Review: Firelight by Kristen Callihan

Debut author Kristen Callihan makes quite a statement with her first book in the Darkest London series entitled FIRELIGHT. A mixture of historical and paranormal romance, readers will be delighted by this dark, gritty world that blends fantasy elements in seamlessly.

We are introduced to Miranda Ellis, a woman who possesses a rare gift. The beginning of this book starts off well, enticing readers into a world that is both dark and intriguing. Callihan’s writing pulls you in, sketching out scenes that seem more like a movie with its great descriptions.

This story bears some resemblance to Beauty and the Beast as Miranda is simply too beautiful to be with a damaged man like Archer. The match is unlikely. But Miranda soon finds out that being married to Archer isn’t as bad as everyone thought. When Archer is accused of being the murderer of a series of assassinations, Miranda soon finds out more about the man behind the mask.

I enjoyed this book immensely, but it wasn’t until 30% in that I felt the author brought flesh to her characters. It was in this pivotal scene with Lord Archer that changed the way I saw him:

“You are no coward. You are so very brave –“
“Everyone promises to stand by me –“ His jaw clenched, pain flashing in his eyes. “Always in the beginning, But none of them do.” He swallowed hard, arranging his expression into dispassion with force of will. “I cannot risk with you. Not you. None of the pretty words your sweet mouth weaves will change that so please don’t try.”

This scene is the first we see of the real Archer, the man who desperately hides his scars away from the world. I knew that from this point on in the story that everything would change.