And you think beauty pageants are scary?
Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cle... read full description
reviews
Nov 14, 2011
ALPHAreader
rated it: 
This is the second book in Linda Robertson’s ‘Persephone Alcmedi’ series.
I liked the first book ‘Vicious Circle’, but felt Robertson put too much emphasis on past relationships that weren’t established but often referenced. I think this second book works much better because those relationships are now familiar to readers.
First there’s the romance between Persephone and biker werewolf, Johnny. In ‘Vicious Circle’ Johnny was already enamored of Persephone, but she was wary of h More...
I liked the first book ‘Vicious Circle’, but felt Robertson put too much emphasis on past relationships that weren’t established but often referenced. I think this second book works much better because those relationships are now familiar to readers.
First there’s the romance between Persephone and biker werewolf, Johnny. In ‘Vicious Circle’ Johnny was already enamored of Persephone, but she was wary of h More...
Sep 09, 2011
Roxanne
rated it:
"If you want to know about the meat that's up—" Johnny whispered.
"I don't need to hear about your kielbasa."
"Okay, so rather than an oral description, you'd prefer actual hands-on experience with my 'ball-sa.' I'm good with that."
So much excitement in this book!! I was around 30% last night and thought...OK 1 more chapter then bed time. THEN something shocking happened with Johnny and Persephone so I then thought...OK maybe 1 more won't hurt ri More...
"I don't need to hear about your kielbasa."
"Okay, so rather than an oral description, you'd prefer actual hands-on experience with my 'ball-sa.' I'm good with that."
So much excitement in this book!! I was around 30% last night and thought...OK 1 more chapter then bed time. THEN something shocking happened with Johnny and Persephone so I then thought...OK maybe 1 more won't hurt ri More...
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Apr 02, 2011
Tracy
rated it: 
Magically Delicious
Set just a handful of weeks following the events of Vicious Circle, the book that introduces the reader to Robertson's world of witches, waeres, vamps, and fairies, Persephone Alcmedi is back to stir up some magic. The justice-loving, solitary witch and earnest granddaughter of Demeter, guardian of Beverley, and witch-of-Johnny's-dreams hasn't yet fully dealt with nor truly understands the ramifications of a vampire stain forced on her by Menessos and a mythical position More...
Set just a handful of weeks following the events of Vicious Circle, the book that introduces the reader to Robertson's world of witches, waeres, vamps, and fairies, Persephone Alcmedi is back to stir up some magic. The justice-loving, solitary witch and earnest granddaughter of Demeter, guardian of Beverley, and witch-of-Johnny's-dreams hasn't yet fully dealt with nor truly understands the ramifications of a vampire stain forced on her by Menessos and a mythical position More...
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Nov 26, 2011
Cindy
rated it:
I was hoping the 2nd in this series would be as good as the 1st...I was wrong, it was better! We are watching a character grow and come to terms with her witch gifts and vampire mark(stain) and her love/lust for her live in protector...a werewolf named Johnny. Also the love and care for her Nana and her foster daughter. As she dons the mantle of the famed Lustrata, a justice bringer to all "others" she is also nominated to become High Priestess to the local coven. Seeking to make s
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Aug 13, 2010
Stacey
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I looked forward to this book ever since I read the first book "Viscious Circle" on a whim. The supporting characters drew me in immediately, especially werewolf, band-leader Johnny. I also loved that Persephone took in orphaned Beverly and her elderly and sharp tongued grandmother. "Hallowed Circle" was another great installment. Persephone is running for the high priestess or coven leader, mostly as a favor to a friend and she has no desire to win. She just wants to make su
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Dec 31, 2011
❀ Sharon ❀
rated it:
In Hallowed Circle, Persephone has her hands full. She has her dead friend's daughter living w/her, her elderly grandmother, her possible waere boyfriend and she is marked by a powerful vampire sorcerer. What else could happen? Well, the nice little witch down the street nominates her to compete to be the next High Priestess in the Eximium, which she cannot be since she is the Lustrata. Oh yea, I forgot, she also has some fairies threatening her and the vampire!
There is a lot going o More...
There is a lot going o More...
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Dec 28, 2010
Katyana
rated it:
***3.75***
This book was... hmm. It is a hard one to review. In some ways, I liked the first one better. Mostly, I think, because the first one had a concrete and linear plot. This one had what felt like 6 B-plots, but no strong A-plot. And in that way, to me, it felt like a bridge book. Some very important things happened, things that needed to happen to set Persephone up for her Big Role (not saying that sarcastically, just trying to avoid being spoilery).
