Book 2 in the trilogy "Blood Brothers" I think this was the best one.. nice and steamy, plus the whole demon killing planning thing for extra flavor. ( )

Like the first in the series, there's no mystery that another of the guys is going to pair up with one of the girls. Roberts has developed an intense paranormal setting to set the stage for the romances at the heart of this series. Looking forward to getting The Pagan Stone back from Jaime so I can finish reading the trilogy. ( )

Reading the second one first didn't make much difference to me but I wouldn't recommend that people bothered by spoilers do this.

Good read, by time you finish reading book one you will be feening for this one....

** spoiler alert ** I had a much harder time getting into this book than the first. Though it shares that musical tone of the first book, the pacing is much slower and the relationship between Fox and Layla was much more the focus of the book than the happenings with Twisse and the upcoming seven.

While I know the book is a romance and I enjoy the romantic interaction of the the two characters I find I like Roberts work much better when she focuses more on the outside plot, that of the the mysterious an...more I had a much harder time getting into this book than the first. Though it shares that musical tone of the first book, the pacing is much slower and the relationship between Fox and Layla was much more the focus of the book than the happenings with Twisse and the upcoming seven.

While I know the book is a romance and I enjoy the romantic interaction of the the two characters I find I like Roberts work much better when she focuses more on the outside plot, that of the the mysterious and paranormal than on just the romance.

The book does distinguish Fox and Layla more as individuals than the last book did. While in the first novel Cal and Fox seemed very similar in commentary and actions this book definitely distinguishes Fox as a separate character with different motivations and actions. He has a very different personality than Cal in this book which was not shown as well in the first books.

Some of the problems I had with this story were one the relationship between Fox and Layla was very slow going, very sensual loves scenes but none of the fast paced excitement in their relationship that Quinn and Cal had. I liked how the previous couple had that perfect mix of slow sensual and hot and racy, but didn't find that in this particular relationship. While I guess it's realistic because every relationship doesn't form or flow in the same way as another I'm a big fan of the unexpected racy heat so when I don't get that in a romance I'm a little disappointed. Also a lot of their relationship seemed like a cat and mouse game with Fox chasing and Layla hiding or running. While he's an easy going sort of character he mostly ran the show in their relationship and it's coming to be.

Layla herself was also a lot of the problem I had with the book because I had a lot of trouble relating to her as a character. I will give Roberts that throughout the book Layla shows a lot of character growth, becoming more courageous and risky, becoming more prepared for the upcoming threat it's hard for me to relate to a character that initially mousy. She's got all that New York Style and flair from the short hair cut to the trendy clothes which tells me from appearance this is going to be a confident, don't mess with me character but then you get to know her and it's more she's pushed into the situation and takes forever to even be sure she wants to be there. In one scene she becomes so frightened by images of snakes appearing in her shower that she passes out. So her appearance says one thing, but her actions say another which just doesn't really work for me as a reader. Her natural response seems to be flight instead of fight which make me feel as a reader that this character is not at all prepared to face the oncoming threat of the seven. Even with all of her growth in the book and she does make tremendous growth in the book I still have trouble believing that this character is really ready to fight an ageless demon. She tries to organizes and compartmentalize everything, and seems to think a battle with a demon can be won with colored coded note cards. This personality trait of hers as well I find a little annoying.

My final issue with the book is the flash back to Carly, a fiance of Fox's who killed herself during the last seven while she was under possession of the demon. Now the idea of this is really wonderful in that is helps to show why Fox is the way he is, trying to put himself in front of the girl or the others protecting them before himself. It's an excellent idea in that way, but the dreams, the mention of this really personality shaping part of his history doesn't even occur until the middle of the book. It comes out of no where. And much of his behavior previous to this being mentioned doesn't really illustrate how this affected him. It shows after she mentioned it but as it's not really a new thing for him in the beginning of the book just new to the reader in the middle it should have been demonstrated through out the book and mentioned in the prologue when we flash back to a different seven, though not the same seven as when this occurred. The seven we should have seen through Fox was the third seven, the seven where he lost someone so dear to him. Another thing that bothers me about this is the Layla helps to discover that the reason Carly was so susceptible even though she was an outsider is that she was a decedent of the relationship between Hester Deale and Twisse. Okay if she's easy to manipulate because of that why aren't Quinn, Layla and Cybil since they are descendants as well?

