My rating: 3.5 of 5 flames
I loved Firelight, I love Kristen Callihan’s writing, the dark gothic tone, yet, I didn’t love Daisy. At least not at first. Now don’t get me wrong, I did like the book (3.5 flames is pretty good!), I just didn’t love it. I feel like so much of the plot was dragged out. That worked in Firelight, it added to the mystery and suspense. I didn’t think it worked as well here. In fact, I think it made the plot slow down.
Ian was a sad figure, a good match for Daisy, though. But again, I didn’t really love him. I didn’t like how he wouldn’t take responsibility for his position. I get the reason why, but on the other hand, I kinda don’t. His story is so sad, and what happened to his son is horrible, but I don’t think running away is the answer, as he found out.
The were attacks that are scaring Londoners are getting worse, and Ian realizes it’s not a random pattern. The were is hunting and Daisy is next on the list. The clan chief is doing nothing and denies to have a rogue were, yet Ian has seen glimpses of it. Daisy has seen it up close. Yet Ian’s king denies it. Why is that?
I’ve read through some of my friends’ 5 star reviews, and the funny thing is, I agree with everything they said, but I just couldn’t get into this book. It seriously took me months to get around to finishing. I was stuck around page 36 for>i>ever. Once I passed that point, I did get more into it. In fact the last third of this book is fantastic and action-packed. I never realized that who I thought was the villain of the piece, wasn’t.
The banter and the description is where this book shined. I mean really, really, you need sunglasses to look at it type of shined. I can’t find another author who grasps this gothic vibe like Callihan does. It’s a beautiful and vivid world she’s created and I can’t wait to read more.
I look forward to Poppy and Winston’s book, and like I said, I really love the writing. But I think I didn’t like Daisy and Poppy very much at all in Firelight, and it’s hard for me to change my pov and let them be heroines now. I’m trying though, and with what Winston and Poppy went through, I don’t see their HEA being easy at all.
***ARC courtesy of netgalley.com
