Review: Golden Key Chronicles by AJ Nuest

Today I have a wonderful treat.  I have the last three novellas in the Golden Key Chronicles.  The first one I have reviewed a while ago called, Rowena’s Key.  You can find that review here.  Book Two is Candra’s Freedom, Book Three is Caedmon’s Curse and Book Four is Braedric’s Bane.  Be sure to keep reading about the next three books in the Golden Key Chronicles.

Candra’s Freedom Book Blurb:

The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…
Lost in a world she doesn’t recognize, Rowena struggles to find her place.
Yet her abilities with a blade and the loyalty of a fierce falcon don’t discourage the heated advances of the handsome Prince Caedmon, and the connection between them seems much deeper than her troubled heart can recall.
 

Review:

For the past two years Rowena has had to navigate a world that is completely unfamiliar to her.  Ever since Prince Caedmon was taken away so long ago all she has done is survive.  In doing so she has learned how to be powerful with weapons and fighting.  When Prince Caedmon has finally come how she must fight off an entirely different battle.  Fighting an attraction she doesn’t understand and plotting her escape is only part of Rowena’s plan for leaving a world she has no memory of.
I adored this follow up to the first book.  It takes off two years after the first book ends.  It is truly a great adaptation of putting modern woman in a world that is far from that.  With no memory but all of her instincts screaming for a freedom she doesn’t understand made this book all the more interesting.  It was also pretty fun seeing Rowena and Caedmon’s reunion.  A reunion only one of them was looking forward to.  This was an awesome follow-up to Rowena’s Key.

Caedmon’s Curse Book Blurb:

The two years Prince Caedmon suffered in the dungeons of Seviere’s keep left him with more than just lash marks lacing his back. He now retains the secret behind the key, and is the only one who understands its grim connection to his beloved Rowena. Torn between telling her the truth and risking their future, he agrees to join her perilous quest. But their enemies to the north are not the only menace determined to see them fail and, to prove his love, he must conquer the demons of his past.

Review:

Caedmon’s knowledge of what will allow for Rowena to have her memories back pulls him in two directions.  His memories of his two years being tortured helps for him to keep a secret he knows Rowena wants to desperately know.  It isn’t until the two of them truly find each other again that Caedmon relents to helping her get the key back.  When they go after the key they don’t expect what they find.
This book really brings Caedmon’s and Rowena’s relationship into a better view.  We go back to seeing why Rowena made the choice she did and how they truly feel about one another.  In this book really we see how though Rowena’s memories have been gone her independence isn’t and it pushes Caedmon in a way he doesn’t feel comfortable going.  This was a fantastic follow-up to Candra’s Freedom.

Braedric’s Bane Book Blurb:

The key would unlock his future and the safety of his kingdom, but he never imagined the sorceress would unlock his heart…
To escape the clutches of the evil Wizard Gaelleod, Rowena and Caedmon flee to the future. With her memories in tact and the help of her dear friends, Rowena is confident they can uncover the clues behind her connection to the key.
Yet Violet’s dire prophecy does more than detail their history. Caedmon’s worst fears are confirmed. Though they must return to his realm, everything he loves stands to be ripped from his grasp.
 

Review:

When Rowena and Caedmon escape through the wardrobe and back to her time they don’t know what they will find.  But, when Caedmon experiences her world for the first time he is amazed and surprised with what Rowena left to be with him.  Though they must make a decision to stay or go.  The information they get from Rowena’s friend will change everything for them.  They know they must return but if what Rowena’s friend predicts will happen then only one of them will survive going back.
This was a great ending to this series of books.  By the time we arrive to Braedric’s Bane we are so fully committed to Rowena and Caedmon’s story that you won’t want the predictions to be correct.  As in all of the books the reader will be hoping for the lovers to over come all the obstacles they have in their way.  The reader will also get all the answers as to why certain events happened.  This is truly a fulfilling ending to a series that grabs the reader and won’t let go until the very last word.