Fireborn (Souls of Fire, #1) by Keri Arthur

Mar 15, 2014 Carmel (Rabid Reads) rated it really liked it

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

Werewolves, vampires, shifters, fae, mermaids, witches—you name it, I’ve read about ‘em—in fact, I didn’t think that there was a paranormal out there that I hadn’t met, until Keri Arthur’s phoenixes. Now, I’m sure she’s probably not the first writer ever to feature them, but throw in some fascinatingly unique mythology, a different spin on vamps, and three strong fictional crush candidates, and you have one fiery series debut. This seasoned author never disappoints with h Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

Werewolves, vampires, shifters, fae, mermaids, witches—you name it, I’ve read about ‘em—in fact, I didn’t think that there was a paranormal out there that I hadn’t met, until Keri Arthur’s phoenixes. Now, I’m sure she’s probably not the first writer ever to feature them, but throw in some fascinatingly unique mythology, a different spin on vamps, and three strong fictional crush candidates, and you have one fiery series debut. This seasoned author never disappoints with her trademark writing style, rich world-building, and complex relationships, however I was a little frustrated that the heroine gets kidnapped several times in one novel. I hope that these books won’t be a repeat of Arthur’s DARK ANGELS in that respect. But, that minor annoyance aside, I really enjoyed FIREBORN and can’t wait to get my grabby hands on the next installment!

SOULS OF FIRE and I immediately hit it off; I loved learning about this new universe, and was thrilled with how in depth their lore was explored. Phoenixes have three forms—human, bird, and flame—go through “rebirth” every one hundred years, and have some pretty impressive abilities. Mind you, there are a few major drawbacks to being a fire bird including a nasty witchy curse that’s made true love impossible, they need another phoenix to survive, and living thousands of lifetimes isn’t always all that it’s cracked up to be. But, the world-building doesn’t stop there with additional mythology surrounding fire Fae, vampires, Red Cloaks, and a few mystery supes as well. I was in paranormal heaven!

As far as heroines go, I really liked Emberly; she’s level-headed, quick on her toes, and knows how to throw down. Surprisingly, she still holds out hope that one day she’ll find her soul mate, and I loved that her quasi immortality hasn’t made her bitter despite past failures. Rory is Pearson’s co-phoenix, but because of the curse their relationship is rather complicated; they need each other yet can never click romantically. And, therein lies the problem because any potential suitor must be able to accept that there’s always going to be another man in Emberly’s life. Sam, her ex, left her for that very reason without waiting for an explanation, so I had serious issues with him from the get-go, but on the flip side, I couldn’t exactly fault his logic either. Then add a smexy fire Fae into the mix, and readers are left with a whole lot of man-candy to drool over.

When I first started this book, I wasn’t exactly sure where Arthur was going to go with her phoenixes, but by the end I had a good sense of the main story arc. As in her other series’, the investigative angle is strong, and I enjoyed following this novel’s breadcrumbs. The Sindicati are formidable foes, and I look forward to seeing how the Crimson Death thread plays out as well, not to mention there’s something funky going on with Sam. I already have SO many questions, and this is only the first installment! Earlier I expressed my concerns about this author’s over-utilized kidnapping card, but I was somewhat consoled by the fact that Emberly is extremely difficult to contain. Here’s hoping that she won’t be another helpless victim like Risa Jones.

FIREBORN is book one in a red hot new series that’s destined to become an Urban Fantasy favourite; if you’re tired of the same ol’, then look no further than Keri Arthur’s SOULS OF FIRE. ...more

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Jun 03, 2015 Brandi rated it did not like it

Welp, I guess I'm not a fan of Kerri Arthur's anymore. I've been in a seriously bad slump so far this year, and I decided to pick this up because I'd liked her Riley Jensen series and knew this should just be easy entertainment... the only good thing about this was that I was at least able to finish it.

The story is about a phoenix (AWESOME!) that becomes embroiled in an investigation involving the murder of her boss. Her ex, of course, is the lead guy on one side of this investigation an ...more

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Aug 11, 2014 Anna (Bobs Her Hair) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: UF Fans

Shelves: urban-fantasy

4.25 stars...Urban Fantasy Filled with Suspense, Action, and Mystery

Heartbreak might be our destiny, but it would be a whole lot easier to deal with if only fate would clear out our memory banks at each rebirth. At least it would allowed hope to burn bright. But after all this time, there was little enough of that left.

After each death, the phoenix is reborn and rises from the ashes with the gift to live one-hundred years and fated to find one love of a lifetime, but cursed to always 4.25 stars...Urban Fantasy Filled with Suspense, Action, and Mystery

Heartbreak might be our destiny, but it would be a whole lot easier to deal with if only fate would clear out our memory banks at each rebirth. At least it would allowed hope to burn bright. But after all this time, there was little enough of that left.

After each death, the phoenix is reborn and rises from the ashes with the gift to live one-hundred years and fated to find one love of a lifetime, but cursed to always end in heartache. Emberly Pearson, a phoenix, can foresee death. Cheating death usually has consequences, but Emberly gravely defies the grim reaper each opportunity she has. This time, she rescues the man - the love of her current lifetime - who could not accept the Phoenix and what the life entailed. Both walked away feeling betrayed. The murder of her boss brings the two together again, with seething feelings and continued betrayals, onto the trail of an abomination that could affect and infect the human population.

This is my second attempt at Keri Arthur’s work. I once tried her Riley Jensen series, but the promiscuity and my lack of connection to the heroine was a deciding factor in giving up the series. This attempt was very successful!

