Mishel reviews: Caedmon's Curse - AJ Nuest

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.

Join Caedmon and Rowena as they rediscover a love bound by fate, and struggle to unravel the significance behind Caedmon’s Curse, Book III in The Golden Key Chronicles.

My Take:

Having now completed the entire series I must say Caedmon’s Curse is my favorite! Although you may start reading out of order, I’d recommend starting this series with book one, Rowena’s Key, to fully appreciate what has happened until now. The romance aspect of the overall story slowed down a bit in the previous installment but I’m happy to report that AJ Nuest definitely turned up the heat! It is equal parts realistic, modern, and oh-so-dreamy. Fantasy elements truly take flight with the introduction of magical places and mythical creatures and the use of magic. Danger is around every corner as Rowena and Caedmon embark on a quest for the truth behind the key that will hopefully save Caedmon’s kingdom and their very lives.

Starting right after book two finishes, Rowena escapes the confines of the castle and decides to journey north in search of the key. Not your ordinary key, it holds the power to destroy entire realms if it falls in the wrong hands. Prince Caedmon is not far behind Rowena since he refuses to let his beloved go off into danger by herself. Their relationship has been a hell of a ride ever since they first met in the book one, separated not only by distance but by time periods as well. Despite having learned the secret involving Rowena and the mystical key during his horrible captivity in an enemy dungeon, Caedmon doesn’t know what to do with his knowledge. Rowena, ever the stubborn one, is determined to find answers and Caedmon reluctantly joins her. The couple faces danger from all sides and a gauntlet of obstacles with no true relief in sight. 

Rowena was a true bad ass warrior in book two. And although she’s still fierce as ever in Caedmon’s Curse, her snarky self returns and I hadn’t realized how much I missed that part of her. She softens a bit as things calm down and she learns to trust her own feelings. One of my favorite parts about the book is the interaction between her and Caedmon. Rowena’s sarcasm pairs so well with Caedom’s old-world charm. Their funny banter is sweet and endearing and I found so much joy in reading the scenes when they were together. They reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my other half and it made the book that much better for me.

The progression of the overall story is very well-paced and I’ve come to really enjoy the ease and finesse of AJ Nuest’s writing. There’s beauty, dangerous battles, magic, love, friendship wrapped in vivid and easy to read descriptions that will leave you breathless at times. I definitely recommend the series as a whole and I’m looking forward to reviewing the final book in The Golden Key Chronicles. If you haven’t started these yet, what are you waiting for?!

Caedmon’s Curse by AJ Nuest

The Golden Key Chronicles, #3

Published February 13, 2014 by HarperImpulse

eBook

Rating: 4.25/5

Tags: Fantasy Romance

Received eBook for review