Arcane Circle (Persephone Alcmedi, #4)

Jun 13, 2013 Joshua Burns rated it 4 of 5 stars

As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

Arcane Circle deserves a couple of candles to be lit and the invocation of a couple Nordic and astronomical powers before I start reviewing. Here's a yellow candle dedicated to the perspicacity of Venus. And here's a red candle to the steadfastness of Mars. Why go to such ends before reviewing? Well, we are dealing with a circle. No real ending and all that.

But, to get to the point (a little too geometrical), Persephone's witchcraft world makes Harry Potter look lik...more As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

Arcane Circle deserves a couple of candles to be lit and the invocation of a couple Nordic and astronomical powers before I start reviewing. Here's a yellow candle dedicated to the perspicacity of Venus. And here's a red candle to the steadfastness of Mars. Why go to such ends before reviewing? Well, we are dealing with a circle. No real ending and all that.

But, to get to the point (a little too geometrical), Persephone's witchcraft world makes Harry Potter look like Dora the Explorer. To be fair, the magical boy was written for a different market than that of Alcemedi, but, that complication aside, it's the elaborate preparation for spellcasting in this series that sets it apart.

For some it will be a strain to read through dozens of pages or so describing a particularly intense ritual, and even for myself, it would have been a strain if Persephone were not a character with such heart or if there weren't about a couple dozen threats pointed at her at any one time as the Lustrata, bringer of justice and balance in a world with corrupt were kings and injured griffons.

The plot picks up immediately where it left off previously and leaves off at precisely a point where we would want it to continue (plenty of unanswered questions and special events pending). Its perspective benefits from not including the vampire near as much as before. As a were-heavy entry in the series, everything's a lot closer to the Earth (I believe the last had a lot more to do with prophecy).

We get to see more of Persephone's domestic life, always a pleasure, and learn much more about a seemingly unimportant episode from her past. Don't get me wrong. The vampire does get in a good feeding that raises the question, as it should always be raised in these types of books, which supernatural being is more stimulating. This scene kind of swayed me. I can easily be bought off with cinnamonlike smells and complexity.

Pretty much you know the drill. If you like this series, then you'll like this one. Although I would say this book, book four, is more a return to form as seen in book one since book two and three relocated much of their actions to settings other than Persephone's twenty acres.(less)

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Feb 20, 2013 Alexia Chantel rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Persephone Alcmedi series keeps getting better and better with each book! Robertson has created characters that stay with you even after you have put the book down.

The witches want her out of the picture. They have some power behind them, enough to worry Seph and her grandma. Not to mention the two men in Seph’s life. She needs them both, yet circumstances have changed.

Menessos died at her hand, now he lives by her blood. Is this a step towards a deeper connection between Menessos and Seph?...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Van rated it 4 of 5 stars

4 1/2 stars.

The Battle with the fairies is over, and things seem to be back to normal as it can be. Seph is in the middle of preparing for Beverly’s 10th birthday party and building shelter for her new magical livestock (unicorns, dragons and griffins). Johnny, Seph’s wærewolf boyfriend has announced to everyone that he is the Domn Lup (King of all wæres), and word of his title has made its way to Romania where all the wære leaders resides. The Rege (one of the wære leader) is making his way to...more 4 1/2 stars.

The Battle with the fairies is over, and things seem to be back to normal as it can be. Seph is in the middle of preparing for Beverly’s 10th birthday party and building shelter for her new magical livestock (unicorns, dragons and griffins). Johnny, Seph’s wærewolf boyfriend has announced to everyone that he is the Domn Lup (King of all wæres), and word of his title has made its way to Romania where all the wære leaders resides. The Rege (one of the wære leader) is making his way to Ohio to witness Johnny’s at-will transformation, and to confirm that he is the Domn Lup. With no time to spare, Seph must help Johnny unlock the magical tattoos that binds his powers and memories before the Redge comes into town.

The first book introduced us to the world of Persephone, in the second book the main focus was the witches, the third book focused on the vampires, and finally the fourth book gave readers a deeper insight to wærewolves and their politics. While both the vampires and witches’ politic were interesting, I was more excited to learn about the hierarchy of wærewolf society. In aiding Johnny to unlock his past and power, Seph uses her great-great-great grandmother slate spell to find out who put the binding tattoos on Johnny. The spell gave them a name ‘Arcanum’ which led them to Pittsburg. In Arcane Circle, Seph receives a visitor from her past…someone she didn’t expect to ever see again. The visitor was a big surprise, and what Johnny and Seph find in Pittsburg is even more of a shocker as she find out who ‘Arcanum’ really is. Not only does Seph has all three groups breathing down her back, there’s apparently a secret branch of the government that deals with supernaturals ‘xenocides’ and Seph is at the top of their list in the death of Xerxadrea Villeux.