I More...
This book was... hmm. It is a hard one to review. In some ways, I liked the first one better. Mostly, I think, because the first one had a concrete and linear plot. This one had what felt like 6 B-plots, but no strong A-plot. And in that way, to me, it felt like a bridge book. Some very important things happened, things that needed to happen to set Persephone up for her Big Role (not saying that sarcastically, just trying to avoid being spoilery).
I More...
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Sep 02, 2010
Jessica
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Hallowed Circle was picked up a few weeks after Vicious Circle and life is slowing moving on for Seph and her family. Beverley is still coping with her mother's death and Seph is still coping with all that happened in Vicious Circle, thusly her taking back the stain and still being connected to the vampire, Menessos.
Her love life is still a little rocky. She admits to her feelings for Johnny more and more, but there are still quite a few challenges for her to overcome. But not for l More...
Her love life is still a little rocky. She admits to her feelings for Johnny more and more, but there are still quite a few challenges for her to overcome. But not for l More...
Jan 28, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
Linda Robertson’s first novel, Vicious Circle, was a fun read, and its sequel, Hallowed Circle, is even better. In this second installment, Robertson spins a highly original plot (if this has been done in urban fantasy before, it was in a book I missed!), further develops her characters and the relationships among them, and as an added bonus, passes the Bechdel Test with flying colors.
Persephone Alcmedi is still reeling from the discovery that she is the Lustrata, a “chosen one” sort More...
Persephone Alcmedi is still reeling from the discovery that she is the Lustrata, a “chosen one” sort More...
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Dec 10, 2010
Gardavson
rated it:
I'm enjoying this series surprisingly more than I thought I would. It hasn't made a big name for itself, but it really is a nice read. If there were more emphasis on the hunka men, it would probably fair better. There are vamps and waeres invovled, but it's really more of a witchy read. Persephone is a witch and has recently discovered she is the Lustrata, who is to bring justice and balance to the world amongst the humans, vamps, waeres, witches and fey. She's finding that each group believes t
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Feb 04, 2011
Bethany
rated it:
This one started off just okay for me. I liked Johnny's innuendos (what can I say, I'm not terrible mature and constantly say 'that's what she said), but other than that the dialogue seemed a little unnatural. The author occasionally loses me just slightly when I feel that descriptions of a scene or object(s) go on just a little bit too long, the exact same way Ilona Andrews does. However, that's really the only criticism I could offer either of them. And some people really like lots of desc
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Apr 28, 2010
Tez
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 25, 2011
Ellen
rated it:
Okay, okay, I only gave the first book in the series three stars, so why four for this one? Well, I wish I could have given the first book 3.5 stars, for starters. We're not talking contemporary classics bound to win the Booker nor Pulitzer prizes, secondly. However, this series does appear to be a fun and fast-paced urban fantasy series complete with witches, vampires, weres, fairies and sorts of other creatures of that ilk. I like how Robertson has done her research regarding Wicca, and I only
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Feb 05, 2010
Darcy
rated it:
This time around Persephone is adjusting to all the changes in her life. Amazing when she thinks about all that has happened in a few weeks, grandma moving in, becoming guardian to a little girl, sort of dating someone, and last but not least learning she has become the Lustrata. Her life was so simple before. But just because the changes have occurred it doesn't mean that she as fully accepted them. Through out this book she struggles with all these new roles in her life. Some of these str
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Jul 15, 2010
Kathleen
rated it:
Because of the events at the end of Vicious Circle, Vivian is missing and the Cleveland Coven needs a new High Priestess. Lydia, Seph's neighbor and oldest member of the Coven, has nominated Seph for the position. Naturally, because of her involvement in Vivian absence, Seph doesn't want the position. Eventually Seph decides to compete to invent socialite Hunter Hopewell from becoming Cleveland new High Priestess.
Nana, Beverley, Johnny, Menessos, Goliath, Poopsie the Pup, and othe More...
Nana, Beverley, Johnny, Menessos, Goliath, Poopsie the Pup, and othe More...
May 10, 2010
Mary
rated it: 
Good ideas, but man, waayyy too much description, and when we're done with the description, look, we've got some bad poems to throw in as well! But if we call them "song lyrics" then they aren't bad, right? Sorry, honey, I don't care what happens to you any more.
And I'm taking off a full star for chain-smokin' grannie. Maybe the author thinks nicotine addiction adds "character," but instead she's more of a caricature. To have someone constantly smoking around a kid More...
