The Pagan Stone (Sign of Seven trilogy #3)

by Nora Roberts

book data

1,755 ratings, 3.91 average rating, 295 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		33%
4		34%
3		24%
2		6%
1		1%

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published

November 25th 2008 by Jove

binding

Mass Market Paperback, 305 pages

characters

Cybil Kinski, Gage Turner

setting

The United States

isbn

0515144665 (isbn13: 9780515144666)

description

Years ago, after their blood brother ritual, Gage, Fox, and Caleb emerged from the woods, each with a piece of bloodstone. Now, it will become their ...more

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11/28/08

Gina rated it:

bookshelves: fantasy, own, paranormal-supernatural, romantic-suspense, suspense, thriller

Read in November, 2008

A great ending to a good trilogy - even with too many over-stated conversations…

**Spoiler Alert** - review will contain spoilers

I soooo wanted to say a perfect ending to the trilogy, but I can’t. I was so looking forward to reading this one, to giving it a 5-star rating, like I do with most of NR’s novels, but I can’t.

We continue the Sign of Seven trilogy, this time with Gage and Cybil’s story. While it’s obvious to the reader that these two will e...more A great ending to a good trilogy - even with too many over-stated conversations…

**Spoiler Alert** - review will contain spoilers

I soooo wanted to say a perfect ending to the trilogy, but I can’t. I was so looking forward to reading this one, to giving it a 5-star rating, like I do with most of NR’s novels, but I can’t.

We continue the Sign of Seven trilogy, this time with Gage and Cybil’s story. While it’s obvious to the reader that these two will end up together (every love story has to have an HEA), it was over-stated! Every time there was a conversation between them about them, it started with ‘not happening’ to ’sure but no strings attached’. There was doubt, then there was ‘could this work’, moving on to ‘I don’t do roots’. Okay, we got it already. Please move on to the story. While I did like how they fell in love, it was downplayed by all that talking and wondering and supposing. And I don’t usually say that about NR’s work. To say converstaion was over-stated, has to be a first. It actually made me think of the movie The Bachelor - not wanting to settle down.

I liked how they still hadn’t quite figured out how to kill the demon, how they were still researching every lead, every clue, every possibility, how Cybil didn’t want to quit with searching for an answer, even when those answers didn’t turn to the positive side. Although one scenerio was a bit of a stretch - combining Gage’s blood with the town’s water supply? I’d think that the blood would be way to diluted to actually make a difference. I don’t even think that should have been in the story as it was rather ridiculous, even for a suggestion.

I did like learning more about their pasts, but it could have used more development. I found there wasn’t enough to understand why Cybil is the way she is now. You learn what happened with her father, but it still wasn’t enough to understand Cybil. I did like the conversations as they discussed what to do and how. While all three women turning up pregnant was sort of cliched, I liked each separate reaction. I liked how they figured out the last of it, how Cybil interprets a dream/vision on the fly. Another cliche is how they sometimes had the same nightmare/dream; while a cliche, I thought it worked well with the story.

What happens between Gage and his father, and what happens to his father, was an unexpected surprise. But there is one part in this story that, while I was expecting it, I wasn’t expecting it happen that quick. When Gage reveals to Cybil a fake bloodstone that he bought, they decided a plan of action, to see if they could fool the demon, and to make it as believable as possible. While I was expecting what came next, I wasn’t expecting it to happen right on the next chapter. The fights/arguments that insued was totally believable; my heart started to pound and my hands were shaking, I had to put the book down when I found out it was the fake action they’d planned to use against the demon. She had written it so believable she had me fooled. Me? Yeah, me, LOL! And when a writer does that to me, they have a fan for life. I’ve been a fan of NR for 5 years, and I know that’ll never change.

So, great action, awesome plot, perfect ending. While some of the middle/scenarios left me wondering what NR was thinking, this reader enjoyed the book none-the-less, and I’m looking forward to Nora’s next story.(less)

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04/04/08

Isis FG rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, author--nora-roberts, info--full, reviewed, romance--fiction, z2008-july-dec

Read in November, 2008

recommended to Isis FG by: favorite author, continuation of a serie

Third and last book in the Sign of Seven trilogy by Nora Roberts. And possibly my favorite of the three. It's a tough call between this one and Blood Brothers. I think maybe I liked the romance in book 1 a little bit more (it's a little sweeter), and the overall plot progression of this one (book 3) more. So yeah, it's a bit of a toss-up to which I liked best.

