Nora Roberts

"County Mayo is rich in the traditions of Ireland, legends that Branna O'Dwyer fully embraces in her life and in her work as the proprietor of The Dark Witch shop, which carries soaps, lotions, and candles for tourists, made with Branna's special touch. Branna's strength and selflessness hold together a close circle of friends and family -- along with their horses and hawks and her beloved hound. But there's a single missing link in the chain of her life: love ... She had it once -- for a moment -- with Finbar Burke, but a shared future is forbidden by history and blood. Which is why Fin has spent his life traveling the world to fill the abyss left in him by Branna, focusing on work rather than passion. Branna and Fin's relationship offers them both comfort and torment. And though they succumb to the heat between them, there can be no promises for tomorrow. A storm of shadows threatens everything that their circle holds dear. It will be Fin's power, loyalty, and heart that will make all the difference in an age-old battle between the bonds that hold their friends together and the evil that has haunted their families for centuries" --

Blood Magick

Hope Gamble

Great ending to this trilogy! Which, I love anything by Nora Roberts anyway.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes the final novel in a trilogy about the land we’re drawn to, the family we learn to cherish, and the people we long to love… Book Three of The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy Blood Magick County Mayo is rich in the traditions of Ireland, legends that Branna O’Dwyer fully embraces in her life and in her work as the proprietor of The Dark Witch shop, which carries soaps, lotions, and candles for tourists, made with Branna’s special touch. Branna’s strength and selflessness hold together a close circle of friends and family—along with their horses and hawks and her beloved hound. But there’s a single missing link in the chain of her life: love… She had it once—for a moment—with Finbar Burke, but a shared future is forbidden by history and blood. Which is why Fin has spent his life traveling the world to fill the abyss left in him by Branna, focusing on work rather than passion. Branna and Fin’s relationship offers them both comfort and torment. And though they succumb to the heat between them, there can be no promises for tomorrow. A storm of shadows threatens everything that their circle holds dear. It will be Fin’s power, loyalty, and heart that will make all the difference in an age-old battle between the bonds that hold their friends together and the evil that has haunted their families for centuries. Don’t miss the other books in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy Dark Witch Shadow Spell

Celeste Richardson

As expected, there was a ton of angst in this book. Romance too, of course, but definitely no shortage of angst. That kind of drama isn’t my favorite thing in the world, but I could put up with it here because I was invested in the story and the characters. Even with my complaints about there being something insubstantial about this series compared to most of Nora’s work, I still really cared about the characters and felt a need to see how this part of their story ended. 

But that ending could have used some work. There was something ethereal about it, which I personally don’t think is a good thing when it comes to a big battle. I’ve been spoiled by authors like Brandon Sanderson and John Gwynne and Joe Abercrombie when it comes to epic battle scenes that a novel or series as been building toward since it began. Nora is incredible at a lot of things, but this battle didn’t live up to those. However, I believe that’s because the authors I listed above are firmly fantasy authors, while Nora is a romance writer who dabbles in the fanastical. Whatever the case, all of the buildup didn’t quite feel like it paid off.

The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy is a fun read overall, but it’s nowhere near my favorite among Nora’s novels and trilogies. I doubt I’ll reread this one again. But who knows? Even the works of hers I don’t adore suck you in, and this trilogy was no exception.

Renee Delcourt

I really enjoyed this book but I really want to say that it resolves kind of abruptly. It feels like there is supposed to be more to the story or more to the conclusion but there isn't and it feels weird. Other than that I really enjoyed reading Fin and Branna's story.

b.andherbooks

Much like the second book in this series, Blood Magick was repetitive. Focusing far more on battles and rhyming magick incantations than the actual romance between Finn and Branna or even the friendships between the other characters, I just didn't feel super connected to these folks as I normally am with Roberts works. I feel the time spent on the supernatural elements cheated the dialogue and character development. I still enjoyed the trilogy, but definitely not my favorite by far. I much prefer her contemporaries. 

BUT gotta say the cover and packaging of this novel is simply gorgeous.

Sarah 

I didn’t mind the first book in the series. The second was okay but this one was, I hate to say, bad. It dragged on and on. The romance between Branna and Fin was just meh. Not a lot happened. Lost of dinners, cooking and the language used just got boring as they were too logical all the time and I just struggled through. Worst part is I saw the ending coming. There was so suspense. The end fight left me feeling like all this “struggle” was for nothing. I love NR and most of her books but it felt like I have read something like this in another series that was better and she used characters I just couldn’t get behind. I hate giving a bad review to Nora Roberts. She’s one of my favourite authors.

Blood Magick

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