So, here’s the deal: Kelly has already reviewed this book on this blog. I am posting another review for three reasons:
- I need the reviews.
- I want to remind people that reviews DO sell books. (I wouldn’t have picked this book up if it weren’t for Kelly’s review.)
- I figured we could have some fun with this and see how alike Kelly and I really are. For the record, before writing my own review, I had not read Kelly’s review since it was originally posted in October 2012. I wrote my review, then went back to read Kelly’s. Then I picked out some sentences in Kelly’s review to add to mine.
Firelight by Kristen Callihan
(Darkest London, #1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Historical Romance
Format: paperback
Read: 1/14/2013 — 1/18/2013
In Six Words: Compelling look at Callihan’s 1881 London
Links
Kristen Callihan – Website | Twitter
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Add it to Goodreads
Book Order
1. Firelight [Kelly's review]
2. Moonglow
3. Winterblaze (Feb. 26th, 2013)
4. Shadowdance (2013)
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.
-from Goodreads
My Thoughts
Everyone knows by now my need to KNOW EVERYTHING, right? I fondly refer to myself as an information whore. Sometimes this works against my enjoyment of books when I don’t get enough information to satisfy my curiosity. Sometimes it has the opposite effect; I have to keep reading because I must know more. Firelight falls under the latter category. This book was so addicting, as Kristen Callihan managed to keep me guessing about everything that was going on, while still keeping me engaged and reading.
“A very big part of the allure was trying to figure out what had happened to Archer, what sort of supernatural critter he was and what sort of supernatural ability this translated to.”
–Kelly’s review
And not only was I continually guessing about ALL THE THINGS in this book, Archer’s secrets were always just out of reach. The final reveal was one I was not expecting–but at the same time, it fully kept in line with all the hints that had been dropped along the way. And not only that, but it provides a unique element in the paranormal world. (No, I won’t tell you what. You’ll have to read it for yourself.) We get a brief glimpse at the world Kristen Callihan has built in 1881 London, and I think that the next book(s) will only continue to expand our knowledge of the world. And, I must say, I want to know MOAR.
“I am absolutely intrigued by the world building and what the future holds for this series. More, I say. MOAR!”
–Kelly’s review
Though the romance between Archer and Miranda doesn’t really break any new grounds, it was familiar and comfortable, like putting on your pajamas and snuggling into bed on a cold day. Their push and pull was fun and entertaining. Nothing makes me happier than a romance with a headstrong heroine and the enigmatic hero who can’t help falling in love with her. WIN. Firelight was one of those books that just hits all the right spots. And I can’t wait for more.
[Firelight] was dark, gritty, mysterious, and full of fun.
–Kelly’s review
Final Verdict
My thoughts most definitely align with Kelly’s on this one. (And, in some cases, disturbingly so. We share a brain, y’all.) But, I loved this one and am very glad that I picked it up after Kelly’s review. Moonglow is already on my wishlist. If your reading tastes at all overlap with mine and Kelly’s, you’ll want to pick this one up.
Sarah (saz101) January 30, 2013 at 2:01 am
Ahahahaha! Kelly and your twin brains AMUSE ME.
I loved this book SO MUCH. I went into expecting an… Ordinarily good? PNR/historical and I expected it to be fun and silly like Gail Carriger’s Soulless, and I was surprised with what I got! And and and… YES! LOVE! MOAAAAR! <3
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:29 am
No lie, Sarah. If you look at Kelly’s ToT update and mine on Facebook, they are practically IDENTICAL and WE DIDN’T EVEN DO IT ON PURPOSE. Seriously, it’s scary.
I can’t wait for Moonlight!
Vivienne January 30, 2013 at 3:04 am
Reviews so indeed sell books – while I’ve not read it yet I did get this after Kelly’s review.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:30 am
They do! I feel like we don’t talk about that aspect enough, though. It’s fun to draw attention to it. Kelly did write a rather convincing review, no?
Amy @ bookgoonie January 30, 2013 at 5:56 am
My kindle is warmed up & ready to dive in sooner rather than later on this one. I must know what kind of supernatural critter!!!! Yes, reviews do sell.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:31 am
Go! GO! Read!
Mary @ BookSwarm January 30, 2013 at 7:04 am
Reviews definitely sell–I picked up Firelight after seeing some great reviews (I think Kelly’s was one of them). LOVED it! I was guessing and practically begging to find out what their “powers” were and what all was going on!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:35 am
Firelight definitely kept me guessing IN A GOOD WAY. There are so few of those kinds of books out there.
Paul R. Hewlett January 30, 2013 at 7:11 am
I agree with you about reviews. I really enjoy yours. Thanks for this review post, it was quite enjoyable to see the similarities between yours and Kelly’s reviews (I did not read hers so it was fun to see).
Paul R. Hewlett
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:36 am
Cool! I thought that if this review went over well, I might do more of them in the future. :D
Tara SG January 30, 2013 at 8:36 am
Another to add to my TBR/wishlist :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:36 am
*finger guns*
Felicia S. (@thegeekyblogger) January 30, 2013 at 9:08 am
I actually think I have this book! I need to check my goodreads shelf, if not then I will add it to my TBR :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:36 am
Do it, Felicia! DO IT! :)
Jenny January 30, 2013 at 10:10 am
Yay! Does this mean you’ve decided to take a little time off and not write any reviews for a little while? GO YOU! Also, I love that you and Kelly practically share a brain, it’s so much fun to find someone like that who just gets you. The two of you just make me happy:)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 10:39 am
Ha, no. I wrote this one a few weeks ago. (Probably on the 19th, after finishing the book). I kinda liked doing the review this way, though. It was fun comparing thoughts.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal January 30, 2013 at 12:05 pm
I love this review. I really do. It’s so fun to see how alike we are. I mean *I* know how alike we are (accidentally identical FB posts, anyone?) but to see it laid out like this just makes me giggle.
Also, I’m a little humbled by how many people bought this book after my original review. *fans self* *looks for fainting couch* It’s a really awesome thing to hear.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 30, 2013 at 12:18 pm
*tackle hugs* This was fun. I think I might have to do this more. Maybe even ANY review of a book read specifically because someone’s review made me read the book.
AND YES. That is awesome. YOU ARE AWESOME.
Smash Attack January 31, 2013 at 11:22 am
I like how this one keeps you guessing. That isn’t very hard for me, but I like it when there’s multiple possibilities, or ones you cannot even imagine.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender January 31, 2013 at 12:39 pm
lol. Yes! This one is good for the guessing. I liked it. I liked it a lot. :D
Alexa February 4, 2013 at 7:07 pm
I have had this one on my shelf ever since some Goodreads girls recommended it to me. I shall have to dust it off and actually start reading it lol
Thanks for the great review! Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender February 5, 2013 at 11:03 am
Yes! Read it! :)