Valley of Silence (The Circle Trilogy, Book 3)

Whichever it is, I'll clap for Ms. Roberts and the job she did with this book. It is the final one of this trilogy, and well worth the wait. There are missteps here, the biggest one being the predictability of certain plot developments, and certainly I'd say the ending of the book is predictable, but by the time these predictable things happened, the characters were so much in my heart that it didn't matter if they acted as I imagined they would even before the book began. (Note: it's the predictability that kept me from giving this 5 stars.)

Cian, the vampire protagonist, is particularly finely drawn. His cold demeanor, his insistence that he does not share human traits with the other members of the Circle--all of these are there, but so are the moments when he acknowledges those human traits he can no longer deny. He battles so much in this book, and his story is engrossing. He becomes someone I felt I understood, which is exactly what I'd hoped would happen. He was not well-developed in the previous two books (note: that's as it should be, I think, as each book had a focus, and this book was the one that focused on Cian, whereas the other two focused on different characters), but here--oh, yes. He becomes much, much more.

Moira, the warrior queen, the one with whom he is matched up in this book, is equally engaging. Her spirit made me smile throughout, and her missteps reminded me that she is no perfect protagonist. Her human needs and compassion rule her at times, while at most others she is keenly focused on her duties, her obligations to her people, her role in the battle to come.

The "bad guys" are developed more, too, which gives this novel a nice balance. Wouldn't do to have the bad guys be one-dimensional, hey?

All in all, this book is a superb end to the series. Overlook the predictable stuff and enjoy the romance and the humor. Enjoy Ms. Roberts' ability to whip you about emotionally, making you cry one moment and grin at a character's wit another.

Nora Roberts' trilogy about a sorcerer (Hoyt), a witch (Glenna), a shape shifter (Larkin), a demon hunter (Blair), a vampire (Cian), and a scholar and queen (Moira) who fight an apocalyptic battle against an army of vampires draws to a close. In Book I, Hoyt and Glenna fell in love and formed the Circle of Six with the others. Moira and her cousin Larkin came through the Dance of the Gods (where Hoyt also came ahead in time almost a thousand years) from the land of Geall, an almost storybook place of dragons and a Cinderella-style castle. In Book II, Blair and Larkin develop feelings for each other while they train and plan for the battle to come, then everyone travels through the dance back to Geall, where Moira would become queen, and begin to ready the Geallian people for battle. Book I was more about all six characters and the formation of their circle, whereas Book II was mostly about the romance between Moira and Larkin. This book follows more of that formula when the attraction between the vampire and the queen heats up and ignites. There is a bittersweet poignancy to this romance, however, as Cian is a vampire. He and Glenna are not only from different worlds, but Cian is not really a man; some even refer to him as a demon. They can never be together, never marry, never conceive children together. Cian has lived 900 years and will never age, yet in an amount of time almost meaningless to him, Moira will grow old and die. Their love is impossible, but they are irrevocably drawn into it nonetheless, each knowing heartbreak is inevitable. When the moment comes, Nora does not shy away from a single crushingly bleak emotion from either of them. The whole time, I knew that something would have to happen to bring them together in the end, but I had no idea what that would be, and neither Cian or Moira believed they had a future. They were heartbroken, not over some silly set of circumstances, stubborn pride, or miscommunication that could easily be overcome, but by the very laws of nature. When the solution came it was almost disappointingly simple, but in the end, these six characters had been through enough trials and bloodshed, magic had been a constant presence, they traveled through time, and even between worlds. Perhaps making it simple was best after all. The ending bespoke of how love makes giving up everything else a pittance to pay, a decision so impossibly easy to make that it's not a decision at all. It's true that Nora Roberts could sell millions of copies of drunken ramblings, but the reason why her books continue to sell so well is that she tries new things, breaks new ground, and finds new ways to tell a story that has basically never changed. While this trilogy may not be for everyone, with its violence and fantasy elements, I enjoyed not only the unusual and creative story and colorful characters, I also admired the way it was crafted.

This book, like the entirely trilogy, was terribly disappointing. Book 1 and 2 of the trilogy really build up to this final showdown of good vs evil, but the end result is sorely lacking. The trilogy, in my mind, has many ingredients to be an exceptional paranormal romance, however it doesn't live up to the expectation.

Imagery was difficult to decipher, and the time travel descriptions had no real feeling behind it - after the time travel was over I definitely did not feel like I'd travelled to another world, let alone another time - save for some sarcastic comments about missing indoor plumbing, etc.

The entire series builds up for the final showdown between the circle of 6 and the evil Vampire Lilith and her followers. The magician Midir is a small part in the series, and yet his character has a HUGE role in the final showdown. This might have been ok had the showdown been done well, but it was not. The descriptions were lacking and it was hard to envision not only this part, but the entire battle. Furthermore, the demise of the evil Lilith is anti-climactic at best. A huge let down after the buildup.

