It’s finally here: the conclusion of The Dragon Heart Legacy. And this is the space in which you can discuss all things The Choice freely.
The official description reads:
Breen Siobhan Kelly grew up in the world of Man and was once unaware of her true nature. Now she is in Talamh, trying to heal after a terrible battle and heartbreaking losses. Her grandfather, the dark god Odran, has been defeated in his attempt to rule over Talamh, and over Breen―for now.
With the enemy cast out and the portal sealed, this is a time to rest and to prepare. Breen spreads her wings and realizes a power she’s never experienced before. It’s also a time for celebrations―of her first Christmas in both Talamh and Ireland, of solstice and weddings and births―and daring to find joy again in the wake of sorrow. She rededicates herself to writing her stories, and when his duties as taoiseach permit, she is together with Keegan, who has trained her as a warrior and whom she has grown to love.
It’s Keegan who’s at her side when the enemy’s witches, traitorous and power-mad, appear to her in her sleep, practicing black magick, sacrificing the innocent, and plotting a brutal destruction for Breen. And soon, united with him and with all of Talamh, she will seek out those in desperate need of rescue, and confront the darkness with every weapon she has: her sword, her magicks―and her courage…
Share your thoughts on The Choice in the comments. As always, spoilers will happen, so read the comments at your own risk.
Laura
Super excited to start reading!
This book was sooooo good. I started at 5 am and read as much as I could all day and finished at 6 pm. Laughter. Tears. Omg so good!!!
I read all day, so good. Cried more in this book than any other I think.
I’ve been anxiously waiting for this book since I first read the other two back in the spring. All of October & November, I’ve gone on this binge craze listening to the audiobooks over and over. Listening for clues, rethinking things, and honestly – wishing I could become a part of this land. I want a Marco!!! I think that I blew through the audiobook so fast on this new one that now I need to go back through. Did I miss the part where the explanation of how / when and why Breen showed up in the lake to Keegan happened? It was such an integral part of the story, and somehow I missed it… I love the book – and I think I’ll love it more as I relisten to it. But – the ending needed more. I needed more closure and I would give a lot for a 3.5. The written prologue was not what we needed!!!
Hi. You did not miss it. It was not explained
The prologue was needed as a bridge from book two to book three. Honestly, I don’t see how I could have given more closure. Every story has to end sometime!
The explanation (in a magic world) was there, but subtle. It’s all how you read it, I think.
You did, but we want more instead of closure. I know the story needs to end, but you did such an excellent job in creating these characters and this world, that we would love it if you might do a little more. I know that’s asking a lot as you have your work slated already. Buuuutttttt….. if you could please find a little time here and there to put a novella together to feature Marco’s weddings and Breen’s. We would be grateful. I have read every book you have published from the start and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your marvelous talent with us.
Weddings just aren’t a book, even a novella. And I’ve moved on. I’m writing another trilogy, which I hope everyone will enjoy.
Thank you for the honest response. I figured as much, but I thought I’d give it a try and ask you.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
I am a long time reader as well. I just wanted to say that your books bring me a lot of joy, but more than that they are a reminder of the now. I mostly do audiobooks for the moment (18 month old in the house, so not so much time for sitting and reading) and I often find myself being thankful for my life because of the subtle reminders that I find in your books. Even if a book is an escape to a different world, I often stop and think…. yeah, I do enjoy cooking or light a candle or put music on, spend time playing with my daughter etc. So, thank you for the escape and the reminder to be thankful of the life I have.
I held onto the the first two books, until the third was to be released, then I read them, in four days time, with the third book arriving on time to not miss a beat. I always hold on to the trilogies, even if it means a couple of years that way I don’t miss anything, I mean, I own all the books except one, so I can always reference. However, the last book left me wondering and asking more questions. Would there in fact be a fourth book? Songs are sung about her, she is in fact a Legend. Breen has so much power, and the Fey live so much longer than humans, could she cast a spell to grant Marco’s life longer until Brian’s death, as long as they stayed married and he stayed bound/faithful to defending Talamh in the future (fast forwarding of course), since humans don’t live as long? Dorcas was 150-200 years old, what would Breen’s life span be, since she is human as well? So many variables there. What of her and Keegan’s children? Not to mention her books and authorship.
No, there won’t be a fourth book. None of the questions you posed are storylines. They’re just interesting questions—which could be posed about any book or series. As every book or series has to come to an end. One of the beauties of reading, imo, is the freedom to answer those questions for yourself any way that suits you after a book ends.
