Review: The Angel Stone by Juliet Dark

The Angel Stone by Juliet Dark

Series: Fairwick Chronicles, Book #3

Published: September 3rd, 2013

Publisher: Ballantine Books

288 pages (eARC)

Genre: Paranormal romance

Acquired this book: From the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Warning: May contain spoilers

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{Read my review of The Demon Lover || Read my review of The Water Witch}

For Callie McFay, a half-witch/half-fey professor of folklore and Gothic literature, the fight to save the enchanted town of Fairwick, New York, is far from over. After a hostile takeover by the Grove—a sinister group of witches and their cohorts—many of the local fey have been banished or killed, including Callie’s one true love. And in place of the spirit of tolerance and harmony, the new administration at Fairwick College has fostered an air of danger and distrust.

With her unique magical abilities, Callie is the only one who can rescue her friends from exile and restore order to the school—a task that requires her to find the Angel Stone, a legendary talisman of immense power. Propelled on an extraordinary quest back to seventeenth-century Scotland, Callie risks her life to obtain the stone. Yet when she encounters a sexy incarnation of her lost love, she finds the greater risk is to her heart. As the fate of Fairwick hangs in the balance, Callie must make a wrenching choice: reclaim a chance for eternal passion or save everything she holds dear.

The Angel Stone is the final installment in the Fairwick Chronicles. While I’ve had my issues here and there I have to say that overall I really enjoyed this trilogy and will miss the characters and setting. The Demon Lover was sexy, unique, and compelling; The Water Witch, while I mostly enjoyed it, had the most issues of the trilogy, in my opinion, and was kind of slow paced; and The Angel Stone seemed like more of a return to the first book with a faster pace and engaging story.

Each story brought something new that kept me guessing and wanting more. In The Angel Stone, the new element was time travel. While completely unexpected, it was definitely my favourite part of the book. I thought it was all tied together really well, and Callie’s reasons for going to Scotland in the 1600s fit in with everything the reader already knows from the previous books. Fairwick has changed so much since the door to Faerie closed, and Callie and those who are left behind just want things back to normal, and the only way to fix things is to travel back in time.

In the last book, I found myself getting really irritated with Callie. Not only was she completely oblivious to things that should have been obvious, but she also couldn’t seem to make up her mind about anything, especially her love life. She was so hurt about what happened with Liam but that didn’t stop her from falling in love with Bill and being interested in Duncan. In The Angel Stone, she seemed to finally have her head on straight, and she was focused on doing what had to be done to keep the people and the town she’d come to know and love safe.

Like with the other books in the Fairwick Chronicles, there was a great cast of secondary characters in The Angel Stone. I particularly liked Frank, Mac, Nan, and William. They each taught Callie something, and I loved how well fleshed-out they were. I also really love Ralph. I never thought I'd love a mouse (other than maybe Mickey Mouse) but if I could have a mouse like him, I would!

I often dread the final book in a series or trilogy because sometimes things don’t end well, or there are a lot of loose ends. I thought Dark did a good job of bringing everything together and tying it all up. By the last quarter or so of the book I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough; I was so anxious to find out what would happen and how things would be resolved, and I found myself both laughing and crying. And the romance. *sigh* The romance played a major part in this series, between dreams, reality, and the present and the past, and I thought it all came together beautifully. I couldn't imagine how things would be resolved, and this little romantic *points to self* thought it was perfect.

This trilogy, while it had some issues, had everything I love: romance, great characters, a fascinating setting, every paranormal creature you could think of, time travel, fairytale elements, magic…I could go on. I’d have no hesitation in recommending it to fans of paranormal romance, and I truly am going to miss Callie and the Fairwick gang.

 

Have you read any of the books in the Fairwick Chronicles? Do you enjoy paranormal romance?

