Monday, December 5, 2016

Review - - Island of Glass

Island of Glass
By Nora Roberts
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: December 6, 2016

 





The final in the Guardians trilogy, Island of Glass, a part-fairy tale, part-paranormal adventure series, takes place in Ireland (which admit it, Nora does great work there). The werewolf-archaeologist, Dr. Riley Gwin, and the Irish warrior turned immortal, Doyle, find themselves the only ones not paired off in the sorcerer’s castle. Of course, much like the couples, Riley and Doyle have bigger things to accomplish than scratching any itches—no matter how tempting the itch may be. These six are definitely on what seems to be a Mission Impossible.

Nerezza, the Evil One, nearly conquered the six at the island of Corfu where they rescued the water star and hid it in safety with its sister the fire star, but their efforts will be for naught if they do not find the final star, the star of ice, and return all the stars to their home on the Island of Glass. Which, according to legend, may be challenging to find since the island appears and disappears at will. Pfft, details.

Riley and Doyle research for clues in Bran’s massive library (which I want to live in), and the longer they are around each other, the more they can’t help but…itch. But an immortal like Doyle, who has already watched two wives die, is not going to entangle himself with a woman as passionate and intoxicating as Riley. (Besides, don’t wolves mate for life?)

Of course, you know as well as I, a celibacy stalemate is never destined to remain long in a romance as sizzling as Nora’s; and soon, the pair of them are bed-deep in lust and heart-deep in love. (Though of course, only one of them is more willing to admit the latter. Two guesses who.)

The world-building and scene layering for the Guardian trilogy, and especially for the Island of Glass where you meet the goddesses who created the stars, is exquisite and enthralling. This series definitely took a number of beloved fairy tales and mythology and blended them up into a frothy, but intoxicating brew that on the surface can seem sweet and simple, but is dark and complicated—and will knock you on your ass if you’re not careful. Read it for the sweetness that will keep you drinking, but do go back and admire the skillful layering that Nora made look so easy.

~Hellie

11 comments:

  1. I just ordered this book and can't wait until it's delivered Tuesday. Your review just makes me want to read it more.

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    1. I got a review copy, but my pre-order is coming tomorrow and I'm still excited. *LOL* I'm glad you'll get to devour it very soon!

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  2. I haven't read this series but if it's Nora, it's got to be good!!

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    1. Exactly. It's like that paraphrased Smucker's commercial: if it's Nora, it's got to be good!

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  3. I like to wait til all the books in one of Nora's trilogies are out & read them one after the other!

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    1. Then you should be having a very Merry Christmas/Hannakah/Kwanzaa/Yule then--because they're all here. :)

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  4. I just ordered this. After Christmas I am going to read the 3 books back to back.

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  5. I'm like Di up there, who likes to read the books one after another. That's what I will do with this series. I can hardly wait! Great review!

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    1. Thank you! I think they will make a fabulous mid-winter read!

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  6. I love Nora's books but when she writes trilogies, I wait till the last book is out. Then I start. Otherwise she can't write a book fast enough for me.

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