I agree…I would have loved it to include Sally and Derrick going to the other side, their reaction to the magic, Brian and Marcos wedding, ( both) Breen’s wedding. The book and writing were awesome, but I find myself wishing for more.
It’s in the prologue of the The Awakening when Keegan becomes taoiseach.
I meant epilogue not prologue, lol. I totally understood the need for the prologue!! It just felt like the epilogue was more of the last chapter and then the epilogue could have killed off our yearning for some tidbits of weddings and intros and the future. I’m still searching for the subtlety of how she appeared under water when he first dove… I may have to buy the physical books and reread instead of going by audiobook. Sigh, now I need to find my next read.
I pulled a rookie move. Life got in the way on the 22nd and I didn’t get the audiobook started until 9pm. I knew, I knew! DON’T start the book so late in the day!! But, I did. I’m much too old anymore to be up all night for a story, but that’s exactly what happened. I know I’ll have to listen to it again, that I must have missed things, but that won’t be a hardship. This was a rich and intense ending to an amazing trilogy. It’s been a long time since I’ve found a book that I both laughed and cried over, but this was one. I’ll only mention the one that was my ‘awww’ moment – Bollux leaving Breen his toy. Excellent story! Thank you, Nora, this rocked.
Lol, just so you know, you aren’t alone. I know better, but ended up going to work with maybe three hours of sleep in me! It was an ugly day but so well worth it. I haven’t been this vested in characters and a series since Harry Potter!
I absolutely LOVED this book.
I would so love to have at least one more book set in this world.
I need to experience all the things planned and to involve Sally and Derrick.
Please, please, please Nora, we need a happiness only book to read in these times.
You have other four book series.
I kinda hoped that these characters are clambering in your mind for more………
Yes! I was hoping the same thing! I have completely fallen in love with all the characters. I would love a book with Marco’s wedding. Sally seemed to have an inclination of what Breen was, I’d love to see what he knows and how.
I loved the wrap up so much! I’m hoping for a short story when Sally comes to visit.
I’m sorry to disappoint, but the trilogy is over. I’m not going to write a follow up—as all has been resolved—or a short story. There’s no actual plot or storyline. I do understand some readers want it to go on, but it has to end. And it did!
I wasn’t disappointed at all. Just wishing for more! I’m hoping to catch what I’ve missed as I listen to it again! Thank you for the responses and the vivid world and characters you created for us to fall in love with!
I’m not sorry at all, and I knew full well you were a universe away by this time, so I’ve been imaging the fun. I’ve enjoyed (in my head) thoughts of Sally hitting Talamh. Since it’s such a open community, Sally would be embraced like she’d never been before, but that wouldn’t stop her! She’d be headlining at the Speckled Duck (I probably got that wrong). This is definitely one of my most favorite of the trilogies. Thanks again, Nora, for this beautiful world you’ve created.
Why does Keegan’s last name change? In the beginning of the first book it’s O’Broin, but later it is Byrne.
Sorry for the delay, I was away from my books.
It’s his name in the world of Man — he introduces himself as Keegan Byrne when he meets Sally near the end of The Awakening.
Laura
I thought these books were the best of all of Nora’s trilogies. My only disappointment was that the cat did not have 9 lives. I too would love a short story when Sally & Derrick come for Marco & Brian’s wedding. I wonder what their lives will be like without the constant threat of evil.
Loved it! My favorite series of Nora’s (to date!) and thought it was wrapped up beautifully. We know what most of the characters intended to do going forward as they told us of their plans and dreams for the future. Can’t wait to see what’s next from the mighty pen of Nora Roberts.
It was a wonderful trilogy…reread the first two…actually relistened..and as I have followed Nora from her first romance novel in the 80’s…she continues to impress with not just her stories, or her amazing characters…but with the detail she brings to all of her books. The way she weaves in the issues of the everyday person…dealing with parents and accepting people for who they are along with the fact that everyday we get to make choices that affect who and what we become. Two favorite things that I know I will remember about this book are (1) the most amazing Christmas wedding EVER and (2) the whole first scene and then the follow up with the sapphire earrings…which still make me laugh even after a second read. I have also listened to this audiobook and Barrie Kreinik does a great job. No one does Irish magic better than Nora.
Sooooooo Goooood! I loved every minute, laughed and cried and cheered them on. I got the book at 11 pm pacific time Tuesday and I started it, knew better but started it anyway and a little over 24 hours later I had finished .. who needs sleep! I’m going back to the beginning and reread the whole trilogy now since I’m stuck at home with pressure dressings on both legs, toes to hip. Thank you Nora for all the years of pleasure you’ve given me and so many others.