The plot is filled mystery - Who developed the red capes? Why? It introduces varies factions: werewolves, fae, vampires, and something other. The moments Emberly and Sam (the love of her lifetime) are not chasing villains. and working with or against one another, their moments are heavy with sexual tension. (I didn’t hate Sam, as other readers have. I think there is hope this situation can be redeemed.) Sam has secrets I feel compelled to discover. Their break-up was brutal and hurtful. There has to be more! I want more!

Back to the plot – There’s action, fights, chase scenes, and a doomed love life. Emberly’s tenacious feelings of hope despite her experiences; the odds stacked against her; and the courage she has to fight for life and love makes her a very compelling character. I want Emberly to prevail! I want her to find happiness!

The writing would be considered tight if not for the continuous break-up woes. (It’s like being with a friend who can’t stop talking about the ex. Let it go, girl! I know it’s not going to happen.) The secondary characters, especially Rory’s mate ( it’s complicated ) and the presence of sexy fae keep the fires burning for Emberly. To clarify - Emberly does not feel sorry for herself; she hurts. I hurt for her too! She is brave and strong! I want book 2…now!

digital public library loan ...more

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Aug 09, 2014 Yodamom rated it really liked it

Shelves: action-jackson, yummy-men, favorite-author, vampires, sexy-eyes, romance, strong-women, phoenixes

I found this while shelf surfing my local library. I was a bit taken back when it was marked "romance" I'm not a romance fan usually. Well, somebody in the department of gene marking screwed up, there is no romance in this book. There is heartbreak, an old one that keeps stabbing her in the back, jerk. There is sex, KA likes to giver her characters sexual freedom without going over the line. ( IMHO) Her female characters are allowed to be who they want to be and feel what they want without worry I found this while shelf surfing my local library. I was a bit taken back when it was marked "romance" I'm not a romance fan usually. Well, somebody in the department of gene marking screwed up, there is no romance in this book. There is heartbreak, an old one that keeps stabbing her in the back, jerk. There is sex, KA likes to giver her characters sexual freedom without going over the line. ( IMHO) Her female characters are allowed to be who they want to be and feel what they want without worrying about societies issues with it. They are smart, self sufficient, respectful, likable and honest, and I like it.
Emberly's boss is killed and his notes are stollen from her normally dull job. There are people trying to get a hold of his notes that she may have, bad people and worse people. More bodies start showing up all tied to this research her boss was working on, some kind of cure for and illness that is spreading across the city. She is forced contact with her ex while trying to save her new friend a Fire Fae from sure death. (The Fire Fae is lip smacking yummy.) Mysteries, lies, backstabbing tricks, and brutal beatings are in their future.
Emberly, is a Phoenix half of a mated pair. Rory is her mate fated to be forever together but never in love. They are cursed to never really be happy in love outside of each other either. Then there is the they can't not live without the other issue. They have travels through many lifetimes together.
Sam is Emberly's Ex love in this life. He is the jerk with the twisting knife in her back. He shows up in one of her prophetic dream and she saves his miserable life which puts her in range for that dang knife twisting a bit more. Oh I love to hate this man !
I loved the pacing, the action, the strong spirit and the mythos. I can't wait to get book 2. One thing irked me, and it happened a lot. I got tired of Emberly's pinning after super duper jerk wad Sam. He was such a jerk and not worth more than a brief back thought. It did not fit in with what I thought she was and felt out of character.
So here is to Sam dieting a terrible death in book 2 :D ...more

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Dec 09, 2014 ᴥ Irena ᴥ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, vampires, paranormal, paranormal-romance, shapeshifters, werewolves, fae

3.5

The first thing to know about this book is that it is a set-up for the series so the rating reflects that. It doesn't have a distinct 'this is the problem, here is the solution' in it. More like, you certainly get the problem, but the solution is nowhere near when you reach the end. So, yes, there is a cliffhanger. And I hate cliffhangers. The characters are not fully developed either. Still, Keri Arthur still hasn't messed up any of her heroines as far as I am concerned so she gets a pass. F ...more

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Feb 26, 2018 Jacob Proffitt marked it as unfinished

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I'm going to call it quits at about a quarter in. This is an interesting story with a great protagonist and I really liked the possibilities. To a point. The thing is, the lore around phoenixes is very much a curse/blight on relationships. Or, at least, on anything considered human standard. There are two interlocking "mate" bonds that are inherently at odds. One a true mate—another phoenix who is the only person they can actually reproduce with. But the curse dictates that they'll never fall in I'm going to call it quits at about a quarter in. This is an interesting story with a great protagonist and I really liked the possibilities. To a point. The thing is, the lore around phoenixes is very much a curse/blight on relationships. Or, at least, on anything considered human standard. There are two interlocking "mate" bonds that are inherently at odds. One a true mate—another phoenix who is the only person they can actually reproduce with. But the curse dictates that they'll never fall in love and that if they don't, er, "mate" (a fiery state that seemed to be orgasmic, but wasn't racy, really) periodically, they'll fade and eventually die. The other is a "this lifetime's soulmate" and is someone (they only mention humans, but I don't know if that's required) they'll fall in love with but as humans don't live all that long, those relationships are doomed.

So this sets up an intriguing dynamic with Emberly's Sam being the human who rejected her five years ago when he found out about Rory. Naturally, I wanted to see this play out with all the pathos inherent in the system. Only Arthur threw a wrench into the works in the form of a fiery fae named Jackson. He and Emberly go from zero to sizzle in nothing flat. I mean, they're like teen quality testers in an aphrodisiac factory. And that put me outside the story enough to wonder what the crap I'm getting myself in to.