I really enjoyed Arcane Circle; it was better than the previous two books which I think suffered a little bit with sophomore syndrome. While the witches and vampires take the backseat in this book, I didn’t mind the focus being all on Johnny and the wæres. A lot transpired and again set the stage for the upcoming book, as Heldrige is on his way to see the VEIN council with dire information about Menessos. There wasn’t much action as I would have liked, but there were a couple of twist and turns that held my attention throughout the book. Overall another great read, I recommend this series to all UF and PNR fans, this urban fantasy series isn’t too fluffy and light or too dark and gritty…it’s perfectly in the middle of the two.

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Mar 29, 2012 Star (The Bibliophilic Book Blog) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Vampires, witches, and wærewolves, oh my! Persephone has a lot to deal with in the aftermath of the Fairy wars - the Eldrenne is dead, Johnny's come out as the Domn Lup, and she had to kill a close friend. On top of that, her foster daughter's birthday party is coming up and none of her classmate's parents want Seph to be there. She's also on the outs with the ruling coven and the MIB are coming for her. Seph just can't catch a break...

I picked up the first book in this series on a whim and I ha...more

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Mar 24, 2012 Unwisely rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, kept-me-up-too-late, 2012

Yes, I read four of these in a week. And by this one, things were starting to irritate me. Like, why would a woman whose lineage they have emphasized as Greek read runes? (This was sort of explained, but why Gramma is such an expert wasn't.) Is the Arthur thing ever going to be relevant? And why is everyone surprised that the chick named after the chaos goddess behaves chaotically?

Then there was one of the theoretically climactic parts of this book where it felt like they pulled a Buffy (I am w...more

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Jan 10, 2011 Sharon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-fantasy, paranormal-romance

This is book four following Fatal Circle where it continues from where Johnny is wounded & the aftermath of the battle with the Fairies. Seph finds she has a menagerie of fairy creatures to cope with,. Her past comes to rear it's ugly head & if she's to get through the up & coming battles & succeed she has some serious decisions to make.
The stroyline revolves mainly round Sephs personal issues & Johnnys past locked in his tatoos, he has to get to it quick as the Rege is com...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Arcane Circle (Persephone Alcmedi 4) by Linda Robertson
Paranormal Romance -Dec. 28th, 2010
4 ½ stars

Arcane Circle is the 4th installment by Linda Robertson. The heroine is a wicked cool witch who has tremendous powers. This is a complex series that builds upon each book. While it is possible to be read alone, it is recommended that the reader begin with at least one of the prior books.

Persephone is a powerful witch who has finally found love and a real family. She was abandoned by her mother but...more Arcane Circle (Persephone Alcmedi 4) by Linda Robertson
Paranormal Romance -Dec. 28th, 2010
4 ½ stars

Arcane Circle is the 4th installment by Linda Robertson. The heroine is a wicked cool witch who has tremendous powers. This is a complex series that builds upon each book. While it is possible to be read alone, it is recommended that the reader begin with at least one of the prior books.

Persephone is a powerful witch who has finally found love and a real family. She was abandoned by her mother but now lives with her grandmother, adopted daughter, and lover, the werewolf Johnny. But Johnny is Domn Lup, a werewolf destined to be the ruler of all the werewolves because he can transform at will instead of needing the full moon. Other older and extremely powerful werewolves are coming to determine Johnny’s fitness but Johnny has a problem. When he was young, he was drugged and tattooed. The tattoos bound his powers, and he is vulnerable. Without the full use of his full powers, he is a sitting duck. Persephone must help Johnny restore his powers. But Persephone has her own difficulties; she has been bound by the region's vampires and labeled as an outcast by her coven because of the accidental death of one of their members. Can she and Johnny restore his powers before it is too late? They need to work fast because the other werewolves are hungry for blood and power. And they will stop at nothing to get it.

This book is exciting but not as tense as some of the author’s prior books. It centers more on the mystery behind Johnny's tattoos which have some very surprising answers. Persephone’s mother, who abandoned her, shows up and there are emotional issues that bring a lot of depth to Persephone’s character. The 2 best things about this series are how the series is constantly evolving and how much I like Persephone and her family. Johnny completes the 'family' and there is a real feeling of caring and a united front that sets it apart from other books in the genre. I enjoy urban fantasies but some of the main characters are so hard and chilly that they are difficult to like. These characters care for each other and aren't afraid to show their affection and defend their loved ones. The added mystery behind Johnny’s past is enthralling and the author leaves the reader with tantalizing glimpses for future books that will only make readers want more!

