Summary
The second part of The Three Sisters Island Trilogy is a whole different perspective on the idea of witchcraft. Hot-headed, to-the-point Ripley Todd is the Three Sister’s Island’s sheriff’s deputy and has certain powers. Which she almost completely hides and ignores. She doesn’t want to talk about them. She certainly doesn’t want to use them. As Mia Devlin continues teaching Nell Channing about hers and how to use them, Ripley wants nothing to do with it, despite having helped form the circle to defeat the dark power in Dance Upon the Air, Book One of the Three Sisters Island Trilogy. The dreams she has of embracing her power and taking revenge scare her, so she goes back to shunning it.
When brilliant but absentminded researcher MacAllister Brooke rents Mia’s yellow cottage looking into the witchcraft rumors Three Sisters Island is known for, he is fascinated by Riley. She is just as intrigued with him, but is hesitant to acknowledge it could be something more. Her doubt and a large secret lie in the way of any happiness they could have.
In the meantime, a motivated reporter becomes obsessed with the Three Sisters Island and possessed with the darker power that would end the island’s protection. When he comes to the island and attacks Riley , she must face her anger and fear, and choose love instead of vengeance to overcome him.
Evaluation
The storyline continues the tale of the Three Sisters Island and begins to explain more of the connections between the people of the island, specifically the new couples. Some of the relationships and background information revealed answers questions, while some of it brings up new questions that will inspire you to read the next book in the trilogy. Ms. Roberts weaves a wonderful sense of suspense as we know pretty much what is going to happen (romance novel, duh), but we don’t know exactly how.
Her style matches her character’s personalities once again, as she writes with powerful, passionate metaphors and figurative language. Her protagonists are flawed, but lovable, or at least people worthy of respect. Her antagonist is like a mysterious whisp of smoke that weaves in and out of the story as the author wishes. Dreams and prophecy play a large role in the book. As the topics of the book become more abstract (witchcraft and curses), the style of the book allows for more description and elaboration using language. While still an easy, pleasurable read, I found this one more complex than the first book.
The content of this book covers new controversial issues, including sexual promiscuity, the line between science and spoofs, mental illness within the criminal system, and the ethics of journalism. All of these are relevant current topics in society and on the news daily. The sexual content of the book is spicy at times, as suits Riley’s personality, and sweet at others,totally representing Mac’s nature.
Similar/Related Readings
Dance Upon the Air: Book One of the Three Sisters Island Trilogy, by Nora Roberts
Face the Fire: Book Three of the Three Sisters Island Trilogy, by Nora Roberts
Inspiring the Works of Valerie Jean 