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Morrigan’s Cross

by Katrina Michaels

October 2nd, 2006

Standing on the cliffs of 12th century Ireland following the disappearance of his twin, Hoyt Mac Cionaoith is visited by the goddess Morrigan and is charged with the ultimate of tasks: saving his and all future words. His enemy - the beautiful but deadly vampire queen Lilith - has had over two thousand years experience in cruelly killing and changing humans into her own kind - including Hoyt’s brother, Cian. Now, Hoyt, a sorcerer, must travel across the world and through time to find and train the five others Morrigan has foretold will join him as a circle and do battle against Lilith’s army of vampires.

Fate brings him first to Glenna Ward — a modern witch who can make her own kind of magic. Hoyt and Glenna find themselves drawn together, but is their love strong enough to survive not just the battle ahead but the centuries that separate them…?

She Says…

Morrigan’s Cross is the first book in The Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts and I must say I was a little disappointed. The premise, as usual, is brilliant - this is Roberts after all - as too the blurb, but Morrigan’s Cross smacks of Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series. Ireland rather than Scotland. Goddess instead of Faeries. I was, I admit, a mite peeved. Given the popularity of Moning’s Highlander series, I suppose its only natural for established authors to break from the norm and try their hand at something new.

Nora Roberts is an exceptional writer. Her tone, style and flair for storytelling makes this book an enjoyable read. All her players are wonderfully interesting even Moira of Geall - who replicates a bland dishrag - and Blair who could pass for Buffy’s twin sister makes for rapid finger flicking.

Our Hero, Hoyt, is superb, as Roberts’ Heroes always are, with his wry humour, his love for family and homeland, and his unwavering integrity. His anguish in the opening chapters is truly heartfelt, but it is his enduring faith and the sacrifices he’s prepared to surrender make him an outstanding hero. He is a tortured soul throughout the better part of the novel, with his need to see his family, return to his 12th Century homeland and finally acceptance that he’ll never see either again.

Glenna, our Heroine, was more than worthy to be his soul mate. I liked her character immensely. She is smart, savvy, sophisticated and nicely vulnerable without turning wimp. Her online shopping spree is a giggle to read and I positively envied her. [sigh] I wish…

bare bones

There are so many players in this first book its a wonder I can keep track of them all; Hoyt, Cian - yum yum - King, Glenna, Moira, Larkin, Blair, Lilith, Heather… The list goes on and on.

One thing I did note, having read Roberts’ for years is Shades of Yester-Year characterisation. Glenna, Moira and Blair, the key female characters in the series presented with such defining personalities it was more than apparent that I’d read their personalities before. Glenna was sophisticated, Blair edgy and smart-mouthed, and Moira bookish and quiet. It would make for a nice change if Roberts’ crafted fresher characterisation when and if she writes group personalities again.

Because her Men, also, stem from the past. Hoyt was the “family” man and would stop at nothing to keep his new family together. Cian - good, God, could there be a more delectable Vampire? - was, very naturally, edgy and dark and Larkin was forever dependable. Even King, whom I loved immensely with his street smarts and clever humour shouted: Indigo. (Hidden Riches).

last word

I’ve always found Nora Roberts to be the benchmark for great things to come. She isn’t scared to test her wit, her style or her creativity. Putting her neck on the block for public criticism isn’t easy, but it does go with the territory. Her storyline was sound as paranormal storylines goes, and her fight scenes well crafted, well presented that I could imagine without hardship that was I was there, swinging blade and shield beside each and all.

I thought the love scene in Morrigan’s Cross was terribly generic, wafter thin and lacked substance. Sensuality is the trigger for great love scenes; and there’s no disputing that Roberts’ has that base covered, ordinarily. The big moment between Hoyt and Glenna lacked presence, clarity - in the moment feel - movement, desperation - for God’s sake LUST - that’s endemic of Roberts’ style. Hoyt and Glenna were fighting Vampires; they did not know if they would live to see another dawn, yet there was no edgy desperation that would - should - be expected from these lovers.

Overall Morrigan’s Cross is a good attempt at…er, crossing over into paranormal romances. I am hopeful her next book; Dances of the Gods - Blair and Larkin - will be considerably better, although I’m hesitant now to admit that Blair’s smart-mouthed edgy characterisation isn’t making me rush to the bookstore.