Sandy M’s review of The Rise of Magicks (Chronicles of the One, Book 3) by Nora Roberts
Paranormal Romance published by St. Martin’s Press 26 Nov 19
With the third book in this trilogy, we get to witness the beginning of a new world for those who have survived the Doom, which began in Book 1. From Fallon Swift’s birth to her leading that new world beyond evil and its aftermath, Nora Roberts has once again kept readers entranced with a compelling storyline and unique characters. Fallon is The One, and in this story she comes into her own after training, vulnerabilities and doubts, and finding love amid war and evil.
With more and more reports of Uncannys capturing, torturing, and killing her kind, Fallon’s leadership is fraught with a never-ending battle to make the world right again, if that’s even possible. At times it seems as though that possibility is only in the dreams of the residents of New Hope, those who follow Fallon and her destiny. But there’s a reason Fallon is The One. Her magic is unparalleled, and step by step they advance and overtake those who would decimate all Magickals.
I enjoyed the intense strategies before each battle was waged in a different part of the country. They even have to take down the jerk of a self-appointed President who likes nothing more than spewing hatred toward those not like him and whom he doesn’t understand. I love in the end, when his arrogance is at an all-time high, he goes too far and gets what’s coming to him, along with those who follow him. There are a number rephrehensible people Fallon and her followers have to take care of, and each of those battles is well done and a joy to watch unfold.
There is a lot of family and love, of course. Fallon’s parents are her lodestone, as well as her brothers. And I really love the scenes between Fallon and her biological father when he joins her in spirit form. Everyone, even Max Fallon, has to let go in this new day and age so those they love can grow, and a good portion of those scenes are quite emotional, done in the usual Nora Roberts style. The closeness of all those living in New Hope is a breathing, living thing too. They all know what’s at stake and are willing to die to keep it. Likewise, a lot who are rescued throughout the story stay on to continue the fight to equality.
My only nitpick is the lack of romance. I know that probably wasn’t Ms. Roberts’ major thought/point when she began this trilogy, focusing more on surviving and starting anew, but love has to be part of that. I like Duncan and Fallon together, even despite her young age. She’s lived a lifetime and more in her too few years, so it’s quite believable when they finally acknowledge their feelings for one another. It’s even refreshing when they don’t push and pull at each other like most characters do in romance. They make a charming and interesting couple. I just wish there’d been more of those moments.
The final foe whom Fallon and her family have been fighting since the first book get a few good hits in, but, in the end, evil and revenge will not win out over light and truth. There’s always hope when reading Nora Roberts, and she never lets you down, no matter the journey in getting to that hope.
Grade: A
Summary:
After the sickness known as the Doom destroyed civilization, magick has become commonplace, and Fallon Swift has spent her young years learning its ways. Fallon cannot live in peace until she frees those who have been preyed upon by the government or the fanatical Purity Warriors, endlessly hunted or locked up in laboratories, brutalized for years on end. She is determined to save even those who have been complicit with this evil out of fear or weakness—if, indeed, they can be saved.
Strengthened by the bond she shares with her fellow warrior, Duncan, Fallon has already succeeded in rescuing countless shifters and elves and ordinary humans. Now she must help them heal—and rediscover the light and faith within themselves. For although from the time of her birth, she has been The One, she is still only one. And as she faces down an old nemesis, sets her sights on the enemy’s stronghold, and pursues her destiny—to finally restore the mystical shield that once protected them all—she will need an army behind her…
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
