War has erupted among the five Old Races, and Margrit is responsible for the death that caused it. Now New York City's most unusual lawyer finds he...
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Feb 02, 2010
Barbara M.
rated it: 
5 Stars...I loved it!
I have to start off by saying I am/was very surprised at how good and addicting this Trilogy became...I'll be honest and also say that I didn't see it coming.
The first started slow, but them BAM! I was hooked before I new it. I broke one of my main personal rules with this one. I read all 3 back to back to back, and I never got bored. Murphy answered (almost) every question she put out there...BUT I'm still wondering about Chelsea though (for anybody More...
I have to start off by saying I am/was very surprised at how good and addicting this Trilogy became...I'll be honest and also say that I didn't see it coming.
The first started slow, but them BAM! I was hooked before I new it. I broke one of my main personal rules with this one. I read all 3 back to back to back, and I never got bored. Murphy answered (almost) every question she put out there...BUT I'm still wondering about Chelsea though (for anybody More...
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Jan 23, 2012
Jacob
rated it: 
While I'm finished with the book, I didn't actually "finish" it. I'm afraid the unnecessary melodrama just got to be too much for me. I just can't square Alban's passive aggressive refusal to defend himself (for defending Margrit) with his profession of love for her. I'm sorry, but if a) you'd do it again if the circumstances re-occurred and b) you don't actually believe the cultural baggage that humans are an inferior, lesser race undeserving of defense, then agreeing with (and being
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Aug 30, 2011
Rowena
rated it: 
Hands of Flame by C. E. Murphy
Margrit is a lawyer caught up in the world of the Old Races, creatures humans think to be from myth and fairytale: dragons, gargoyles, selkie, djinn. She was inadvertently thrust into the world of the Old Races, and no matter how often she tried to walk away, she's been drawn deeper into their midst. She's been given the honorific title “the Negotiator” because she uses her lawyer's skills to help settle disputes amongst the races. In Hands of Flame, s More...
Margrit is a lawyer caught up in the world of the Old Races, creatures humans think to be from myth and fairytale: dragons, gargoyles, selkie, djinn. She was inadvertently thrust into the world of the Old Races, and no matter how often she tried to walk away, she's been drawn deeper into their midst. She's been given the honorific title “the Negotiator” because she uses her lawyer's skills to help settle disputes amongst the races. In Hands of Flame, s More...
Jul 30, 2011
Deva
rated it:
This book, just like book 2, made me tired. Margrit wheeled and dealed until death knocked on her door again multiple times. Overall, the entire trilogy was phenomenal. I've said in the past that I hate when the writer does a cop out and we find out that our heroine has some kind of already paranormal ability. Margrit had none. She was so human that she got her ass kicked several times, yet still lived to tell about it. We also solve the mystery of Grace O Malley in this book. It was underwhelim
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Jul 08, 2011
Tracy
rated it:
Thrilling Trilogy Conclusion
They may have graced her with the title of Negotiator, they may have acknowledged her as a representative of her race, but they are and forever will be other.
New York City hasn't seemed the same to Legal Aid lawyer Margrit Knight in the months since she was pulled into the world of Old Races. She hasn't seemed the same, even to herself, especially in the two weeks since the actions she took against the djinn Malik to protect dragon crime lord Janx d More...
They may have graced her with the title of Negotiator, they may have acknowledged her as a representative of her race, but they are and forever will be other.
New York City hasn't seemed the same to Legal Aid lawyer Margrit Knight in the months since she was pulled into the world of Old Races. She hasn't seemed the same, even to herself, especially in the two weeks since the actions she took against the djinn Malik to protect dragon crime lord Janx d More...
May 13, 2010
Avril
rated it:
Although I didn't enjoy this novel as much as Heart of Stone, it was still very well written. This novel is given over mostly to plot and structure and that's not usually what piques my interest in a book. I read more for setting and character.
It's almost as procedural as a courtroom drama. However, I think it's a build-up for future works in the series.
There are many interesting stories to be pursued and that's what Murphy's laid the groundwork for here in "Hand More...
It's almost as procedural as a courtroom drama. However, I think it's a build-up for future works in the series.
There are many interesting stories to be pursued and that's what Murphy's laid the groundwork for here in "Hand More...
May 31, 2010
Tracy
rated it: 
Hands Of Flame by C.E. Murphy was in interesting, but not engrossing read. The story is well populated with mythological creatures and conflict abouunds. There is a different kind of paranormal romance - yes happily no vampires or werewolves as part of the romance - a diverting change, but the book simply seems to be missing a vital spark. I found it hard to stay interested in and it took me over a week to read the 441 page book.
Hands Of Flame has almost too much going on at once. Th More...
Hands Of Flame has almost too much going on at once. Th More...
Dec 22, 2011
Manda
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 09, 2011
Mud
rated it:
I loved this series. There were many characters that I wish had been expounded on, but I discovered that C.E. Murphy has short stories with Janx, Biali and Malik. I bought them.
In C.E. Murphy's world, gargoyles, selkies, djinn, dragons, and vampires, make up the old races, the last remaining on Earth. Humans have been crowding them out and the Old Races are both hidden and going extinct.
