Saturday I woke up, hopped onto my Google Reader and read this early review of Moonglow by Kristen Callihan. Pam is one of my go to readers for recs, so I was very intrigued. After some research I realized Tori, Bells and many others loved the first book in the series, Firelight. So with a quick ‘one-click’ at Amazon I had it on my kindle.
I loved this book. It is a paranormal historical, although I’d say the first half of the book only hints at the paranormal aspects. But we have some of my favorite tropes in this book. First, a marriage of convenience. Oh I love this theme. Our hero, Archer is very wealthy, yet a social outcast. He is very deformed (hello, Beauty and the Beast trope! Another favorite). He wears a mask, that covers his face, as the right side of his face and body is mysteriously deformed. He meets our heroine, Miranda three years previous to the book starting, and becomes obsessed with her. Knowing she lives in poverty with a cruel father, he finally offers for her, knowing she has no choice but to accept. They marry at the beginning of the book. He refuses to remove his mask through much of the book, but she fall in love with him nonetheless. She loves him for the man he is, no matter how tortured or shamed he is. Their romance and love is so intense in this book and so well done. And sexy. Oh sooooo sexy. The scenes with just Miranda and Archer together, fighting their past and trying to make a better future together are so well written.
Miranda has secrets of her own. Born with the ability to control fire, she is scared of this gift. She has killed with this gift. I will say, we never really come to understand why she has this gift. There is a good reason why Archer is the way he is, but why can Miranda control fire? Are there more people in the world like her? Maybe we will get answers to this as the series continues. I also am not sure I ever had a good grasp as to how exactly she uses her gift. It seemed a little vague. But this really didn’t bother me all that much.
These two are quite the pair, and the journey they go on to discover each other, trust each other, and fight the demons that stalk them both is so good. I loved every second of this book and I can’t wait for Moonglow which features Miranda’s sister. Her sister’s HEA plays a prominent role in this book so I definitely recommend you read this first. Tori has read the arc and loved it. We’ll post the review early next week.
Author’s Website l Goodreads l Kindle l Nook
July 23, 2012 at 12:56 pm
I loved this book so much I recommended it to every one of my Goodreads friends (the only book I have ever done this for.) I have pimped it mercilessly on Twitter. (And I may have stalked Kristen Callihan a little.) I am so glad you loved it too!!
I had the same questions about Miranda’s powers you did and Callihan explores it more as the series continues.
Reading your review makes me want to go back and read this book all over again! <3 <3 <3
July 23, 2012 at 1:10 pm
YAY!!! I can’t WAIT for you to read Moonglow!!
July 23, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Great review… I loved this book, Archer is great hero. Can’t wait for Moonglow…
July 23, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Oh this one was such a fantastic romance with a gothic paranormal vibe. Loved it. I’m starting Moonglow soon
July 23, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Yeah. This book rocked. I liked Moonglow too. I look forward to the next. Love Callihan’s world!
July 23, 2012 at 3:06 pm
This book was great and I think the second book is even better. If I could be any of the sisters, I’d want to be Daisy
July 23, 2012 at 3:10 pm
So happy that you enjoyed it! Cannot wait to hear what you think about Moonglow. I think Kristen Callihan’s writing is pure genius!
July 23, 2012 at 3:42 pm
I think Tori told me about this and I got it on sale on my nook. But I have to charge my nook before I can check
Not big on historicals in any form, BUT very intrigued by the beauty and the beast theme.
July 23, 2012 at 4:30 pm
This debut by this author was a delightful find this year.reminded me of an earlier Christine feehan gothic tale.can’t wait for her second book moonglow
July 23, 2012 at 6:08 pm
YAY! Great book, huh? And ‘Moonglow’ is freakin amazing!
July 23, 2012 at 6:38 pm
There is a prequel on Amazon. Have you read it, and is it important to?
July 23, 2012 at 7:04 pm
I have not read it – but never felt like I missed anything in Firelight.
July 23, 2012 at 8:00 pm
The prequel-Embers-is a nice look into Miranda’s past. It’s not needed in order to read Firelight
July 23, 2012 at 6:43 pm
Yay, another Callihan lover! I fell in love with Firelight, and have loved her prequel and Moonglow. What a fun series.
July 23, 2012 at 9:10 pm
This is the first I’m hearing of this book. Looking forward to your review. I feel like I’m missing out!
July 24, 2012 at 1:53 am
I have the prequel novella and Firelight on my TBR – reading Iron Duke at the moment but this sounds so good I think it might have to be next.
July 24, 2012 at 2:44 am
I haven’t read this series but I have seen so many reviews that people have loved it. I added to my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing. Great review!!
July 24, 2012 at 3:06 am
I read some good reviews for Moonglow and decided to give Afterlife a try. Good to hear you enjoyed it!
July 24, 2012 at 3:34 am
Okay, I will obey
and order this series asap!
July 24, 2012 at 6:58 am
I keep hearing good things about this series so I’m going to have to pick it up
July 24, 2012 at 8:03 am
I love the series, finished moonglow a few weeks ago and it was a nice one as well even if I prefer this one. Glad you enjoyed it as mich as I did. great review!
July 24, 2012 at 11:08 pm
I have this one on my shelf, but have not had the chance to read it yet. I guess I better get on it. Great review, Mandi!
July 26, 2012 at 10:57 am
I just started it last night and it’s very promising. I finally had to put it down because I needed sleep!! Can’t wait to finish it. The romantic tension is sizzling…..
July 26, 2012 at 11:01 am
Glad you are enjoying!