THERE ARE GOOD GUYS. THERE ARE BAD GUYS. AND THEN THERE'S MAX.
Max knows what trusting the wrong person can cost you. Her former friend Giselle,... read full description
reviews
Dec 19, 2011
Lisarenee
rated it: 
"A war for what? About what?"
"Magic--the very existence of it. Once it was everywhere--like the wind and rain. But then humans came along and started finding ways to kill it. Bit by bit it has disappeared. Many Uncanny and Divine creatures have died off or hidden themselves deep underground or inside magical pocket realms. The way things are going all magic is going to disappear forever. The Guardians have decided that they will not allow this."
" More...
"Magic--the very existence of it. Once it was everywhere--like the wind and rain. But then humans came along and started finding ways to kill it. Bit by bit it has disappeared. Many Uncanny and Divine creatures have died off or hidden themselves deep underground or inside magical pocket realms. The way things are going all magic is going to disappear forever. The Guardians have decided that they will not allow this."
" More...
Jun 17, 2011
E.
rated it:
Max is still irrevocably tied to the witch Giselle and both are tolerating the presence of Alexander, eve though he is an unbound Prime but the forces at work may put an irreparable strain on the uneasy truce between all of them. A serious threat to her family prompts Max to leave the covenstead and travel to California but the release of the wild magic by the Guardians prompts many unforeseen problems, most of which Max cannot help but become involved in. The relationship between Max and Alex
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Feb 03, 2011
Paradoxical
rated it: 
Read this really fast and didn't bother trying to read closely. At best, the series is rather mediocre. I'm not quite sure why I don't like it better, but it seemed clumsy some parts, and in others--well. I don't like the thought of Max and Alexander together. They work fine for me as individuals (well, all right, I have a few issues with them as characters), but as a couple they fall very flat for me. I'd pretty much rather have Max paired up with anyone else if she does have to have a romantic
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Feb 03, 2011
William
rated it:
Crimson Wind by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Max a ShadowBlade Prime is still searching for self but in this second book she reaches out to her long lost biological family in the midst of a magical cataclysm. In her search she discovers she may already have a family. Magic, bondage, love and violence categorize this fast paced novel.
Frankly when I reviewed Bitter Night, the prequel to this book, I did it with skepticism. I wasn’t sure it was my cup of java. Once More...
Max a ShadowBlade Prime is still searching for self but in this second book she reaches out to her long lost biological family in the midst of a magical cataclysm. In her search she discovers she may already have a family. Magic, bondage, love and violence categorize this fast paced novel.
Frankly when I reviewed Bitter Night, the prequel to this book, I did it with skepticism. I wasn’t sure it was my cup of java. Once More...
Jan 03, 2011
Bookaholics
rated it:
Crimson Wind (Horngate Witches) by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Paranormal Romance –Dec. 28th, 2010
3 1/2 stars
For fast paced action, drama, angst, and tons of tension, Crimson Wind is your book. The heroine is the gutsy, no nonsense type who is willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good. Crimson Wind is the 2nd installment of the Horngate Witches series by Diana Pharaoh Francis and can be read by itself but with the vivid cast of characters make it best to be read in order.
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Paranormal Romance –Dec. 28th, 2010
3 1/2 stars
For fast paced action, drama, angst, and tons of tension, Crimson Wind is your book. The heroine is the gutsy, no nonsense type who is willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good. Crimson Wind is the 2nd installment of the Horngate Witches series by Diana Pharaoh Francis and can be read by itself but with the vivid cast of characters make it best to be read in order.
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Jan 02, 2011
Artesia
rated it: 
I was disappointed by this book. Having read the first one, which had flaws, but was nevertheless a promising novel, I eagerly awaited the second installment. But author didn't worked on aforementioned flaws, and even added a couple of new ones.
Main story of this book just isn't very interesting. Instead of focusing on catastrophic events which began at the end of the fist book in this series, main focus is on rescue mission. Problem is - author failed to make me empathize with those More...
Main story of this book just isn't very interesting. Instead of focusing on catastrophic events which began at the end of the fist book in this series, main focus is on rescue mission. Problem is - author failed to make me empathize with those More...
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Jan 29, 2012
❀ Sharon ❀
rated it:
Max is still in the thick of things. She hasn't been able to sleep because Scooter wants her and it's affecting everything. She finally decides to confront him only to find out her real family are in danger. Scooter agrees to give her a week. Alexander has also been told some things from both Magpie and Giselle and it's been decided that Alexander will accompany Max to get her family.
So I'm thinking, all right a road trip with just Max and Alexander ~ about time!! But I should've kn More...
So I'm thinking, all right a road trip with just Max and Alexander ~ about time!! But I should've kn More...
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Jan 23, 2011
Michelle
rated it: 
Crimson Wind is the second book in the Horngate Witches series by Diana Pharaoh Francis and an Urban Fantasy from Pocket Books.
