The Key [Kindle Edition]

I was really looking forward to reading this book. I received a copy as part of the Bloggerhood of Traveling Book Tour from Paranormal Wastelands. I had heard really good things about it and I found the green eyes on the cover intriguing.
*sigh* Unfortunately the book did not live up to the hype.
The really sad part is I actually did like parts of this book, however the parts I did not like were impossible to ignore.
Okay first let me comment on the parts I did like.
I liked the idea of the story. The black gyphons are trapped in a magical tower and only can be released by a human "key". The gryphons are new and fresh, not your regular shifters. I even liked some of the characters. Unfortunately these things weren't enough to overcome it's flaws.
Where should I begin?
Let's start with the story itself. While the main characters relationship seemed to be set on fast forward, the story itself just seemed to creep along. Now the whole instant love attraction thing seems to be in almost every YA novel these days, so I'll let that pass. Plus the author did have a good reason for it. Because of the actions of their ancestors, it's basically hardwired into Chase's DNA to protect Maddie. But the story itself just seemed to drag. Facts about the gryphons and how they are connected to Chase and Maddie are revealed, but then they just seem to be repeated over and over. The story actually starts to pick up speed towards the end, but then it goes into hyper-drive and events seem to feel rushed. I know, I know make up my mind. But it went from slow to super fast and there never seemed to be a happy medium.
Also there are parts of the story that never seem to go anywhere, or are never actually explained. For example, when Maddie is in the tower she meets Cian. But it never says why he is there or how he got there. Or how Dougal at one point uses magic and seems to mess with time, but after that he use any type of magic again.
Then there are the characters. I did like some of them, or I should say I liked the potential they seemed to show and I would have liked to know more about them. For example Grandma Draoi, she seems to have so many secrets. About her magic, her family history, her weird friend that comes over and she gives stuff to. I understand this is the first book in a series, so maybe more of her secrets are meant to be revealed in later books. But in revealing nothing about herself it left her seeming flat and colorless. In fact this was a running theme with most of the characters. If they had just been fleshed out a little more, maybe it would have helped the story some.
I did like how the author developed Dougal, by the end of the story he actually is starting to be interesting. But the end is so rushed it was hard to appreciate it.
Then there is Maddie. After a point she got annoying. She actually stays in the woods and doesn't move because Alasdair tells her to wait for help to come. Somehow she can't get the attention of the authorities that have shown up at the scene of the accident, and once they leave, she just sits on the rock and waits. Um hello? Then she knows there's a gryphon out to get her, and she just goes wandering off, climbs in a canoe and paddles into the woods. Really? There's being a damsel in distress and needing to be rescued, and then there is just being ridiculous.
There were other issues I had with the book as well. For instance the main characters dialogue. While it made sense for Dougal to slip and speak as if he were in a previous era. (he has been alive for centuries) It didn't make any sense for Chase or Maddie to speak that way, especially to each other. I kept waiting for a reason for this, maybe they were channeling their ancestors who had imprisoned the gryphons in the first place or something. But the reason never came.
I know that some people absolutely adore this book. That's fine, that is their opinion. I however really just couldn't get into it or connect with the characters. I wish she had developed the characters a little more, and spent some more time fleshing out the grypons and Maddie's family. Would I read the next book in the series? Eh, probably not. But that is my opinion. All I can suggest is that you read it yourself and form your own.

The last several months of Maddie's life has been terrible. She has lost her parents and has moved in with her great grandmother Draoi and starts the middle of her senior year in a new high school. She is not popular and has become a loner. Then she discovers a new guy sitting in her seat. Dougal is in every class with her, always ends up in her seat, then stares at her through the class. She also meets another new student, Chase. She is drawn to him with is electric touch and he can't seem to get her out of his mind.

Chase then learns that he can shift into a griffin and has the desire to do so whenever he is around Maddie. Chase's family are from a line of grey griffins that are to protect the key, a person that can open the tower that the evil black griffins. Maddie is the key, although she doesn't realize it. There is going to be a battle between the griffins that want to keep the tower locked and those that want it opened. Maddie and Chase are going to be caught in the middle.

I really liked this book. I can't believe that I waited so long to read it. I was sucked in and couldn't wait to find out what happens next. I felt for poor Maddie being all alone after losing her parents and being the social outcast in school. I'm very excited to read more of Felicia's stories. If you enjoy YA paranormal stories, this is one that you should not miss.

My Review:

Have you ever been stalked? Well to start this review let me say here and now, Yes I Have!! Not a good feeling. Although I will say that my stalker was no where near like the one (ones) in this novel. I was totally throw-ed in to the pages of Maddie Clevenger's life.

Felicia Rogers has diffidently hit the mark with this book. I was not expecting some of the things that happened, which in my book means a lot.... If you can keep me in suspense and worried, not to mention wanting the two young teenagers that were kinda threw together, to get together... and you are rooting for that, when you find something out that kinda makes you actually root for the stalker. Lets say that, that is a book I can sink my teeth into and not let go till I am reading that last page and it makes me want more......

Maddie is a teenager who has enough issues of her own at home to deal with, seemingly very accident prone as well. Not aware of her families past, the nightmare keeps recurring, which makes her easily distracted and as any teenager girl, moody. She has lost her parents, and is now living with her grandmother whom she loved when she was younger, but know things are strained some what. Then at school she now is being watched by this very strange guy. But then in comes a young man that for some reason feels, even though he does not know Maddie, has to protect her.

Dougal Lachlan, by the way, I loved the names in the novel, here is the seemingly teenage boy that is stalking Maddie. Very dark, mysterious, and all the girls in Maddie's class, especial Stephanie, feels Maddie is not up to their group. That Maddie is an outsider.. But Not Dougal.... He is diffidently interested, and wants Maddie.

Chase Donovan, raised in a wonderful family, Air Force brat, as they say comes in as also a new kid on the block... Not aware of his own family history.. His dad has heard and read some about them, but not Chase.... I loved how they find out more. Will not give any thing away.. But let's just say I was saying "OH YEAH!!!"

The story unfolds very fast and keeps the pace. But at the same time I was never say Lost in what was going on. Picked the kindle up and started reading and did not want to put it down. There were a couple nights that I feel asleep with it in my hands because I could not turn it off. The twists and turns were awesome. Grandma's part and Chase's families part in the book were so neat but sweet which was so NORMAL.. but this book was any thing but a normal teenage, falling in love, fighting over, jealousy, etc....

All the first part of the book I keep wondering though about the Title of the book..... Why call it The Key?
Well you will find out why later in the book. And It Is Well Worth The Read To Find Out...... And that is One reason why I will give the rating that I am giving. Some of the other reasons, Maddie, even though she seemed weak was a great character, Dougal, well lets just say is not who,(what) he seems which keep me so enthralled wanting to know.... Chase, (my) Maddie's white knight... fell in love with his character... where are the true gentle young men like Chase.. hehe.. All teenage girls needs a Chase and Dougal in their life...(I am Laughing while writing that line) Read the book to find out.

So my rating of this novel and for Felicia Rogers.... I give them my rating of

Five Clock Rating.....
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