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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

Feb 01, 2012 Lisarenee rated it it was amazing

"The agreement states you must go willingly, or it is void...But I'll tell you this, should you refuse you'll no longer live here...I'm done with you. I would not have kept you so long as I have if I weren't waiting for this moment...Your bags are packed."

Miranda Ellis' family has been plagued with a series of unfortunate events. The once financially sound family was thrust into poverty years ago when her father lost his ship and his warehouse burnt down. Now her father has made a deal with ...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Jess rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal, favorites, historical

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads

I love books that surprise me and Firelight was different, good different, and I was drawn into this world fast and completely as I got to know Miranda and Archer. Miranda has an ability that at times scares her and other times empowers her, but she’s always wary of it. She conjures fire and heat and has used it to kill when her life has been threatened. She also used it by mistake when she was younger and destroyed half her father’s fortune setting her f Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads

I love books that surprise me and Firelight was different, good different, and I was drawn into this world fast and completely as I got to know Miranda and Archer. Miranda has an ability that at times scares her and other times empowers her, but she’s always wary of it. She conjures fire and heat and has used it to kill when her life has been threatened. She also used it by mistake when she was younger and destroyed half her father’s fortune setting her family on the path to ruin. Her dad wasn’t an upstanding citizen to begin with, but guilt is a heavy burden and Miranda starts stealing for him in order to keep them afloat. Her father makes a deal with Archer, money for Miranda’s hand in marriage, whether she wants it or not.

Archer and Miranda met years earlier when Miranda, still in her teens, caught Archer’s attention and they had a battle of words and wills before going their separate ways. Archer was entranced by her and three years later made the deal to simply have her in his lonely life. Archer is an outcast in society, donning masks in public that cover his face entirely. One entire side of his body is different and though he’s used to the looks of horror on people’s faces when he passes, it still cuts deep. He’s lived a lonely life for years and wants only a short period of time to enjoy Miranda’s company. Miranda is weary, of course, but quickly starts to fall for the man behind the mask and when friends from Archer’s past are murdered and all fingers point to Archer. Miranda knows he’s not the killer and sets out to find the evidence she needs in order to figure out who the killer is and what Archer’s hiding behind his mask.

I really enjoyed the mix of historical romance with a bit of paranormal that’s woven together in this new series by Kristen Callihan. Archer’s life and appearance is tied to a ritual he participated in many years ago in a study of science and immortality. I’ll admit, the details surrounding the ritual, the history of it and what needed to happen for Archer to end all of the madness was a little confusing and required a couple of rereads to get all the details down, but one thing was certain, it was going to take his talented bride and her fire ability to try and put a stop to it. The resolution was perfect, I loved the outcome for Archer and Miranda and it had an almost fairytale feel to an otherwise dark and edgy historical.

The romance between Archer and Miranda was sweet, heartbreaking and downright sexy. I love a tortured hero, and in Archer’s case, he’s had years of lonely torture, never knowing a soft touch or even a kind word, his looks being the only thing that people bothered to notice about him, and never the man behind the mask. He was used to looks of revulsion and disgust, so when he fell in love with Miranda from afar, he saw his chance to just know her and grabbed it. Miranda is a strong heroine, she doesn’t shy away from danger, often times trailing Archer at night to find out what he does and disguising herself to track down clues about the murderer who’s getting closer to both her and Archer with every kill. I especially loved her for how she treated Archer. Never once showing fear, they started their romance with simple conversation, banter and even bickering which fired them both up. Their romance slowly turned physical and I might have cheered when Archer finally felt comfortable enough to show all of himself to Miranda and to feel total acceptance in return.

I’ll be book-pushing Firelight on everyone. I loved the uniqueness of the story, setting and the people that didn’t feel too out there, but was just different enough to give it an edge. The characters, from the leads to the supporting cast (especially Miranda’s sisters and Ian, an acquaintance of Archer’s) add to the overall story and I’m left wanting more from this world and the people in it. A great read and I’m looking forward to seeing what Callihan gives us next. ...more

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Feb 12, 2012 Tien rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, england, paranormal, snakes-ladders

I loved the beginning – a hot mysterious encounter which leaves both sides longing for more. And us, readers, too!

Both Miranda and Archer have secrets. Both thinks the other will freak out when told. Yet… both craved to belong, to be held, to be loved by the other. Can they save each other from a life of loneliness?

It’s not vampires. It’s not aliens. It’s something totally darker but it was a terrific fun read – a book that you’d read in the one sitting, if you could. Time definitely flew when I ...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Christal rated it really liked it

Shelves: mind-bullets, murder, magical-or-paranormal, demons, multiple-leads, historical-fiction, romance, 2012-favorites

I loved Firelight; it's quite possibly my favorite historical/paranormal romance debut that I've read so far. Everything about the story was lovely and so fierce. I can't wait to read the next books in the series.

Miranda was the star of this book and I adored her. She was fiesty and spirited, but she could back it up with follow through. The girl could take care of herself... and everyone else around her! She is married off to Lord Archer, a man who keeps his face covered at all times, and feels ...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Vicky rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, series-read, setting-england, zz-cover-color-orange, z-author-american-usa, romance-paranormal

Firelight was another book I picked up on a whim recently and really enjoyed. It's the first book in Kristen Callihan's Darkest London series and I believe her debut novel. I was quite impressed.

The prose was well written and to the point, the romance was believable and well-developed and she gives us a unique paranormal being through Archer (I never would have guessed what he was).

Miranda was a great head-strong and no-nonsense kind of girl all the while still having her own past to reconcile ...more

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