Book Blurb:
There are Good guys. There are Bad guys. And then there’s Max.
Max knows what trusting the wrong person can cost you. Her former friend Giselle, a powerful witch, enslaved Max years ago, turning her into a Shadowblade - a deadly warrior compelled to fight for Giselle. But there’s more at stake now than Max’s thirst for re More...
Book Blurb:
There are Good guys. There are Bad guys. And then there’s Max.
Max knows what trusting the wrong person can cost you. Her former friend Giselle, a powerful witch, enslaved Max years ago, turning her into a Shadowblade - a deadly warrior compelled to fight for Giselle. But there’s more at stake now than Max’s thirst for re More...
Dec 30, 2010
Becca
rated it:
This sequel was even better than the first book in the series! We pick up where we left off with Max trying to get Horngate back on track and repaired from the recent fights that nearly destroyed it. Max though has been having trouble sleeping and is plagued by the bargain that Giselle and she struck with the unknown force she nicknames "Scooter". He wants what he was promised, Max, but first Max wants to go get her human family and take them to Horngate so they will be safe. She and S
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Jan 05, 2011
Ruby
rated it:
This review was first posted on http://rubysreads.com.
Okay, first of all, how awesome is the name “Diana Pharaoh Francis”? I mean, it has Pharaoh in it. And it’s not Diana “Pharaoh” Francis. It’s actually part of her name. Although I suppose it could be a pseudonym. If so, it’s a cool one.
Sadly, my experience reading Crimson Wind was not as enjoyable as my fancies surrounding the author’s name. In the spirit of full disclosure, though, I have not read Bitter Night, the first More...
Okay, first of all, how awesome is the name “Diana Pharaoh Francis”? I mean, it has Pharaoh in it. And it’s not Diana “Pharaoh” Francis. It’s actually part of her name. Although I suppose it could be a pseudonym. If so, it’s a cool one.
Sadly, my experience reading Crimson Wind was not as enjoyable as my fancies surrounding the author’s name. In the spirit of full disclosure, though, I have not read Bitter Night, the first More...
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Feb 03, 2012
Lisa
rated it:
“Once again Max is back and of course danger follows her wherever she goes. I found this book to again be dragging in the beginning, but as Max and Alexander aka "Slick", set out on their journey to save Max's family from the doom of magic, things start to heat up and not just the heat between these two. They face wild creatures of magic, that are literally spued from the Earth. Max is once again a savior and helps those they encounter along the journey. "Slick" is unwavering
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Feb 13, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
This is actually the second novel in the Horngate Witches series. I had not read the firs one, Bitter Night. It wasn't necessary to read this one, but I would recommend it. I wasn't lost, but things were referenced that made me extremely curious. So, I know I'll be picking up the first one as soon as I can. I need to see how this all started.
Max has a lot of trust issues and you can easily and quickly see why. She was betrayed in the most horrific way and everything she knew as a hu More...
Max has a lot of trust issues and you can easily and quickly see why. She was betrayed in the most horrific way and everything she knew as a hu More...
Jan 27, 2012
van
rated it:
Crimson Wind, is the second installment in the Horngate Witches series. The book picks up four weeks after the events from the previous book, Bitter Night. Max, Giselle, and the other shadowblades and sunspears are rebuilding their coven after being attacked by the guardians. On top on rebuilding the coven, max has become sleep deprive. Every time Max closes her eyes the creature “Scooter”, that lives underneath Horngate keeps trying to take her in her sleep. Scooter keeps on mentioning that
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Jan 28, 2011
Natasha
rated it:
Who do I recommend to?
Magic.
Wild magic.
Amazing and crazy made up creatures.
Need I say more?
Why did I read it?
See above! Either read the blurb again or who I recommend to!
My Rambles:
I'll start off by saying that I wish I had read the first book in this series. I truly think I would have had a more enjoyable experience. I absolutely love Max and her Blades (basically they are her soldiers and she is their leader - the Prime). I would have rea More...
Magic.
Wild magic.
Amazing and crazy made up creatures.
Need I say more?
Why did I read it?
See above! Either read the blurb again or who I recommend to!
My Rambles:
I'll start off by saying that I wish I had read the first book in this series. I truly think I would have had a more enjoyable experience. I absolutely love Max and her Blades (basically they are her soldiers and she is their leader - the Prime). I would have rea More...
Jan 06, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
Reading a Horngate Witches book is a bit like watching a big summer movie. Action! Explosions! Impossibly tough characters doing awesome things! It’s a heck of a ride. Crimson Wind, the second installment in the series, is better than the first and quite enjoyable.
Crimson Wind benefits, in part, from my having read Bitter Night and gotten an idea of what to expect from the series. These really aren’t much like the usual urban fantasies. Some of Diana Pharaoh Francis’s changes to the fo More...