The Pagan Stone continues/ends the tale of Hawkins Hollow, which has been plagued for twenty-years by a nasty evil demon w...more Third and last book in the Sign of Seven trilogy by Nora Roberts. And possibly my favorite of the three. It's a tough call between this one and Blood Brothers. I think maybe I liked the romance in book 1 a little bit more (it's a little sweeter), and the overall plot progression of this one (book 3) more. So yeah, it's a bit of a toss-up to which I liked best.

The Pagan Stone continues/ends the tale of Hawkins Hollow, which has been plagued for twenty-years by a nasty evil demon who comes out and causes trouble for seven days every seven years. Best friends Cal, Fox and Gage accidentally released the demon when they were ten and did a blood brothers ritual at the Pagan Stone. Now the three men have teamed up with three women who are also connected to the evil going on and are determined to beat it back once and for all. Cal and Quinn, and Fox and Layla have all had the opportunity to use their skills to gain progress against defeating the demon, and now it is Gage and Cybill's turn. Both have the ability to see the future and need to harness the skill if they hope to figure out how to kill the demon. And their may be a sexual attraction between the two, but neither will allow fate to push them together. If they are going to hop into bed, it'll be on their own terms. Unfortunately, but the time the figure out what they really feel, it may be too late.

One of the things I liked best about this book (out of the three) is that it had an intensity that just wasn't really there in the others. There were parts that had me about ready to gnaw on my fingernails wanting to know what would happen next. And there was even one part that got me a little teary eyed. The storyline just had a little more zip to it, a little more direct purpose - whereas the plots of the other two where kinda nebulous. Overall, the action of book 3 was, for me, much more interesting.

Romance wise...good stuff. I liked both Gage and Cybil. They were definitely a matched pair and had some good chemistry going between them. Couple wise of the trilogy, though, I liked Quinn and Cal the best. They had more of a romantic vibe, where as Gage and Cybil had a sort of lusty passion vibe. I liked the sweetness of Quinn and Cybil the best.

I thought the ending was good...not great, but I've by far read worse. It was maybe a tick rushed...or maybe it was just that I wanted a more settled epilogue. Or an epilogue that didn't occur only hours after the last chapter. But that's just my person preference.

As for the series as a whole...it was pretty good. Not one of my very, very favorites, probably, but one I wouldn't mind reading again in a year or two.

One general complaint about the series that I had was that it lacked character specific tasks, I guess you could say, for each book. What I mean is, look at say, the Key trilogy. Each book focused on one of the women (and the guy they hooked up with) and they had to do certain things to find their specific key. The plot of the book was very tailored to the focus character(s). But in this series, that just didn't really happen. At least in my opinion. Sure, each book had its focus couple, but the plots were more generic, more geared to the group as a whole in most ways. I thought Roberts could have done a better job of connecting the plot of each book to the specific hero/heroine leads. But hey, that's just my opinion.

Anyway, I really liked this series. Much better than NR's last series, the Circle trilogy. If you're a Nora Roberts fan, I think you'll like this book/series. And if you're just a romance reader, I'd recommend giving it a try.(less)

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09/27/08

Heather rated it:

bookshelves: 2009

Read in January, 2009

So, there really isn't a point in my reviewing this book, just read Marianne's and it will tell you EXACTLY what I thought:

"I really really enjoyes this book. I want to say it was my favorite of all three but I don't really remember the other two very well. I know that I was less confused in terms of the characters in this book then I was the second. I LOVED Cybil and Gages relationship and how they great into a couple. It wasn't sappy, cheesy romance. It just was. The ending wa...more

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12/15/08

Ellyn rated it:

Read in December, 2008

I'm sorry, I was just bored by this book. Research, research, research interspersed with predictable demon attacks. I didn't really feel a connection to the characters and I started to skim a lot of the book. As is often the case, especially with the last two trilogies, after a two and a half book buildup, the ending was anticlimactic. I still think Three Sisters Island was her best trilogy with a supernatural thread and I kind of feel like the trilogies in general need a reboot--they don't ...more

