Customer Reviews

The Key

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

That's what Sara Donovan would say. What a ride! Pauline Baird Jones has ventured where she's never ventured before, and I'm one pleased, satisfied reader who tagged along with The Key's characters for the ride of a lifetime. Dang!

A female U.S. Top Gun is part of a mission to another galaxy where three factions are looking for the key to the secrets of a lost civilization. Sara is shot down & rescued by a seriously hot alien pilot, with dreads, who's stranded on the same small planet. The rescuer, Fyn, becomes the rescued when Sara's team picks them up--but they both have secrets, secrets that can destroy the love that grows between them & promises to rescue both of them.

The Key is full of believable characters, and military, flying, and combat lingo. Sara never slips out of character. In fact, she never blinks.

If you happen to be male and read the words 'throw down,' run away. If you read the word 'nice,' read faster. You won't be sorry. Neither will anyone else who reads The Key.

Sharon K. Garner, Sanctuary/River of Dreams/Lokelani Nights/The Spaniard's Cross

I loved it! I couldn't put it down! The story got me from the first page, and I didn't come up for air until I got to the end. What a great ride! This is intelligently written, fun, with believable characters. I loved Sara Donovan's character! She rocks! Another really fun book from Pauline B Jones! Thanks Pauline!

For fans of Pauline B. Jones AND for Sci-Fi lovers, you can't beat this book! Gripping, exciting, wonderful plot! The space battle is a work of art! Also has great humor and characters that are real - not always an easy feat with a Sci-Fi style book. There's romance, but this is not just for chicks - my 17 yr. old son LOVED it!! It crosses genres and you will love this book and remember Sara Donovan long after the last page! Give yourself a treat and read this book!

4.5* This was fun, fun, fun! I loved the characters. None of them, even the "bad guys" were stereotypical or 2-dimensional. The story was fast-moving and well-plotted. The reader is given glimpses and hints about past secrets and future revelations, but the story unfolds naturally as the book progresses. And the action was like a roller-coaster ride with slow, tension producing climbs followed by non-stop, heart-pounding descents. I felt like I was there on the ship, on the outposts and in the dogfights. I was very thankful for the sometimes laugh-out-loud humor that was the perfect tension relief. The reception of the Gadi delegation onto the Earth ship was priceless.

The book wasn't perfect and I could nit-pick a few things. But that would be to ruin the fun for me if no one else. I choose to over-look the occasional over-the-top scene or a few moments of confusion about a point of the story. I want to bask in one of the most fun, and somehow unique, books I've read in a long time.

Oh, yeah...and there is a really sweet love story going on here, too. ;-)

I thoroughly enjoyed The Key and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in reading a book with a strong female character, a great romance, kick butt action, surprising twists and a sense of humor. Not being a sci fi purist, I had no problem with everyone speaking and understanding English. I welcomed it. Once again Ms. Jones delivered the goods. I hope to meet up with these characters again in a future book because I enjoyed hopping a ride with them in this one.

I recently re-read The Key, and I enjoyed it almost as much the second time around.

Fighter pilot Sara Donovan crashes on a mysterious planet and is rescued by an alien who is seriously hot. The Key is not hard science fiction, nor is it a sensuous romance, but that is a plus for me. Instead, it is action-packed, often funny, and blessed with enough suspense and engaging characters to keep readers turning the pages. I enjoyed it quite a great deal, and I believe my teenaged son would also enjoy it, due to the frequent "kick their trash" battle scenes. There are a few lapses in logic, but that is all part of the fun in space opera, so if you are willing to suspend your disbelief, Jones' saga is worth your time.

This one is a keeper.

Some novels you read more than once simply because they completely capture your attention, take you to another world and allow you (for a time) to escape this one. The Key is one of those books.

Captain Sara Donovan, a United States Air Force pilot, is assigned to a top secret mission called Project Enterprise, to explore other galaxies. The first galaxy they choose to explore is filled with planets who are at war. In the very first chapter, Sara is shot down by an alien aircraft, meets up with a sexy alien, kills a few bad guys and the story roars ahead without pause.

Romance, dogfights, SF special effects, a mysterious alien city, lots of action, nasty villains, interesting premise.

There are a great many inconsistencies and absurdities with this novel (the "common language" of the people of these alien worlds is English, for one, too many overused military euphemisms for two), but still a fun read, just go with the flow and you'll enjoy the ride

Some sexual content, some bodice ripping (but no actual rape). PG-13, but I wouldn't hide it from a ten year old.

This writer has captured the excitement, danger, and suspense when people from earth exploring more than one galaxy meet a dangerous force that wants to overcome all other peoples. Her heroine is strong, principled, and beautiful. Quite a combination. I read the first two pages after receiving the book and was unable to quit reading from then on. The writer has good command of her craft and doesnt' disappoint.

I am not a big sci-fi fan but this book is an exception. Ms. Jones does an awesome job of combining action and adventure with just the right amount of romance and a great sense of humor. I couldn't put this book down. I think this is one of her best books yet. This is definately a book you will want to read again and again.

I love finding a new author that can pull me into a book, and make me love the characters. I enjoy feeling attached to them, and caring about what happens to them. Blending just enough mystery to keep you intrigued with romantic twists, this book is a great read. I am a big fan of Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Patricia Cornwell etc., and this author is a good candidate to add to my list of favorites.