This is a spectacular urban fantasy with incredible characters and amazing world building. Do not miss it!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

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Jan 02, 2011 Scooper Speaks rated it 3 of 5 stars

Favorite Lines: “The throne seemed to be made from cylinders of wood, tall ones forming the two rear posts, shorter ones supporting the arms of the seat. The dark wood was decorated with skulls, horns, and tusks. It was like four phallic symbols with hunting trophies nailed together to create a manly man chair. If it had a voice, it would have bellowed, “Behold! Virility incarnate!” (p. 189)

Arcane Circle is book four in Linda Robertson’s Persephone Alcmedi series. Each book builds upon the last,...more

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Dec 28, 2010 Kt from A Book Obsession.. rated it 5 of 5 stars

After the events of the last book Persephone was left pretty much in shambles. Johnny was wounded, perhaps fatally, and many of their allies were killed by the fairies before Seph could get the gate shut. What's even worse is the fact that Menessos's life, or well, undeath, hangs in the balance. She had to stake him in the previous book in order to sever his tie with the fairies and banish them from this world. Only time will tell if he will awaken as a true member of the undead, or whether that...more After the events of the last book Persephone was left pretty much in shambles. Johnny was wounded, perhaps fatally, and many of their allies were killed by the fairies before Seph could get the gate shut. What's even worse is the fact that Menessos's life, or well, undeath, hangs in the balance. She had to stake him in the previous book in order to sever his tie with the fairies and banish them from this world. Only time will tell if he will awaken as a true member of the undead, or whether that staking killed him for good. Before any of them even get a chance to even lick their wounds, Johnny and Seph find out the leader of all the wæres is coming to visit, and it doesn't seem like he wants to hand over any of his "power" and acknowledge him as king. Of course her choice to become Menessos's Court Witch in the last book is still causing problems, as well as a certain elder witches death. But what else can you expect for the the Lustrata, the bringer of balance. It will only get worse before it gets better.

In the last book, the tensions between Johnny, Seph, and Menessos really came to a head. Seph realized that she had strong feelings for both of them, but she couldn't really quantify them. She knows she is very attracted to Johnny and quite possibly in love with him but she also knows the same could be said about Menessos, even though she would wish otherwise. This love triangle issue really took a back seat in this book since there were much more pressing matters, such as the question of Menessos's life in the balance and the race to unlock Johnny's powers. However, there were different events that made me believe that it could potentially cause some major problems in the future. I'm not usually the type of person to wish for the heroine in the book to keep both the men, but in this situation I think she needs both of them equally, albeit each in their own way. It's just a matter of the three of them first accepting this fact, and then learning to cooperate with each other and find a good balance.

The focus of this book was definitely more on Johnny and the wæres rather than the vampires. Don't get me wrong, Seph is still in the thick of it with the vampires, but they definitely took a back seat in this book. Considering the fact that Johnny never really wanted anything to do with wære politics, nor wanted his birthright as the Domn Lup, he seems to be handling his new responsibilities well and really steps up to the plate. Seph really worries about him losing himself in the mess and changing too much, but I don't think that will happen. Of course he will change some, but at his core he will still be the man she is falling for. He still will choose good over evil and stand by her side through everything. It's just going to be a matter of trying to prioritize and learn some balance. Luckily he has a good teacher, the Lustrata.

I enjoyed this book, perhaps not quite as much as the last one due to the lack of Menessos having a major role, but other than that it was really good. I really love both Johnny and Menessos, especially when the time is balanced between them. This may make me greedy wanting both men for her, but I just think they would work well. After some hard truths were learned in this book as well as someone from Seph's past showing up and majorly conflicting things, I cannot wait for the next book. It will be interesting to see what is in store as more and more of the supernatural community starts to find out who Seph really is. As of yet, most do not seem to be reacting very well, but with her iron-clad determination I know she won't give up until her destiny is fulfilled.(less)

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Jan 17, 2012 ♠ Sharon is an emotional book junkie ♠ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

The Battle with the Fairies is over, Johnny is recovering from his injuries, Menessos is "unconscious", Persephone is back home ... what else could happen? Well, tomorrow construction starts on her new addition and barns for the elementals and Beverley's birthday is coming up, but wait, who's at the door?

Seriously, I could just keep going for all the things that go on in these books and I love it. Never a dull moment. Johnny and Seph are as great as ever. I just love them together. In my review...more

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Dec 31, 2010 ALPHAreader rated it 4 of 5 stars

‘Arcane Circle’ is the fourth book in Linda Robertson’s ‘Persephone Alcmedi’ series.

‘Arcane’ picks up where ‘Fatal Circle’ left off, with Persephone having defeated the fairy-foe. . . but at a high cost. Werewolf, Johnny, has been scratched by a phoenix across his mysterious power tattoos – and he cannot heal himself. But worst of all, Persephone had to stake the vampire, Menessos, and kill him (again) in the hopes that he would reawaken.