Times have changed, however the immortal Old Races have not. Alban, a gargoyle, watches More...
In C.E. Murphy's world, gargoyles, selkies, djinn, dragons, and vampires, make up the old races, the last remaining on Earth. Humans have been crowding them out and the Old Races are both hidden and going extinct.
Times have changed, however the immortal Old Races have not. Alban, a gargoyle, watches More...
Feb 10, 2012
Ginny
rated it: 
Epic series, it started off well in the first book Heart Of Stone, then got better with the second book House of Cards and sadly the last book Hands Of Flame. I accidentaly started this series as I got the first book unsure of the outcome but I was captivated with the story line and use of the old language and formality from the 'Old Races' :) Sad it's over :(
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Nov 27, 2008
War has erupted among the five Old Races, and Margrit is responsible for the death that caused it.
Now New York City's most unusual lawyer finds herself facing her toughest negotiation yet.
And with her gargoyle lover, Alban, taken prisoner, Margrit's only allies—a dragon bitter about his fall, a vampire determined to hold his standing at any cost and a mortal detective with no idea what he's up against—have demands of their own.
Determined to rescue Alban and More...
Now New York City's most unusual lawyer finds herself facing her toughest negotiation yet.
And with her gargoyle lover, Alban, taken prisoner, Margrit's only allies—a dragon bitter about his fall, a vampire determined to hold his standing at any cost and a mortal detective with no idea what he's up against—have demands of their own.
Determined to rescue Alban and More...
Jul 06, 2011
Erica
rated it:
The first book was decent. I nearly lost interest in the 2nd book. but I was pleasantly surprised with the 3rd book. The character development is nice. I also didn't mind how human sounding the "old races" are. they claim to be so far from humans but in so many ways act like human, but then again the author being human she only knows how to write from her own view no matter how hard she tries not to. Grit is more or less the same but or some reason the last book I was baffled by how th
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Jan 23, 2011
Marjorie
rated it:
If you've read my reviews of the first two 'negotiator' books you'll know I'm impressed. I think this is, in some ways, the best.
Margrit faces harder tests than ever before and, more than in the previous two books, has to deal with the impact of the supernatural on her 'normal' life.
Those inter-relationships; the reaction of her housemates to learning about Alban, and the consequences of her actions are all excellently done.
While I was reading,I was completely en More...
Margrit faces harder tests than ever before and, more than in the previous two books, has to deal with the impact of the supernatural on her 'normal' life.
Those inter-relationships; the reaction of her housemates to learning about Alban, and the consequences of her actions are all excellently done.
While I was reading,I was completely en More...
Jan 21, 2009
Amanda
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 21, 2009
Kami
rated it:
This is definitely the best book in the series. Margrit gets caught up in all kinds of double crossing with the Old Races and almost dies a couple of times. The Djinn and Selkies are fighting over who gets Janx's territories. The Negotiator has to step in and propose a deal that will keep people from dying. Even Tony gets in the middle of everything. The truth about Grace is revealed and Janx and Daisani discover if they have heirs. A really good end to an interesting series of books. This book
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Dec 28, 2010
Martina the Book Fairy
rated it:
The series is a UF trilogy - the trilogy part being somewhat rare these days as series often last a minimum of 6 books and as many as 20+ (hello, LKH!).
They take place in NYC and are about a lawyer named Margrit Knight who stumbles across paranormal creatures existing right among all the humans - djinn, Selkies, dragons, vampires, and gargoyles. She quickly finds herself embroiled in the politics of these "old races" and not much more than her brain, a touch of bravery and More...
They take place in NYC and are about a lawyer named Margrit Knight who stumbles across paranormal creatures existing right among all the humans - djinn, Selkies, dragons, vampires, and gargoyles. She quickly finds herself embroiled in the politics of these "old races" and not much more than her brain, a touch of bravery and More...
Sep 26, 2011
Sherri
rated it:
Rating: ★★★½
“Hands of Flame” is the third and final installment in the Negotiator Series. It wraps up Margrit’s transition from the human world to her total involvement in the world of the Old Races. In this book, Margrit is called upon to negotiate an agreement between two of the Old Races as their war threatens to spill over to the human world and jeopardize the secrecy of the races.
Frankly, I had a hard time getting through this book. It lacked something and I’m ju More...
“Hands of Flame” is the third and final installment in the Negotiator Series. It wraps up Margrit’s transition from the human world to her total involvement in the world of the Old Races. In this book, Margrit is called upon to negotiate an agreement between two of the Old Races as their war threatens to spill over to the human world and jeopardize the secrecy of the races.
Frankly, I had a hard time getting through this book. It lacked something and I’m ju More...