Crimson Wind benefits, in part, from my having read Bitter Night and gotten an idea of what to expect from the series. These really aren’t much like the usual urban fantasies. Some of Diana Pharaoh Francis’s changes to the fo More...
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Jan 03, 2011
Stacy
rated it:
Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogsp...
OMG I LOVED IT you must go buy it now. If you asked my poor neglected children what mommy did all day they would tell you I was reading and ignoring them (dont worry Hubby was home). I could not put this down. I love Max, she is a strong, independent kick ass Heroin. There was not a ton on side characters in book 2, mostly just Max and Alexander. Scooter makes more appearances. The sexual tension between Max and Alexander is at an More...
OMG I LOVED IT you must go buy it now. If you asked my poor neglected children what mommy did all day they would tell you I was reading and ignoring them (dont worry Hubby was home). I could not put this down. I love Max, she is a strong, independent kick ass Heroin. There was not a ton on side characters in book 2, mostly just Max and Alexander. Scooter makes more appearances. The sexual tension between Max and Alexander is at an More...
Feb 01, 2011
In the beginning you are swept away into a tide pf action, thick plot, and thick sexual tension. The flow of the book is so smooth the pages melt into your hands until the ending leaves you breathless and waiting for more. This was my first introduction into this series by Diana Francis. Here the world building is in great detail as we come upon a world o
f black and white forces that are now proving to have a murk middle ground I was tossed and absorbed into the plot. The characters are am More...
f black and white forces that are now proving to have a murk middle ground I was tossed and absorbed into the plot. The characters are am More...
Jul 24, 2011
Ivanna
rated it:
"The amulet is coming to you, It will give you your heart’s desire. You will be Prime.”
Itu ramalan Magpie buat Alexander, yg membuat Alex parno banget, apalagi kalimat terakhir yg menyatakan klo dia akan jadi Prime yg berarti Prime sebelumnya harus meninggal dulu baru bisa di gantian. Dan itu berarti Max akan meninggal klo dia jadi Prime. Dan itu juga di yakinkan oleh Giselle kalo dia juga melihat Max meninggal.. itu semakin ngebuat Alex ga karuan perasaannya.
Max, yg me More...
Itu ramalan Magpie buat Alexander, yg membuat Alex parno banget, apalagi kalimat terakhir yg menyatakan klo dia akan jadi Prime yg berarti Prime sebelumnya harus meninggal dulu baru bisa di gantian. Dan itu berarti Max akan meninggal klo dia jadi Prime. Dan itu juga di yakinkan oleh Giselle kalo dia juga melihat Max meninggal.. itu semakin ngebuat Alex ga karuan perasaannya.
Max, yg me More...
Jan 27, 2011
Joe
rated it:
Crimson Wind is Diana Pharaoh Francis’ book revolving around the character of Max, Shadowblade Prime for the Horngate Witches. If you have not yet read Bitter Night, most of what you need to know about the Shadowblades and Sunspears you’ll pick up quickly enough – but you should definitely start the series in order. This book revolves around a war started in the climax of Bitter Night where a group of near-omnipotent divine beings are attempting to bring magic back to the world in full force. An
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Nov 27, 2011
Cassiel
rated it:
Oh wow, I really enjoyed this one. The relationship between Max and Alexander is just so swooning for me. He's so alpha yet he's not like the others and doesn't attempt to push Max around. Not that she'd let him but he is so wonderful at letting her be her - standing with her but isn't afraid to let rein her in. He's just so delicious. And those two together.... Sigh
Max is terrific - strong yet despite herself, she's very caring. I love how she takes in strays and none of it ever les More...
Max is terrific - strong yet despite herself, she's very caring. I love how she takes in strays and none of it ever les More...
Feb 13, 2012
Arani
rated it:
I like the story line and Max does work as a protagonist.
It's Alexander that rubs me wrong way - too needy/clingy/impatient.
What happened to the amulet? Why didn't Alexander used it when battling the obake?
It seems that the amulet storyline was dropped there which doesn't make sense as Alexander wanted the damned thing since forevah.
There were too many stops in between Horngste to Winters, although Horngate does need to replenish their coven/blades/spears, but it does drag th More...
It's Alexander that rubs me wrong way - too needy/clingy/impatient.
What happened to the amulet? Why didn't Alexander used it when battling the obake?
It seems that the amulet storyline was dropped there which doesn't make sense as Alexander wanted the damned thing since forevah.
There were too many stops in between Horngste to Winters, although Horngate does need to replenish their coven/blades/spears, but it does drag th More...