Then there’s the fact that Persephone’s acceptance of the...more ‘Arcane Circle’ is the fourth book in Linda Robertson’s ‘Persephone Alcmedi’ series.

‘Arcane’ picks up where ‘Fatal Circle’ left off, with Persephone having defeated the fairy-foe. . . but at a high cost. Werewolf, Johnny, has been scratched by a phoenix across his mysterious power tattoos – and he cannot heal himself. But worst of all, Persephone had to stake the vampire, Menessos, and kill him (again) in the hopes that he would reawaken.

Then there’s the fact that Persephone’s acceptance of the Lustrata mantel (bringing justice and harmony to all supernatural races) has reopened some of her long-faded scars. . . like her mother’s abandonment. What happens when Persephone’s new-found fame brings her mother calling?

I really like Linda Robertson’s ‘Persephone Alcmedi’ series. The first book was ‘okay’ for me, but in quick time Robertson’s series has become a heavy-weight addition to the urban fantasy genre. It’s even more impressive when you consider that the first book came out in 2009, and the series is already four books deep. Well, I continue my adoration with Persephone in this fourth instalment. . . even if I still have some (small) qualms.

I think ‘Arcane’ is Johnny’s book. Johnny is one of the best elements of the Persephone series, and definitely a fan pleaser – he’s a rough looking werewolf rock star, whom Persephone first shied away from for his widjit tattoos and motorcycle-riding. But four books in now and Persephone and Johnny have now officially embarked onto a full-fledged romance.

But there’s still some uneasiness in Johnny’s life. He doesn’t know how he became a werewolf. . . or where his tattoos came from. He woke up one day to find himself covered in mysterious tribal tattoos (from dragons to foo dogs) and he has no memory of his previous life. In ‘Arcane Circle’, Johnny is given a chance to uncover the truth of his past. . .

So this book definitely feels as though it’s Johnny’s. . . even if by book’s end there are more questions than answers. And I've got to beg the question – how fully can Johnny give himself to Persephone and their relationship if he doesn’t even know himself? It poses an interesting romantic conundrum to be explored in future books – and it’s definitely an obstacle like no other I've read in paranormal romance.

‘Arcane Circle’ may have been Johnny’s book, but it is not Johnny who holds the greatest fascination for me. The vampire, Menessos, is my favourite character. I don’t know if it’s because he’s so mysterious, and perhaps once Persephone unlocks all of his secrets I will lose fascination. . . but for the time being he is the character I want more of. We know that Menessos is the ‘first’ vampire; he bears a striking resemblance to Persephone’s King Arthur fantasy and he once embarked on an epic (and tragic) ménage a trois relationship that seems to be achingly echoing in his affections for Persephone and her feelings for Johnny. Like I said. . . fascinating!

“Oh, Persephone.” His whisper was raspy and dry.
He knows I’m here.
“For a moment it felt like dying all over again,” he said slowly, seductively, “and then suddenly it was as if one hundred thousand volts of electricity were delivered straight into my heart – a heart prickling with thorns, pierced by your hand, and broken by your love for another – and then it beats effortlessly, as if it never stopped.”

Unfortunately, Linda Robertson always seems determined to leave Menessos (and fans) dangling. From the events of ‘Fatal Circle’, and that cliff-hanger ending, it seemed that ‘Arcane Circle’ was destined to be Menessos’s book. . . not the case, unfortunately.

In ‘Arcane Circle’ Menessos and Persephone share a hot n’ heavy scene, and Persephone uncovers more about his failed ménage relationship. . . but the old vampire is peculiarly absent for most of the book. He has sporadic scenes and a fairly dead-end storyline. Persephone feels stirrings and rumblings in their changing relationship – but her stubborn refusal to acknowledge any feelings and betray Johnny leaves her avoiding Menessos . . . and fans without their favourite.

‘Persephone Alcmedi’ is a series that has come leaps and bounds. . . and is still powering strong. ‘Arcane Circle’ reveals unsettling secrets from Persephone’s past and introduces fascinating characters for future books. But there’s still a big part of me that wishes Linda Robertson would just stick to revisiting the (still) most interesting character she introduced in the first book.(less)

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Jan 08, 2011 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blo...

I was seriously dying to read this. After the cliff hanger in book 3 FATAL CIRCLE, ARCANE CIRCLE Couldn't come out fast enough in my opinion. Once again, Don't try to jump into this series in book 4 you must start from the beginning and pick up book 1 FATAL CIRCLE.

In ARCANE CIRCLE you will get some shocking surprises and quite a bit of answers you might have been wondering about. Persephone, Johnny and Menessos seem to be working super well to...more

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Oct 18, 2011 mlady_rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: author__linda_robertson, fiction__part_of_a_series, pov__first_person_female, genre__urban_fantasy, genre_sub__lycanthropes_and_shifter, genre_sub__faeries, genre_sub__vamps, genre_sub__witches_psychics, fiction__speculative, 2011, own_series_box_8, format__mass_market_pb

This book picked up where the third book left off. Now that the faeries have been banished, the vampires, weres, and witches ended their temporary partnership. Instead of enemies from without, both the vampires and weres are busy guarding themselves from enemies within.

