Review: A fantastic conclusion to a really great series!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 12, 2014
I don’t think I made it quite clear that my last review was for the third book in The Golden Key Chronicles, my apologies. I only meant that by the time I was writing the last review I had already finished reading the last book, Braedric’s Bane. My favorite out of the series is the third book. But don’t let that deter you from this review. Braedric’s Bane comes in at a very close second place favorite! AJ Nuest has tied everything in the series together in an action packed and exciting conclusion to a series I’ve really come to love. The kingdom of Austiere is on the brink of war.  In order to stay alive, Rowena and Caedmon must return to the future and find the answers they need to save themselves and the kingdom they call home.Returning to the future was such a treat for me. Not only do some old characters come back into the story, but the charming and oh-so-sexy Prince Caedmon is finally in Rowena’s contemporary time period. To see him so unsettled was too funny. I came to really love the old world feel of the series but I forgot how much fun modern times could be. Caedmon finally gets to meet Oliver, who was introduced in book one, and his boyfriend John who may or may not develop a crush on our sweet Prince. As for the mission at hand, the couple needs to determine the connection between Rowena and the key. They hope to find some answers from Rowena’s friend Violet. What they find out though is not the happily ever after they were aiming for and the two of them have to reluctantly return to Caedmon’s realm for an epic showdown between good and evil.Nothing is lacking in the romance department as readers are rewarded with some pretty steamy smexy-time scenes. Caedmon and Rowena’s relationship has continued to grow and bloom ever since they’ve first met. I’ve come to really enjoy how connected they’ve stayed and how true their love remains despite the obstacles that have been placed before them. I can see them becoming a favorite romantic couple for many readers.The final showdowns are both super exciting and a little disappointing. Caedmon comes face to face with his half-brother Braedric. After learning so much about his half-brother during the entire series, Caedmon’s final battle is bloodthirsty and very emotional. Rowena faces off with the evil Wizard Galleod. The reader learns much about him in this final book and I was pretty satisfied with the knowledge I got about him. Sometimes evil characters don’t really need much of a back story. Sometimes evil is just evil. However, Rowena’s final battle felt very short-lived. I mean I was ready for some impossible-to-win epic battle between the two, but didn’t really feel like I got that. And honestly, I’m okay with that. I say that because at the end of the day there was a really wonderful happily-ever-after.  I also feel like there are so many more avenues AJ Nuest can explore within the beautiful and magical world she has created. I’m so looking forward to different story arcs with other characters and hope she may be exploring that option. Either way I’m extremely thankful to have discovered AJ’s writing. It’s simplistic, easy to read, and hard to put down. I never once felt overwhelmed by unnecessary filler or over-the-top descriptions. AJ knows how to tell a really great story while staying on point and keeping the reader always wanting more! The Golden Key Chronicles is sweet, sexy, fierce, and filled with adventure. I highly recommend the series!**I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for honest review**