I loved every word of every page of every book of this series. Nora, you have a gift for character and story that is unmatched, in my opinion. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Hi,
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! For the past 3 years I have scheduled my Thanksgiving meal around how fast I can finish this trilogy! What would be my excuse next year? LOL. I absolutely loved this final book. I can’t decide which one I like best, it’s a tossed up from Awakening and the Choice then again Becoming was when Marco met Brian and I loved that too.
I can’t pick a favorite part in this book because I loved all of it. Memorable scenes that come to mind, when Breen kicked Odran sorry a** on his own turf, which is no less than he deserved, Shana finally getting her comeuppance to Marg kicking Yseult a**. My only regret is losing Sedric. But knowing him he wouldn’t have it any other way. I love when Breen called Keagan on his Bullsh** proposal. ROTFL!!! Oh, these moments are so precious, I will enjoy them more when I do the re-read in January. Thank God for my libraries they had the CHOICE ready on the release day both eBooks and prints.
I thought the ending was great, I feel that everyone should have gotten a clear picture of what the future would hold for each character. That said of course we want more that’s the sign of a good book. Always leave them wanting more. I am very satisfied with this book and all the others. After the holidays (since this is the only time, I put my books down to watch Christmas movies) I plan on reading all 3 books. What a treat that will be! No wait in between, that’s my favorite part. As usual Nora, you knocked it out of the park! Thank you for sharing your gift with us. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I picked up my copy on Thursday last week and started reading as soon as I got it home. Life got in the way as it often does and I didn’t finish it until 1am Monday morning.. My bad, as I had to be up again for work at 4am but I just couldn’t put it down! I love how the whole trilogy pulls you into Talamh and you
can see it so clearly, almost smell it and feel like you’re actually there. I love how each character builds, layer upon layer and we form an understanding of who they truly are. I love that some things are not fully explained and others are subtly repeated throughout. But this book? This one had me in tears more than once and had my own heart flying high with a red and gold dragon beneath it. Sedric! I didn’t foresee that at all, not even slightly and my heart broke for Marg, for Breen and for Marco. I love how the final battle took place tight at the very end of the book and kind of left a ‘thank the gods that’s done now’ feeling, before the last pages closed the story for Keegan and Breen. Perfectly crafted as always, I was sucked right in from prologue to epilogue and enjoyed every thrilling second of it. A million thanks for the sheer pleasure of being able to enjoy your indescribable talent.
I stumbled upon this series in January 2022. I have read other works by Nora but this was the first trilogy of hers I’ve read. Of the 3, the second book was my favorite. Maybe I need to re-read it, but I felt like there was more Keegan and Breen love without saying “I love you”? Duty before everything else, but for the love of GODS this whole book, up until the last 3 pages I wanted Keegan and Breen to just take a second and admit their love out loud to each other. I would have loved to see Marco and Brian’s wedding, seen Sally and Daricks reaction to Talahm, seen the comfort Breen and the others would bring to Nan in her time of grief, the excitement of everyone when they hear Keegan and Breen have pledged themselves to each other. How irritated the women will get over Keegan’s BS pledge.
Also, Breens mother makes me so angry. You can’t argue with a narcissist. How did she even end up with a kind hearted man who protects and loves his family fiercely? Maybe, Trauma of almost losing her child really did a number on her.
Overall, excellent. Leaving the reading with so much need for more is what makes an excellent author. There is closure there, as a reader we just grieve for more of a glimpse into a world, a life, we just aren’t ready to never see again.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and like every body, I was sad when it ended.
There were a couple of things I’m a little confused about.
Once a rider loses his dragon he will never have another one? Widows/workers do remarry.
It seems to me that Nan is the one who lost the most. She lost her son and now she lost Sedric. I thought that the one who took the stone and the pledge could lose someone. Breen loved Sedric but he was Man’s mate.
A dragon has one bonded rider, a rider one bonded dragon. That’s simply part of the world I created.
Marg did lose a great deal, yes. Again, that’s simply the way the story unfolded. Sedric gave his life for her, and trust me, it hurt my heart a bit to write that scene.
This one hurt me, too, and honestly brought more to the story. This trilogy was just perfect (for me), magic, love, and family – at last – for Breen and Marco. He might have been a secondary character, but I cheered for his HEA.