Menessos is working to integrate Heldridge's vampires into his kiss. (They don't use "kiss" in this series, but I don't recall what they do use.) Heldridge being the vampire ordered an assassination during the ceremony to declare...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have such an admiration for this installation of Robertsons "Circle" books. I admire the story line, but also the insight that Linda brings along with the growth of our heroine. I don't know if I could forgive the person who almost got me killed as a small child and then abandoned me right after. The loneliness that only a child who has been left unloved by her mother can understand the heartbreak that visits you nightly, alone in your bed, thinking you're not even good enough to love. And wha...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book picks up right after the last book which is a good thing since a big question was left about one of the characters. Luckily we get to know what happened quickly so we can then settle into the new adventure and deal with the consequences of the last.

We also find ourselves with Persephone's new internal struggle. She must decide if she can forgive her mother who wounded her physically and emotionally when she was a child. She struggles with that particular problem throughout the book and...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-pubs

Arcane Circle (Persephone Alcmedi, Book 4) is the 4th book in the Persephone Alcmedi series. It picks up just after the end of Fatal Circle (Persephone Alcmedi, Book 3). In fact, some of the issues from the previous book are still up in the air as this one begins.

I really enjoyed this book, but it's difficult to review without spoilers. Some of the events from the previous book impact the plot of this story and I'm afraid that if I go into too much depth of review, I'll spoil the suspense for a...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Theresa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Arcane circle by Linda Robertson, after the battle with the Fairies Persephone Alcmedi, is learning to live with her destiny. With the help of her new friend, Mountain, she is changing her home to host the elemental animals that she rescued. Johnny her waere boyfriend, has learned his powers were locked with in his body because of the tattoos on his body. Someone did it on purpose, trying to limit the power of the Dom Lupe. This limitation of his power also locks up Johnny’s history. The timing...more

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Jan 22, 2011 Katyana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ass-kicking-women, fantasy, series, shapeshifters, uf, vampires

I am having a tough time rating this one, so I am going to write my review to get my thoughts together. I apologize if it meanders a bit.

Let's start with this: I really enjoy this series. The world is fun, the magical system is comprehensive and organized, and best of all, I really love the characters. Persephone, Nana, Johnny, Menessos (love/hate, admittedly), Beverly and a whole host of supporting characters are all well-drawn and engaging. Persephone is someone that feels extraordinarily real...more I am having a tough time rating this one, so I am going to write my review to get my thoughts together. I apologize if it meanders a bit.

Let's start with this: I really enjoy this series. The world is fun, the magical system is comprehensive and organized, and best of all, I really love the characters. Persephone, Nana, Johnny, Menessos (love/hate, admittedly), Beverly and a whole host of supporting characters are all well-drawn and engaging. Persephone is someone that feels extraordinarily real to me. She debates the same things I would debate (justice and fair play are important themes to me), and she really thinks through each dilemma ... as opposed to most UF, where the heroines bull their way through the problem, counting on their strength to carry the day. Persephone is a powerhouse, but we don't see it much. She doesn't magic her way out of most situations. She makes a good plan, and works her way through. And I like that.

I think my primary problem with this book (and it has been a trend in this series) is that while there is a concrete over-arching storyline, each book itself doesn't really have a compelling, self-contained major arc. This book felt like a connection of mini-plots - some started and ended over the span of 50 pages - while pushing forward the series-spanning plot. On the upside, that furthers the realistic feel of the series - you feel part of Persephone's day-to-day life. On the downside, the end of the book doesn't feel as climactic, as rewarding, as I would like. Basically, all the books feel like they are bridge books. Sure, stuff is going on, ...but nothing major is resolved at the end of the book. We feel like we made strides toward where the series as a whole is eventually heading, but I don't know, it somehow doesn't feel like a satisfying read in and of itself.

Every series like this can boil down to Heroine vs The Big Bad. Each book is usually like a series of gates - other villains and/or trials that make the heroine stronger or whittle down the major supporters of The Big Bad, until finally the Heroine is ready to take The Big Bad on directly.

In this series, firstly, we only have a vague sense of who The Big Bad even is. We know that it is more of a world-saving event, involving gods and destiny, the balance of the world, and that Persephone will play a major role. We know that this has happened in the past - that previous women have had this role (the Lustrata), and we know that when The Event (and no, we don't have any detail on that either) occurred for them, they failed... which means that Persephone really has a mess on her hands. But we don't really have any more definition than that. I feel like, four books in, I should know more about what is going on, and who the major players are. At least who the bad guys are. I should have a better sense of what the heroine is headed towards. So far, the trials - for 4 books - have been more about the main characters accepting their destiny / their roles. Not really facing any major hurdles, aside from their own internal battles.

