Morrigan's Cross (2006)

Yes, it's a NR trilogy, this time with vampires and all out fantasy a la LOTR. ( )

transferring information from 2006 spreadsheet

May 24-26, 2010

I read this book again for a reading task... had to read a book dealing with magic. This one—about a witch and a sorcerer—definitely qualified... Plus, Hoyt and Glenna are SO fabulous! Although Blair and Larkin are awesome, too... makes me want to go on to book 2!

August 4, 2009
Lovely little book. I love Hoyt and Glenna, and I wanted to read their love story again... so I did.
( )

From my blog
Morrigan’s">http://www.onstarshipsanddragonwings.com/

Morrigan’s Cross is the tale of one man fighting across time to battle the vampire queen Lilith. Morrigan the Goddess sends to him allies of all sorts, including his brother who was turned to vampire, a witch, a shapeshifter, an archer and a warrior.
I like having audiobooks to listen to while driving because music on the radio wears on me after a while. However, I had trouble picking out a new audiobook one day and so just grabbed the Nora Roberts on the shelf that looked fairly up my alley. Unfortunately some of the discs were a little damaged, so I missed small segments here and there, and of course driving is a little distracting at times. All of this combines to this warning: I definitely didn’t get the full effect of this book, for better or worse (the Goodreads reviews are very divided…).

Goodreads
Title: Morrigan’s Cross
Author: Nora Roberts
Hours: roughly 10
Genre-ish: Urban fantasy without the urban?
Rating: ★★★☆☆ - pleasant read, fairly predictable
Setting: Morrigan’s Cross starts in historical Ireland, but then shifts to the present day, but with the normal urban fantasy twist of vampires and witches and goddesses being real. It’s not a strictly urban fantasy book, however, just setting.
Premise: Hoyt is blessed with magic in historical Ireland, but when his brother goes out drinking and ends up a vampire, there is nothing he can do. Then the goddess Morrigan comes to him with a quest and a way to right the evil that is the vampire queen. Morrigan shifts Hoyt forward in time to the modern age and sends him a number of allies as he prepares to battle Lilith and keep her from destroying all the worlds, both his and others.
Strengths:
I’m a fan of more classical vampire stories, especially those that involve Lilith and Irish accents.
The magic in Morrigan’s Cross was very influenced by modern day Wiccan practices, which is something I generally enjoy reading.
The writing (and narrating) was compelling and easy to follow in terms of content and pace.
The allies that come to Hoyt at various points in the book have fun and interesting dynamics for the most part, including interesting histories of their own.
Weaknesses:
The narrator’s accent was very Irish and therefore sometimes a little difficult to follow. It probably would have been better for the books listen-ability for him to have softened the accent. After all, what good is the awesomest writing if you can’t understand it?
The romance element between Hoyt and his witch friend, Glenna, was fairly well done, but a bit too explained for my taste. I guess I’m weird in that I don’t read or listen to books for their, ahem, intimate moments.
The scene that was supposed to be very sad did not make me very sad, and I cry rather easily at books….
Summary:
For a book that I randomly picked off of a library shelf, I’d say Morrigan’s Cross did quite well. I think I would have liked reading it better than listening to it honestly. I’m not, however, planning to pick up the next one, since I’m just not that interested in what happens to the world in the big scary battle that is coming. The plot is fairly predictable, but the writing is strong, so if Morrigan’s Cross sounds like something you are in the mood for, go for it! ( )

More reviews at: http://www.onstarshipsanddragonwings.com/2012/08/07/morrigans-cross/

Morrigan’s Cross is the tale of one man fighting across time to battle the vampire queen Lilith. Morrigan the Goddess sends to him allies of all sorts, including his brother who was turned to vampire, a witch, a shapeshifter, an archer and a warrior.
I like having audiobooks to listen to while driving because music on the radio wears on me after a while. However, I had trouble picking out a new audiobook one day and so just grabbed the Nora Roberts on the shelf that looked fairly up my alley. Unfortunately some of the discs were a little damaged, so I missed small segments here and there, and of course driving is a little distracting at times. All of this combines to this warning: I definitely didn’t get the full effect of this book, for better or worse (the Goodreads reviews are very divided…).

Title: Morrigan’s Cross
Author: Nora Roberts
Hours: roughly 10
Genre-ish: Urban fantasy without the urban?
Rating: ★★★☆☆ - pleasant read, fairly predictable
Setting: Morrigan’s Cross starts in historical Ireland, but then shifts to the present day, but with the normal urban fantasy twist of vampires and witches and goddesses being real. It’s not a strictly urban fantasy book, however, just setting.
Premise: Hoyt is blessed with magic in historical Ireland, but when his brother goes out drinking and ends up a vampire, there is nothing he can do. Then the goddess Morrigan comes to him with a quest and a way to right the evil that is the vampire queen. Morrigan shifts Hoyt forward in time to the modern age and sends him a number of allies as he prepares to battle Lilith and keep her from destroying all the worlds, both his and others.
Strengths:
I’m a fan of more classical vampire stories, especially those that involve Lilith and Irish accents.
The magic in Morrigan’s Cross was very influenced by modern day Wiccan practices, which is something I generally enjoy reading.
The writing (and narrating) was compelling and easy to follow in terms of content and pace.
The allies that come to Hoyt at various points in the book have fun and interesting dynamics for the most part, including interesting histories of their own.
Weaknesses:
The narrator’s accent was very Irish and therefore sometimes a little difficult to follow. It probably would have been better for the books listen-ability for him to have softened the accent. After all, what good is the awesomest writing if you can’t understand it?
The romance element between Hoyt and his witch friend, Glenna, was fairly well done, but a bit too explained for my taste. I guess I’m weird in that I don’t read or listen to books for their, ahem, intimate moments.
The scene that was supposed to be very sad did not make me very sad, and I cry rather easily at books….
Summary:
For a book that I randomly picked off of a library shelf, I’d say Morrigan’s Cross did quite well. I think I would have liked reading it better than listening to it honestly. I’m not, however, planning to pick up the next one, since I’m just not that interested in what happens to the world in the big scary battle that is coming. The plot is fairly predictable, but the writing is strong, so if Morrigan’s Cross sounds like something you are in the mood for, go for it! ( )