Scan barcode
A review by katyanaish
The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts
3.0
***3.5***
I enjoyed this series, though it did have some problems. I think the oddest one is the abrupt shift from adult characters in book 1 to kids for books 2 and 3, making it veer into some YA territory. And the other things I struggled with in books 2 and 3 are, I think, related to it.
Primarily, I didn't find Duncan and Fallon's relationship to be compelling or believable. I think Duncan is an ass, honestly. And he takes off on her, leaving her to continue to shoulder the burden of being The One without a partner, for 2 and a half years. Then when he comes back, they're just ... together. They don't get together. They don't get to know each other. They don't honestly know each other at all, though he has a lot of preconceived notions about her and lays into her at several points in the series - he blasts her for being cold and unfeeling. No, douchebag. She is just struggling to live with this horrible responsibility, and the fact that even when she makes the best and most strategic choices, people die because she sends them into battle. And she's living with that alone. Yes, she has her family, and they are freaking awesome. But that's not the same as a partner she can be just herself with. Cry to. Someone who will make sure she stops to eat and sleep because she's running herself into the damn ground and she's only like 18.
I never believed Duncan actually cared about her. He was compelled by this fated mate connection, but he was out of her life much, much more than he was in it. And when he was in it, I don't think NR did anything to grow a relationship. They just fell into bed with each other and magic exploded and they were declaring their I-love-yous and it was done. I felt really cheated. Because it isn't that Duncan couldn't have gotten there - he's a damn spoiled, cocky teenager, yes, but he's also a soldier, and he can be a solid rock when needed for the war. I feel like he could have gotten there with Fallon too, with some effort. Instead, it was all resentment and pushing her away, until it suddenly wasn't.
I also didn't like Fallon's choice to peace out for a bit, herself. I get that she was tired, needed a break, to find her inspiration and faith again. But then SAY THAT. Don't just dramatically disappear like a goddamn child (and she's not a child anymore at this point, she's like a 21 year old who has been leading a war for 5 years) without telling anyone where you're going, while you're the primary target of the enemy, so they all worry endlessly ... and don't hear from you for 5 weeks. You could be dead for all they know.
I liked the story, the overall arc. But those points above really took away from it, for me.
I enjoyed this series, though it did have some problems. I think the oddest one is the abrupt shift from adult characters in book 1 to kids for books 2 and 3, making it veer into some YA territory. And the other things I struggled with in books 2 and 3 are, I think, related to it.
Primarily, I didn't find Duncan and Fallon's relationship to be compelling or believable. I think Duncan is an ass, honestly. And he takes off on her, leaving her to continue to shoulder the burden of being The One without a partner, for 2 and a half years. Then when he comes back, they're just ... together. They don't get together. They don't get to know each other. They don't honestly know each other at all, though he has a lot of preconceived notions about her and lays into her at several points in the series - he blasts her for being cold and unfeeling. No, douchebag. She is just struggling to live with this horrible responsibility, and the fact that even when she makes the best and most strategic choices, people die because she sends them into battle. And she's living with that alone. Yes, she has her family, and they are freaking awesome. But that's not the same as a partner she can be just herself with. Cry to. Someone who will make sure she stops to eat and sleep because she's running herself into the damn ground and she's only like 18.
I never believed Duncan actually cared about her. He was compelled by this fated mate connection, but he was out of her life much, much more than he was in it. And when he was in it, I don't think NR did anything to grow a relationship. They just fell into bed with each other and magic exploded and they were declaring their I-love-yous and it was done. I felt really cheated. Because it isn't that Duncan couldn't have gotten there - he's a damn spoiled, cocky teenager, yes, but he's also a soldier, and he can be a solid rock when needed for the war. I feel like he could have gotten there with Fallon too, with some effort. Instead, it was all resentment and pushing her away, until it suddenly wasn't.
I also didn't like Fallon's choice to peace out for a bit, herself. I get that she was tired, needed a break, to find her inspiration and faith again. But then SAY THAT. Don't just dramatically disappear like a goddamn child (and she's not a child anymore at this point, she's like a 21 year old who has been leading a war for 5 years) without telling anyone where you're going, while you're the primary target of the enemy, so they all worry endlessly ... and don't hear from you for 5 weeks. You could be dead for all they know.
I liked the story, the overall arc. But those points above really took away from it, for me.