So I snooped. And like all snooping, immediately paid for it by finding out that this is a tetralogy with the same antagonists through all four books! At which point I lost all interest in the relationships and decided to call it quits. I mean, I like series and all that. But the cover copy pretty much guarantees this is all a single plot with a single bad guy/organization. And that just destroyed my interest.

So I'm dnf'ing this without prejudice (rating). The writing is strong and I was pretty interested in the characters. And I was even on board if it turned out that Jackson was going to be the guy (though if the mopey Sam was going to stay viable I might have thrown a minor fit—that guy is like if Charlie Brown had a kid with Eeyore). But I found the bad guys uninteresting and this seems to be the "desperate fight against those who own the shadows and just ugh. ...more

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Sep 02, 2015 Kathryn Ford added it

Shelves: just-couldn-t-finish

Dnf at 60%

I stopped this a while ago, and kept it on my shelf, but I'm not going to finish it. Ugh, 60% and 6 sex scenes and other sexual stuff with 3 different guys... no!
The character irritates me, she thinks how hot guys are all the time! Everything has sexual undertones, even when we're discovering plot points our main character is busy doing the deed while discussing the info.
And no I am not a prude. I love J.R. Ward! Somehow she does it all in a classy way, this just felt cheap to me.
I re ...more

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Mar 16, 2014 ✿~Danielle~✿ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: x-page-300s, _read2014, kindle, paranormal, urban-fantasy

Emberly

Read 8 July 2014
A very enjoyable opening to a new series. A likeable heroine and secondary characters. Interesting world building. I liked the Phoenix mythology. I'm looking forward to seeding how this series develops ~ ★★★★ ...more

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Jul 01, 2014 Mara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Great for all the fan of UF - Keri Arthur style. Great plot, grey morality, more than one male leads.

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Sep 25, 2014 Nusejka rated it liked it

It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either :/ ...more

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May 01, 2014 Shera (Book Whispers) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-p, urban-fantasy, unique-magical-creatures, 2014

Claims that this book was a lot like the Riley Jenson series had me practically foaming at the mouth for Fireborn!! Pretty please and thank you. Ironically that's probably why I didn't love it. Because it was too much like the Riley Jenson series. Emberly had plenty of potential, but I didn't feel like she was fully fleshed out. Instead she had all the basics of Riley, and not enough Emberly to separate them. She has a male roommate, her soul mate who she can never be in love with—but still a lo Claims that this book was a lot like the Riley Jenson series had me practically foaming at the mouth for Fireborn!! Pretty please and thank you. Ironically that's probably why I didn't love it. Because it was too much like the Riley Jenson series. Emberly had plenty of potential, but I didn't feel like she was fully fleshed out. Instead she had all the basics of Riley, and not enough Emberly to separate them. She has a male roommate, her soul mate who she can never be in love with—but still a lot like Riley's brother. Emberly is completely comfortable with her sexuality and owns it! (And really that is an aspect I'm happy to live with.) Emberly wants to live a quiet and normal life—this time around—but she's clearly all over the action and her justifications for getting involved seem stupid. Even the love interest has a lot of qualities like the Riley series, but worse.

Sam is already at that he's-an-asshole-who-felt-betrayed-but-really-just-didn't-understand-and-hurts-Emberly-continually jerk state. No really. Sam is already introduced as Emberly's ex. And he's probably one of the most insufferable male love interests to grace the pages of literature. OK, I've read a few worse ones, but this is a status update as I read: “Queue bus. Sam splatter. Now.” Arthur doesn't set up any time span for readers to get to know Sam as anything but an ass. There's no tender flashbacks. Readers are just supposed to take Emberly's word for it that their love was amazing, and that five years was not enough to get over him. Even though now that he's back in her life he's drugged her multiple times, threatened her, expects her to help him but practically gives her nothing, and one of those druggings leaves Emberly and another person completely defenseless against some enemies he knew where coming after her! Emberly annoyingly pining and Sam being an unmitigated ass gets old fast. Knowing Arthur she will drag this out, and I hate Sam. No matter what there will be no redemption for him.

Other then that, this book is a great start to a knew series! Jackson enters as a fire Faye who's down right sexy and helps Emberly steam up the page! While there is some questions to whether he is a good or bad guy, Arthur is kind enough not to torture readers too long. Also, some question to whether Jackson will be the other side of the love triangle. The vibes I’m getting are just good friends with benefits. They're a great team together and I like the idea of following a series where they both interact. Rory is also a surprisingly fun character, and I hope to see more of him considering he has a pretty tight connection to Emberly.

Which brings me to the coolest aspect of this series. Phoenixes! There's only one book that actually had a lead who was part phoenix that I've read, and others they've just been magical creatures. Arthur spins her mythology well. As phoenix are fire spirits and are quiet different from humans. They have three forms: human, fire, and phoenix! Phoenixes come in pairs, or soul mates, and can not live without their other half. Of course there's a tragic twist that pairs cannot ever be in love, romantically, with each other. Every life they are reborn their destined to have true love, and it is fated to never end well. Really sad crap. But I wonder how much it is they find that “true love” for that life and then they give up on “normal love”. You know the practical kind that you have to work at? Just a thought.