The perfect outcome for Cian and Moira was even more sickening in it's predictability. The entire outcome of the trilogy was predictable at best. The further I read the more I knew that I didn't need to read anymore. It was foretold with hints and feel good scenes how this series would end with little room for any other possibility - a fore telling that was all too true in the end.

Finally, the depiction of Cian as an old man telling this story to children does not ring true. First off, there are many details of sex and violence that most would never dream of sharing with children - not in this detail at all. That entire portion of the trilogy could have been removed entirely to improve the series.

This is the final book of the "Morrigan's Cross" series by Nora Roberts which centers around a circle of six fighting for all mankind on Samhein.

I read Morrigan's Cross and liked it, although I wasn't totally enthralled with it. The second book, Dance of the Gods, was better and had more humor in it but again, predictable. Third (this one) again, predictable and I knew the ending of it before I was finished with Morrigan's Cross save for some minor details. I liked the story, I especially Cian's story, the most but again, all predictable. This novel didn't dissapoint, it just didn't excite me either.

If you are looking for a light vampire/supernatural read that has a bit of romance, this series would be a good choice. However I would not reccomend this novel for people that light to get really involved with their characters or that like a lot of suspsense.

With each passing day, the circle of six move closer to battle. It is within the Valley of Silence that the six, backed by their army of the people of Geall, will fight against the evil of Lilith and her army of vampires.
It is here in the Valley of Silence that courage and honor will be tested. Where the fate of not only Geall, but all worlds, is at stake. It is here that the fight between good and evil will be waged. Where a newly crowned queen will lead her people, joined by her circle of six, to fight the evil of a centuries old vampire.

Nora Roberts made me cry. There were scenes in Valley of Silence that just made me sob. For me, Valley of Silence is the most emotional of the three. And that is high praise. If a book makes me feel so strongly that it effects my emotions, it is a very, very good book!

I loved this entire trilogy but I will admit, the love story between Moira and Cian was the one that I was on pins and needles waiting to arrive. I love Cian, especially his darkness and wit. And I totally can relate to Moira. I just love them both!

The action and suspense of the Circle Trilogy carried through every book. Thrilling, suspenseful and full of delicious love stories, I cannot sing the praises of Nora Roberts' new trilogy enough! I loved it and I am sure you will too!

Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I wanted to love Valley of Silence and fully expected that I would, as my appreciation for Dance of the Gods was greater than for Morrigan's Cross, and I thought the upward trend would continue. But it didn't. Valley of Silence, for me, was a let-down. It wasn't a bad book, and I certainly didn't dislike it. But it didn't wow me or make me loath to give up the Circle of Six.

The relationship between Cian and Moira was remarkably angst-free, which was kind of nice. They were very grown-up about it. They knew it could never work, there was no future for them, but they were willing to take advantage of the NOW they did have. They acknowledged their love for one another early on, and Moira defended her feelings and the right to act on them physically when she ran up against opposition and judgment from her people. She was level-headed and rational, and I admired the fact that here was a female character who didn't lack for self-esteem and common sense. You go, girl!

But still...the book fell flat for me. It lacked poignancy at the end, or any great sense of urgency. There's a big showdown, then it's over. I can't say more because I don't want to post anything spoilerish, but in my opinion the last tenth of the book was just not as emotional or celebrational or poignant as I would have expected. Very anticlimactic.

I also held onto some of my earlier quibbles, like the fact that our Circle of Six managed to save the world(s) after only three months of preparation, while the book mentions how Lilith spent centuries preparing. And Lilith just didn't seem very evil to me. Deviant, self-indulged, spoiled, petulant, tempermental, sadistic, more than bit insane at times...but not particularly evil. I've read a lot of Nora books over the years -- all but just a few -- and I've noticed that sometimes her villains can be a bit cartoonish. To me, Lilith was a bit like that: like a caricature of evil rather than a truly evil character.

There were things I definitely liked. I loved the character of Moira, and got a serious charge out of her adoption of American slang. So funny. I liked that Cian and Moia were mature about their relationship, and that we didn't have to wade through any kind of Big Mis or other typical romance novel plot device. But at the end of the book, I found myself wishing for more. I didn't necessarily wish for the series to continue, but just that this last book had better satisfied my craving for a big, poignant, emotional, stirring conclusion.

NR obviously is a big fan of "The Wizard of Oz," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," & "The Lord of the Rings." This trilogy has elements of all, especially the last two. From the first, she seems to have borrowed Glenna the Good Witch of the East. However, from the last two, she cribbed unmercifully. It may not have been strictly plaigiarism, but close. Unfortunately, with all the "borrowed" ideas, she wrote a not very good series. It has been done better.

I agree with many others who think these books were published because of the power of Nora Roberts name and past successes. Perhaps she should take some time off and have a nice vacation.