I really like these books, and I really like this cast. But something needs to happen. Even if it isn't The Big Bad, I need to see our trio throw down with a foe. Someone who challenges them, makes them grow. Shows their potential, and illuminates their path a little. I need to have some idea of where we are headed, even if it isn't the endgame. I need to see a goal, even if it isn't the ultimate goal. Right now, I feel like the series is meandering. I am enjoying it so far, because I like the company (I really do like the characters), but really, things need to start kicking into gear. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the next one. In the meantime...

***3.5***(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy, reviews

Persephone is dealing with the aftermath from the battle with the Fairies. She's dealing with her injured boyfriend Johnny, a party to plan and to top it off a bunch of magical creatures are camped out in her backyard. Talk about some crazy stress, when will they girl get a break.

I enjoyed this story. The cover art really popped. I loved the greens and blues. In the last book Persephone was dealing with the fairies and now she is dealing with the aftermath of the battle. To say poor Persephone h...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Brandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2011

Arcane Circle picks up just a few minutes after the end of Fatal Circle, which I really like because there's no big info dump about what has happened since the last book, and we're dropped right into the action. Persephone continues to deal with a lot of changes from the time when we first met her, and she has a lot of responsibilities, and everyone is still dealing with the repercussions of past actions. I appreciate that things haven't just been neatly tied up and resolved.

I did find the buil...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

I won Arcane Circle in the Goodreads first reads giveaway. Since this is the 4th book in the Persephone Alcmedi series I decided that I would read the first 3 first and am so glad that I did.

Arcane Circle begins immediately after Fatal Circle (book 3) left off. Johnny is severely wounded, Persephone is unsure of Menessos fate and now she has a birthday party to plan for Beverly. Additionally she now is in charge of a large number of magical creatures she must care for. Throw in the Rege (head o...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Denise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2013

This fourth book in the series about witch Persephone Alcmedi focuses strongly on her wærewolf boyfriend Johnny with the big bosses of the wærewolf world coming to town to confirm him in his new status (or not) and the search for a way to unlock the spells the bind his powers and his memory. While Johnny isn't one of my favourite characters from the series, this was another very enjoyable installment in the series. I really like the emphasis on family that is somewhat of a rarity in most UF seri...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Lisarenee added it

Shelves: nbrc-2013-b-reading-challenge, nbrc-tower-team-b-challenge-shelf

My synopsis:
Eight years ago Johnny Newman woke up covered in tattoos. He didn't know who he was or where he came from. The tattoos were not your normal variety. They were used to bind Johnny's powers. The theory was that someone knew he was the Domn Lup, the King of the Werewolves, and didn't want him to come into his full powers. Seph and Johnny are about to discover who tattooed him and will attempt to break the binding that has held his powers in check. They hope that when the binding is brok...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Craig rated it 4 of 5 stars

This one picks up right where the third volume, FATAL CIRCLE, ended, and the back-story has gotten so detailed and convoluted that I believe it would be necessary to read the previous books to follow all of what happens in this one. It's a surprisingly good story, and reveals very well crafted and thoughtful details about the past of the main characters. The scene where Persephone confronts her mother is especially good, and evocative of the lunch with her college friends from the first volume....more

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Mar 28, 2011 Dania rated it 5 of 5 stars

I won this book through the goodreads first-reads program. I was so happy about that, thanks to everyone who made that possible.

Alright, where do I start?...

"Incredible" pretty much sums it up. I absolutely adored this book. It took me a while to read it because I had to go back and read the books in front of it, because it was a new series for me. And I'm so glad I did. This is a work of genius, it never once took a dull dip because the author kept weaving into the story that keeps you on your...more

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Dec 29, 2010 Jackie Uhrmacher rated it 5 of 5 stars

Overall, Arcane Circle took the various aspects of urban fantasy I love, threw them all together, and created a visual masterpiece of discovery, devotion, and desire. You have magical creatures (Thunderbird and Errol are as much stars as Seph and Johnny), egotistical lords, and a love triangle that possibly spells disaster for the world in general. Make sure you don’t have anything planned for a few days when you pick this up because you will not be able to put it down!

Full review available at h ...more

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May 14, 2013 Shandy Jo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-2013, paranormal, urban-fantasy

Ever had a book that you just didn't retain? I mean you read the whole thing, but were only able to remember bits and pieces. That's what happened to me with and this book.
I'll usually finish a book, set it aside let my brain ferment and then write the review but after this book "fermented" I could only pull a few things up. Don't get me wrong I love Seph, but for some reason only a couple things stood out. Perhaps it's because a good portion is dedicated to normalcy. Well at least as normal as...more

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Jul 17, 2011 Karissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist

This was the 4th book in the Persephone Alcmedi series by Robertson. The fifth book, Wicked Circle, is due out in December of 2011. This book was a great addition to the series, we finally get to learn more about Johnny's past and his tattoos.