 

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Review: The Water Witch by Juliet Dark

The Water Witch by Juliet Dark (aka Carol Goodman)
Series: Fairwick Chronicles, Book #2
Published: February 12th, 2013
Publisher: Ballantine Books
352 pages (ebook)
Genre: Adult paranormal
Acquired this book: From the publisher via NetGalley
Warning: May contain spoilers, especially if you haven’t read The Demon Lover 
{GoodReads || Buy this book: Book Depository || Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}

{Read my review of The Demon Lover}

After casting out a dark spirit, Callie McFay, a professor of gothic literature, has at last restored a semblance of calm to her rambling Victorian house. But in the nearby thicket of the Honeysuckle Forest, and in the currents of the rushing Undine River, more trouble is stirring…

The enchanted town of Fairwick’s dazzling mix of mythical creatures has come under siege from the Grove: a sinister group of witches determined to banish the fey back to their ancestral land. With factions turning on one another, all are cruelly forced to take sides. Callie’s grandmother, a prominent Grove member, demands her granddaughter’s compliance, but half-witch/half-fey Callie can hardly betray her friends and colleagues at the college.

To stave off disaster, Callie enlists Duncan Laird, an alluring seductive academic who cultivates her vast magical potential, but to what end? Deeply conflicted, Callie struggles to save her beloved Fairwick, dangerously pushing her extraordinary powers to the limit—risking all, even the needs of her own passionate heart.

 

 

I loved The Demon Lover - I found it enchanting and riveting, and I was eager to return to Fairwick with its many diverse characters, and discover what would happen next. While I won’t say I was disappointed by The Water Witch, I will admit that it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, and I much preferred The Demon Lover.

The story felt a little slow in the beginning, and seemed a bit aimless at times. In The Demon Lover I felt like we were constantly learning something - about the characters, their powers, the history of supernatural creatures, etc., and it was fascinating. The Water Witch just felt very different from the first book. In my review of The Demon Lover, I mentioned how the book felt like erotic romance because there was so much sex, and while there was some sex in this one, it wasn’t exciting and sexy like The Demon Lover. The story lacked the spark of the first one, that special something that made it impossible to put down.

Despite the lack of spark in the plot, the story was still compelling enough that I was anxious to find out what was going to happen. My main issue was with Callie and her fickle nature. She couldn’t decide whether she loved Liam, even though she let him into her home and her bed, and her whole life had basically revolved around him. Yet even while she was trying to make up her mind whether she loved him or not, it didn’t stop her from very quickly developing feelings for not one but two other men and even sleeping with one. I found myself shaking my head at some of her decisions.

However, I was glad to see Callie exploring her powers and taking things into her own hands and becoming more independent. In the first book, I got the sense she was a very independent person, and we get to see that more in The Water Witch. Except for her wishy-washiness over the love interests, she felt stronger in this book, more willing to accept things and learn about her powers and her place in the supernatural community.

Issues aside, this is a series I am very much enjoying. I’m looking forward to the third book and to finding out what happens to Callie and the residents of Fairwick. After just two books, I find myself quite attached to the characters. I hope Callie will really come into her own and become the kickass heroine I know she can be, and I hope her love issues work themselves out. I’m not going to lie - despite the fact Liam is an incubus and has misled Callie more times than she can count, I’m rooting for them and hoping for some kind of loophole that will allow them to be together. 

 

 Disclaimer

In accordance with FTC guidelines, I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No money or compensation of any sort exchanged hands. I review books with no intention of monetary gain, but rather to share my love of reading.
*Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review*

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 Have you read The Demon Lover or The Water Witch? What did you think?

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Review: The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

Series: Fairwick Chronicles, Book #1

Published: December 27th, 2011

Publisher: Ballantine Books

450 pages (ebook)

Genre: Adult urban fantasy/paranormal

Acquired this book: From NetGalley

Warning: May contain spoilers

{GoodReads || Buy this book: Book Depository || Amazon || Chapters/Indigo}

Note: This book is not YA

Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of writing her bestselling book, The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. After all, Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature—which is why she finds herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.

But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover—an incubus—and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: He’s not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the incubus, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this demon lover from her heart.

 

The Demon Lover was much different than what I expected. It didn’t feel like your typical paranormal book - it was like a mixture of paranormal, fantasy, erotica, and romance. The author builds a fascinating world of supernatural creatures, along with a story that kept me guessing while madly turning the pages to find out what happened next.