I still give the book four stars because one the overall series is a page turner and it does include some scenes, the ones where she deals with the overall rather than the individual that have you unable to put this books down. The ending where they reunite the three piece of the stone into one is definitely much more fulfilling than the ending of the first book where you're left thinking okay? What's next? She also continues to engage in the other characters in the series lives during this books as well. You start to see things heating up between Gage and Cybil through heated arguments and a passionate kiss in the middle of danger. You get the opportunity to join Quinn as she hunts for a wedding dress. There is also an exciting scene where each character is attacked individually simultaneously which leaves you wondering if any of them are ready to face the approaching threat. While not the best book in the series, it's still worth reading, if only to follow the battle between demon and guardian which continues throughout the trilogy. ( )

The time of their shared birthday was nearing (July 7, 1977) and each of them hoped that this would be the one that would end the nightmares that Caleb Hawkins, Fox O'Dell and Gage Turner had been living every 7 years for 7 days since they had made a blood brother pack on their 10th birthday out at the Pagan Stone. Now with the help of Quinn Black (reporter & Cal's fiance), Layla Darnell, and Cybil Kinski (a paranormal researcher) they may finally find the direction that they needed to stop this evil that has been terrorized Hawkins Hollow for 20 years. After finding a diary of a distant ancestor of the boys (Cal, Fox and Gage), the girls (Quinn, Layla and Cybil) believe that the clues to defeating this evil could come from her but with only the one diary it wasn't enough. The search takes the group to find more diaries and then using the information, mixed with speculations, they return to the Pagan stone to in the hopes of gaining even more information or tools to help them defeat this evil and who has been a part of each of their lives for longer than they knew.

Book 2 .... The characters are great, as with most of Nora Roberts series. The different aspects of each one of these six gives the reader the chance to connect with each of them together as a team, as couples and as individuals. The spook end is minor but the relationships make up for it. It is a supernatural experience that they are going through and that is sometimes hard to pull of without being on the edge of horror. This one is more mystery, suspense and romance. With the pairing of the six in a natural order. Quinn is still a whirlwind, Layla is a bit more timid than the rest and Cybil, she is leaving me wanting to know more (always a good sign for a series). I am eager to see Gage and Cybils' story, and the conclusion of this trilogy with "The Pagan Stone" ( )

I have read a few of Nora Roberts' trilogies and they have kept my interest. However, when I picked up The Hollow I had no idea that it was even part of a trilogy. (Guess I should have known better.)I started this book three times and put it down while I read something else. I simply got tired of looking at the darn thing so forced myself to read it.

The premise of something evil returning to a small town every seven years should mean the reader is held from page one to the very end. But this reader found trouble right on page one. There was nothing to draw me in nor anything to keep me around.

Surprisingly for Ms. Roberts she spends a lot of time on useless filler with her six characters. Too much speculation on the pairing up of the couples and not enough action on the part of Evil. One can only hope that Evil is resting up for the big conclusion in book three. While the characters are interesting, they seemed shallow and incomplete. Perhaps Ms. Roberts should have spent more time on the climactic scene, which seemed rushed, rather than on the endless chatter of Fox and Layla and their push/pull attitude towards an intimate relationship. I thought this one was a great book for putting me to sleep.

Recommended by Ms. Roberts: The Three Sisters Trilogy (if you like the paranormal). ( )

http://olvasonaplo.freeblog.hu/archiv... ( )

Due to the fact that I hated the way the first book ended I was very skeptical of this book. But I was pleasently surprised...it looked as if Nora put more thought into the ending of the book and how "Big Evil Bastard" was to be destroyed. I am actually looking forward to reading the last and final book of the trilogy. ( )

I liked this second book in the series better than the first one. There is more supernatural stuff going on, another romance brewing between Layla who doesn't know she has a gift and Fox, so far my favorite of the 3 men. I read it in a day and was absolutely entertained. Maybe I'll become a fan of NR after all? ( )

The Hollow continues the battle that begin in Blood Brothers and focuses on the romance between Fox and Layla.

