Sandy M’s review of Stars of Fortune (Guardian Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 3 Nov 15
If our own Veena hadn’t mentioned it after reading this book, it probably would have never occurred to me – this is another quest series, three couples going up against evil, fighting to save mankind, and falling in love at the same time. Similar formula, perhaps, but when it comes to Nora Roberts, for me it’s her characters that make the difference. These six are very, very different from the six in her Cousins O’Dwyer trilogy, which I loved. I love this one too, especially how the surprises keep coming throughout the story.
Sasha has been having dreams of herself with five others – lightning, a battle, even intimacy with the one controlling the lightning. She’s always kept her gift hidden, no one ever understanding it, not even trying to. When she decides to truly figure out what’s going on, what’s behind her prophetic dreaming, she heads to Greece – Corfu, a place that seems to pull her across the oceans.
Once there it’s like fate has lined up each and every detail – Sasha begins to meet each of the six who, she discovers, knows so much about what they’re going to be facing in the very near future. A member of their family has been chosen over the generations to search for the Stars of Fortune, stars three goddesses created to gift a rising queen, only to have the orbs flung hither and yon when an evil witch wants their power for her own. Sasha has never heard any of the legends passed down, but the story comes together bit by bit as each character is introduced. Each one has their secrets, which are slowly revealed just in the nick of time as their quest begins to bear fruit.
It’s Bran, the magician from Ireland, who calls to Sasha. She’s seen what they will mean to one another, but she’s determined to carry her own weight and fight when Nerezza comes at them again and again. I so enjoyed the way they all come to trust each other, to become the team they’re meant to be. I love how each guardian’s power is brought into the open, giving that character another layer of depth and consequences of their secrecy rippling through the group’s ranks.
Bran and Sasha are perfect together. There’s even more to him that initially meets the eye. I have to say Annika is actually my favorite. With her joy of life, I knew immediately what her secret is, but that took nothing away from her revelation when it finally comes. The other characters are just as intriguing and interesting, however. I look forward to watching them fight the good fight to eventually win the war that will well and truly rage by the third book, I’m sure.
Grade: A+
Summary:
To celebrate the rise of their new queen, three goddesses of the moon created three stars, one of fire, one of ice, one of water. But then they fell from the sky, putting the fate of all worlds in danger. And now three women and three men join forces to pick up the pieces…
Sasha Riggs is a reclusive artist, haunted by dreams and nightmares that she turns into extraordinary paintings. Her visions lead her to the Greek island of Corfu, where five others have been lured to seek the fire star. Sasha recognizes them, because she has drawn them: a magician, an archaeologist, a wanderer, a fighter, a loner. All on a quest. All with secrets.
Sasha is the one who holds them together—the seer. And in the magician, Bran Killian, she sees a man of immense power and compassion. As Sasha struggles with her rare ability, Bran is there to support her, challenge her, and believe in her.
But Sasha and Bran are just two of the six. And they all must all work together as a team to find the fire star in a cradle of land beneath the sea. Over their every attempt at trust, unity, and love, a dark threat looms. And it seeks to corrupt everything that stands in its way of possessing the stars…
No excerpt available.
