2nd book spans the midst of the trilogy in style-action, suspense and romance that sizzles!

books:


	• Dance of the Gods (The Circle Trilogy, Book 2) Nora Roberts Jove, 2006 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 74 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Excellent Series

There is so much going on in this series, I loved it. I know I will reread the whole series. Be sure you start with book one. Good book!

No 2nd book slump here! This 'Dance' allows Roberts to strut her romantic stuff!

I don't know how Nora Roberts, writing as many books as she writes, can continue to craft such exceptional romances. For me, Dance of the Gods was truly a pleasant surprise. Having already met the romantic leads Larkin and Blair in the previous book, Morrigan's Cross (The Circle Trilogy, Book 1), I didn't expect too much from them and thought that this book would be a placeholder to fill in the space before Cian and Moira's story. I couldn't have been more wrong.

In 'Dance' we get an intimate view into the real Larkin and Blair, and as we get to know them better we discover that they are both much more than they seemed in the last book. This depth of character adds to their relationship and it makes the romance between them so very satisfying. From the last book, we knew Blair as an exceptionally strong character, a tough capable warrior-vampire-hunter. We knew that, as a result of being kin to Hoyt and Cian, protecting the world from vamps was her destiny. But what we find out here is the price Blair has already paid to live up to her destiny. We find out that Blair exchanged her childhood for training in her craft and that she has been surviving completely on her own since she turned 18. Blair's father trained her and then abandoned her, he never gave her love or the approval that she sought. When years later Blair thought that she had finally found love and a chance for a normal life, she was again abandoned -- when she revealed her 'calling' to her fiance he reacted with absolute disgust and wanted nothing to do with her ever again. So understandably Blair has avoided relationships after that and when Larkin begins to pursue her, Blair tries to put him off.

While Blair was far more interesting than I expected, Larkin was a revelation. He was probably the best romantic hero I've come across. Aside from his remarkable shapeshifting abilities -- a golden dragon is pretty impressive -- he was incredibly likeable. Flirtateous, good humored, flamboyant 'like Errol Flynn' and tireless in battle but also straightforward and insightful. Larkin seemed like a light character in the last book, superficial and used to getting by on his charm. But here Larkin is the member of the 'circle' to see connections and to get to the heart of the matter when analyzing the enemies' actions. And with Blair, Larkin also uses this skill to see past Blair's tough exterior to the pain and loneliness that has kept her apart from other people for so long. He doesn't play games and he doesn't hurt anyone (outside of enemies in battle) by his words or actions and he is direct -- he doesn't let misunderstandings bloom into roadblocks. Larkin is truly wonderful and perfect for Blair.

Larkin is totally intrigued by Blair, he is not at all intimidated by her strength, he admires it. The fact that he loves and accepts Blair for who and what she is helps to make their relationship easy against the end of the world backdrop of the struggle to come. And fortunately when Larkin manages to get past her defenses, Blair doesn't let the pain of her past keep her from enjoying her time with Larkin. With the upcoming battle, they may not survive anyway, and if they do their paths will lead them into two different worlds. But Blair accepts this and knows that even if her heart will break when they are forced to separate, her life will be so much better for knowing that she has truly been loved at last.

I've had all three of these books since they came out and I don't know why I waited so long to read this series, I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Roberts' romantic paranormals. I am truly looking forward to Cian and Moira's turn in the spotlight. If Roberts does for them what she's done for Blair and Larkin, Valley of Silence should be a truly remarkable book. If you are haven't read Robert's other paranormals (Robert's books are quite varied) she has several other very good trilogies that are well worth looking for:
Key Trilogy
Key of Light
Key of Knowledge
Key of Valor

The Donovan Legacy:
: Captivated/ Entranced/ Charmed

Three Sisters Island Trilogy:
Face the Fire
Dance upon the Air
Heaven and Earth

Irish trilogy:
Jewels of the Sun
Tears of the Moon
Heart of the Sea

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2nd book spans the midst of the trilogy in style-action, suspense and romance that sizzles!

Not a fan of romance, I find myself enchanted by these terrific books. They have action, humor and just enough common sense so that the romance isn't annoying.

The Circle is formed, bonds are created among the 6 (especially the newly hand-fasted Glenna and Hoyt!) and now it is time to move the group to Geall, to prepare for the battle ahead. Moira must prepare for the chance that she will take up the sword from the stone and assume the mantle of Queen of Geall and the Circle of Six must train the people of Geall how to fight vampires while at the same time keeping them safe - and do all of this within a month. . .

