The Rise of Magicks

3.5 stars. I admire Nora Roberts for trying something different but I don't think she quite succeeded. After a strong second book in the series, [b:Of Blood and Bone 37638128 Of Blood and Bone (Chronicles of The One, #2) Nora Roberts https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1525898215l/37638128.SY75.jpg 59225538], I was looking forward to a rousing conclusion. Instead the book was a seemingly unending and repetitive series of battles, alternating with our Chosen One Fallon making speeches and having visions that caused her to speak in stilted prophesy language of old that made me roll my eyes instead of engaging me. There's a turning point about 75% of the way through the book that causes Fallon to lose heart (I don't think that's a spoiler; most sagas like this feature a crisis like that) It's largely resolved off page, but I would have preferred to have more space devoted to her internal struggle than to read another battle description. I did appreciate the way Fallon and Duncan's relationship was finally consummated after the two fought briefly against the fated mate concept but eventually realized they really did want to be together. As in book #2, I was amused by the rare sight of the magical prophesied heroine being yelled at by her mother for being too reckless; there are too few “hero's journey” stories that feature parents and children fighting together to save the day. The struggle between good and evil, and the hope that good people will prevail, are very relevant right now, so I'm glad Roberts went down this path, even if the results were uneven. Maybe not my favorite trilogy of hers, but worth an A for Effort.