In most respects I liked Callie as a main character. She was believably flawed - often so wrapped up in her own dramas that she didn’t see that the people around her were suffering or having problems, and she often missed things that should have been obvious. However, there was something relatable about her that drew me to her and made me accept her, flaws and all. Her voice was very authentic, making it feel like a friend was relating a story to me. 

Even though the plot was slow moving at times (my only complaint about the book is that it was too long), I don’t think the story dragged. I kept wondering where the story was going and found myself thinking ‘I can’t imagine how it goes on for another 200 pages…100 pages…50 pages…’ etc., but there was something compelling about it that made it nearly impossible to stop reading. It was captivating and unique, and while I had a couple things figured out, I was anxious to see how it all played out and figure out the mysteries that eluded me.

One thing I’d like to point out: this story was HOT. If you’re easily offended by graphic sex scenes or don’t enjoy a lot of sex in books, you’re going to want to skip The Demon Lover. The sex scenes start from the very first chapter and get hotter and hotter throughout the book. I’m sure some people will argue there was too much sex, and while it did seem a bit gratuitous at times, at least it was well-written and fun to read! I think I’d rather read a book like this than straight-up erotica because the story itself was so good.

Overall, while The Demon Lover is hard to peg down and even harder to describe, I enjoyed it very much. An interesting cast of characters, great setting, unique spin on supernatural creatures, beautiful yet simple writing, and a romance that leaves you yearning for book 2; I would recommend The Demon Lover to any fan of the paranormal.

 In accordance with FTC guidelines, I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No money or compensation of any sort exchanged hands. I review books to share my love of reading, and I'm always completely honest in my reviews, good or bad.

*Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book for review.*

Have you read The Demon Lover? What did you think? What are some of your favourite adult paranormal series?

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Waiting on Wednesday (9) & WWW Wednesday (19)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine and is meant to showcase upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting. This week I'm waiting on...

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

Expected publication: December 27th, 2011

{GoodReads || Amazon}

Synopsis: Since accepting a teaching position at remote Fairwick College in upstate New York, Callie McFay has experienced the same disturbingly erotic dream every night: A mist enters her bedroom, then takes the shape of a virile, seductive stranger who proceeds to ravish her in the most toe-curling, wholly satisfying ways possible. Perhaps these dreams are the result of writing her bestselling book, The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers. After all, Callie’s lifelong passion is the intersection of lurid fairy tales and Gothic literature—which is why she finds herself at Fairwick’s renowned folklore department, living in a once-stately Victorian house that, at first sight, seemed to call her name.
But Callie soon realizes that her dreams are alarmingly real. She has a demon lover—an incubus—and he will seduce her, pleasure her, and eventually suck the very life from her. Then Callie makes another startling discovery: He’s not the only mythical creature in Fairwick. As the tenured witches of the college and the resident fairies in the surrounding woods prepare to cast out the incubus, Callie must accomplish something infinitely more difficult—banishing this demon lover from her heart.

This sounds so freaking good! Sexy and mysterious and just wow. I'll admit, one thing I miss when reading YA is steamy sex scenes lol...don't judge! A girl's gotta live vicariously sometimes haha. This book seems like it'll weave a bit of everything together. Can't wait! I might have to pre-order it as a Christmas present: to me, from me. ;-)

 

What are you waiting on this week?

*****

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.  All you have to do is answer these 3 questions:

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you'll read next?
Simple right?  I love to read and love to know what other people are reading!

What are you currently reading? Right now, I'm reading a hard copy book and an ebook. The hard copy is Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson. I'm not loving it, but I'm going to stick with it. The ebook is Flame of Surrender by Rhiannon Paille. I just started it today, I'm on page 61, and it's quite interesting. 

What did you recently finish reading? Over the weekend, I participated in the Wonderfully Wicked Read-a-Thon and finished reading Farsighted by Emlyn Chand, and Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (review to come later today or tomorrow).

What do you think you'll read next? Next up is 13 on Halloween by Laura A. H. Elliot (review book), and one of the gazillion ebooks I've received for review. I need to make a list of the order they arrived/when the reviews are due, and see what's supposed to be next.

What have you been reading?