Book Review: Firelight by Kristen Callihan

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: Firelight

Author: Kristen Callihan

Series: Darkest London #1

Hero/Heroine: Benjamin Archer/Miranda Ellis

Genre: MF Paranormal Romance, Historical

Length: 390 page

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: January 2012

Available at: Grand Central Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo

Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: 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:

Set in dark Victorian London, Firelight is a mysterious, paranormal romance that had me hooked from the prologue.

There are so many things I loved about this book, I don’t even know where to begin.  Ah, but I must start somewhere.

THE WORLD  So many paranormal romances start right off in the beginning dumping all the information of the world building that I often find myself overwhelmed and dreading to start a new paranormal series.  THIS WAS NOT LIKE THAT!!!  The author does an amazing job of giving subtle hints and details here and there, slowly letting me know what I needed to know when I needed to know it.  It’s Victorian and paranormal, but it’s not steampunk.  I can’t really tell more than that without spoiling the amazingness of this book.  There are even hits of where the next book will go…in a totally different direction I suspect.

His dark head seemed to move ever closer.  “Have I told you that your mouth is quite lovely?”  His lids lowered a fraction.  “Lovely and plump.”

Most assuredly trying to distract her.  A wash of warmth invaded her limbs.  “Perhaps you can write a sonnet about it later.  But there is the one question that puts it all into place.”  Her eyes held his a she leaned in, crowding him.  “Are you immortal?”

THE MYSTERIES  Yes, as in ‘mystery’ but plural.

Who is Lord Benjamin Archer?

The wide expanse of his chest brushed against hers as he leaned in.  “You’re collecting pieces of me, aren’t you?”  His voice turned thick as warm toffee, rolling over her skin, heating it.  “A bit here.  A bit there.  Soon you’ll set me out on the table, try to fit me back together.”

Ignoring the flurries plaguing her belly, she affected blandness.  “I’ve only got the corners.  But it is a start.”

What does Archer hide behind the mask?  Ohmygod, I was guessing all kinds of things, but I never guessed the truth!  I was SHOCKED!!

Where does Miranda’s power come from?  Well, this wasn’t exactly answered; in fact, Miranda doesn’t seem to know herself.  I’m holding out hope that this mystery is waiting to be revealed later in the series.  Just trust me, she is no weak little lady and does plenty of ass kicking.

Who is the killer?  Okay, I admit, I did suspect the right killer…briefly.  There were so many defections and foreshadowing that my theories were bouncing all over the place.  But when it’s all revealed in the end, SNAP, it made perfect sense!

THE ROMANCE  The tragic hero meets the beautifully lethal heroine.  It’s an arranged marriage…there is no love or trust between them.  Only secrets and more secrets.  Archer has been obsessed with Miranda for years and Miranda is determined to protect him and prove his innocence.  There are pages and pages of sexual tension!!  And when all their secrets are revealed, holy hell it is one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve read in ages.  That scene alone makes the entire book worth every word.  *sigh*

THE PREQUEL Looks like I missed the prequel Ember.  I will definitely read it before I move on to Moonglow; I’m just concerned that it would have ruined some of the mystery??

WHAT’S NEXT?  I have an idea and I can’t wait to read more of this series!

Overall Impression: It Was Amazing

*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*