Receive Fireborn (Souls Of Fire, #1) Author Keri Arthur Available As Volume
Welp, I guess I'm not a fan of Kerri Arthur's anymore, I've been in a seriously bad slump so far this year, and I decided to pick this up because I'd liked her Riley Jensen series and knew this should just be easy entertainment.
. . the only good thing about this was that I was at least able to finish it,
The story is about a phoenix AWESOME! that becomes embroiled in an investigation involving the murder of her boss.
Her ex, of course, is the lead guy on one side of this investigation and there's unresolved feelings that lead to drama.
For a phoenix that had lived so many lifetimes she'd actually lost count she was ridiculously stupid.
I've never read a book involving a phoenix so this was why I grabbed it, but instead of her being this amazingly badass, capable, character she was just typical and blah.
There were many times she tried to tell me she was badass, but she wasn't showing it.
Being afraid of crap that a being with her experience shouldn't be afraid of got on my last nerve, and if I had to hear one more time about the fricken darkness in her ex just UGH.
Too much obsessing over the exact same crap every other page, a heroine that was nothing special and really stupid because it's smart to wait until you're almost ready to die from lack of regenerating your essential self over and over and over again, too much tell not even enough show, one dimensional characters, weak plotline, generic prose, and an ending that came out of the blue seriously, it was atafter a pretty lame climax.
This was clearly not a book for me,
.
The first thing to know about this book is that it is a setup for the series so the rating reflects that.
It doesn't have a distinct 'this is the problem, here is the solution' in it, More like, you certainly get the problem, but the solution is nowhere near when you reach the end.
So, yes, there is a cliffhanger, And I hate cliffhangers. The characters are not fully developed either, Still, Keri Arthur still hasn't messed up any of her heroines as far as I am concerned so she gets a pass.
For everything.
The main character is a phoenix, What's not to like about that It means she has three forms: flesh, flame and firebird,
Fireborn starts with Emberly waiting for someone to save him, It turns out she has prophetic dreams and even after a couple of rebirths she still can't stand to leave the things to fate.
This time especially because
it is the man she once loved, And sure enough, everything happens the way she saw in her dream,
The decision to interfere involves her in something that is just beginning to get shape in this book.
After that, someone murders her boss and all of a sudden a lot of people are interested in her.
The phoenix race is cursed when it comes to love, Each of them has their pair who is the other part of their soul, And they need the other phoenix to live, Literally. There was a moment in a book when she needs to recharge her energy but she can't because someone did something to her it would be a spoiler and the other phoenix is not close it is explained why they agreed not to be in danger at the same time.
I love how this was done in this book/world, Em has Rory. I love their relationship. They are not in love, They can't be. They are both doomed to love other people and have their hearts broken, One for each rebirth. None of this is a spoiler because you find out about this right away, The way Rory and Em fight against the fate is both wonderful and heartbreaking, Their spirits are still not broken,
Right from the beginning the firstof the story even you get Keri Arthur's signature attitude towards sex.
None of her paranormal beings especially women are prudes, Far from it. I find it funny when people get annoyed by this,
Keri Arthur is unapologetic when it comes to her female characters, She never makes her character do something by the rules of that world read: beats you over your head with certain, supposedly unbreakable, rules of that particular world, then forgets about the said rules because it is convenient for the present book and twists them to something else the way you find in most UF and PNR stories/series.
I've read most of her series and even when her female characters annoy you and let's be honest here, Em may annoy you because she acts following her feelings so there is a lot of room for mistakes it is never because they are not consistent.
Speaking of romance, I think this is the first time I didn't get enough of an explanation for Sam's behaviour.
At least not enough to like him, I can understand the anger then, I can understand he didn't want to stay and get an explanation then, but now he is supposed to have access to know better.
Don't get me wrong, somewhere along the way the reason for his behaviour started to take shape but it was left for other books.
So, no, I didn't like Sam at all,
I did like Jackson Miller though and the reasons come close to the spoiler territory so I'll just leave it at that.
Overall, it is a good start for a series, All the players are introduced, some got more history than others and some just appeared once, Explanations are rare, most characters are not completely developed because the focus is on the setup more than anything else.
You will be disappointed if you expect more than that,
I expect more from the next book though,
ed by: sitelinkRabid Reads
Werewolves, vampires, shifters, fae, mermaids, witchesyou name it, Ive read about emin fact, I didnt think that there was a paranormal out there that I hadnt met, until Keri Arthurs phoenixes.
Now, Im sure shes probably not the first writer ever to feature them, but throw in some fascinatingly unique mythology, a different spin on vamps, and three strong fictional crush candidates, and you have one fiery series debut.
