Book One of The Three Sisters Island Trilogy
Summary
In this combination of thriller, paranormal, and contemporary romance, we meet three witches – Earth, Air, and Fire, who create a haven for themselves: Three Sisters Island. Their stories are not happy, and this is what drives the whole trilogy. If their descendants cannot defeat the dark by trusting in the power of love, the island is cursed to sink back into the ocean.
This first installment of the story introduces Nell Channing, aka, Helen Remington. A woman on the run from her past, with nothing to tie her down but also nothing to save or support her other than herself. She has a very strong intuition and is accepting of the extraordinary. So when she meets Mia Devlin, the local cafe owner, and discovers that she’s a strong, independent, witch, Nell takes it in stride. Mia hires her to bake and cook for the cafe, which quickly becomes a huge success and gives Nell a purpose in life. She also gives her the chance to rent a charming yellow cottage in town.
As she becomes a part of the community, Nell encounters Riley Todd, another witch, but one who denies her powers. Riley’s brother Zack makes strong moves on Nell and she has to decide how she feels and what she wants. As she is conflicted by sexual and emotional tension, she begins to take risks with her baking and starts a catering company on the side. The world begins to look bright and shiny for her and she nearly decides to be with Zack. However, her past comes to haunt her and she has to learn to trust herself and her love in order to overcome it. In doing this, she breaks the first chain in the curse on the island.
Evaluation
Ms. Roberts begins the book with her usual highlight of an overarching theme or focus. Oscar Wilde’s words, “It is sweet to dance with violins/When Love and Life are Fair./To dance to flutes, to dance to lutes/Is delicate and rare:/But is is not sweet with nimble feet/to dance upon the air!” technically reference a hanging, but the larger message of The Ballad of Reading Gaol is to fight for life and the right to have it. The complexity of a Nora Roberts novel is not lost on me. And her use of a little-known quote is fascinating.
The plot of the individual novel is strong, with few holes and only a little bit of cliche thrown in. The plot throughout the trilogy is fascinating with each new character’s perspective and individual development giving them enough to win in the end (sorry, it’s a given in romance, right?). Obviously you have to suspend a bit of reality to enjoy a novel about women developing their individual powers and being witches. But isn’t it nice to believe for a little while? To live vicariously through a character with this power?
Ms. Roberts style is clear and descriptive. The dialogue within the novel portrays the personalities of the characters, as well as the time period and location. The simple structure of sentences make the book one that anyone can understand. You get images, feelings, actions…not just telling you what is, but making you feel like you’re experiencing it. She uses some comparison and figurative language at appropriate times. Not enough to be cheesy, but enough to emphasize what details you should notice.
The content of the novel is stirring, with the controversial ideas of witchcraft and magic being the focus, as well as abusive and controlling relationships, concealed identities, and use of the law. Sexually, the scenes are stirring and explicit, with enough figurative language and pretty wording to make them pretty much wonderful to read. Her descriptions and pacing vary based on the mood of the characters and she uses the moments to move the plot along as well.
Overall a wholly satisfying book, and one I’ll admit I have read more than once. Happy reading!
Similar/Related Reading
Heaven and Earth: Book Two 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 