so much. I really wish the author would write more books for this series. Arkarian has to be up there with Magnus Bane and Marius de Romanus as one of my all time favorite characters. I totally had that awesome feeling of loving the book / series I just finished, with that huge letdown of it actually being finished. WAH!

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About Marianne Curley

I was born on the 20th of May, 1959 in Windsor, New South Wales, Australia. The youngest of four children, I lived with my family in a small timber house on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. I started my school life at St Monica’s Primary School in Richmond, catching the bus with my brothers and sister every day until a major flood caused the Hawkesbury River to break its banks and sweep the fami...more I was born on the 20th of May, 1959 in Windsor, New South Wales, Australia. The youngest of four children, I lived with my family in a small timber house on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. I started my school life at St Monica’s Primary School in Richmond, catching the bus with my brothers and sister every day until a major flood caused the Hawkesbury River to break its banks and sweep the family home away. Along with the destruction of our house, the fierce-flowing river took all our belongings. My parents managed to save only a few precious photos. The year was 1964 and I was five years old.
After the flood, we moved in with relations in Richmond for a few months. It was a tight squeeze with my sister and I doubling up in a big bed with our three female cousins. We then lived with family friends on a farm on the outskirts of Sydney, while my parents purchased a small property at Plumpton where they had a red-brick house built. While my older brothers went to St Patrick’s Boys High School at Blacktown, my sister and I attended Marayong Primary School, then later attended Rooty Hill High School.

I discovered books at school when I was about eight-years-old. The first novel I recall reading was the Charles Dicken’s classic, Oliver Twist. I loved this book, but more than anything, I loved the effect this book had on me. Swept up in the excitement of this other world, I soon became a voracious reader. The Library at school, and then high school, turned into my favourite places. I spent many lunch sessions roaming the aisles and scanning the shelves, always on the hunt for my next adventure. When I was in my teens I liked to read long dramas and devoured most of James A Michener’s lengthy sagas. I think I read every book written by Leon Uris that had been published at that time. Then one day I read a novel written by Anya Seton called Katherine. This novel ignited my love for historical fiction. I still have this book on my shelves at home.

Growing up, I wasn’t big on outdoor activities, but I enjoyed sport and played Hockey for my High School. I also played Squash (Racquetball) with friends every Thursday for many years. After I finished Grade Ten and passed my School Certificate examinations, I went to a technical college and learned secretarial skills. I graduated from my secretarial course in first place and immediately found work for a solicitor in a Government office, where I stayed for the next six years. When I was nineteen, I met a young man named John Curley, and four days after my twenty-first birthday we were married. We had a new house built in a young emerging suburb called St Clair, where I soon chose to be a full-time mother. My first child was a baby girl we called Amanda, born in December 1981. Danielle was born fourteen months later in February 1983, while my son Chris was born in March of 1986.

But the family wasn’t complete yet. Over the next few years we saw many pets come and go - for one reason or another! We started with tropical fish and mice without much success, then a few rabbits that were quickly followed by two guinea pigs. Unfortunately, one night a roaming pack of dogs got into our yard and the rabbit pen, while both guinea pigs escaped from their enclosure and drowned in the neighbour’s swimming pool! After a while we tried our hand with ducks, but the yard just wasn’t big enough so eventually we found homes for them amongst the neighbours. Then we built a fabulous aviary, except a couple of our birds came to a dreadful end when a carpet snake wormed its way through the wire enclosure and ate two of our canaries for breakfast! We then bought a cat from the RSPCA, but it was already sick and kept growing sicker until one day, about three weeks later, it ran away and was never found. And finally we welcomed two character-filled dogs to our home. The first was Chippa, an Australian Silky Terrier that we bought for Chris for his seventh birthday. And then there is Mi(less)

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Quotes from The Key

“He says, "I have loved you since the first moment I saw you. I wanted you then, and when I thought you didn't want me, I turned my love into hate."

"Ethan..." Before I say another word his mouth comes down over mine and he kisses me.” — 41 people liked it

“For a moment Ethan simply stares. Before him is the monster of his nightmares: his sister's murderer, the beast who robbed him of his greatest love. How easy, how fulfilling would it be to take Marduk's life? But the arrow in Ethan's fingers slips to the ground.
"No. even revenge is too great an honor for you."
As the night falls and brings an end to this long day of darkness, Marduk inhales his last staggered breath and his body turns to stone.” — 27 people liked it

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The Key (Guardians of Time #3)

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