Monday, February 17, 2014

Review: Circle of Fire by Keri Arthur

Circle of Fire by Keri Arthur is the first book in the Damask Circle. It originally came out in 2001, but the Kindle edition was just released January 28, 2014. A newer paperback version was also released at the same time. The edition that I read was the Kindle version.

Maddie Smith has made herself a mostly comfortable retreat where she grows roses and stays away from others. She's afraid of her psychic talents, clairvoyance and pyrokinesis, which she doesn't quite have a handle on. Then the "ghost" of Jon Barnett starts appearing to her.

Teenagers have been going missing from their homes. When some of the bodies are found, they are completely devoid of blood. Maddie dreams that her nephew Ethan will be one of the next victims. She will have to leave her safe haven.

Jon Barnett knows that in spite of appearances, this isn't a vampire at work. It's something more evil. And it has relocated to Taurin Bay. Jon realizes the more he gets involved in fighting this black magic that he needs help. Maddie is the one that can help him the best.

Maddie and Jon become attracted to each other in the course of working together to locate the teens. But each for their own reason tries to deny it. But how long can you deny a love that seems to come once in a lifetime?

The main characters were well developed. I wish some of the background about Maddie's ex-husband had come out a little sooner than it did. It seemed to drag out. I think it's interesting that the evil was in 2 parts, male and female. And that one side was seductive and the other side perverted. Jon and Maddie will make a great couple if they let their reservations get out of their way. Whether they do or not, you will need to read the book to find out. The rest of the supporting cast was less developed as to how important they were to the plot and character development of the main characters. I liked the use of shapeshifters other than wolves for a change. The plot had good momentum. There is really only one full blown sex scene; it is well written. There is lots of flirtation of sorts and romance. Read it because you like the plot and not because you want some erotica, and you will enjoy this book.

Overall, this was a good book. I enjoyed it. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.


2 comments:

  1. I was kind of hesitant when I heard they were re-releasing the KArthur books. Then I read the Nikki & Michael series and enjoyed it. Sounds like this one was pretty good, will have to move it up on my TBR.

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    1. I read it for a lot of reasons. I liked the plot description, I like KArthur, and I wanted to see what her earlier writing was like... And it was good. Not a complicated plot line, but a good one with 2 good main characters.

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