While Fireborn didn't have as powerful a murder mystery as what I'd grown accustomed to from my beloved Riley, I did have fun. (Come on, we all no ones different/wrong with Sam.) The setup for the Red Cloaks was interesting and left open to sprawl out in future entries into the series. (Though how no one would think that there's something fishy to a bunch of “crazy mindless beings” all having red cloaks? Mindless creatures don't wear uniforms.) The dark world and humor that readers have grown to love, and expect, from Arthur is present! While I find two of the men in Riley's life fantastic and love them without actually needing them to be her HEA. I will say that if Sam is dragged out as “the one” I'll probably not continue this series too long. However, I love the promise and I hope to get to know Emberly more! Arthur can deliver better mystery and love story then this and I look forward to it.

And no. You do not need to have read the Riley or Dark Angels series to read this It’s the same universe, but no cross over a that feeling of missing something.

Sexual Content: Hot bedroom scenes, plenty of sexual humor, and well . . . tons of sexual content. It’s Arthur it comes with the turf.

3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

Originally reviewed at Book Whispers. ...more

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May 01, 2020 Siobhan rated it liked it · review of another edition

I previously read Keri Arthur’s City of Light and found it had potential but missed the mark. Thus, I decided to give Fireborn a read in the hope a different series would grab me. Although I enjoyed Fireborn more, it wasn’t quite enough for me to round it up to a four-star rating.

From the start, Fireborn sucks you in. There are plenty of elements to this one, details that will have you theorising how everything will come together. It’s a book that has you curious about the bigger picture, even i ...more

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Jul 21, 2015 Melanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2015

4*s
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
Fireborn is the first book in the Souls of Fire series and broaches the subject of the Phoenix.
Emberly Pearson is a Phoenix in human form. She has lived many lives, always resurrected with her phoenix spirit time and time again. Each phoenix has a soul mate, another phoenix who sustains them with their energy and without them, they would die but they can never love each other. Each lifetime brings them one true love, one person who 4*s
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
Fireborn is the first book in the Souls of Fire series and broaches the subject of the Phoenix.
Emberly Pearson is a Phoenix in human form. She has lived many lives, always resurrected with her phoenix spirit time and time again. Each phoenix has a soul mate, another phoenix who sustains them with their energy and without them, they would die but they can never love each other. Each lifetime brings them one true love, one person who will always break their heart and stop their love once again….. it’s a never ending cycle and Emberly has had her share – this lifetime included. Phoenix also have extra powers and Emberly’s is that she can foresee death and where it will strike…. And that is how we meet her, as she saves her ex-lover Sam from death. Sam is a cop with a couple of secrets up his sleeve and when Emberly crashes back into his life he is forced to let her in on his investigation – especially seeing as they are chasing them to kill them. He lets her in on the fact that there is a plague-like virus turning people into vampire like creatures with less vulnerability than normal vampires. Thinking she has done her good deed and having saved Sam, she heads off only to discover that her Boss has been killed and his research has been stolen. She then becomes the target when the enemy discovers that she has more research in her possession….. and they want it… at all costs.
I really enjoyed Fireborn, I’ve read about the Phoenix before but never with a female as the phoenix and I have to say…it was a nice change. I liked Emberly’s character, she seemed very wise but slightly jaded and accepting of her situation. I really like how she evolved throughout the book and got her groove back. Now, there’s always a love interest in a book like this and this had more than one which is a pet peeve of mine but I’ll explain. As a phoenix, she has a soul mate in another phoenix that she can’t fall in love with but is essential to her life because she would die without exchanging energy with him…. So he is her room-mate/f-buddy when she so chooses - because of how they exchange energy. She has an ex who was the love of THIS lifetime that is fated to break her heart; which he has done. This is Sam and he is very present in the story but so is another person who she decides to scratch an itch with on a casual basis but also work with. Don’t let this put you off, yes, it irked me – I hate love triangles/quadrangles….whatever but… she is only sexually involved with one person in the book but the soul mate thing was weird because he was like a husband waiting at home whilst she was out and about doing the nasty. Argh, I don’t know how I felt about it…. Let’s just say it’s the only part I didn’t like about the book.
The storyline was great! I love UF books and this has a great scenario with a virus mutating people and supernaturals alike. It is bringing something new to the characters and something new to the reader. I always like an investigative angle to what happens in books and on one side we have Sam in an official capacity and the other side we have Emberly and a PI whom ends up being a major character who drags a willing Emberly into his investigation. As I mentioned, romance comes from an unexpected source and whilst there was chemistry, there was no feeling and I didn’t get any butterflies from their connection. There is plenty of action from the beginning – whether they’re being chased by the hard to kill Red Coats, Vampires, Werewolves etc. and having to fight for their lives using every trick they know, or being kidnapped and given ultimatums – they aren’t going down without a fight. Emberly has a few tricks up her sleeve, especially considering most don’t know exactly what she is or what she is capable of – so that definitely gives her the element of surprise in quite a few situations. I did like the way they worked together, I liked the way she had Sam on edge, always seemingly a step behind her which makes him take some pretty harsh risks that could put her in danger. She does have chemistry with Sam, there is something still there and of course that will come to a head eventually – which I look forward to! For a first book in a series it was a great introduction with some even better potential, plenty of drama and action, interesting world and characters and never a dull moment… I will be reading more.
...more

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Jul 27, 2014 Veronica rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

3.5 stars

I have read and enjoyed Keri Arthur's Dark Angels series so I figured I'd give this one a try. The fact that it also features a Phoenix as its main character was also a draw since anything new is going to be a huge draw for me in a genre where the same material gets rehashed over and over again. So meet Emberly, a centuries old Phoenix currently making her home in Melbourne, Australia. She leads an otherwise normal life, working at a normal (if boring) job, and going home to her normal 3.5 stars

I have read and enjoyed Keri Arthur's Dark Angels series so I figured I'd give this one a try. The fact that it also features a Phoenix as its main character was also a draw since anything new is going to be a huge draw for me in a genre where the same material gets rehashed over and over again. So meet Emberly, a centuries old Phoenix currently making her home in Melbourne, Australia. She leads an otherwise normal life, working at a normal (if boring) job, and going home to her normal apartment (well, all except for that one fireproof room). Normal soon exits stage left however when she decides to save the life of her ex-lover. Life for Emberly then becomes a series of avoiding attempts on her life while trying to find out who is behind a dangerous new virus that poses a threat to humans and supernaturals alike.

