You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Although Nora Roberts books are romance, and this is no exception...with a sprinkling of sex thrown in, it is also a Horror novel. About a town where strange happenings (including murder and general craziness of all sorts) happen every 7 years in July, only a few people in town even remember what happened during that week, and it seems those three boys are the reason it happens to begin with, in a round about way. Now it is 21 years later, and it is going to happen again, only this time it is for all the marbles. Good thing the boys have three hot gals to help them solve the mystery before it is too late.
There was some serious scary tense, almost King like, scenes thus far...and it is only March...what will happen in the next two books of the trilogy? time will tell.
There was some serious scary tense, almost King like, scenes thus far...and it is only March...what will happen in the next two books of the trilogy? time will tell.
adventurous
fast-paced
I feel like this book had a lot of filler in it, and the story probably could be wrapped up in one book instead of three. Also some of the dialogue seemed off. I don't plan to continue with the next book.
Originally posted at The Book Nympho
Quick Summary
Almost 21 years ago, Caleb Hawkins and his two best friends hiked into the woods to celebrate their 10th birthday (they share the same day). What they experienced forever changed them and released a phenomena that affects their town and its residents every seven years. As the the 3rd seven-year anniversary approaches, Cal has agreed to work with paranormal researcher Quinn Black to chronicle the town and its strange history. She gets more than she bargained for and he realizes an extraordinary connection with her.
First impressions
I was prepared for a witch story with the requisite hocus pocus, one reason why I put off reading the series. What I was pleasantly surprised to find was a much richer story that's fairly complex. Yes, there's a hint of witchcraft but maybe a bit more of wizards and demons, dating back centuries. The connection between the three friends is no coincidence but what that is still requires explanation. At first blush, I liked all three who have distinct personalities in spite of their common bond.
The romance
Yet another story where I really liked the heroine. Quinn is smart, witty, confident and has to watch her calories. She and Cal had a great first impression and made no bones about. Such a pleasure to not have to wade through that annoying dance of pretense about their feelings or trying to deny them. They were refreshingly unapologetic about it. I loved their relationship and both characters.
The bottom line
If there was any downside to this story it's that it is part of a trilogy with a continuing story arc. While the romance reaches an apex, the mystery of the strange seven-year phenomena continues on. You do get some answers and an abundance of clues, though. I'm glad I finally decided to read this series and am pretty happy it's much more interesting than my imagination about it. On to the next book!
Quick Summary
Almost 21 years ago, Caleb Hawkins and his two best friends hiked into the woods to celebrate their 10th birthday (they share the same day). What they experienced forever changed them and released a phenomena that affects their town and its residents every seven years. As the the 3rd seven-year anniversary approaches, Cal has agreed to work with paranormal researcher Quinn Black to chronicle the town and its strange history. She gets more than she bargained for and he realizes an extraordinary connection with her.
First impressions
I was prepared for a witch story with the requisite hocus pocus, one reason why I put off reading the series. What I was pleasantly surprised to find was a much richer story that's fairly complex. Yes, there's a hint of witchcraft but maybe a bit more of wizards and demons, dating back centuries. The connection between the three friends is no coincidence but what that is still requires explanation. At first blush, I liked all three who have distinct personalities in spite of their common bond.
The romance
Yet another story where I really liked the heroine. Quinn is smart, witty, confident and has to watch her calories. She and Cal had a great first impression and made no bones about. Such a pleasure to not have to wade through that annoying dance of pretense about their feelings or trying to deny them. They were refreshingly unapologetic about it. I loved their relationship and both characters.
The bottom line
If there was any downside to this story it's that it is part of a trilogy with a continuing story arc. While the romance reaches an apex, the mystery of the strange seven-year phenomena continues on. You do get some answers and an abundance of clues, though. I'm glad I finally decided to read this series and am pretty happy it's much more interesting than my imagination about it. On to the next book!
Book One of the Sign of Seven Trilogy. An ancient evil is partly unleashed by three young boys on the eve of their tenth birthday. Every seven years since the town goes crazy, a rash of murders, rapes and fights breaking out. Afterwards few remember much of what happened. Now grown, the three men struggle to find a solution as another Time of Seven approaches. Caleb Hawkins believes supernatural author Quinn Black might be the help that they need.
This is a frightening atmospheric novel with darker elements than Roberts usually has in her romance novels. This is by no means unwelcome. Not only does Roberts write some of the best romance books in the business, but has an equally great mystery series under the pseudonym of J. D. Robb. Her characterization is just the best, particularly when you consider that her trilogies deal with three heroes and three heroines, all of whom are distinctly different. The book reminds me somewhat of Stephen King during his heyday.
This is a frightening atmospheric novel with darker elements than Roberts usually has in her romance novels. This is by no means unwelcome. Not only does Roberts write some of the best romance books in the business, but has an equally great mystery series under the pseudonym of J. D. Robb. Her characterization is just the best, particularly when you consider that her trilogies deal with three heroes and three heroines, all of whom are distinctly different. The book reminds me somewhat of Stephen King during his heyday.
If I'm being completely objective this is a 4.5.
But ugh, the way Nora Roberts writes friendships and small towns...irresistible.
But ugh, the way Nora Roberts writes friendships and small towns...irresistible.
I have never read Nora Roberts till now so this was a first for me. And wow this book has me wanting to read the rest of the series.
There's nothing sophisticated about this book - it's predictable and used stock-type characters. Still, it was a good, enjoyable read and I'll jump right into the next volume of the trilogy.