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01/06/09

LibraryLass rated it:

bookshelves: 2009

Read in January, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Well, I give this a solid 4 simply because it is Nora Roberts and I'm a huge fan, AND because it was a fairly satisfying conclusion to one of her better trilogies. I tend to not like trilogies which have such extremely tight links because I usually end up picking a couple I like better than the others and it will lessen my enjoyment of the other storylines. Not so in this case

I was really happy with the way the whole Pagan Stone / Twisse thing tied together in this book. I wasn't ...more Well, I give this a solid 4 simply because it is Nora Roberts and I'm a huge fan, AND because it was a fairly satisfying conclusion to one of her better trilogies. I tend to not like trilogies which have such extremely tight links because I usually end up picking a couple I like better than the others and it will lessen my enjoyment of the other storylines. Not so in this case

I was really happy with the way the whole Pagan Stone / Twisse thing tied together in this book. I wasn't put off by the Gabe blood thing as others were. I actually thought it integrated quite well with their research etc. I enjoyed Gabe and Cybil as a couple and thought their relationship came together quite well & natural. Enjoyed the sex scenes though they were short and sweet.

However, there are things I didn't enjoy so much about the book. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
When Cybil got raped by the demon, I thought this seemed to be completely glossed over and wasn't used for anything further in the storyline so what was the point of it??!! I would have liked to have seen it used for Cybil to have problems later when finding out she was pregnant??? Maybe having doubts whether Gabe or demon was father. I don't know, I'm not a writer but there just seemed to be a bit of a rushed feeling to the whole book. Things were slow, fast, slow and then the ending was very fast. But my truly major disappointment was the epilogue was too close to what happened. I don't mind 1 & 2 in the trilogy having no epilogue cos you know you're gonna meet up with the characters again soon. And in Pagan Stone Gabe & Cybil linking together gave us a bit of an insight to what is going to happen with the other couples. But NOTHING for Gabe and Cybil. Totally left me hanging as I won't be seeing these six again and I truly liked them all, and I would really have liked to have had a little bit of an inkling into their babies(!), where Gabe and Cybil ended up, at least something...

Anyway, after all is said and done even on a not so good day Nora Roberts can still out-write most anyone out there (IMHO).
(less)

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12/01/08

Marquetta rated it:

Read in November, 2008

I absolutely loved the first two books and was anxiously awaiting to read the final book of this trilogy. I will preface by saying that I love Nora Roberts and everything that she writes. I inhaled the first two books; I read them in a day. I waited six long months for the release of the third book - The Pagan Stone. With that being said, I hate to say this, but I was a little disappointed. I can't put my finger on one particular thing, but this book didn't grab me like Blood Brothers and Th...more

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01/01/09

Jenice rated it:

Okay so I know I said I wouldn't read Nora Roberts again, but I had to finish the trilogy didn't I?

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01/09/09

Ashley rated it:

OK, I'm just going to write my review of the whole trilogy here. And I'm not entirely sure if it's a review of this particular trilogy or a review of Nora Roberts in recent years. So, just hang in there.

I have been reading Nora Roberts for about 10 years now. I'm pretty sure that I've read most (if not all) of what she's written. Therefore, I think it's safe to say that she now officially SUCKS! Now, I understand, when an author is as prolific as Roberts is, you're going to get ...more

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12/11/08

Becky rated it:

Read in December, 2008

This book is the end to the Blood Brothers Trilogy. Although a bit predictable, it is a good end to the series and a very quick, easy read.

This book focuses on Cybil and Gage. They happen to be the two individuals that haven't "hooked up" yet. Cal and Quinn are already engaged, and Fox and Layla are well on their way. I thought that this book focused on Gage and Cybil much more than on the task of beating the Evil and saving Hawkins Hollow from the plague that it suffer...more

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12/20/08

Risa rated it:

Read in December, 2008

I honestly miss the passion she showed us in the 70's, 80's and 90's. I went.."what!?" and had to re-read the last half of the story...to verify that yup! it really was mishmash. Ah well, the masses will buy it and NR won't be hurting for cash, I'm sure. I still honor Nora Roberts as "once upon a time, the best female author on the planet" but lately the books come out as assembly line projects. Predictable... (or is my lament only because I've bought and read every NR book ...more

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01/07/09

Marianne rated it:

bookshelves: 2009

Read in January, 2009

I really really enjoyed this book. I want to say it was my favorite of all three but I don't really remember the other two very well. I know that I was less confused in terms of the characters in this book then I was the second. I LOVED Cybil and Gages relationship and how they become a couple. It wasn't sappy, cheesy romance. It just was. The ending was a bit too clean for me, but it was happy and really I knew that that's the way it would be. Classic Roberts, no surprise endings.

