Book Review: The Choice by Nora Roberts

About the Book:

Title: The Choice

Author: Nora Roberts

Series: The Dragon Heart Legacy #3

Page Length: 448

Publication Date: Nov. 22, 2022

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Synopsis: Breen Siobhan Kelly grew up in the world of Man and was once unaware of her true nature. Now she is in Talamh, trying to heal after a terrible battle and heartbreaking losses. Her grandfather, the dark god Odran, has been defeated in his attempt to rule over Talamh, and over Breen–for now.

With the enemy cast out and the portal sealed, this is a time to rest and to prepare. Breen spreads her wings and realizes a power she’s never experienced before. It’s also a time for celebrations–of her first Christmas in both Talamh and Ireland, of solstice and weddings and births–and daring to find joy again in the wake of sorrow. She rededicates herself to writing her stories, and when his duties as taoiseach permit, she is together with Keegan, who has trained her as a warrior and whom she has grown to love.

It’s Keegan who’s at her side when the enemy’s witches, traitorous and power-mad, appear to her in her sleep, practicing black magick, sacrificing the innocent, and plotting a brutal destruction for Breen. And soon, united with him and with all of Talamh, she will seek out those in desperate need of rescue, and confront the darkness with every weapon she has: her sword, her magicks–and her courage…

LINKS:   Goodreads   |    Amazon

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My Review:

This is the final book in The Dragon Heart Legacy, and it’s exciting, suspenseful, heart-warming, and a bit heartbreaking! Breen really comes into her power in this conclusion. She is fierce and powerful, and she digs so deep to bring peace to the world and the people she has come to love. The story picks up right where book two left off, and Breen and the other characters are dealing with the aftermath of the battle. They face grief, loss, mourning, and rebuilding, as well as preparing for the next battle.

Like the other books in the trilogy, I adored the friendships, romances, and family dynamics and how important they were to all of the characters. This is a tight-knit community that embraces Breen and Marcus, and the deep connection, loyalty, and love they all have for each other are really special. It’s a community that feels more like a family, and there are many wonderful relationships explored as the characters work, fight, celebrate, and mourn together. I like that the story doesn’t focus on one relationship and instead highlights many different ones. Romantic relationships, friendships, family bonds, new relationships and old ones are all explored and stress not only the importance of connection and love but also what Breen and the others are fighting for.

Of course, there’s a ton of intrigue and suspense and Breen, Keegan, and the others prepare for Odran’s eventual attack. The story also shifts perspective so you can see how Odran and his followers are preparing to defeat Breen and the rest. It’s dark and deadly, and Odran is so evil! I think this aspect of the story is a fantastic contrast to the positive, loving, and good we see in Talamh.

There are a lot of great messages and themes in this series, and the book is aptly titled because the whole story is about choice. Every character has to make choices, some easy some tough, and each choice changes the directory of their lives. Other themes that are prevalent include prejudice, fighting for what you believe in, embracing love, and the importance of family.

Nora Roberts is my most-read author, and I always gobble up her books. The Choice was no exception. It’s a captivating read and a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. It isn’t a standalone, so you have read the first two books to follow this one, but if you like amazing world-building, dynamic characters and relationships, unique fantasy elements, and entertaining storytelling that will make you laugh and cry, then I would definitely recommend the series. Oh, and did I mention dragons because… DRAGONS! lol Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The action and suspense.

• The characters and relationships.

• The messages.

Favorite Lines:

Without hope, grief loses the strength to live on, and fight on, and hold.

Power is a wild thing, and turned, consumes the one who wields it. But leashed too tight, it weakens and thins.

Recommendations:

Want to learn more about the series? Check out my reviews of the first two book – The Awakening and The Becoming!