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Mar 29, 2011
Daffodil
rated it:
Great wrap up for the trilogy. There were a few questions I would have liked answers to, but the major story arc came to a satisfactory conclusion. Margrit's attempts to negotiate between the Old Races leads her farther away from her old life and deeper into danger, endangering her life on more than one occasion. I loved the sly Buffy reference when Margrit said she wanted her future tombstone to read She changed the world. A lot. One of Margrit's most admirable traits is her drive to make the
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Dec 30, 2010
Tammy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 06, 2009
Angela
rated it:
I'm long on record as getting a lot of enjoyment out of C.E. Murphy's work, and Hands of Flame is no exception. It's a fine conclusion to the Negotiator Trilogy, bringing some resolution not only to heroine Margrit's relationship with the gargoyle Alban, but also to the humans close to her. Played off against the more personal relationship is the development of her station among the Old Races, with whom she has gained enough status that they've given her a new name: The Negotiator.
Th More...
Th More...
Nov 17, 2008
Dana
rated it:
Oh, sad. This is the last book in the trilogy. I grant you, the ending has enough closure to make it seem tied up while allowing room for further stories later, but the author says at the beginning that she's going back to her other series for a while, so we probably won't hear more about Margrit, Alban, et al for years.
And I do want to hear more. This book takes up right where the second one left off, but now that the main political machinations seem done amongst the Old Races as gr More...
And I do want to hear more. This book takes up right where the second one left off, but now that the main political machinations seem done amongst the Old Races as gr More...
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Jan 27, 2012
Jami
rated it:
Utterly adored this series. Went in a bit skeptical, because even though I adore her Walker Papers series, I am hard on Urban Fantasy, as a genre.
Only thing? THE END. Oh. My. Effing. Deities!!
There needs to be more of this world. Seriously. The last, oh, 5 pages or so, left these threads spread out so wide that I ache to find out What Happens Next. And really, I rarely want to know what happens after the book/series ends. This one? Need more. *grumbles at being only a t More...
Only thing? THE END. Oh. My. Effing. Deities!!
There needs to be more of this world. Seriously. The last, oh, 5 pages or so, left these threads spread out so wide that I ache to find out What Happens Next. And really, I rarely want to know what happens after the book/series ends. This one? Need more. *grumbles at being only a t More...
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Sep 15, 2008
Rachel
rated it:
Ooh, this was a good one, though it felt slightly rushed. There seemed to be a lot more story to tell than fit into the page volume, so the action was pretty much nonstop and it felt like a really wild roller coaster.
In this book (third in the Negotiator series), all secrets are revealed with a vengeance, and the accumulated debts and promises from the first two books are all collected and distributed appropriately. (It felt a bit like the Mahabharata, when everything comes due.) More...
In this book (third in the Negotiator series), all secrets are revealed with a vengeance, and the accumulated debts and promises from the first two books are all collected and distributed appropriately. (It felt a bit like the Mahabharata, when everything comes due.) More...
Aug 05, 2011
Diane
rated it:
C.E. Murphy weaves a complex tapestry full of twists and turns as she finishes this final book in her trilogy. She has an amazing talent for making the impossible seem perfectly plausible by inserting the paranormal into the real world with panache. She ties up all the loose ends in a sweet little bow as Margaret uses her Lawyer skills to negotiate peace between the "Old Races." It's a great ride and I hated to see it end. This book was long, but well worth the time.
Jun 16, 2011
Angie
rated it:
I think this was the best one yet. It left it open enough that it could be continued but it answered enough questions to leave the reader satisfied. The dragon, the vampire and the gargoyle (oh my!) all had their pasts to attone to and more people were brought in that made it almost impossible to close completely. This was a great series and I'm sad to see it end, but it had enough good stuff mixed with the sad/scary stuff to make it great story
Feb 10, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
As the negotiator between the five old races - vampires, dragons, djinns, selkies and gargoyles - Margrit gets herself in serious trouble...time after time. This time Alban, her gargoyle lover is held captive in gargoyle form and Margrit will do whatever is necessary to save him. She gets in many you do for me and I'll do for you situations with the dragon lord and the vampire king. Her life is in danger as is her friends. The action is exciting and the battle scenes between the five races ar
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Aug 06, 2011
Michellebody
rated it:
I've enjoyed reading this series and I was looking forward to how it would all wrap it in the end but I was rather disappointed with the ending. Instead of wrapping things up everything fell apart and I didn't feel like there was really a good conclusion to everything that had happened. Overall it was an interesting series and a good read, just not one of my favorites.
Sep 03, 2008
Jean
rated it:
It took me awhile to get into this book, by I soon got caught up in the action. Unfortunately the book slows down in the last section, which I blame partly on the tying up of loose ends and partly on the high energy middle section. This book doesn't have a plot to itself so much as it continues with the conflicts and unresolved problems from the first two books. Although there are definitely new twists.
I'm pleased to say that it answers all the major questions and plot lines that hav More...
I'm pleased to say that it answers all the major questions and plot lines that hav More...
Jun 27, 2010
Megan
rated it:
This is the third in a trilogy which just kept adding layers of complexity. The heroine felt very real to me, especially her constant frustration with not knowing. A wonderful ending (hopefully only for now) to this series!
Nov 02, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
See my recommendation for 'House of Cards' and you'll know why the reading date on this one follows on its heels. Once you start reading these books, you'll be watching and waiting for each new release.
