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Firelight (Darkest London, #1)

Kristen Callihan

Start date: April 12, 2013

Finish date: April 30, 2013

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What Members Thought

Oct 14, 2011 ♡Karlyn P♡ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: steam-warm, published-2012, arc-copy, netgalley, genre-historical, genre-paranromal, ebook, read-2011, genre-gothic

4.5 stars. Not what I expected, but a great read all the same! I first heard of this debut book a few months ago and was instantly intrigued that it is a PNR series set in historical London 1880's. So when I noticed Netgalley had it I immediately requested it.

This book paints a vivid picture of a darker Gothic London, one plagued with cut throats and thieves, fathers who sell their daughters for a tidy sum, and cunning men willing to risk damnation of their very souls.

In this version of a 'bea 4.5 stars. Not what I expected, but a great read all the same! I first heard of this debut book a few months ago and was instantly intrigued that it is a PNR series set in historical London 1880's. So when I noticed Netgalley had it I immediately requested it.

This book paints a vivid picture of a darker Gothic London, one plagued with cut throats and thieves, fathers who sell their daughters for a tidy sum, and cunning men willing to risk damnation of their very souls.

In this version of a 'beauty and the beast' theme, Lord Benjamin Archer hides his identity and disfigurement from the world behind a dark mask. Cloaked in the shadows of darkness, he spies the beautiful Miranda Ellis defending herself from would-be attackers and instantly finds himself enthralled. In time he arranges a marriage with Mira and whisks her off to his remote castle.

For years Archer has been obsessed with finding the cure for his 'illness'. He constantly fights his inner demons, and now struggles with a burning desire for his new bride. But when his friends start getting murdered and he is the most likely of suspects, Miranda's safety is all that matters.

I absolutely loved the darker, Gothic historical feel of this story. Archer is a tortured hero who feels he must hide from the world. Miranda slowly comes to learn of his 'illness' and other secrets, meanwhile hiding secrets of her own. We meet many other nefarious and interesting characters as well, including Mira's sisters who will have their own books in this series.

The paranormal part of the story is slowly revealed and therefor hard to explain, and in fact best left for the reader to discover. The world Archer and Miranda live in is the actual London 1880's, but we learn that not everyone is as one would believe. There are some people who have gifts, or curses depending on your point of view, that simply go beyond the imagination.

If I have any complaints it is that the romance was pushed to the later part of the book. However, there was a great deal of relationship building and tension between the H/h, so my complaint is small. Overall, Kristen Callihan has an amazing writing voice so I have no doubt this author will be a big hit with romance fans. I am excited to read the next book in this series, or whatever else she publishes.

...more

54 likes · Like · see review

Jan 03, 2012 layla is a picky reader rated it really liked it

Shelves: part-of-a-series, reviewed, genre-magic, genre-historical, rating-4-stars, netgalley-or-edelweiss

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

My rating: 3.75/5 stars
First line: “The knowledge that Archer would soon end the life of another cut at his soul with every step he took.”
Favourite quote: “Their eyes met, and that spark of something hot and sharp ripped through her again. Awareness. It took a moment to realize, but that was it. She was utterly aware of him. Of the breadth of his shoulders, the deep even way he breathed, the force of his gaze. Bloody hell, but she we bes ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Lauren⁷ 💜 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi-romance-romantasy, favorites, romance, historical-romance, library-has-a-copy

This was so good! Archer made me swoon and Miranda was a perfect match for him! The mystery side was just as great, very tantalizing! And I loved the supporting characters! I loved this! Just loved this!

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 19, 2011 Logan rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, own-bought-ebook, paranormal, 2013-books-read

I loved the hints of Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera in this one. Though my guesses were way off about the secrets in this one, it was still unique and interesting, if not a little bizarre. I'll be continuing in the series, though I was disappointed to see it centers on Miranda's sisters as central characters, and not her. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Hasien rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, humans-w-extra, hist-romance

3.5 stars
I really liked this story. This story starts out with an arranged marriage. Miranda will marry Lord Archer or become homeless, as her father will through her out of her home. After speaking with the mysterious masked Lord Archer, Miranda goes forward with the marriage. Miranda is not your typical royal, she is a thief but once married she no longer needs to perform that act. She has her secrets and Lord Archer has his secrets.

This was an entertaining whodunit, or should I say who is th ...more

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