This seasoned author never disappoints with her trademark writing style, rich worldbuilding, and complex relationships, however I was a little frustrated that the heroine gets kidnapped several times in one novel.
I hope that these books wont be a repeat of Arthurs DARK ANGELS in that respect, But, that minor annoyance aside, I really enjoyed FIREBORN and cant wait to get my grabby hands on the next installment!
SOULS OF FIRE and I immediately hit it off I loved learning about this new universe, and was thrilled with how in depth their lore was explored.
Phoenixes have three formshuman, bird, and flamego through “rebirth” every one hundred years, and have some pretty impressive abilities.
Mind you, there are a few major drawbacks to being a fire bird including a nasty witchy curse thats made true love impossible, they need another phoenix to survive, and living thousands of lifetimes isnt always all that its cracked up to be.
But, the worldbuilding doesnt stop there with additional mythology surrounding fire Fae, vampires, Red Cloaks, and a few mystery supes as well.
I was in paranormal heaven!
As far as heroines go, I really liked Emberly shes levelheaded, quick on her toes, and knows how to throw down.
Surprisingly, she still holds out hope that one day shell find her soul mate, and I loved that her quasi immortality hasnt made her bitter despite past failures.
Rory is Pearsons cophoenix, but because of the curse their relationship is rather complicated they need each other yet can never click romantically.
And, therein lies the problem because any potential suitor must be able to accept that theres always going to be another man in Emberlys life.
Sam, her ex, left her for that very reason without waiting for an explanation, so I had serious issues with him from the getgo, but on the flip side, I couldnt exactly fault his logic either.
Then add a smexy fire Fae into the mix, and readers are left with a whole lot of mancandy to drool over.
When I first started this book, I wasnt exactly sure where Arthur was going to go with her phoenixes, but by the end I had a good sense of the main story arc.
As in her other series, the investigative angle is strong, and I enjoyed following this novels breadcrumbs.
The Sindicati are formidable foes, and I look forward to seeing how the Crimson Death thread plays out as well, not to mention theres something funky going on with Sam.
I already have SO many questions, and this is only the first installment! Earlier I expressed my concerns about this authors overutilized kidnapping card, but I was somewhat consoled by the fact that Emberly is extremely difficult to contain.
Heres hoping that she wont be another helpless victim like Risa Jones,
FIREBORN is book one in a red hot new series thats destined to become an Urban Fantasy favourite if youre tired of the same ol, then look no further than Keri Arthurs SOULS OF FIRE.
Great for all the fan of UF Keri Arthur style, Great plot, grey morality, more than one male leads,. Urban Fantasy Filled with Suspense, Action, and Mystery
Heartbreak might be our destiny, but it would be a whole lot easier to deal with if only fate would clear out our memory banks at each rebirth.
At least it would allowed hope to burn bright, But after all this time, there was little enough of that left,
After each death, the phoenix is reborn and rises from the ashes with the gift to live onehundred years and fated to find one love of a lifetime, but cursed to always end in heartache.
Emberly Pearson, a phoenix, can foresee death, Cheating death usually has consequences, but Emberly gravely defies the grim reaper each opportunity she has, This time, she rescues the man the love of her current lifetime who could not accept the Phoenix and what the life entailed.
Both walked away feeling betrayed, The murder of her boss brings the two together again, with seething feelings and continued betrayals, onto the trail of an abomination that could affect and infect the human population.
This is my second attempt at Keri Arthurs work, I once tried her Riley Jensen series, but the promiscuity and my lack of connection to the heroine was a deciding factor in giving up the series.
This attempt was very successful!
The plot is filled mystery Who developed the red capes Why It introduces varies factions: werewolves, fae, vampires, and something other.
The moments Emberly and Sam the love of her lifetime are not chasing villains, and working with or against one another, their moments are heavy with sexual tension, I didnt hate Sam, as other readers have, I think there is hope this situation can be redeemed, Sam has secrets I feel compelled to discover, Their breakup was brutal and hurtful, There has to be more! I want more!
Back to the plot Theres action, fights, chase scenes, and a doomed love life.
Emberlys tenacious feelings of hope despite her experiences the odds stacked against her and the courage she has to fight for life and love makes her a very compelling character.
I want Emberly to prevail! I want her to find happiness!
The writing would be considered tight if not for the continuous breakup woes.
Its like being with a friend who cant stop talking about the ex, Let it go, girl! I know its not going to happen, The secondary characters, especially Rorys mate its complicated and the presence of sexy fae keep the fires burning for Emberly.
To clarify Emberly does not feel sorry for herself she hurts, I hurt for her too! She is brave and strong! I want booknow!
digital public library loan.