Much of this book is about Seph dealing with the aftermath of the fairy battle she fought in the previous book. She now has a ton of magical creatures to take care of, she is being blamed for the murder of the witch that died to protect her in the end of th...more This was the 4th book in the Persephone Alcmedi series by Robertson. The fifth book, Wicked Circle, is due out in December of 2011. This book was a great addition to the series, we finally get to learn more about Johnny's past and his tattoos.

Much of this book is about Seph dealing with the aftermath of the fairy battle she fought in the previous book. She now has a ton of magical creatures to take care of, she is being blamed for the murder of the witch that died to protect her in the end of the last book, and she needs to plan Beverly's tenth birthday party. Amidst all of this Johnny is taking his place as Domn Lup; to do that he needs his magic unlocked and Seph is trying to help him hunt down the person who gave him all of those tattoos.

This is very much a transition book in this series, that being said it was still a very fun book to read and I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed Seph learning about all of the new magical creatures in her care. It was also great to learn more about Johnny's past. I continue to enjoy how real and healthy Seph and Johnny's relationship is. There continues to be some tension between Menessos and Seph, and I hope that it remains just that...tension.

I still enjoy how Robertson ties mythology in with the story and I also enjoy how detailed she is with her magic system. These books are fun to read and very engaging.

The book was well-written and ends well. I am curious to see what storyline the next book starts. As I said this was very much a transition novel; Seph is dealing with a lot of fallout from the previous book and no real huge new storyline is started yet.

Overall if you have enjoyed the previous books you will enjoy this one. It is an easy read, fun, and fills in the story more. Most of the story is fallout from the previous book but it was lots of fun reading about Seph taking care of all of her magical creatures and I also enjoyed learning more about Johnny's past. I am excited to see what new storyline Wicked Circle starts.(less)

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May 21, 2011 Shelley aka Gizmo's Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-release, urban-fantasy

Overall Rating: 3.5 stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy but recommended also for those who like Romance, Mystery, and Suspense.

Arcane Circle, by Linda Robertson, is the fourth book in the Persephone Alcmedi series. The story picks up immediately after Fatal Circle where Seph and allies, had to beat back the Fairies in order to survive. The overall cost of that war hasn’t been determined yet. Seph nearly lost Johnny after fighting a Fae, and the witches’ coven has disowned her, which was only supposed to b...more Overall Rating: 3.5 stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy but recommended also for those who like Romance, Mystery, and Suspense.

Arcane Circle, by Linda Robertson, is the fourth book in the Persephone Alcmedi series. The story picks up immediately after Fatal Circle where Seph and allies, had to beat back the Fairies in order to survive. The overall cost of that war hasn’t been determined yet. Seph nearly lost Johnny after fighting a Fae, and the witches’ coven has disowned her, which was only supposed to be temporary. She now has to take care of the magical animals she inherited after releasing them from the Fae. There are 15 unicorns, 12 Griffons, 5 Dragons, and 26 Phoenixes.

Seph is a powerful witch who was once a solidarity witch, answering to no coven, then she was forced to out herself after participating in a leadership challenge for the Coven. She is the all-powerful Lustrata that is supposed to bring balance to the waerewolves and vampires. She is also vampire master to the first vampire Menessos, and after stabbing him in the heart, she fears that he will never be the same again.

The Witch covenant has shunned Seph for her on TV appearance with Menessos, and the fact that he named her his Erus Veneficus, or court witch. They also blame her for the death of her lucusi leader Eldrenne Xerxadrea. Unfortunately, the only person who knows the real truth and whose plan it was is now dead after saving Seph’s life.

Johnny, Seph’s waer boyfriend, revealed himself to be the Domn Lup. The Dom Lup is supposed to be the ruler of the entire wære world. Johnny’s announcement has come with consequences. The Zvonol, or waer equivalent of the Witches Council of Elders, has demanded answers and the Rege, or Godfather of the waere’s, is coming from Romania to demand proof of Johnny’s claim or face the consequences for his deceit.

Nana and Beverley are still expected to be angry with Seph to protect them from the witches back lash. Beverley’s 10th birthday is on the way, and Seph already promised her a birthday party regardless of what was happening around them. The only problem is that Seph’s on TV escapades with Menessos has created numerous animosities and enemies out of fellow parents, and unfortunately, Beverley is left in the middle which really is sad. She already lost her mother, now Seph is in constant danger and Bev is worried that she will lose Seph as well.