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02/11/09

Kelly Moran rated it:

bookshelves: romantic

Overall, I didn't feel this was her strongest trilogy, but I was not disapointed. It had the romance, with a little magic and fantasy thrown in. I prefered the CIRCLE trilogy more, or the THREE SISTERS one. This was the last book, I found it the best, but also predictable. I can't say too much w/o giving the plot away, so I won't.

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03/11/09

Robin AKA blondie rated it:

bookshelves: 2009-read

Read in March, 2009

The third in the 'Sign of Seven' trilogy (why it's not called the 'Blood Brothers' trilogy is beyond me), The Pagan Stone sets up the final couple in the series, Gage and Cybil. Gage is an interesting guy, the only one of the three Blood Brothers who spends nearly all his time away their hometown, Hawkins Hollow. He doesn't have any family, nor any real ties to the town, other than through the bloodstone, but still comes back to fight to save the tiny town every seven years.

(yeah, ...more

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01/15/09

Gail rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-romance

Read in January, 2008

Three men, three women, a dog and an ancient evil. Three books and three love stories. Nora Roberts writes good books with interesting, supenseful plots. In this series, Nora Roberts shakes hands with Stephen King as the horror evolves. Three boys born on the same day 7-7 swear blood brotherhood at an ancient stone in the woods in Western Maryland. They release an ancient evil imprisoned there. Every seven years after that, the small town goes berserk with killings violence and fires and m...more

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01/05/09

Bookaholics rated it:

The Pagan Stone: The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts
Paperback - November 25, 2008
5 Stars

The Pagan Stone is the third and final Installment in the Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts. The Sign of Seven Trilogy is about three boys, Caleb, Fox and Gage, who live in the town of Hawkins Hollow.

At the age of 10, the boys accidentally released a demon while camping at the Pagan Stone. Since then, the demon returns to the town every 7 years on the 7th mon...more

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12/23/08

Pandem rated it:

Read in December, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

NOTE: I'm going to save myself some time and trouble by doing this one review for all three books in this trilogy. Yes, I am lazy.

That said. . .

The Sign of Seven Trilogy wants so, so, desperately badly to be Stephen King's IT. All the elements are there:

1. ancient evil rises to terrify a town every so often (every 7 years in Sign of Seven trilogy; every 20-30 in IT),

2. group of friends that battled said evil in their youth must reunite to c...more

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11/30/08

Cherise rated it:

bookshelves: paranormal-fantasy-romance

Read in November, 2008

This is the third book in the Sign of Seven Trilogy

Every seven years the town of Hawkins Hollow undergoes a change. Animals turn rabid, people turn on each other and the supernatural becomes reality. All this happens because of the blood ritual three boyhood friends performed on their 10th birthday on July 7th 1987. That ritual unleashed a demon and every seven years the boys do what they can to save the town and its people. This year they plan on stopping the demon for good.
...more

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12/18/08

Kristen rated it:

bookshelves: audio, fiction, library-books, romance

Read in December, 2008

This trilogy wasn't my favorite of hers, but it had it's moments. I listened to the 1st and the 3rd books on audio, and read the 2nd one in paperback. The reader isn't my favorite, so I'm sure that had an impact. But the story was good. A little mystical, but with enough character and heart to draw me in, and the story was pacy enough. The friendships are well crafted, and that makes all the difference. Overall, it's a fun read. I wish I had taken my sister's advice and waited to read #1 unti...more

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11/30/08

Kelly rated it:

Read in December, 2008

What can i say. Alittlemoreparanormal very predictable book. I really used to love a Nora Roberts boo... a little break from reality but she has really gone to far. All of her characters are all the same and the plots..... much to be desired. But I had to finish it...

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11/27/08

Evelyn Bryant rated it:

Read in December, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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