I don't believe any book in this series is 3 stars. I think they are all 2 1/2, but I can't do 2 1/2 so I up the start other than down it. The reason it's more than 2 stars is because despite all the faults of this series, and there are a great many, I finished each of the books. Each book had me think about things even though most times it was how irritated I was about how things were working out, how obvious, disjointed or just how bad the descriptions of the environment.

Out of all the books the character Cian had some lines that made me laugh. He was almost a keeper, but like all the men he was weakened but what he didn't say and what he did say. And this book was his and Moria's coupling and story.

Moria takes ownership of her world and the one thing I keep asking myself is that her world that has been in peace for over 1000 years, why do they have an army? And a fit army at that? Why are there areas in this world that Moria, the scholar, doesn't know about? Alright that's more than one thing, but all valid in my opinion.

The most tiring thing about Moria was everyone talking about her and how she has the weight of the world on her sholders...bla bla bla. It got old. She's the ruler, she has to rule and that's going to be a lot of weight -- duh.

The other thing about Moria was how the goddess gave the impression she was the heart of the circle and it was her that Lillith wants to focus on to kill. Lillith had so many people she wanted to kill and yes, Moria was technially the one who killed somethhing Lillith seemed to cherrish, there was no driving need after that from Lillith that it was Moria she was after. When she finially reached Moria the encounter was so short before Cian too over it was a waist to even suggest she was more important that she ended up being.

Moria's sword was a total waiste also even though the goddess said it would make a major difference. There was one point during the fight she had a battleaxe (this had to be a mistake because Glenna was battleaxe chick) and bow and arrow.

Cian, the vampire, the only one who doesn't have conversations with the goddess. He has one moment with his dead sister, but again it's a bit of a waste. No added value.

I don't think Cian ever really came into his own in this series. So much potential and so waisted and his story closer was so very obvious to make it contrite. You had to know that this was going to be the ending in some fashion or other, but I would have like it to be different. Can someone tell me how he left Gleanale (I know I'm spelling it wrong)? He had to go through the stone, but he couldn't come to Gleanale without Moria's help and he didn't have her help when he was leaving.

Because this was the end book, similar to the 1st book, we had to deal with a mishmash of people and different lead voices and the closer of each couples stories. Each couple had to have their major fight. All the fights started with the woman and only when the male helped was the fight won. So very unnecessary. Just that they coupled make each strong we didn't need that added imagery that they would not be strong enough to win eithout their mate on hand to help.

One thing a friend point out was the forced adversary between Glenna and Hoyt with Lillith's mage. Before the 3rd book he was just a blip. Before the standoff between the three he was just a blip. The final battle with the 3 is diminshed because of his blippiness prior to this moment where is was made to be way bigger than it should have been just to give Glenna and Hoyt their own vendetta to take care of.

One last complaint -- Why would some old man be telling toddlers storys and share details of the different character sex lives?

I lied, that wasn't my last complaint. Why have a story telling that appears to tell the story, but the view points keep switching from character to character?

I know there is more, but if you read thing you'll see for yourself.

Bottom line: DON'T BUY THIS SERIES! If you must read it, borrow it, otherwise let it go. It's so not worth it.

The books in this trilogy are the equivilent of of an old fashiioned B-Movie or Saturday matinee--short, pertictiable, forgetable, and enjoyable. I'll keep the books and probably reread them at some time but this is hardly her best work. More likely these books were written quickly to fulfill a contractual obligation.

ddr

I can't think of a Nora Roberts book that I haven't enjoyed, this one included. However, this probably rates as one of my least favorite of her works.

Why? Two reasons: (1) It's much, much darker than her other romantic works; and (2) it's very, very predictable.

(Notice--very minor spoilers follow...read at your own peril)

I understand that the subject matter is a bit on the evil side...vampires, black magic, and so forth...but there were portions of this book that I thought could have been omitted. Major example: I didn't really want to have the entire relationship between Davey and Lilith spelled out. An allusion to it was one thing, but putting in some vivid details were really not necessary for the development of the storyline. The mental pictures were both disturbing and distracting. We understand that vampires are basically evil creatures with no heart (a bad pun, I know) and no conscience. Leave it at that and leave the rest to our imagination.

Now, as to Cian...he's a great character. You love him, you hate him, you hurt for him, you root for him. But you *know* what's going to happen to him in the end. Heck, I think most of us knew by the middle of the first book how this was going to conclude. Putting a little more twist on how it comes about would have made it a bit more enjoyable. The last couple of chapters just left me feeling like "So what??"

This trilogy does show that Nora Roberts can take us into the paranormal realm in a believeable manner. For the most part, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. But I hate predictability...and the ending of this trilogy was just that--nothing new, nothing unexpected. Sure, it can be happy (this is romantic fiction after all), but can't there be another way for us to get there with a few twists and turns that aren't just the "and everyone lives happily ever after" standard we've read over and over again??