The author does a good job of of mixing her supernatural races. Though the story does include UF perennial favorites, vampires and werwolves, Arthur manages to put her own spin on them. What I found really interesting, however, was her handling of the Phoenix. I won't go into details about the specific "rules" for Phoenix here because learning about them in the story is part of the fun. I will say this though, if you've read the Dark Angels series you know that the author doesn't necessarily have her heroines fall into traditional relationships. Similar to that series, sex means different things to Emberly. There is sex she literally needs to survive, sex that is just recreational, and sex that is of the emotionally connected kind. So it's of no surprise then that the story lands us with three different men in Emberly's life. Normally I hate love triangles and will often drop a series cold turkey because of them but that's not quite what's happening here.

The way things are set up according to the Phoenix "rules" each man plays a specific function in Emberly's life. More's the pity because I don't much care or feel anything for the man who seems to be the designated romantic love interest. I really, really liked the other two men and would be happy if Emberly's HEA lay with either of them but, alas, I don't think things will go that way. Which leads to the reason that this book fell just short of four stars for me. Emberly spends way too much time pining over her former love despite the fact that not once are we given any reason to believe why she would ever be that much in love with him. We are told, repeatedly, but it doesn't come across in their interactions. Meanwhile, Emberly's interactions with the two other men in her life felt natural, fun, sexy, and relaxing. She could be herself with both men so again, more's the pity that Mr. Dud will likely be "the One".

The romantic misfire aside though, this was a nicely paced book that I managed to devour in one sitting. Emberly makes for a smart and sensible heroine and most of the secondary characters were a joy to meet. The book sets up the long arc for the series and even though I have a good idea about the identity of the big bad, I'm still looking forward to reading more of Emberly's adventures. ...more

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Jan 24, 2014 BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme rated it liked it

Shelves: library-book, vampire, fae, paranormal-romance, shifters

I read this series out of order. I read this one after I read the second. Honestly, if I had read this one first, I probably wouldn't have continued. I thought this book would showcase how Sam and Emberly broke up, but it didn't. It did set up for the second book quite nicely.

Emberly is happily enjoying her boring life as a transcriber for a researcher. Nothing like her previous lives where she was a cop or another kind of do-gooder.

What I'm trying to figure out is the phoenix mythos here. The ...more

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Jul 01, 2014 Alisa rated it liked it

3.5 Stars

I really loved the UF aspect of this book. So much has been done with vampires, fae, werewolves, shifters of any types, etc. But phoenixes? Haven't come across that before.

A fire being that can become spirit and not flesh. It's a pretty awesome concept. The concept of how the fire, ash and rebirth fits in to the phoenix aspect is awesome as well.

The romance part was just ... sad. And awkward. Not something I like, but I have a feeling it may change.. like along the lines of her other s ...more

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Apr 28, 2014 Patrícia rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: l-english, 2009-to-2019-reads, fantasy-urban

RATING: 2.5 stars-ish.

Meh. The male lead(s) were either annoying, very stupid or very annoying.

Didn't like the cliffhanger either, although it is pretty easy to see where things will go, who is the mysterious baddie, etc.

The fact that the main character is a phoenix is mildly interesting, but that's about it.

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“Fireborn” é mais uma nova série dentro do género da fantasia urbana/romance paranormal. De facto, é mais romance paranormal do que fa RATING: 2.5 stars-ish.

Meh. The male lead(s) were either annoying, very stupid or very annoying.

Didn't like the cliffhanger either, although it is pretty easy to see where things will go, who is the mysterious baddie, etc.

The fact that the main character is a phoenix is mildly interesting, but that's about it.

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“Fireborn” é mais uma nova série dentro do género da fantasia urbana/romance paranormal. De facto, é mais romance paranormal do que fantasia urbana, mas pela sinopse, não parecia. E, como muitos leitores do blogue já sabem (talvez), não vou muito à bola com romance paranormal.

Li este livro principalmente porque a heroína é uma fénix e estava bastante curiosa relativamente à forma como a autora iria explorar mais esta criatura mágica. Posso dizer que gostei, no geral, da forma como Emberly (a nossa fénix) e os seus poderes foram desenvolvidos. Emberly, enquanto fénix, vive eternamente através de diversas vidas (cada uma com exatamente 100 anos, a não ser que não morra de morte natural). Quando o ciclo de vida acaba, Emberly tem de se deixar consumir pelas chamas que tem dentro de si, mas o processo de renascimento é mais complexo do que o de outras fénixes: em vez de renascer das cinzas, é necessário que um macho da espécie (que tem também de ser a “alma gémea”) execute um ritual.

