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numbers2319's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chichisode's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
felt like the island of glass part could have been a separate 300 page book that showed their lives after After The Party in an epilogue because it felt terribly rushed at that part. i honestly just wanted more time with the characters.... i still liked it though. i especially liked how NR planted clues throughout the series so the reveals could be traced and didn't simply come out of thin air. great series despite the rushed feeling to the ending.
heabooknerd's review
3.0
Our group of Guardians are now in Ireland at Bran's home, which used to be Immortal Doyle's home back when he was a boy. They are trying to find the last Star and discover the location of the ISLAND OF GLASS in order to defeat the evil goddess Nerezza.
Other than Nerezza and her demon pet, Malmon, trying to kill them, Doyle and Riley have some personal issues. Doyle has been an immortal for over a 100 years and he has watched everyone he's ever loved age and die. He's determined not to make connections so that he doesn't have to go through that pain, and even guilt, again. Riley is very stubborn and tough and she's just looking for a physical relationship to ease the tension and pass the time. She's also a lycan, which makes things interesting 3 nights a week but ultimately doesn't play a big factor in their relationship.
I was happy to conclude the quest for the STARS OF FORTUNE and see these couples find love and peace. One thing I always enjoy about these trilogies is that the characters are so prominent throughout that we get to see the couples from previous books during the whole trilogy. I think Sawyer is probably my favorite so I really enjoyed all his witty commentary and his constant pop-culture references. I was also surprised by Riley's easy going nature regarding falling in love considering how stubborn she's been through the book. I thought she would struggle more with the idea, as Doyle did, but I guess her wolf side allowed her to be more instinctive about it. I did feel like the clue Sasha provides, about a name carved in stone, was pretty obvious but I guess I can excuse Doyle since he's probably got a lot on his mind.
Nora Roberts’ fantasy trilogies are not my favorites, as I prefer her contemporary romance or light suspense novels. This trilogy in particular was very out there with mermaids, shifters, seers, wizards, immortals, time travelers, goddesses, demons, oh my! I didn't mind it too much but her fantasy trilogies are very formulaic. Again, not a big deal to me but not a favorite.
Other than Nerezza and her demon pet, Malmon, trying to kill them, Doyle and Riley have some personal issues. Doyle has been an immortal for over a 100 years and he has watched everyone he's ever loved age and die. He's determined not to make connections so that he doesn't have to go through that pain, and even guilt, again. Riley is very stubborn and tough and she's just looking for a physical relationship to ease the tension and pass the time. She's also a lycan, which makes things interesting 3 nights a week but ultimately doesn't play a big factor in their relationship.
I was happy to conclude the quest for the STARS OF FORTUNE and see these couples find love and peace. One thing I always enjoy about these trilogies is that the characters are so prominent throughout that we get to see the couples from previous books during the whole trilogy. I think Sawyer is probably my favorite so I really enjoyed all his witty commentary and his constant pop-culture references. I was also surprised by Riley's easy going nature regarding falling in love considering how stubborn she's been through the book. I thought she would struggle more with the idea, as Doyle did, but I guess her wolf side allowed her to be more instinctive about it. I did feel like the clue Sasha provides, about a name carved in stone, was pretty obvious but I guess I can excuse Doyle since he's probably got a lot on his mind.
Nora Roberts’ fantasy trilogies are not my favorites, as I prefer her contemporary romance or light suspense novels. This trilogy in particular was very out there with mermaids, shifters, seers, wizards, immortals, time travelers, goddesses, demons, oh my! I didn't mind it too much but her fantasy trilogies are very formulaic. Again, not a big deal to me but not a favorite.
cmsomerville's review
adventurous
fast-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? No
4.0
batkat31's review
3.0
So I love Nora Roberts. I love her trilogies the most even though they tend to follow a pretty standard plot.
Book One: Meet everyone, Woman #1 and Woman #2 fall in love (they tend to be responsible girl/boy next door types)
Book Two: Woman #2 and Woman #3 fall in love (usually the cheerful, childlike types) Woman #3 and Man #3 fight a lot.
Book Three: Couple #1 and Couple #2 commit in some type of way (usually engagement/pregnancy/wedding). Woman #3 and Man #3 fall in love against their own wishes and fall into a not so typical non-mushy love.
This may sound boring to read over and over again except Nora Roberts is SO GOOD at making it work. You still root for each of the instantly lovable characters (including the hard asses) and you fall in love with their relationships both romantically and otherwise. The families they turn into are strong make you want to be a part of them.
This book was disappointing however. There was so much filler and annoying repetitive dialogue between them that I was finding myself not wanting to read anymore. I've never not finished/loved her trilogies (especially the ones with fantasy elements).
The book opens with them all wounded after a huge battle at the end of book two. They are all SO OVERLY worried about all the other characters it's annoying. The whole "I'm mortally wounded but I'm so selfless take care of So-and-So first!" and So-and-So is so selfless that they refuse because someone else is in pain. I found myself screaming at my kindle "You're all super injured! Just pick a damn character to heal and move the fuck on. You all could have bled out in the time you decided who was loved the most and therefore treated first." It went on forever and it happened a lot.
The other main problem I had was that I felt like not much happened so the characters had to grasp so tightly onto random "symbols" that came their way and talk about how "meant to be" their quest is all the damn time. Yes, the quest is meant to be. You decided that on book one. No one needs convincing. Talking in circles of agreement about how your names/drawings etc MATTER SO MUCH BECAUSE OF THE MEANT TO BE MAGICAL SPECIALNESS OF ALL OF YOU got sooooo old. This happened so many times that every time they went on a quest I was practically begging for them to find the star because if I had to hear about one more SPECIAL SIGN THAT THEIR QUEST IS IMPORTANT I was going to snap.