Fox is probably one of my favorite male protagonists Roberts has created. I feel like he is a more optimistic male than you see in most of the romance genre. His romance with Layla is interesting, and complicated by the fact that she's the only one of the group who hasn't accepted and lived with her gifts her entire life. Watching her stretch her wings and accept it as her normal is a touching process. One of the major altercations with the boy-demon was great to read; very creepy and well-done.

However, I feel like the process of Layla's acceptance of herself is rushed. I'm not as fond of Layla's personality as I usually am with Roberts' characters. She almost feels out-of-place in the group, which is not something I have ever really said about a Roberts trilogy. She's also not a well-developed character; I got to the end of the book and didn't really feel like I knew her still. I also felt like it was weird that someone who ends up being a decently major antagonist is only introduced in this book; that introduction felt very contrived.

As with the first, it's a decent book; a bad Roberts book is better than a lot of the drivel out there. But it's still not up to what I view as Roberts' standards. ( )

This second book picks up the story two weeks later. Fox tries to help Layla hone her senses, so they can present a united front, and be as useful as Cal, Quinn, Sybil, and Gage is with their gifts. Since they sense things in the present, he knows how important it is for them to be at full strength when the demon next makes an appearance. Fox felt fortunate for the two-week lull in activity, but knew that had come to an end when he and Layla were attacked by a swarm of crows in the middle of Main Street. Layla got to see first hand the healing powers Fox possessed when his pecking wounds healed almost instantly.

As the group tries to figure out more about the puzzles from the past, the demon escalates the attacks. Instead of just focusing on one person, they are all in jeopardy at any given time. They realize that his strength is nothing like anything that they have ever encountered in the past, but that makes sense now that they know this cycle of seven is the final showdown.

The second book in the trilogy was much easier to read. Not once, did I have to force myself to pick the book up and read it. ( )

Opening Sentence: "...On a bright summer morning, a teacup poodle drowned in the Bestler's backyard swimming pool..."

The second in the 'Sign of the Seven' trilogy - the story continues of our gang of six learning how they are going to vanquish the demon that has the town of Hawkin's Hollow in thrall every seven years. Cal and Quinn have forged their relationship, they sense the past, this time is is Fox and Layla. Together they sense things in the present.

As they try to figure out more about the mysteries from the past to help fight the demon, the demon escalates the attacks. Now he is focusing on all of them at any given time. They soon realize that his strength much greater than they have ever encountered in the past, another indication that this cycle of seven is the final showdown.

This book had more scary bits in it that the first - there is romance, humour and a really nasty foe to vanquish - a thrilling read. ( )

Very good continous storyline, this time telling the story of the second pairing. ( )

from a review on amazon.com
This second book picks up the story two weeks later. Fox tries to help Layla hone her senses, so they can present a united front, and be as useful as Cal, Quinn, Sybil, and Gage is with their gifts. Since they sense things in the present, he knows how important it is for them to be at full strength when the demon next makes an appearance. Fox felt fortunate for the two-week lull in activity, but knew that had come to an end when he and Layla were attacked by a swarm of crows in the middle of Main Street. Layla got to see first hand the healing powers Fox possessed when his pecking wounds healed almost instantly.

As the group tries to figure out more about the puzzles from the past, the demon escalates the attacks. Instead of just focusing on one person, they are all in jeopardy at any given time. They realize that his strength is nothing like anything that they have ever encountered in the past, but that makes sense now that they know this cycle of seven is the final showdown.

I am a big Nora Roberts' fan. I like her books more when she does not go supernatural but sticks with day-to-day reality. For a supernatural one this is not the best but still a good read if you don't take it too seriously. Since this is book 2 of the series, I will of course read book 3 and can't wait for it to come out. ( )

This is the 2nd book of the Sign of Seven trilogy. I haven't liked it as wll as some of her others, but it's an okay read. ( )

THE HOLLOW is the second in The Sign of Seven trilogy, BLOOD BROTHERS being the first. PEGAN STONE, the third, is scheduled to be out in December 2008.

