Publisher: Piatkus
Series: Darkest London #1
Release Date: 29 September 2014
Source: Publisher
Synopsis:
Once the flames are ignited . . .
Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.
They will burn for eternity . . .
Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.
Review: Firelight - Kristen Callihan
I did not know what hit me. But there is no doubt that Callihan has bowled me over with this Beauty and Beast-esque tale. It's been a while since I have come across a paranormal romance that is well, incredible.
Set in the streets of London, this part historical fantasy - part paranormal romance swept me off my feet right into the Victorian era. Callihan has an impressive talent for stringing words together and her almost magical capability in story telling had me riveted from page one.
The well rounded characters with their compelling back stories was what made Firelight a solid win for me. I was enamored by the enigmatic Lord Benjamin Archer to such an extent that I was totally emotionally invested from the beginning. Miranda Ellis is fierce, witty, smart with a dose of vulnerability that had me empathizing and cheering her on. Both characters had their weakness that made them all the more human and endearing. I don't which I loved more, Benjamin's alpha male moments or Miranda's unrelenting stubbornness, pragmatism, humor and strength. They complemented each other despite their rough edges.
There is an undercurrent of mystery and danger throughout the entire book so there was never a dull moment. The book was well paced and I was on the edge as the secrets were unraveled. The banter between Miranda and Benjamin had me smiling and giggling and there is no denying the chemistry between them. The romance, guys was the best part. I mean, hot damn. The sexual tension is guaranteed to get your pulse racing and your breath hitching.
Callihan delivers an original, dark and magical fairy tale with sizzling romance in an enthralling pageturner of a read and can't wait to read more.
One of my favorite moments from Firelight:
“He took a quick breath, and his voice dropped. "You've no notion of the effect you have on me"
The words gave a hard tug to her belly. She closed her eyes and swallowed. "If by effect, you mean finding yourself in unchartered waters, wondering whether you are coming or going...." She stared at his shirt, watching his breath hitch. "Then I fear you have the same effect on me, my lord.”
Here's another:
“What is beauty or ugliness but a false front that prompts man to make assumptions rather than delving deeper.”
My Rating
Over to you:
Have you read Callihan's work? Does Firelight sound like a read that you would enjoy?
Firelight defies classifications so it has a bit of everything for everyone!
Love those quotes, I'm so intrigued by this book, it sounds fab plus historical and paranormal done right is a thrill
ReplyDeleteI totally LOOOOOVE retellings, and this one sounds so intriguing! Those quotes are also a sample of such wonderful writing. I'll keep my eyes out for this one. :D Great review, Nuz!
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