The Pagan Stone (Sign of Seven, Book 3)

I had read the first two novels of this trilogy and wondered if the final book would be as good. I was extremely happy to see that it equaled, if not surpassed the first two books and the characters were wonderful. Nora Roberts always is a great read and this book was excellent. I read avidly and would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great supernatural story.

Warning - spoiler
"The Pagan Stone", book 3 in the "Sign of Seven" - trilogy by the sensational Nora Roberts is my personal highlight in the series, there could not have been a better way to finish what was started in "Blood Brothers" and continued in "The Hollow". The book is a really intense , sometimes sweet, sometimes sexy and an always thrilling read.
In "The Pagan Stone" the six friends (Cal, Fox, Gage, Quinn, Layla and Cybil) are preparing for the finale fight to destroy the evil that Gage, Cal and Fox set free unintentionally 21 years ago. For both sides, the good and the evil, it's a now or never situation and the six know that if they don't succeed this time there will be no next chance. But there is hope because for the first time the three men are completed by three very special ladys that share their psychic abilities and are their partners in every way.
Gage and Cybil are the ones the book concetrates on (but it's not a book about them, the other four of the team (family) are not only the supporting crew which is great).
Gage a gambler and a loner most of the times and the outspoken, intelligent Cybil clash from the first moment they meet. From not liking each other they develope mutual respect and end up in an intimate relationship.
They both are wondering about where their relationship is going to lead to especially because Cal & Quinn and Fox & Layla fell in love which each other.
The one point Gage and Cybil agree is that they don't want a serious relationship. Especially Gage is terrified at the thought of loving another person besides his two blood brothers and their families. He learned the hard way that there is not always a happy end. When his mother and unborn sister died (he was just a boy) and his father turned to alcohol and started to make his life a living hell he stoped believing in fairy tales and love.
But the complications in their personal life have to stand back when it comes to fighting the demon who is more viscious than ever and especially hates Gage and Cybil. When Cybil is brutalized by the demon in a very evil way she and Gage have to fight hard to continue their way and not give too many thoughts to hate and revenge.
By the time their relationship turns from "you" and "me" to "we" and the three pairs get some thrilling news tragedy strikes again and one of the team has to be willing to sacrifice himself to finally destroy the demon and save the life of the rest of his family.
"The Pagan Stone" is all I hoped for and more. I couldn't wait to finish it, it's that good. There are funny moments, lovly and some sad ones (yes, I had to cry some) and all these combined make this book just perfect.
So please get yourself a copy and enjoy this fabulous end of the "Sign of Seven" - trilogy.
S.M.

Good grief! What's wrong with you people? Have you become so JADED and lacking in imagination that you cannot tell the difference between good writing and 'blow-'em-out-of-the-water' writing??? 'Cause that's what this series was for me ...'blow-'em-out-of-the-water' great! I have read the 'Sisters' trilogy referenced by one of the reviewers here, and in my opinion, the 'Sign of Seven' trilogy beats it by a mile! I can honestly say that this is the first time I have read a book (and I have read many, many, of them) that actually scared me - that little demon boy was so bizarre, and so blatantly evil and twisted (pardon the pun on old Lazarus Twisse) that I had trouble getting him out of my head! What a stunning set of characters: from the earthy Quinn Black, girl-next-door Layla Darnell, to the sensuous Cybil Kinski; from the casually-sexy Caleb Hawkins, come-to Mama Fox O'Dell, and bad-boy, smokin' hot Gage Turner ...and of course the faithful Lump - guard dog extraordinaire (when he bothers to surface from his constant prone position: "Is your dog in a coma"? asks Quinn when she first encounters Lump), this cast of characters does not disappoint. The plot is engaging and takes you where you may not want to go, but when you get there you realize it's EXACTLY where you should be! My advice? Read with an open mind - this is not a test, or a comparison exercise. Let your imagination soar. I absolutely enjoyed this series, as did many of my friends; these are three books that will be on my 'Keep' shelf!

There are so many things I love about this series. It isn't a full-bore atmospheric horror series, so if that's what you're looking for, you'll want to look elsewhere. However, it has so much else to recommend it! There is definitely a certain amount of blood, gore, violence, etc.; it just isn't the focus.

The characters are first-rate. They have a ton of depth and dimension, and each one is unique. Each couple in the series has its own chemistry and pace, and I never felt as though I was simply reading a rehashed formula from the previous books. The sparks truly fly, and the sex sizzles. Cybil and Gage have a very different relationship from either Cal and Quinn or Fox and Layla, but it's no less enjoyable to experience.

I love the research angle. Readers looking primarily for action or gore might find it too talky, but it's so fresh to see characters who, when confronted with a horror-movie setting, don't simply rush headlong into things. I love watching them research the history of the demon, figure out how to fight it using magic, symbology, strategy, and psychology, and execute their plans with strength, intelligence, and humanity. It's a relief to see the typical unknowing masses turn out not to be sheep after all, but capable of participating in their own rescue.

In The Pagan Stone, we inevitably end up confronting Gage and Cybil's pasts and personal demons. One of those is Bill Turner, Gage's father, who is an alcoholic and who beat his son as Gage was growing up. I was incredibly relieved and impressed with the manner in which this relationship was handled. Suffice it to say, there are no easy answers or pat resolutions.

All in all, an entirely worthy conclusion to the trilogy!

The sign of the seven trilogy, was fantastic. After reading about, Quinn, and Cal, I went on to read about Layla, and Fox. Blood Brothers, and the Hollow were great, but I thought the Pagan Stone was even better. The characters, Cybil and Gage, were described in detail, and their romance was not forced at all, unlike some of these other idiots review's say. The plot was interesting and kept you wanting to read more. I read all of The Pagan Stone, the first day it came out, and have read many more times as well. All in all, I would definatley recommend this trilogy, and especially The Pagan Stone!