As if things weren't coming fast and furious enough, we have the sizzling romance built between Larkin and Blair - the Changer of Shapes and the Warrior. Blair was certain she never would (or could) love again after her heart was broken before; however, Larkin sees her as she is and loves her just the same - can he worm his way into her heart, and tear down the formidable defenses that she has had to build over a lifetime?

Geall is described in lush and loving detail - it sounds like a place I would love to visit (I'm like Blair - I wouldn't want to stay! I would miss my modern conveniences too much!), for the dragons if nothing else!

I can give a much stronger recommendation for this series after reading this book - I think I can see where this is heading and I really like what this series is culminating into. It is a strong idea and (so far) very nicely done!

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Series review

I'll start out by saying, I am not a fan of Vampire Romance. I do love and read romance, but this particular flavor of the genre is definitely not my cup of tea.

I've read Vampire horror fiction by some of the best - 'They Thirst' by Robert R. McCammon; 'Salem's Lot' by Stephen King; 'The Vampire Lestat' by Anne Rice - and was entertained as well as scared witless.

When the Vampire Romance craze began sweeping the publishing industry, I tried on a few for size and didn't care for them. It has now snow-balled to include werewolves, ghosts, demons, and all manner of creatures that "go bump in the night". We now have romantic monsters, smart-aleck monsters, erotic monsters and even kinky monsters. Frankly, I don't "get it" as there is nothing even remotely romantic about any of them. But that's just my opinion.

However...

When I saw that Nora Roberts was having a crack at it, I decided, "Why not?" I have yet to read one of her suspense novels that I didn't thoroughly enjoy and I have liked a few of her trilogies. So, I decided to read her Circle Trilogy. I should probably note here, this series is actually a blend of Vampire/Monster romance with Fantasy.

The first novel is Hoyt and Glenna's story. While it begins in 12th century Ireland, it takes place predominately in modern day. For the most part, this book sets the stage. We are introduced to the main characters, the mission, and the goal. Hoyt is a sorcerer and Glenna is a white-witch. Roughly the first third of the book is fairly bland, but stick with it. The pace starts to pick up as you get deeper into the story.

The second book is Larkin and Blair's story. Here we get to know the world of Geall where the final battle will take place. This is a magical place where dragons are as common as birds. Larkin is a shape-shifter and Blair a demon-hunter. While Blair's profile might remind some of "Buffy", the resemblance is remote. Nora definitely made this character into her own. The pace of this book is fairly even and fast. I never found myself struggling to get through it. This was my favorite book of the three.

The third and last book is Cian and Moira's story. I was impressed with Cian. Nora actually made me care about a vampire, I didn't think it was possible. He is truly a tortured hero. The final battle in this book, while predictable, was still intense and rapidly paced. I found myself reading it so fast, I had to go back to pick up things I missed. There are some deranged, disturbing, twisted moments in this book. I almost stopped reading it a couple times. The only thing that kept me glued to it was my investment in Cian. This was my least favorite of the three books.

Overall, I have to say I enjoyed the series, which surprised me. Her main characters are vividly detailed, the worlds she shows us are rich and vibrant. As you read the series, you can "see" it all in brilliant technicolor. You can "smell" the grass, the flowers, the sweat, the sulfur. You "hear" the birds and the clanging of the swords. You "feel" everything the characters are feeling. But then again, this is Nora. Overall, I'd give the series 3 1/2 stars.

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Dance of the Gods

This is the second book of Roberts' Circle Triology. Nora Roberts is at her finest with this series. The characters are engaging. Ms. Roberts easily captures your attention.

The book opens in Ireland a thousand years ago. Hoyt and his twin brother Cian are tragically separated by an evil force. The brothers are reunited when Hoyt is sent by Morrigan, a Goddess, who reunites the brothers so they can defeat the evil entity that separated them many years earlier. Morrigan tells Hoyt he and 5 others are to form a circle of 6, who as a group, are the only ones who can save humankind. She sends Hoyt into the future to find his brother. On his journey to the future, he is saved by Glenna the second member of the circle of 6 who helps Hoyt to find his brother and fullfill Morrigan's mission.

Roberts weaves a classic tale of good versus evil. She shows how a circle of 6 brought together from different times can use the most powerful force of all, love, to defeat evil to save humankind.

The triolgy is candy for the mind, one you can't stop eating.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Second in the new paranormal Circle Trilogy. With one vampire determined to rule the earth, the Circle of Six prepares to battle for their lives-and their hearts.

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