Em “Fireborn”, Emberly começa logo por se encontrar com um antigo namorado, Sam, no processo de o salvar da morte (porque a nossa heroína, para além de ser um espírito do fogo, tem sonhos proféticos). É a partir daí que Emberly se vê envolvida com uma agência que mantém na ordem os seres paranormais (e da qual Sam faz parte); esta agência está a investigar e a tentar conter um vírus concebido com ADN de vampiros, que transforma os infetados em criaturas ainda piores e, para além disso, loucas.

Sinceramente, este livro foi… mediano. Teve mais elementos de romance paranormal do que outra coisa, uma vez que a autora se focou nas desventuras amorosas de Emberly com (neste livro), três homens diferentes: Rory, a fénix macho que é a sua alma gémea, mas que devido a uma maldição mal explicada que recai sobre as fénixes, Emberly nunca poderá amar (e vice-versa), pelo que ambos têm apenas “sexo em fogo” (literalmente, transformam-se em chamas e unem-se) para ganharem energia; Sam, o ex-namorado de quem Emberly ainda gosta, woe; e um terceiro, do qual nem me lembro do nome, que é uma “fada do fogo” e que se torna o “fuck-buddy” da Emberly neste livro (e parece que nos próximos).

Este foco desmesurado no drama que é ter três homens e uma mulher envolvidos numa trama amorosa (e o Sam foi um idiota tão grande e nojento durante grande parte do livro, o que ainda tornou tudo pior) fez com que o mistério fosse deixado para segundo plano… não só é bastante simplista, como não há qualquer resolução do mesmo neste livro (sim, vai passar para o segundo livro, yay! Not). As personagens são bastantes estereotipadas e, como já disse, o Sam é um idiota demasiado grande para que gostasse dele.

O mundo é também bastante genérico e algo aborrecido.

No geral, uma leitura sem sal. Não foi horrorosa, mas o livro não se destaca e creio que ficarei por aqui com esta série, até porque prefiro fantasia urbana com um mundo interessante, do que romance em que as personagens por acaso têm algumas capacidades especiais, mas que mal nos são explicadas porque o importante é o drama amoroso. ...more

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Jul 12, 2014 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: are-you-kidding-me, mythology, paranormal-romance, romance, werewhatevers, annoying-love-triangle, open-ending, moments-of-great-frustration, own-a-dtb, so-many-vampires

3.5 stars
Fireborn is not my first book by Keri Arthur, but it’s the first one I truly liked. It’s neither paranormal romance nor urban fantasy in their purest form, but a successful blend of the two, with strong UF elements and plenty of romantic interests.

Emberly Pearson, our heroine, is a phoenix, which is certainly new and interesting in both these genres. She is basically immortal. She burns once every century and is reborn from the ashes, free to continue her existence any way she pleases. 3.5 stars
Fireborn is not my first book by Keri Arthur, but it’s the first one I truly liked. It’s neither paranormal romance nor urban fantasy in their purest form, but a successful blend of the two, with strong UF elements and plenty of romantic interests.

Emberly Pearson, our heroine, is a phoenix, which is certainly new and interesting in both these genres. She is basically immortal. She burns once every century and is reborn from the ashes, free to continue her existence any way she pleases. With each new rebirth she is destined to fall in love just once, but never with Rory, another phoenix and her counterpart, who keeps her grounded and alive.

The thing with me, however, is that I’m a one-man-one-woman kinda gal. I don’t do love triangles, squares or any other shapes or forms, I don’t do multiple love interests and I most definitely don’t deal well with jealousy. It is, therefore, too bad that I constantly get jealous on behalf of my characters. So when my heroine has one counterpart she doesn’t love romantically but has to have sex with in order to survive, one lost-but-never-forgotten love who abandoned her because of said counterpart and one hot, practically irresistible silver-tongued fae vying for her attention, I’m bound to get more than a little uncomfortable. But that’s just me.

The urban fantasy elements however, are very well done, and the plot is extremely tight. Keri Arthur is a seasoned author, and her vast experience shines from every page. She never once loses control of her many characters or her plot and she knows exactly how to steer the reader through her rich and complicated world.

And let me tell you, with vampires and werewolves out in the open and plenty other creatures still hidden from the world, Arthur had a lot to keep track of and it’s very fortunate that she was up to the task. I loved seeing this dark side of Melbourne and I’ll enjoy going back to it every single time. I just hope the romance will be more focused in future installments.

...more

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Mar 23, 2014 Darcy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014, e-book, uf, shifters, vampires, fae

This book starts a new series that has a lot of possibilities. I like that Emberly is a phoenix, there just aren't enough books written about these creatures.

I feel bad for how the phoenix's love life rules. They have a mate, but they can't love each other, instead in each life they find one true love, but things don't go well. It would really take a special person to be comfortable knowing that the person you love needs another in their lives.

Emberly's love this life was an ass. From the start ...more

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Dec 19, 2013 Suz rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, pnr

3.5 stars.

I would have rated a solid 4.5 stars but I realized towards the end that there weren't really going to be any significant resolutions to the book. There were immediate crisis resolutions but the book otherwise ended up being world building, character introduction, and the long arc conflict set-up.

That said, I otherwise enjoyed the entire book. Plenty of smexy, plenty of room for the personal stories to reveal backstory and histories, plenty of questions about the new bad-guys, intrigue ...more

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Jan 03, 2015 Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book rated it really liked it

This is a new series but I'm an avid fan of anything Keri Arthur writes. This did not disappoint. She writes kick ass woman AND I love that.

Emberly is very cool, very kick ass and I'm looking forward to see where Keri Arthur takes this series. I have a thing for Sam...I'm intrigued by Rory and a wee bit under Jackson's spell.

