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Morrigan's Cross (The Circle Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Nora Roberts Edition: Mass Market Paperback Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2006-08-29 ISBN: 0515141658 Number of pages: 352 Publisher: Jove
Book Reviews of Morrigan's Cross (The Circle Trilogy, Book 1)Book Review: There is a story, but it's not a buy. Borrow this Summary: 3 Stars
A friends suggested that I read this as it's along the lines of what I enjoy. Romance, vampires and mythology. All three things are there, but not in the best of stories ever told. This is average and not one I think you'll read again.
I'm a slow reader. I know this and accept it. Even though I read word for work except when I skip over lots of details, when I'm reading I'm not seeing the words, but am seeing everything in movie. Yes, I'm sure my pictures are not the same as the descriptions on the page and I'm OK with that. To me, the story isn't the surface stuff so much as the essence of what is going on. This it not to say I am a passive reader. I'm not. I'm constantly thinking of what's going on, where the story is going, what's going to happen to the characters, how did the characters get to this point. All these things I feel are very important to a good epic story series which this was trying to be. As I'm reading, there are things that will catch my eye and I'll hold on to until the story clears up my question or concern, such as Hoyt being told by description of who is to be part of his team or of Nola, his youngest sister who has the "sight" telling Hoyt that she will be the last to complete the circle.
The description of the people who complete the circle weren't something that Hoyt really held onto or questioned over and over as he was looking. Though told by the Goddess that some he would find, others would have to find him--those words indicate more of a search than what really happened. I don't understand why Hoyt never really acknowledges that his brother fulfilled one of the descriptions. Perhaps because there wasn't much of a search for the 5 other people was why the descriptions of these people fell flat for me.
I'm still trying to figure out how Moria was the scholar. I understand how Larkin was the person of many shapes but when he is introduced in this book, he is such a weak character that his skill isn't appreciated or explained.
Glenna the witch, is a witch, even though she does witchy things her patron goddess is Hecatae and Hecatate isn't called on, only Morrigan.
Hoyt, the sorcerer the brother to Cian, who is turned into a Vampire which starts this trilogy, starts out as a strong character is quickly overshadowed by his "love" Glenna.
Cian, our vampire that when Hoyt sees him again has lived 1000 years and drinks pigs blood and has accumulated quite a lot of knowledge and wealth. He's sarcastic and he says bored and that is why he joins this circle.
Back to the other thing that I held onto, Nola completing the circle. Technically I guess through her progeny Blair, who is the warrior, completes the circle but when Nola throws out her prediction it says she will complete the circle. Blair and Nola are not the same person. For Blair we find out she was the first to be called and the last to be joined. This statement was not explained to my satisfaction.
There you have the characters that complete the circle part of the story has the couples pairing off so that love is also part of the circle.
Other than the cliché of love making everything stronger, which when done well I can totally live with, however in this series the love doesn't enhance the characters it's really just another character. The flow of the words didn't flow. I can't tell you how many times my movie was interrupted by poor dialog and I had to rewind to figure out what was really being said. The writer has to remember that as a reader I'm just not going to hold onto the full conversation. When something in the conversation is over, to revfer back to that bit of converstation again during something that is totally different because the character is supposedly being witty and making some point -- as does happen in real life, it doesn't work here. I lose the whole thread and stupidly I go back to try and find out if I missed something important that I will need for the future. Never was it important.
There was also the choice of words in some situations that just threw me. In the second book, Blair and Larkin are having pillow talk and Blair calls Larkin's penis "Mighty". God, that was such a bad word and once again cut into the flow and I had to make sure I understood what she was getting at.
For the series overall, the breaking up of the story by the pairing off of the couples was a bad choice. The first book had to set up the entire series and we see Glenna and Hoyt come together. Because of the series set up you also got more interaction of the characters, not as much as I would have liked, but more. Each character has a voice at one point or another, however, the males are so completely overshadowed by the women's voice, that when they do talk they don't add as much value to the story.
This book starts off with Hoyt and Cian. Hoyt trying to save his brother's soul and killing the one who turned him and Cian just being a new Vampire. After the failed fight with Lilith Hoyt is given a choice to fight a bigger battle that will not only save the world but will get him the revenge against Lillith. To me this should be Hoyt's story. When Hoyt reaches New York he looses control of his journey. He meets Glenna and she's the one that takes the charge and when they get to Ireland she's the one who comes up with most of the magical solutions. Sorcerer's because of how they work with energy are not as hindered by ritual so should be stronger. After Glenna came on board he lost not only the voice and the lead of this journey, but a lot of what should have been his contribution. Celtic religion and live is very much into balance and there wasn't a good balance for the pairs of this story. Hoyt, you still knew he was strong and intelligent, he just wasn't provided the words and viewpoint that went to the women.
Bottom line: if you're a Nora Roberts fan, borrow the books, don't buy them. They are not worth it.
Summary of Morrigan's Cross (The Circle Trilogy, Book 1)In the last days of high summer, with lightning striking blue in a black sky, the sorcerer stood on a high cliff overlooking the raging sea? Belting out his grief into the storm, Hoyt Mac Cionaoith rails against the evil that has torn his twin brother from their family?s embrace. Her name is Lilith. Existing for thousands of years, she has lured countless men to an immortal doom with her soul-stealing kiss. But now, this woman known as vampire will stop at nothing until she rules this world?and those beyond it? Hoyt is no match for the dark siren. But his powers come from the goddess Morrigan, and it is through her that he will get his chance at vengeance. At Morrigan?s charge, he must gather five others to form a ring of power strong enough to overcome Lilith. A circle of six: himself, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the one of many forms, and the one he?s lost. And it is in this circle, hundreds of years in the future, where Hoyt will learn how strong his spirit?and his heart?have become?
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