By the second book, the reader pretty much knows what’s going to happen. Surprise isn’t the author’s strong point as her novels, at least not in the ones I’ve read. Her books are character driven. The reader becomes emotionally invested, very much like soap opera fans do. I found myself wanting to talk to my husband about the characters as though each were real.

In my opinion, it’s best to start at the beginning of her trilogies with the first book and not jump around. In the first book, three young boys unknowingly set a demon free, but left each with a special ability. From then on, every seven years, this demon plaques the small Maryland town for seven days. The plot isn’t anything new or special, and still, I found myself loving this book just as much as the first.

The first book sets up the story up nicely. The second plants the six main characters - Caleb, Fox, Gage, Quinn, Layla and Cybil - deeper into the story as they realize they’ll be the key to defeating this demon - or die trying. Both the first and second books have left me wanting to know more. And I am looking forward to December for the final installment of this trilogy!

I must end this on a negative note. My complaint has nothing to do with the author or the book, but with the narrator, Marie Caliendo. Her high-pitched screeches when speaking as Quinn and Layla actually caused me to dislike the characters. Please keep in mind, these are the same characters as in the first book. If Marie Caliendo had been the narrator for the first book, I wouldn’t have continued on with the trilogy. Having listened to so many audios, this was the first problem I’d had with a reader. When her voice elevated, it sounded more like a screech. Horrible - seriously horrible.

More reviews at http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/... ( )

This story focuses on Fox O'Dell and his friends and Layla Darnell the woman who leaves her job in New York to come to Hawkins Hollow and is involved in the strange events. The evil in Hawkins Hollow is gaining power and attacking them. They have to try to defeat it. Fox and Layla share psychic abilities and as Fox teaches Layla how to use her abilities they gain a closeness that's quite touching.

The characters are great fun but sometimes the plot loses in favour of the romance. Enjoyable but definitely a bridging novel. ( )

Enjoyable mid-series book. The romance between Fox and Layla was good and the paranormal aspects of the series advanced well. Looking forward to the final book. ( )

Fox is a small town lawyer who loves what he does and loves his town. The only problem is that he and two friends unleashed a demon on his beloved town when they were ten and have been fighting the evil every seven years since. Now three women have arrived in Hawkins Hollow to help in the battle and Fox has discovered an all new reason to fight in the frightened yet determined Layla.

I do have to say that I did like this second story of the Pagan Stone demon much better than the first. Fox turned out to be a much better character than I expected. He's got a great personality combining compassion, protectiveness and level headedness. So much of the time attorneys (at least the ones I've read about in romances) are depicted as hard-assed over-achievers or worse, which bugs the heck out of me. On the other hand I often found myself comparing his laid back single-attorney office to the one I work in and there is a world of difference. I'd love to work for that guy! Anyway, the paranormal bits were a little creepier in this one and there were a couple really great scenes which show how connected the six friends now are to one another. I thought Layla was a decent enough character, but mostly it was Fox who carried the story for me. I'll certainly be on the lookout for book three in December! ( )

i think I am finally 'over' Nora Roberts. And I am not happy to say it either. I have enjoyed her books for about 20 years.

But, as much as I enjoy her characters (and I continue to reread her backlist reagularly) I am just really tired of the hero and heroine (and the secondary characters) having the same voice. They are really the same basic character from book to book and the author uses the same phrases and slang from novel to novel. I just am tired of it. And, again, I am not happy to be tired of it.

So, here i am in the middle of her lated trilogy and don;t think I will have enough curiosity to even buy the last. I am sorry to say that I have found this serious boring and the interaction of the hero/heroines in both books so far to have no passion or personal interaction that makes me believe that are 'it' for eachother.

i still give this book 3.5 stars because even on a bad day Nora Roberts still out-strolls most other authors. ( )

delete_me ( )

I always love the byplay between Nora's characters. Makes me wish I could know them. ( )

The second book of the Sign of Seven Trilogy (The Hollow) is, I'm sad to say, not what I expected. The first book (Blood Brothers) was a complete thriller for me, but 'The Hollow' seem to be lacking in some way. I don't mean to say it was a bad read, I didn't want to put it down! But I'm super ready for 'The Pagan Stone' to come out. ( )