I wasn't sure how to grade this book and in the end, I decided to wait till the trilogy is completely out or at least, till the next volume is out to grade the book.
One thing that's always a constant with Nora Roberts is that her books are well-written and this one is no exception. However, I'm not too sure what my feelings are - there are parts I like and parts I don't.
Okay, so the story is something like: Hoyt MacCionaoith is a sorcerer in the 12th century and his twin brother, Cian, has been turned into a vampire. So Hoyt confronts Cian's sire, gorgeous Lilith, and managed to wound her and unfortunately for Hoyt, he killed Cian, or so he thinks. Anyhow, the goddess Morrigan appears to Hoyt and tells him that Lilith wants to take over the world - all worlds (past, present, future, alternative, parallel) and that only an army of 6, which comprises Hoyt, will be able to defeat her. The army of 6 consists of Hoyt, Cian, a warrior, a scholar, a witch and one of many forms. So Hoyt is sent to our time in New York City to recruit the members... first one being Cian.
Now Cian, also known as Cain, is almost 1000 years old, incredibly rich and lonely. Perhaps not lonely, but detached... because if he cares, he'll hurt. Anyway, Hoyt recruits Cian, Cian's friend King, and the witch and hop, they are on their way to Ireland... back to Hoyt's family house few century's ago and there, they'll find the others. So basically, there's some magic happening, some training (hand-to-hand and weapon) and some attacks and killing vampires.
Hmmm... It's not a bad first installment. However, I think that one of my complaint is how predictable it is... I mean, the pairings of characters is very easy to deduct (esp. with all the family ties going) and eventually, you know that they'll win and love will prevail :P I do complain that it is predictable; however, I will admit that Nora Roberts did put in some twists and those weren't bad... but you do know immediately when you read the book who's going to be important and who's not.
SPOILERS - highlight to read
Like King. King is Cian's friend and has been saved by Cian so that's why he's so loyal. At first, he is mistaken to be the warrior... however, while reading the book, all I could think is "I hope King is not the warrior because if he's really the warrior, I don't want to read his book" Sad, but yeah... that's life. Also, a major give-away that another character was going to be introduced was the fact that the numbers didn't add up: 4 males + 2 females doesn't = 3 romances ^^;
END of SPOILERS
What else? Two more bads... 1) too much of Morrigan. I know it's fantasy so yeah, goddess is accepted... but Morrigan makes it too easy. She basically arranged everything... who, when and where. You already know where the final battle will take place... urgh. 2) The time traveling... it was a nice touch, but too much in my opinion. Basically, my problem is that this trilogy sounds a bit too much like the Key trilogy. You have the goddess and the old language and different world. Why couldn't she write contemporary paranormal, instead of always adding divinity?!? It's just starting to be a tad redundant.
So, what's the good? Characters... well not all of them. Moira-the scholar- annoys the hell out of me. Larkin - one of many forms- passes out as juvenile to me until Blair mentions how handsome he is. Hoyt is the leader, but he's a bit boring and gives too much orders... or perhaps is that it's seems he ignores the problem. However, Glenna - the witch - is quite entertaining. Cian- the vampire- is really cool... and Blair -the warrior- kicks butts. Another good? The inner conflicts and the relationships are well built.
Verdict: it's a good start for a trilogy... however, Nora Roberts will have to come up big with the next two books to amaze me, cos so far, it's a tad too typical. Also, there's not much world building, it's pretty much our times + vampires and some mystical entities, thus it doesn't sound like a "vampire" books... if the vampires were switches by demons, you'd get the same results. So for ppl who don't like vampires books but enjoy Nora Roberts, just go ahead...