And I'm taking off a full star for chain-smokin' grannie. Maybe the author thinks nicotine addiction adds "character," but instead she's more of a caricature. To have someone constantly smoking around a kid More...
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Jul 23, 2010
Jackie
rated it:
Most of her duties are covered throughout the series, ever expanding and changing as the world demands. The ones highlighted in Hallowed Circle deal mostly with Seph’s acceptance of her magical role in the world and her troubles with Johnny, the uber-sexy and tattooed waerewolf who lives in her attic. I think this is why I love the book so much. It’s not all violent attacks and machinations. The reader is able to truly understand Seph and her world, her motivations, and the things that hold her
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Nov 27, 2010
MissM
rated it:
This one was a bit rough for me. The quirky style and characters of the first one felt flat and often annoying this time around. I often felt bored and wanted things to go somewhere and do something.
And the horrible poetry! Dear gods, enough already with the 13 year old version of "song lyrics." It was just gag-inducing for me.
I'd probably give the third one a chance just to see if some of the spark from the first one comes back but if not, ugh, I'll definitely be d More...
And the horrible poetry! Dear gods, enough already with the 13 year old version of "song lyrics." It was just gag-inducing for me.
I'd probably give the third one a chance just to see if some of the spark from the first one comes back but if not, ugh, I'll definitely be d More...
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Jan 17, 2012
Jennifer
rated it:
Although I like first person perspectives, I am finding it difficult to like hearing about what’s going on in Seph’s head. I don’t find her as selfless as she is portrayed. Seph seems to spend most of her time sharing her own mental ramblings and meditation sessions with the reader. For someone who writes a syndicated informative column about waerewolves, she doesn’t seem to know much about them. Things one should know, considering the column she writes. So what does she write about? The most sh
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Apr 11, 2011
Michele
rated it:
The second in Robertson's Persephone Alcemdi series, Hallowed Circle follows solitary witch Persephone as she tries to deal with her new roles in life as a guardian of a friend's orphaned daughter, caretaker of her aging grandmother, the mysterious Lustrata, girlfriend to a werewolf rock star, vampire-bonded and now contestant in the bidding for High Preiestess of the area coven. Despite being full of magic, murder and mystery, Hallowed Circle is ground in a theme of responsibility, not necessa
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May 19, 2011
Karissa
rated it:
This is the second book in the Persephone Alcmedi series. There are nine books planned in this series, with the fifth book Wicked Circle, planned for a December 2011 release. I really enjoyed this book even more than Vicious Circle (Book 1). I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series, but enough back story is given that it's not absolutely necessary.
This book picks up shortly after the first book ends. Persephone (Seph) is trying to adjust to the idea of being the Lus More...
This book picks up shortly after the first book ends. Persephone (Seph) is trying to adjust to the idea of being the Lus More...
Mar 21, 2011
Alyssa
rated it:
Plenty of surprises in this one.
Seph gets nominated to compete in the Eximium to see who is the best for the High Priestess job that is now available. She really doesn't want to, but after she meets one of the other competitors, she decides to compete in order to knock her out of the running. This is no normal contest. There were some pretty crazy tests. It got pretty exciting.
Johnny and Seph also connect some more, and we learn a lot more about her new duties(?). Totally More...
Seph gets nominated to compete in the Eximium to see who is the best for the High Priestess job that is now available. She really doesn't want to, but after she meets one of the other competitors, she decides to compete in order to knock her out of the running. This is no normal contest. There were some pretty crazy tests. It got pretty exciting.
Johnny and Seph also connect some more, and we learn a lot more about her new duties(?). Totally More...
Feb 12, 2011
Shelley
rated it:
Synopsis: Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland, Ohio, coven now that the former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has strangely gone missing. Unfortunately, there are a few small problems with the idea. Not only does Seph know rather more about Vivian's disappearance than the other witches realize, but the epic struggle she's just survived has left her with some highly unusual powers; ones that could be dangerous to reveal. Despite her rel
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Apr 14, 2010
Shannon
rated it:
Not as strong as the first book, but still liked the characters
With everything else on her plate, Persephone is surprised and dismayed when she receives a call letting her know that she's been nominated for the High Priestess position vacated by Vivian. She tries to get out of competing in the Eximium, but ends up agreeing to participate for the good of the coven.
Meanwhile, Persephone receives a warning from a fey that other fey who consider themselves enemies of Menesso More...