Suffice to say I am looking forward to bk2. ...more

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Aug 27, 2019 Meels rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: super-powers, vampires, uf-pnr, own-it, mystery, 5000-books-for-2019, action, it-was-free, magic-witches-wizards-warlocks, on-kindle

Let me start by saying I’m a Keri Arthur fan. I liked Outcast very much, and I LOVE Lizzie Grace. So, I was very excited to start a new Keri Arthur series. Ugh. So disappointed! Plot holes, beating you over the head with the same plot points over and over and over, like you’re too stupid to retain it from the first 39 times. And, if you don’t like a Love Triangle, how about a Love Square? Or at the very least a Sex Square... I had no attachment to the characters and couldn’t care less if they li ...more

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Dec 13, 2017 Kelly rated it really liked it

This is the first book I've read from this author, and I quite enjoyed it. Emberly, the main female character in this story, is a Phoenix. The story starts with her saving her very ungrateful ex Sam, from what would have been a certain death. Is he grateful??? No. Instead he is a major douche the whole way through the book. He is working for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and spends the majority of the book getting in Em's way. I did not like him, at all. Poor Em - he is the love of her cur ...more

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May 17, 2018 Sofia rated it did not like it · review of another edition

To me this book was boring, even with the action, I found myself skipping through the dialogue without reading the descriptions of fights and stuff like that. I really didn't enjoy it much.

Although the idea of using Phoenix was interesting, it was badly explored.

Before you even know the characters the action explodes and everything is dumped on you, without even introducing to this world in particular. You realize there all these types of paranormal creatures but the author hardly explains how t ...more

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Jun 18, 2017 B.E. rated it it was amazing

Enjoyable read. Different and fun. I'm a little cheesed because this is obviously a series, and I liked it well enough that now I'm going to have to go buy all the others. Drat. ;o) ...more

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Jul 23, 2019 Julianne rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: review-group-book

Enjoyable, light hearted read. I’m intrigued to see how it develops in future books.

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Apr 25, 2014 Anya rated it really liked it

Fireborn by Keri Arthur is the first book in a new urban fantasy series focusing on a phoenix and a mysterious new virus that way too many dangerous people are interested in. Fireborn was a nice combination of the fun things I expect from an urban fantasy book with a few new twists thrown in, phoenix being one of them ;-). I’m liking this trend of urban fantasy worlds where some of the paranormal species have gone public and others are still under the radar like in Fireborn; it makes for some mu ...more

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Aug 10, 2014 Melliane rated it really liked it

Mon avis en Français

My English review

I love Keri Arthur and I gradually discover each of the books she has written throughout the years. But when the author returned with a new series and after seeing lot of positive reviews about this first volume, I was really curious to find out more about it. So I took the book as soon as I got the opportunity and I have to say I’m very glad about it.

Emberly is a phoenix … Yes a phoenix! This is not a creature we have an opportunity to meet a lot in novels Mon avis en Français

My English review

I love Keri Arthur and I gradually discover each of the books she has written throughout the years. But when the author returned with a new series and after seeing lot of positive reviews about this first volume, I was really curious to find out more about it. So I took the book as soon as I got the opportunity and I have to say I’m very glad about it.

Emberly is a phoenix … Yes a phoenix! This is not a creature we have an opportunity to meet a lot in novels and I was really curious to see how Keri Arthur was going to bring us this new species. So of course, we have a story around them, they can relive, they are able to take different forms and are capable of great power. Oh yes, I loved finding out more about them and it was fascinating to understand what they could achieve. But they are not the only in the story because many species are present too. Yes because we have some faes, vampires, werewolves and humans with extraordinary abilities. Many characters to discover and to enjoy.

Emberly has a vision at the beginning of the story, showing the man she loved and for whom she has feelings, being killed. She knows that intervening will place fate against her, but she can not let this man, Sam, dying. But by saving it, she will incur the wrath of a large number of characters who do not really have her welfare in mind. But besides that, the teacher she was attended is found murdered and everyone thinks she will help them to recover his researches. But while Sam is in charge of the investigation and that some creatures suffering from a strange virus appear everywhere, Emberly will have to team up with a young fae she meets, against the Sam’s advice and decisions. Oh yes, because the young woman is determined to not let him dictate her choices while he broke her heart in the past and if looking for answers by herself can help her, she will do that! But this does not change the wrath of Sam against her when she is in the middle of his way and he won’t hesitate to let her know that.

Strong tension between the two characters and some points made me think of the other series of the author but it was a pleasure to see all these ideas. Sam is a changed man since the last time that Emberly saw him and it’s true that I was very curious to find out what had happened to him and what he was hiding. I hope that we’ll get the chance soon afterwards to learn his secrets because I am sure that we will see him again, given the turn of the events. It’s pretty sad to see Emberly and her relationships in this novel. It is well known that Sam is the man she loves but her life is cursed and love is not easy for her species. We see that she suffers and it’s true that it made me quite sad. But other characters take place in our heart as Rory, the Emberly’s companion who is always there for her and who will do anything to help her or even the mysterious fae who is more than he seems to be and who’ll eventually becomes very important in the story.

It was in any case, as you guessed it, it’s a good discovery for me and I’m very curious to read the second book to see where the story is going. ...more

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Jun 13, 2014 Kimberly (Book Swoon) rated it really liked it

My Review

With Fireborn, Keri Arthur brings yet again another exciting and unique heroine to Urban Fantasy - Emberly Pearson ... A spirit born from ashes and flame, she is a Phoenix straight out of legends.

