Sandy M’s review of Jordan (Pendragon Legacy, Book 3) by Susan Kearney
Paranormal romance published by Forever 1 Mar 10
You know how you always hold out hope that a trilogy you’ve come to love will perhaps turn out to be a much longer series? I’ve had that hope while reading the three books in the Pendragon Legacy. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end, no matter how we wish differently. I’m just glad I got to go along for the wild ride.
We met Jordan in the second book of the series, Rion, though we didn’t know that for the longest time. But once he’s been reunited with his Ancient Staff that had been lost to him when his world was betrayed and destroyed centuries before, he now has some of his lost power back and we learn he’s a shapechanger and he’s also the legendary Merlin.
Vivianne is a self-made businesswoman and she’s financing the building of a state-of-the-art spacecraft to give humans an advantage in their fight against the Tribes, who are rumored to be on their way to Earth and bent on destruction. Jordan is the mastermind behind designing that state-of-the-art ship to help them find the Holy Grail, but Vivianne’s goal is to save Earth.
Misleading Vivianne just a tad, Jordan commandeers the ship, along with an untrained crew, and their journey into the unknown begins. After a few chapters of this space flight, I begin to think there’s a possibility the story might become a little boring. I mean, how much can really go on in such a confined space for such a long period of time? Don’t ask me why I was worried. Ms. Kearney does a terrific job of weaving in the unusual, the dangerous, the fearful, the lusty, and a few other things for good measure. I should have known better, especially when Jordan’s Ancient Staff throws its mojo at him and Vivianne, making them squirm with lust they can’t keep their hands off one another and then some. Just thinking about that initial love scene now gets me all hot and bothered.
Throughout the two previous books we’ve been given a very different, although the same, story of King Arthur and his Knights, and we finally get to meet the man, alive and well, in person. Ms. Kearney had me grinning when even Lancelot makes an appearance, no hard feelings at all with or toward Arthur. At this point, Jordan and Vivianne receive more clues to find the missing keys to bring the Ancient Staff to full power.
The only problem with doing that, however, is that bringing these ancient artifacts together will end Jordan’s life. Jordan is willing to give that ultimate sacrifice to have vengeance for his lost world, but as much as Vivianne wants to save Earth, she’s come to love Jordan and isn’t sure she can give the same sacrifice.
My only very slight disappointment is I wanted more of their dragons. As much as I’ve always loved the King Arthur legend, I love my dragons, and there is less of them in this book than the first two. But, hey, I got some great love scenes starting very early in the book, so while it’s not an even trade-off, it’s close. These characters sizzle in the bedroom, when they’re in it anyway. That first sex scene made me want to find the nearest spaceship. See, can’t get it out of mind now.
This has been a terrific trilogy. If you enjoy the Arthurian and Holy Grail legends, if you love dragons, if you can’t get enough of dangerously handsome and sexy heroes, and you like strong and sassy heroines, if you want something very different to read, you need to crack open these books. And having them just for the covers alone is fine by me. The first two are quite nice, but Jordan and his blue eyes and 5:00 scruff beats them both hands-down.
Grade: A+
Summary:
1600 years ago, Jordan was the sole survivor of a ruthless Tribe attack which annihilated his world. To stop the Tribes deadly galactic conquest from continuing, he followed the Tribes to Earth, assumed the name Merlin and assisted King Arthur and his Knights to save Earth. When Arthur died, Camelot fell and Jordan lost his Ancient Staff. Now, over 1000 years later, the Tribes are back and so is Jordan. He’s recovered his Ancient Staff and is again on the trail of the Holy Grail to save Earth and protect the galaxy.
Vivianne Blackstone is a lady with her own agenda. An American businesswoman, self-made billionaire and a fighter from the get-go, she’s confident, capable and a definite type A personality. One of Earth’s brightest and most loyal citizens, she vows to do her part to save the planet when she learns the Tribes are on the move again.
Jordan and Vivianne team up to save Earth and along the way they fall in love. But according to galactic legend, there’s only 1 way to defeat the Tribes: Uniting the Ancient Staff with the Holy Grail. There’s only one catch, Jordan cannot live without the Ancient Staff. To defeat the Tribes and save Earth, he must perish.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
