Book Review: The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts

Time for the first comeback book review post, wouldn’t you think? 

Set in the fictional small-town-USA Hawkins Hollow, the Sign of Seven trilogy tells the story of the human struggle against darkness and evil. Three young kids unleash a dark, ancient evil force on the night of their 10th birthday only to spend the better part of their lives trying to battle it. The plot is thrilling and Nora Roberts has a strong narration voice that is seamless and enchanting. 

Plot Summary

Cal, Fox and Gage set out for their 10th birthday adventure deep into Hawkins Woods. They have been meticulously planning the celebration of their first decade as one never to be forgotten. Little did they know that Fate has a big surprise  in store for them and their little adventure turns out to be the one defining moment of their life. Their 10th birthday, they  thought, would be the day on which they take an oath, a blood oath, to remain loyal friends for as long as they may live. In  blood, at the strike of midnight, they unleash a engrudged evil force that they soon would realize has hellish plans for their  peaceful town and everyone that matters to them. Years later, our young friends have grown to men with a deep and  unusual past. The time of the Seven is approaching and Cal, Fox and Gage know it in their hearts that something needs to  be done to put an end to the madness, once and for all. This time Fate intervenes again, and they are joined with three  young women who will play a key role in shaping the future of little Hawkins Hollow. 

Book 1: Blood Brothers

Review

Nora Roberts has an unusual imagination to say the least. Her first book of the Sign of Seven trilogy is captivating. Focusing on one of the lead characters (Cal), she does a marvelous job in setting the scene for her trilogy. The narrative is simple yet enthralling. Her style and language are immensely effortless and as soon as you have read the first chapter, you are hooked. Her words flow seamlessly and without even noticing you are instantly transported into the world of Hawkins Hollow, sympathizing with Cal as he tries to make sense of what has become of his life and the lives of those around him. His ever-restless mind trying to cope with what (or rather who) Fate seems to have thrown his way. In the larger scheme of things, he seems to have lost track of who he is. Eventually though, he manages to put most of the pieces of the puzzle together only to find out how much he had been missing for so long. 

Book 2: The Hollow

Review

In this second book we follow the life of Fox, a successful small-town lawyer who has a hippie, anything-but-normal background. Yet again, we are held captive by Robert’s excellent narrative. Her character development talents are especially evident in this part of the trilogy and you cannot help but keep turning the pages to see whether Fox’s insecurities will get the best of him or whether he will triumph over his deepest fear. With his devotion to his family and two childhood friends, and with his calculating analytical mind, he has no option left but to stand firm in face of the darkness that he knows deep in his heart would bring the end of everyone and everything that has ever mattered to him. What he does not know; however, is that his long-time arch-enemy is plotting for his most elaborate, and dangerous scheme yet. With excitement at its peak, we see a glimpse of how morbid the evil our three friends would have to face with Fox becoming even more attached to everything Hawkins Hollow has come to mean for him. 

Book 3: The Pagan Stone

 

Review

As we approach the end of our story, we are initiated into the world of Gage -a roaming vagabond with a free spirit. He is unapologetic about his very pessimistic, cynical outlook on life. Having always been the kid with the dark history, we always find him reflecting on how his not-so-pleasant childhood and this always puts him at odds with his adult life. Gage has a witty sense of humor that would make you laugh even at the darkest moments of the story. Gage being Gage, we find him constantly trying to come to terms with his destiny. He is constantly at a state of self-struggle and this brings him even closer to life. Soon though, he would have to realize that he needs to move past his history and step into the most crucial and exciting adventure of his life. 

Overall, the Sign of Seven trilogy is perfectly easy read with a great combination of excitement, humor and thrill. Click the book covers to go to each book’s Amazon page. 

Good reading!