Morrigan's Cross

Nora Roberts

Hoyt Mac Cionaoith lost his brother Cian to Lilith, queen of the vampires. He's a wizard, but is unable to save his brother once Lilith claims him. Still, he must find a way to save Cian. Hoyt realizes that the goddess Morrigan is calling him to fight not just for Cian, but for all mankind against the vampires. In the process, he time travels forward almost 900 years. Cian is still alive, still undead.

Cian McKenna lives in New York City. Hoyt finds him there. He knows a magic circle of six is needed to ultimately fight off the vampires. Cian is a vampire, but chooses not to live as a demon. He is a respected busineman who comes out at night. He is reluctant to listen to Hoyt but also can see the unholy battle forming. While in the city, Glenna Ward is brought to their circle. King, Cian's closest living friend, is also there. The group travel to Ireland and the old McKenna land that Cian owns.

Moira is princess of Gaell when her mother is killed by a band of vampires. Although she is the next in line, the goddess pulls her away to go to Earth and prepare for the final battle. Her cousin Larkin Riddock, a shapeshifter, joins her. They make their way to the McKenna household. It is understood that the final battle against the vampires will happen in Gaell.

The household now prepares for war. King and Cian give fighting lessons. Hoyt and Glenna work to strengthen their magic powers. Moira and Larkin teach of Gaell. All begin to learn what will be needed to fight an army of vampires. In the midst of the battle training and skirmishes with vampires, Hoyt and Glenna learn there is more between them than the hatred of vampires. There is undying love as well.

Morrigan's Cross is the first of a trilogy that has to hang together. Although Glenna and Hoyt's personal story is tied up, the overall arc of the war of the vampires won't finish until the final book in The Circle Trilogy. Nora Roberts took her different interests and pulled them together into this set of supernatural fantasy romance novels - paranormal romance is the current buzz word for this genre.

Morrigan's Cross is dark throughout, keeping light enough to maintain the romance. I enjoyed the novel well enough, never fully getting sucked in or involved. Glenna is the strong, independent woman we expect from a Nora Roberts novel, but doesn't quite ring true for me. Perhaps she'll tie together in future novels, although she won't be the romantic focus of them. Cian's and Hoyt's characters are the strongest and the most interesting. It will be interesting to see how she resolves Cian's story.

Notice: Non-graphic violence, Strong sexual content

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