If that weren’t enough, she is also being investigated in the death of Xerxadrea by the Specialized Squadron for Tactical Investigations of Xenocrime (Homeland Security). They call her and others like her Nonsters. They claim they have proof that she was involved, but they are more of a nuisance than anything else; for now.

Then, as if that wasn't enough to deal with, Seph's estranged mother Eris, who she hasn’t seen in YEARS, makes an appearance on her doorstep hoping for resolution and forgiveness. I have to say that the backstory on Eris wasn’t very happy, and won’t make anyone feel sorry for her. She basically abandoned her own child after nearly killing her in a fire, then met someone else and had a baby she didn’t leave behind. Thankfully, Seph had Nana to rely on. If that wasn't bad enough, it seems that Eris was the key tattoo artist responsible for Johnny’s tattoos, a revelation that shocks both Seph and Nana.

I’ve followed this series from the start, with some help from out of state libraries, and have to say that I don’t remember so much stuff being piled onto one MC in a very long time. Seph has learned very quickly that she can’t run away from her problems. They need to be taken care of before they hurt Nana and Bev. Yes, she has a marvelous support mechanism with Johnny and Nana, but how much more can one person take before she explodes?

I guess my only negative thoughts on this particular story, was that it seemed like the writer was actually trying to punish both Johnny and Seph for some reason, instead of allowing them to time to breathe after all the events of the previous 3 books. Johnny finally uncovers more about where his tattoos came from, but isn’t rewarded by getting his memories back, or finding out who the person whas that paid Eris to put them on him in the first place.

Seph is pushed to not only protect herself from the Rege who wants her for his own nefarious uses, but the witches have basically declared her an enemy to the coven. She also gets a better look into the worlds of the vampires and waerewolves. Both Johnny’s and Menessos’s worlds are brutal and bloody and it's not for the faint of heart.

Next book in series: Wicked Circle releases 12.27.2011.(less)

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Jan 05, 2011 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Linda Robertson's Arcane Circle is the latest in her Persephone Alcmedi series and it was a stellar read! I just started this series last year when I won books 2 & 3 in a contest and immediately fell in love with it! And Johnny too of course! Normally I'm not much of a fan of tattoos, but when picturing Johnny...sigh...it looks damn good on him!!

This was a rather interesting storyline as well that picks up immediately where Fatal Circle left off, which my memory was a little rusty on the det...more Linda Robertson's Arcane Circle is the latest in her Persephone Alcmedi series and it was a stellar read! I just started this series last year when I won books 2 & 3 in a contest and immediately fell in love with it! And Johnny too of course! Normally I'm not much of a fan of tattoos, but when picturing Johnny...sigh...it looks damn good on him!!

This was a rather interesting storyline as well that picks up immediately where Fatal Circle left off, which my memory was a little rusty on the details, but things began to make sense as the story went along. There is the aftermath of the battle at the beach with the fae and other creatures to consider and some are still injured and others, we're not too sure about, such as Menessos. While Seph did stake him, with his power it's unsure what will happen to him, will he remain dead-dead or become the undead?

But that is only the beginning of the problems. Another one that comes up involves Johnny and his position as the Domn Lup. Basically none of the other weres outside his pack, are going to believe him and he has to prove his identity to them and a powerful leader in order to truly keep the title. It's a complicated politics game with the weres and their status points, but the general idea is that Johnny must shift at will to prove he is the Domn Lup.

But naturally things are going to go awry...

And the mystery connects to Johnny's tattoos and him needing to find the person who gave them to him to unleash the power that is locked inside the tattoos so he will not be hinder by it any longer. Which leads to some VERY surprising developments!

And then of course there is still little Beverly's birthday party to plan. And some of the parents of her school friends aren't pleased with Seph because of her connection to Menessos. So things are very chaotic at the Alcmedi household!

The pacing was well done! There were some calm moments that were soon replaced with chaotic ones. Assassination attempts, kidnapping attempts and all sorts of fun! The romance wasn't real heavy either, there was an early scene with Seph and Johnny that was rather heated, but other than that it was mostly heated tension and of course the continued game of using innuendos in their everyday conversations. Can't remember who was winning last...

I would have to say that Johnny is my favorite character, one because I love his look, ;) and two because he is a great character. He is hilariously funny when he wants to be, he is fiercely protective of Seph and those he cares about, and he can be dangerously scary when he needs to protect those he loves as well. Who wouldn't want to date a werewolf?! ;)

Overall I give the book 5/5 stars! I totally love this series. It shows vamps and weres and witches in a different way than I'm used to seeing and I just adore it! So can't wait to see what's going to happen next as there were a few loose-ends left, but nothing that will leave you dying in anticipational agony!(less)

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Arcane Circle (Persephone Alcmedi #4)

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