Jan 15, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
Diana Pharaoh Francis is a wicked, wicked woman. She had me screaming for vengeance at the end of Crimson Wind. It isn’t so much a conclusion to the story as a wicked promise of adventures to come. Once again, Max proves to be one of the top urban fantasy heroines. She’s tough, actually cares about people, and is big enough to admit when she’s made a mistake. I loved watching her grow in Crimson Wind, both as a leader and a woman. Always in control, always one step ahead of her adversary, Max fi
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Jul 21, 2011
PopcornReads
rated it:
Spoiler Alert: Horngate Witches is a chronological series, so I recommend that you read Bitter Night before reading Crimson Wind. The review below does give serious spoilers for Bitter Night, so be forewarned!
When Crimson Wind opens, Max is working alongside the other Shadowblades, Sunshields, angels and witches to repair the Horngate Coven’s home and organic farm after the horrendous battles that devastated it. It’s hard work made even harder because Scooter won’t leave her alone at n More...
When Crimson Wind opens, Max is working alongside the other Shadowblades, Sunshields, angels and witches to repair the Horngate Coven’s home and organic farm after the horrendous battles that devastated it. It’s hard work made even harder because Scooter won’t leave her alone at n More...
Jan 31, 2011
Ziaria
rated it:
This went a little slower for me than the first book did. Though I do not know why. It was chocked full of action and tons of characters. I loved getting to know returning characters a bit more and have found some new ones I am looking forward to getting to know better in upcoming books.
There was lots going on in this book. Never a dull moment that is for sure. I don't recommend reading this if you don't like cliff hangers or abrupt endings. This definitely has one of those. So if you' More...
There was lots going on in this book. Never a dull moment that is for sure. I don't recommend reading this if you don't like cliff hangers or abrupt endings. This definitely has one of those. So if you' More...
Jun 18, 2011
Christina
rated it:
Max continues to kick ass in the second book in the Horngate Witches series! The sparks between Alexander and Max continue to fly, even though Max knows that "Scooter" is waiting for her and tries to keep Alexander at an arms length, the chemistry between them is intense. Max and Alexander go in search of Max's mortal family in this book to bring them back to Horngate but a world being manipulated by higher powers is being toen apart in front of their eyes.....and Max's family they ar
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Jan 29, 2012
Cathy
rated it:
I had the same issue with this one that I had with the first one, it's just a weird mix of pretty good urban fantasy and pretty bad romance. Alexander is a boring, extremely predictable hero, exactly the same as every guy in hundreds of romance novels and their interactions are trite and eye-rollingly silly. "One spark--one touch from Max--would ignite him into a conflagration. And this was not the time or place." Yeah, they were driving.
And the UF was weaker this time aroun More...
And the UF was weaker this time aroun More...
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Jan 07, 2012
Lynsey
rated it:
This was even better than the first book, and that's saying something!
The book picks up a few weeks after the events of Bitter Night. The Coven is on shaky legs and trying to get back to some semblance of order after the attacks that nearly buried them. Giselle is still weak and on the edge of her witchy control, and tensions are high for the Blades and Spears.
This isn't helped much by the addition of Alexander, whom no one- perhaps with the exception of Max- trusts further More...
The book picks up a few weeks after the events of Bitter Night. The Coven is on shaky legs and trying to get back to some semblance of order after the attacks that nearly buried them. Giselle is still weak and on the edge of her witchy control, and tensions are high for the Blades and Spears.
This isn't helped much by the addition of Alexander, whom no one- perhaps with the exception of Max- trusts further More...
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Nov 27, 2011
Tracy
rated it:
Liked It...But I'm Perplexed
It's been four weeks since Max and the Horngate Witches, Shadowblades, and Sunspears fought off the initial attack of the genocidal Guardians, gaining two powerful angels as allies in the aftermath of the melee. Max suffers no delusions, though. She has no doubt that whatever the Guardians have planned next is going to make that battle seem like a picnic in the park as they rid the earth of humans and bring back the magic that has long since slipped from the worl More...
It's been four weeks since Max and the Horngate Witches, Shadowblades, and Sunspears fought off the initial attack of the genocidal Guardians, gaining two powerful angels as allies in the aftermath of the melee. Max suffers no delusions, though. She has no doubt that whatever the Guardians have planned next is going to make that battle seem like a picnic in the park as they rid the earth of humans and bring back the magic that has long since slipped from the worl More...
Feb 06, 2012
Shanshad
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 17, 2012
Mandeep
rated it:
Hmm... not sure why this series misses the mark for me? Maybe I'm being too tough on it right now - maybe I should have reread books 1 and 2 first? I found the book was a fast read - it flipped between Max's and Alex's separate adventures - this part was done well, I found both of the storylines equally interesting.
SPOILER ALERT
The characters and some overused themes themselves are what killed it for me. Max was so great that she was even surprising and saving demi-gods. More...
SPOILER ALERT
The characters and some overused themes themselves are what killed it for me. Max was so great that she was even surprising and saving demi-gods. More...
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