Fireborn is Emberly story, and through her point of view the reader is introduced the fascinating new world of the Souls of Fire series and the legendary Phoenixes. Emberly, as a Phoenix, can shift not only from her natural state of elemental flame, often taking the shape of

My Review

With Fireborn, Keri Arthur brings yet again another exciting and unique heroine to Urban Fantasy - Emberly Pearson ... A spirit born from ashes and flame, she is a Phoenix straight out of legends.

Fireborn is Emberly story, and through her point of view the reader is introduced the fascinating new world of the Souls of Fire series and the legendary Phoenixes. Emberly, as a Phoenix, can shift not only from her natural state of elemental flame, often taking the shape of a Phoenix, but she's capable of taking on human form as well.

What makes Emberly, as well as Fireborn, so fascinating is the myth and heritage (legend) Keri Arthur creates for her heroine. She is strong, fiery in spirit and nature, as well as being highly sensual. Yet, for all her fierceness she is world-weary as well. Having lived many lifetimes before, she has witnessed human suffering and hurt, and though she often tries to intervene on their behalf, she can never completely trust them. She walks a path between her fiery nature as a Phoenix and the mutable realm of humans. Cursed as a Phoenix to be mated for eternity with one partner, yet never to be in love with one another, she longs for what she has been denied. A mate, partner and lover she can love completely as one in both her Phoenix and human form.

When Emberly has one of her prophetic dreams, also one of her abilities, warning her of her former lover's death, she decides to intervene. But in saving Sam's life, she is suddenly thrust into his dangerous world. One of rogue humans and vampires known as the Red Cloaks. Infected by a virus known as the Crimson Death, Sam is somehow at the heart of its mystery. To further complicate matters her boss is suddenly murdered and his research stolen that is also linked to the Crimson Death. Emberly finds herself intricately and personally involved with a sexy fire Fae leading his own investigation, Sam her former human lover, and her Phoenix mate Rory.

I was captivate by the mythos behind the Phoenixes, as well as the mystery and intrigue behind the Red Cloaks and the strange plague, Crimson Death. There's intense action, exciting supernatural elements, and some serious sexy shenanigans going on in Fireborn for sure! I'm very excited over this new series and things are sure to only get more interesting with a curse that plays a central part in Emberly's love life. There's a government with hidden agendas, dangerous rogue vampires and plagues, and devious secrets yet to be revealed.

Keri Arthur expertly weaves character's lives and plot together, creating a fascinating world of supernatural filled with intense action, fiery romance, and thrilling new mystery. An exciting new read and series for Urban Fantasy fans!

My Rating: 4 stars. I really liked it!

...more

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Jun 14, 2014 Anne - Books of My Heart rated it really liked it

Shelves: 7arcs, 2014

Great start to a new urban fantasy series. Review at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks: http://yummymenandkickasschicks.com/?...

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Fireborn is the first book in the new Souls of Fire series by Keri Arthur. I loved her Riley Jensen series; it was one of the first urban fantasy series I ever read. The spinoff series about Risa Jones didn’t work as well for me and I gave up after a few books. Fireborn is a great start to this newest series. The world building is good; it is intermixed into the relation Great start to a new urban fantasy series. Review at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks: http://yummymenandkickasschicks.com/?...

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Fireborn is the first book in the new Souls of Fire series by Keri Arthur. I loved her Riley Jensen series; it was one of the first urban fantasy series I ever read. The spinoff series about Risa Jones didn’t work as well for me and I gave up after a few books. Fireborn is a great start to this newest series. The world building is good; it is intermixed into the relationships and the mystery. There are vampires, werewolves, fae, and phoenix with unique features.

This is firmly in the urban fantasy category. The story is not finished in this book, not the mystery or the relationships. It ends at a resting point but very little is resolved. The characters are introduced. The world is set up. The initial conflict is ended but more will be coming.

Emberly is a phoenix. I haven’t read any stories about this type of supernatural before. She has lived many lives, for many centuries. She dies, only to rise from the ashes into a new life. All phoenix have a life partner with whom they are friends and lovers, who assist them to reach the next life. Phoenix have one romantic love per lifetime.

Emberly has loved and lost that person already in this life. She is strong, smart, and cares about others and has some unique skills. I like her.

Rory is her life partner. I would say the relationship is more like a brother / sister thing, except for the sex which would be icky. It isn’t a romantic relationship; it involves the body not the heart. It’s not that they are horn dogs (which is ok if both parties understand the deal); it’s a necessity to their species to stay alive. They both seem to be monogamous with others except for the phoenix life partner sex.

Rory is mostly in the background in this book. They seem to care about and protect each other with affection. They have shared many lifetimes and are comfortable together.

Sam Turner is on a special police task force. Sam is Emberly’s ‘one romantic love’ but they broke up five years ago. Now her boss is murdered and she is pulled into the investigation with him. He is angry and yet they still have chemistry. He is human. Sam lost his brother, Luke, about a year ago which is why he got on this special force. I’m not sure I like him.

Jackson Miller is a fae. He is sexy and fun. Emberly meets him and they end up working together on the mystery. He is a private investigator. So far, I like him. He is honest and honorable.

Fireborn is really an excellent set up for the series. I enjoyed this story and will read on in the series. I hope some books will feel more finished than this one. I realize life will go on and things will change but it would be better for me if some things were settled for now at the end of the book. I couldn’t find anything about when the next book will be coming but I am sure there must be one.

4 stars ...more

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