Book Review: Blood Magick (Nora Roberts)

Plot: (via Goodreads)  County Mayo is rich in the traditions of Ireland, legends that Branna O’Dwyer fully embraces in her life and in her work as the proprietor of The Dark Witch shop, which carries soaps, lotions, and candles for tourists, made with Branna’s special touch.

Branna’s strength and selflessness hold together a close circle of friends and family—along with their horses and hawks and her beloved hound. But there’s a single missing link in the chain of her life: love…

She had it once—for a moment—with Finbar Burke, but a shared future is forbidden by history and blood. Which is why Fin has spent his life traveling the world to fill the abyss left in him by Branna, focusing on work rather than passion.

Branna and Fin’s relationship offers them both comfort and torment. And though they succumb to the heat between them, there can be no promises for tomorrow. A storm of shadows threatens everything that their circle holds dear. It will be Fin’s power, loyalty, and heart that will make all the difference in an age-old battle between the bonds that hold their friends together and the evil that has haunted their families for centuries.

Rating: 5/10

Well then, another Nora Roberts trilogy has been completed. The only accomplishment finishing the Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy brings is relief that the excruciating pain can come to an end. As the last book of the three, Blood Magick is exactly what I thought it would be: A woman and a man really love each other, but something (his need for space, her need for independence, some ancient branding) forces them to break up as teenagers. Years later they realise that wow, they can do whatever they want as they are both adults and end up banging each other. Shortly thereafter they find a way to beat unspeakable odds and stay happy forever. (The plot for Face the Fire is shockingly the same)

Even though it was formulaic in the worst sense, I did enjoy finishing the series. Cabhan gets destroyed, just as he deserves, and all the happy couples can be together forever – Iona and Boyd, Meara and Connor, Branna and Finbar.

I did like Branna. She is arguably the strongest of all the ladies and the most comfortable with her power. I enjoyed Finbar too – I don’t usually like odd names in romance books because it seems so forced, but I thought Finbar a very unique name. I loved his barely controlled anger at his fate and determination to get done what needs to be done.

Sadly, I think as it is time for Peter Jackson to stay out of Middle Earth, it is time for Nora Roberts to stay out of Ireland. She is harping on their magic and ancestry too much than needs be and it is her go to material when she has nothing else. I love the author, really I do, but there are plenty of countries around the globe with enough mysticism that she can rather go there and work on something with that information. Her books used to be very unique and fun but now I can’t help just wishing the book would get done already.

Recommendation: This would work if you were in the mood for some fun, but not much else.

February 18, 2015February 16, 2015 by Natasha Categories: Books, ReviewsTags: Blood Magick, Books, Branna O'Dwyer, Cabhan, Finbar Burke, Iona Sheenan, Nora Roberts, Reviews 3 Comments