The book wasn't that bad I had just expected so much more from Nora Roberts at this point and I was hoping for more action. I know it's hard to have 6 people wandering around and not finding anything for most of a novel but that was a horribly boring and annoying way to pass the time for the reader.
Okay, I got that out of my system.
The good thing about this book is that she does what she does best still. The characters are lovable and the romance is so weirdly believable even though you see it coming from page one of book one and they are so against the idea of it. It was an ending you expected, it was the relationships you expected and it was a fluffy happy ending. If you want something brilliantly innovative this isn't the right book for you. But if you want a feel-good book with great relationships/friendships and the ever present "good always defeats evil" motif then this is a good book.
The first two were just so much more action packed and interesting and I think if this book cut out a lot it would have been much better.
I'm probably going to have to make time for the Sign of Seven trilogy again to make myself feel better.
Book One: Meet everyone, Woman #1 and Woman #2 fall in love (they tend to be responsible girl/boy next door types)
Book Two: Woman #2 and Woman #3 fall in love (usually the cheerful, childlike types) Woman #3 and Man #3 fight a lot.
Book Three: Couple #1 and Couple #2 commit in some type of way (usually engagement/pregnancy/wedding). Woman #3 and Man #3 fall in love against their own wishes and fall into a not so typical non-mushy love.
This may sound boring to read over and over again except Nora Roberts is SO GOOD at making it work. You still root for each of the instantly lovable characters (including the hard asses) and you fall in love with their relationships both romantically and otherwise. The families they turn into are strong make you want to be a part of them.
This book was disappointing however. There was so much filler and annoying repetitive dialogue between them that I was finding myself not wanting to read anymore. I've never not finished/loved her trilogies (especially the ones with fantasy elements).
The book opens with them all wounded after a huge battle at the end of book two. They are all SO OVERLY worried about all the other characters it's annoying. The whole "I'm mortally wounded but I'm so selfless take care of So-and-So first!" and So-and-So is so selfless that they refuse because someone else is in pain. I found myself screaming at my kindle "You're all super injured! Just pick a damn character to heal and move the fuck on. You all could have bled out in the time you decided who was loved the most and therefore treated first." It went on forever and it happened a lot.
The other main problem I had was that I felt like not much happened so the characters had to grasp so tightly onto random "symbols" that came their way and talk about how "meant to be" their quest is all the damn time. Yes, the quest is meant to be. You decided that on book one. No one needs convincing. Talking in circles of agreement about how your names/drawings etc MATTER SO MUCH BECAUSE OF THE MEANT TO BE MAGICAL SPECIALNESS OF ALL OF YOU got sooooo old. This happened so many times that every time they went on a quest I was practically begging for them to find the star because if I had to hear about one more SPECIAL SIGN THAT THEIR QUEST IS IMPORTANT I was going to snap.
The book wasn't that bad I had just expected so much more from Nora Roberts at this point and I was hoping for more action. I know it's hard to have 6 people wandering around and not finding anything for most of a novel but that was a horribly boring and annoying way to pass the time for the reader.
Okay, I got that out of my system.
The good thing about this book is that she does what she does best still. The characters are lovable and the romance is so weirdly believable even though you see it coming from page one of book one and they are so against the idea of it. It was an ending you expected, it was the relationships you expected and it was a fluffy happy ending. If you want something brilliantly innovative this isn't the right book for you. But if you want a feel-good book with great relationships/friendships and the ever present "good always defeats evil" motif then this is a good book.
The first two were just so much more action packed and interesting and I think if this book cut out a lot it would have been much better.
I'm probably going to have to make time for the Sign of Seven trilogy again to make myself feel better.
kayles's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
harleyrae's review
4.0
This book went exactly how I was expecting it to, but I don’t find that to be a bad thing. The story was enjoyable and a lot happened over 300 pages. While this wasn’t my favorite in the series I still really enjoyed it. My biggest complaint is just that I prefer the other 4 characters over the 2 we followed. But I still enjoyed this. I loved how the entire book was set in Ireland, I am now desperately wanting to go! I’m happy to have finally finished this series.
sslovesbooks_1's review
5.0
This was my favourite of the 3 books set in Ireland as the 6 guardians seek to find the last star. Again alongside the search for victory is the romance between my 2 favourite characters of the six. Both highly skilled and fiercely independent I loved them both and from the beginning of the series I willed them to become an item and to accept each other for who they are. Fantastic read and would give it 6 stars. Well done Nora - paranormal romance is not something I like.
vicky_booksandpoppies's review
5.0
Out of the three books, Island of Glass was the best!
Riley and Doyle have been my favorite pairing since the first book and was waiting to read their story.
Fast paced and never a dull moment, each page was critical to the story.
I almost wish it could have been longer, the epilogue including weddings and children or meeting once together after a few years.
The trilogy sent an important message that you will grow stronger and evolve as a unit rather than face your worst darkness alone.
Riley and Doyle have been my favorite pairing since the first book and was waiting to read their story.
Fast paced and never a dull moment, each page was critical to the story.
I almost wish it could have been longer, the epilogue including weddings and children or meeting once together after a few years.
The trilogy sent an important message that you will grow stronger and evolve as a unit rather than face your worst darkness alone.
foraging_pages's review against another edition
4.0
So the guardians could stand, above the sea, under the Stars of Fortune. United.