With everything else on her plate, Persephone is surprised and dismayed when she receives a call letting her know that she's been nominated for the High Priestess position vacated by Vivian. She tries to get out of competing in the Eximium, but ends up agreeing to participate for the good of the coven.
Meanwhile, Persephone receives a warning from a fey that other fey who consider themselves enemies of Menesso More...
Oct 03, 2011
mlady_rebecca
rated it:
3 1/2 stars, but I'll round up this time.
Ever see an archetype paranormal creature de-evolve into a caricature, without the intention to be self mocking? For example, when I'm looking for vampire books, I avoid books where you've got a character named Dracula with a widow's peak who swirls around a cloak. Beyond the original that's just a caricature. It really works when it's self-mocking like in Jim Carrey's "Once Bitten". Outside of that, it feels lazy and a bit cheesy.
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Ever see an archetype paranormal creature de-evolve into a caricature, without the intention to be self mocking? For example, when I'm looking for vampire books, I avoid books where you've got a character named Dracula with a widow's peak who swirls around a cloak. Beyond the original that's just a caricature. It really works when it's self-mocking like in Jim Carrey's "Once Bitten". Outside of that, it feels lazy and a bit cheesy.
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Feb 13, 2010
Larissa
rated it:
I loved book 1, Vicious Circle, and this second installment of the Persephone Alcmedi series just made this series a must buy for me.
I have to be honest and say that the beginning, up to the first third of the book was a bit slow and patchy for me. Some of my favorite characters took a while to show and I missed them and it also took a while for the story to build up and reach a nice steady pace. There was a lot of preparing ground for the end and when I was done with the book I coul More...
I have to be honest and say that the beginning, up to the first third of the book was a bit slow and patchy for me. Some of my favorite characters took a while to show and I missed them and it also took a while for the story to build up and reach a nice steady pace. There was a lot of preparing ground for the end and when I was done with the book I coul More...
May 23, 2010
pattepoilue
rated it:
(This was originally posted on Book Lovers,Inc)
If you haven’t met Persephone Alcmedi yet, this review is a bit spoilery but I’m being vague to avoid big spoilers.
This is the 2nd book in the Persephone Alcmedi series, the 1st book being Vicious Circle .
My fellow Crazy Book Lover also reviewed this book on her blog and we seem to agree on this one.
I have been waiting for this book ever since I finished Vicious Circle. This series is very addictive. Persepho More...
If you haven’t met Persephone Alcmedi yet, this review is a bit spoilery but I’m being vague to avoid big spoilers.
This is the 2nd book in the Persephone Alcmedi series, the 1st book being Vicious Circle .
My fellow Crazy Book Lover also reviewed this book on her blog and we seem to agree on this one.
I have been waiting for this book ever since I finished Vicious Circle. This series is very addictive. Persepho More...
May 12, 2011
Carien
rated it:
I'm totally in love with Seph!
I really like the first book in this series and this one is even better! The story is suspenseful and full of action. Robertson's writing is a pleasure to read and she adds just the right dose of humour to it to make sure I want to reread this book often. The characters I loved in the first book are all present in book two and there are some cool new characters of which some hopefully will return in book three as well. The story is well rounded while at the sa More...
I really like the first book in this series and this one is even better! The story is suspenseful and full of action. Robertson's writing is a pleasure to read and she adds just the right dose of humour to it to make sure I want to reread this book often. The characters I loved in the first book are all present in book two and there are some cool new characters of which some hopefully will return in book three as well. The story is well rounded while at the sa More...
Jan 26, 2010
Taracuda
rated it:
One of the reviews I stumbled across said that the book almost read like 3 in 1. First, Seph's relationship with Johnny, second things with the coven politics, and then a fight with the fey.
There were some twists I could have done without- the waere twins- and some I did not see coming. And there were some that I wish had been given more time, like Hunter's motivations and Seph's revelation about the stain.
Still, enjoyed it overall and number 3 is already on my to-read l
There were some twists I could have done without- the waere twins- and some I did not see coming. And there were some that I wish had been given more time, like Hunter's motivations and Seph's revelation about the stain.
Still, enjoyed it overall and number 3 is already on my to-read l
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Aug 18, 2010
Ria
rated it:
Another interesting seed-sower for the series, this book nicely sets up future conflicts and leaves mysteries to be solved. I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series, I just hope it doesn't fall into the trap of Persephone becoming so magically talented that she can fix everything because SHE IS JUST SO AWESOME. I get very sad when promising series succumb to this path, but I'm an optimist so let's keep the faith!