Yes, losing Sedric was a wrench, but this loss is different, I think. They had many wonderful years together and he died in battle, protecting her. Plus now Marg has her granddaughter and probably great- grandchildren in her future, a future without fear.
Sorry for the spelling mistakes
I loved this trilogy. Of course, I love them all, but this was really really great. I will admit, I didn’t get the significance of the sapphire earrings, especially since the 2 other proposals we “witnessed” didn’t have something like that, and Keegan should have known that Breen wouldn’t know. But, he said the words Breen needed and we have no doubt of the depths of his feelings for her. To those who commented we needed more: IMHO it’s provided, as the ” after” was laid out – with Marco’s cottage, with the discussions about Breen being able to live in both worlds, and of course what Keegan would do as taisoech in peace. So, there weren’t things left unresolved at all. Yes, NR didn’t write the words describing the weddings, and she describes things even better than I can imagine them, but I am afraid what we often mean as a compliment comes across more as a demand.
It was also established that they can tell Sally and Derrick the truth as part of the after. So resolution there too
It felt like a very long wait for book 3 but so worth the wait. Loved it. Never before has a book moved me to tears like this. When the dragons were being attacked was just heartbreaking and I wept along with the characters and Sedric – oh my :(. So glad to see that Breen and Marco both found love and will live happily ever after. One of those stories that stay with the reader for a long time. I have restarted the Trilogy and will spend many an afternoon curled up losing myself in the story all over again. Also have to say that Barrie Kreinik narrates the stories beautifully. Sad to see it all end but what a ride :).
I was just rereading Awakening and the sevond confrontation between Breen and her mother. I really liked that Nora put some closure to their relationship in The Choice. I don’t remember her doing that before. Thanks Nora
I loved that, when Breen told Keegan she was going to talk to her mother, he paused and wished he could go with her. One of the many ways we knew he loved her before the words were said.
Loved this series, would have liked more too but accept that it’s done. Wondering if I missed something – in ‘Becoming’ Breen and Marco sublet their apartment to Sally’s new staff member, in ‘Choice’ it’s mentioned that she is of the Fey but I can’t find any other references to that…
I don’t think it was mentioned, but I remember at the end Becoming I wondered if she was either a spy for Odran or protection for Breen and Marco from Keegan. Couldn’t wait to find out, now we know for sure.
Same here Dean. When it was said she was Irish I thought ‘oh oh, Odran may have sent her to harm Sally and Derrik in some way – one of the reasons I was on such tenterhooks for the 3rd books. You get invested in the characters and I was thinking ‘No, please not Sally and Derrik’.
They meet and talk to her at Sally’s when they go to Philadelphia for Sally’s birthday.
I love the magkical trilogies! This one was awesome! Not only do I think it’s the best Nora has written of her books that I’ve read, these books might be included with some of my favorite books of all time.
At the end of the second book I was already worried that a favorite character would be killed in the final book. I thought it could be Sedric and as the book progressed, I knew it would be him so I wasn’t surprised by it at all, and while I wasn’t happy, at least it was near the end of the book. The dragons being slaughtered was heartbreaking and definitely brought the tears.
I also would have preferred a bit longer of an epilogue, but having read other Nora Roberts books, I didn’t expect much after the evil was defeated so at least the book ended by letting us know Breen and Keegan were together even though their story is over for us readers.
Wanting more to the ending isn’t meant as a criticism. It’s because the characters were so well-written and inspiring. I’ve read plenty of books where I hated the story and the characters and couldn’t wait to finish. Wanting to read more about these people shows what a wonderful world Nora created for us. I want a dragon and some magick for myself!
I really enjoyed the part when Keegan was trying to get Breen to pinky swear with him. Nora, you always seem to know when to put some light humor in your stories.
Magical & a very satisfying ending
I am looking forward to the next In Death books , Identity & the first book of the new series
Loved Choice! I couldn’t wait for it to come out and read it immediately! I would truly love to see this series become a movie. Thank you for all your interesting books and cannot wait for the new ones to come out. I have ordered two of the new ones in advance.
I was under the impression when Breen was in the lake reaching for the dragon’s Stone necklace
that her grandmother threw in the ocean but ended in the lake was when Keegan saw her & was able to get what he needed to become the Tsaioch (misspell)
Somehow through magic of the dragons stone & Breen & Keegan’s connection when the were little intersected at that moment through the stone
Just a question. I noticed that I Becoming Harken said that his last name was Byrne. But didn’t Keegan say that there last name was O’Broin?