by Juliet Dark
Series: Fairwick Chronicles #2
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
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, book one in the Fairwick Chronicles and was eager to return to Fairwick and all of the supernatural creatures who reside there. I will confess that in my heart of hearts I was also hoping that somehow Callie and her succubus lover Liam would be reunited. Dark delivers a beautiful, and enchanting tale that kept me enthralled. I loved the characters, the mystery and the magic of this college town.
It is summer and Callie McFay is working on her Victorian home surrounded by the Honeysuckle Forest. She still dreams of Liam, her succubus lover that she and her friends banished to the fairy world. Callie is half-witch and half-Fae something she only discovered after accepting a position at the college. She awakens from another dream of Liam to discover her friends knocking at the door. They need her assistance in making the door wider to the Fae world for young ones ready to return home. As she helps them crossover, she goes with them. There she encounters Liam and angers a creature. She narrowly escapes through the door but not without bringing trouble back to Fairwick. The tale that unfolds is riddled with mystery, danger, secrets and mystical creatures.
We learn more about Callie and some of her indecisiveness is fully understood. At times she frustrated me and I am still waiting for her to come into her own. The powers of witch and Fae are running through her. She is very powerful but something is blocking her and with her friends’ approval she enlists the help of Duncan Laird an academic who helps her unlock her power. Callie finds herself confused by the men in her life. Liam, who she wants to love but cannot; they are together in her dreams. She really struggles with this; she knows she loves him, but respects the more knowledgeable woman in her group with regard to the succubus. Duncan who shows interest but whose touch burns her and then there is Bill the handyman who is sweet and kind. He always seems to be there when she needs him. I adore Liam but can you really trust a succubus? Even if he is yummy and a total hero at times?*sighs* Duncan seems brilliant and wants to help Callie but I was unsure of his intent. Bill was adorable but seemed to know more than he let on. As clues about Callie emerge she faces danger and adversaries. All of the creatures and characters we meet add to the tale. The council members are freaks including Callie’s grandmother and are wreaking havoc for the good folks of Fairwick.
First, I want a door gnome, a mouse who likes when you read Ralph and the Motorcycle to him on rainy afternoons and a magic stone for reading. I am not crazy these are all very practical…read the book! *nods head* Dark’s gorgeous writing style and the pacing where wonderful. Her imagination is equally delightful as I really enjoyed all of the supernatural creatures residing in Fairwick. The legends and lore surrounding them were fascinating While Callie’s problems with her magic reminded me of Diana in Discovery of Witches the rest of the tale is quite original. The first tale focused more on Callie and Liam and this second book focuses more on Callie and the town. I found myself caught up in all that was happening in Fairwick and Callie’s role in stopping it. Her obsession/romance with Liam tugged at my heart. Dark introduced Duncan Laird into the picture and I feared a love triangle. The storyline with Duncan, Bill and Liam were, irritating, fascinating, hot and heart-breaking. While we learned a lot there is so much more waiting to be discovered and once again Dark ends the book by breaking my heart and then offering me a ray of hope.
Fans of the All Souls trilogy, Hogwarts, and supernatural creatures will love the Water Witch and the Fairwick Chronicles. I cannot wait for news on the third book. The town of Fairwick is enchanting and I could see myself living in that old Victorian house by the Honeysuckle Forest.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Sarika and I love the little college town setting
Sarika
I haven’t heard of this series before, but it sure sounds great! Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely check this out more. Amazing review, Kimba! 🙂
Sarika @ The Readdicts
kimbacaffeinate
I think they are magical.
Victoria Hooper
Ooh, this book cover caught my eye a while ago and I was wondering about the series. I’ll definitely have to give it a try now, as it sounds like exactly my kind of thing! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks cupcake!
Naomi Hop
oooh…. sounds like an interesting series!! You have definite;y piqued my interest!! Awesome review, as always!!
kimbacaffeinate
yes, you should bump it up the list!
kimbacaffeinate
ha..isn’t it funny how titles or things trigger song memories!
Lark
Oh, you make this sound so tempting! And your recommendation for those who love the All Souls trilogy and Hogwarts puts the icing on the cake: I love both. I will have to read Demon Lover first, though. (The title reminds me of a Steeleye Span song I, um, appropriated back when I was singing British folk music rather than classical and show tunes.)
kimbacaffeinate
oh it was..and i love the town and magic!
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I want a door gnome mouse too!!! lol
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Sharon <3
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I haven’t heard of this series before now but it sounds like something I would quite enjoy & I love the beautiful cover!
I really enjoy books about witches and the fae so I’m eager to read these books – those magical creatures sound wonderful! A great review!
kimbacaffeinate
yeah..so others said that as well, but I love the world
SweetMarie83
Great review, Kimberly! I have to admit I liked the first book better, but this one was really good too. I’d hoped to have my review up for release day too but haven’t been able to be at the computer much this week, so it’ll have to wait until the weekend or next week. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
you should give it a try!
Turning the Pages
I really have to get to this series. I had the first book out from the library but had to return it before I could read it. I love the cover of this one more than the first book. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
ooh it has elements of it Yes!
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha!
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed this
Michelle
I always had my eye on the demon lover. Callie seems really powerful and it seems like there are a mixture of paranormal elements in this series. I like that.
Thanks for the great review kimba. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
did you like Discovery of Witches and the like? I really liked these especially the town and college.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes you should!
Christa
I actually haven’t read Discovery of Witches! It’s been on my shelf for years now and I really should get to it
Sally
I’m so glad that this book focuses more on Callie and the town- I thought that was missing a little in Demon Lover. This book sounds weird and wonderful, another one that I need to get!
Danielle Chapman
I have this sitting in my Kindle waiting for me to read it. I need to get to now after having read your review. Thanks!! 🙂
Barbara Walker
Lovely review! Blodeuedd, the first book looked absolutely nothing like this one – it had a girl with long dark hair in a navy dress standing in the wind. Very YA-ish, actually.
Well, you know what I thought about the book. 🙂 But still, we shared a lot of the same thoughts, I just felt differently about how it all came together. I SO agree with you about Ralph – I want one of him so badly! I want to go find a copy of Ralph and the Motorcycle too, I loved that book, along with my Ramona and Beezus collection.
Debbie Haupt
Wow, great review. It’s on my list 🙂
deb
karina
I was just thinking that this reminds me of Discovery of Witches which I’m reading at the moment and then bam! you said it! ;))) Gorgeous review, Kimba! I’ve read the first book but still haven’t had time for the book #2 🙁 Need to get it soon…