Key of Knowledge

November 17, 2003
Following hot on the heels of the first installment in Roberts's Key trilogy, this second book (following Key of Light
) continues the story of three contemporary female friends chosen to free the souls of ancient demigoddesses called the Daughters of Glass. This time, the heroine is Dana Steele, a librarian who is sure that the key she's seeking lies in a book. As she begins her search, Dana renovates Indulgence, the gallery-cum-salon-cum-bookstore she is opening with her friends Malory Price and Zoe McCourt. She also spends sometimes passionate, sometimes vexing time with Jordan Hawke, the thriller writer who broke her heart years earlier when he abandoned her and their small Pennsylvania town of Pleasant Valley to seek fame in New York. Dana slowly realizes that the love they once felt for each other has not died—and that Jordan's writing is inextricably entwined with her supernatural quest. In the end, Jordan must join with Dana to fight the spells of the sorcerer Kane and fulfill the terms of her quest. Despite lots of special effects, Kane isn't powerful enough to create much suspense, and Dana is a surprisingly inefficient detective for one so bright. But Roberts's zesty characterizations and fresh, energetic style succeed in drawing readers into this far-fetched tale.

March 1, 2004
Adult/High School-Roberts treats readers to entertaining tales that revolve around a quest to free the trapped souls of three Celtic demigoddesses. Legend states that they must be freed by three mortal women. Thus, three women get an invitation for cocktails and conversation that reads in part, "you are the key, the lock awaits." They are three very different people with different talents and strengths but, ultimately, strong wills and a determination to succeed unite them. Though the women frequently appear in one another's story, each book centers on one of them. In the first book, Light, the scene is set as readers meet the key players. The book then focuses on Malory, whose strength is an eye for beauty. In Knowledge, Dana's passion for books is a vital part of her story. In Valor, Zoe completes the quest and finds her special key. Readers are never really in any doubt that the women will be successful but that doesn't matter. How and where their key is found and how they get to know themselves better in the process make for entertaining reading. Fantasy aficionados who also enjoy a good love story will no doubt be the prime audience for these books.-Peggy Bercher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 1, 2003
A mysterious invitation brings three strangers--gallery manager Malory Price, librarian Dana Steele, and hairdresser Zoe McCourt--to Warrior's Peak, a castlelike estate outside of Pleasant Valley, Pennsylvania, where their elegantly enigmatic hosts, Rowena and Pitte, offer the opportunity to participate in an unusual quest. Malory, Dana, and Zoe will each have 28 days to find one of the keys to a mystical box, which holds the trapped souls of three sister Celtic demigoddesses imprisoned by a jealous sorcerer. "Key of Knowledge, "the second book, following "Key of Light," in Roberts' irresistible new trilogy, centers on Dana, whose search leads her to author Jordan Hawke, but their prior romantic history complicates things when the two of them are forced into working together to locate the next key. Roberts, the ultimate romance writer, has once again created a triptych that has all the sexy chemistry, sharp wit, and bliss-inducing pacing that her readers desire. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)