BOOK REVIEW: Annoying heroine hurts 'The Hollow'

By LEZLIE PATTERSON , McClatchy-Tribune News Service

last updated: May 07, 2008 11:27:40 AM

"The Hollow" by Nora Roberts; Jove ($7.99, paperback)

In most ways, "The Hollow" is just as strong as its predecessor, "Blood Brothers."

That otherworldly evil presence still lurks, threatening to destroy, well everything. The three hunky men are back, with the somewhat tame yet intriguing powers bestowed upon them when they innocently unleashed that evil while secretly camping out on their shared 10th birthdays.

The three women, inexplicably drawn to Hawkins Hollow, are still there, doing their part to fend off the evil while succumbing to love with their fated soul mates one by one. In this second book of the "Sign of Seven Trilogy," it's Fox and Layla's turn.

Fox is the town lawyer, a nice guy from a nice, hippy-ish family. He was drawn to Layla as soon as she arrived in town.

Layla is ... well, annoying. Sure, she inexplicably left her job and life to come to small town Hawkins Hollow. Sure, she suddenly found herself as one of six people destined to save the world from an evil entity. But you keep wanting her to get a little spine, become a little tougher.

Maybe she does toward the end. Maybe Fox's love will make her stronger. The trilogy's finale, due out in December, will tell.

Fortunately, there is enough of the other characters to counter Layla's annoying tendencies. Cal and Quinn, the couple from "Blood Brothers," are working on their future together, even though they're not sure there is going to be a future at all. Gage and Cybil are intent on fighting the inevitability of their future together.

And they continue trying to figure out what the evil is that's threatening their world, so they can fight it - while succumbing to love.

HOW IT STACKS UP

Overall rating: 4 of 5 hearts. If you have no problem with an otherworldly lurking evil presence, and a few otherworldly talents bestowed up on the set of heroes and heroines, it's a must read. Even if you don't usually go into the mystical and magical stuff, you'd probably enjoy this book because it's well-written with mostly intriguing and likeable characters. Unfortunately, one of the less likeable characters is the heroine of this book and she's even more annoying than unlikable.

Hunk appeal: 10. Fox is almost too nice, too patient, too understanding. He's a good man, and you want him to get his woman.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. Otherworldly.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. Of course, there is more to come. But Layla and Fox are together and Layla is showing signs of being much less annoying. Like Roberts' other series, this one hooks you so that you'll be counting the weeks until the finale comes out.

ALSO THIS WEEK .

"The Devil Who Tamed Her," by Johanna Lindsey (2007, paperback) - 5 of 5 hearts. Those who didn't read this when it was released in hardcover last June now have another chance as the paperback hits the shelves. Lindsey reprises characters Ophelia and Rafe from "The Heir," and adeptly transforms Ophelia from villain into a sympathetic, likeable heroine.

"The Devil Who Tamed Her" takes place moments after Rafe helps humiliate Ophelia in "The Heir." Ophelia, who was spared a mutually unwanted marriage to Duncan (which then allowed him to become engaged to his beloved Sabrina), is ready to return to London.

Rafe, in the meantime, bets Duncan that it is possible for the exquisitely beautiful Ophelia to turn from a spiteful, vindictive shrew into a nice woman. Then he decides to do something to make sure he wins the bet.

Basically, he kidnaps Ophelia. And he does tame her. But she does her own taming as well. By the time they leave for London, they're both smitten. It just takes a while for both to admit it. And that's the fun part.

Well, one of the many fun parts of this must-read book.