Review of Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

Five Fangs for Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

Fatal Circle is the third book in the Persephone Alcmedi series and by far the best one yet. Fatal Circle was packed full of action, intrigue and events that would not let me put this book down.

Persephone has to deal with the repercussions from the Halloween fairy killing that happened toward the end of the last book. The fairy's want revenge- specifically they want Menessos dead which will sever their bindings to him and this world.

Trouble is Seph can't offer him up on a platter he's too important for that but she has to make some sacrifices to be able to keep him safe and hopefully prevent a war that will involve all the supernatural creatures and spill over to the human population as well. No one ever said being the Lustrata would be easy.

The men in her life have to agree to work together which Johnny is not too happy about- Johnny also has to decide if he is going to step up and become the pack leader of his group and reveal to all that he is the Domn Lup.

Persephone, Johnny and Menessos all have to claim their rightful places as the leaders of their kinds to save the world from the fairy vengeance that threatens them all.

In the previous books I have always questioned Johnny's connection with Seph- does he love her because she is Persephone or does he love her because she is the Lustrata. His actions have always been defined by her being the Lustrata and he being the Lustrata's guide.

In this book the connection between them was more about the two of them and not just about the roles they have to play. I liked that a lot better. Their interaction was sexier, more meaningful and hotter than in the previous books and I loved it.

I wouldn't be against a little action with Menessos either. Too bad it didn't go that far- they sure got closer though, too close for Johnny's liking.

Another part of Fatal Circle that I also enjoyed was the secrets that were revealed about Menessos and about some of his fellow vampires living within the Haven. Seven is a particularly interesting vampire to read about. I love how Roberts has tossed in some real history and jumbled it into her world.

I wonder if it will ever be revealed that Menessos was "King Arthur". Seph has always seen him as such- he looks exactly as she always imagined Arthur would look. As old as Menessos is it is quite possible he could have been Arthur. I wonder if Roberts will ever reveal that since it is a reoccurring theme and connection that Seph always ties to Menessos. I think that would be a wonderful twist to toss into the mix.

I was not real happy with the ending- it left things hanging...important things particularly about Menessos but I have faith things will work out in the next book.

Fatal Circle was full of magick, secrets revealed and a few surprising twists and turns. This book was a wild pleasure to read. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, Arcane Circle, due out in December.

Review of Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson

.5

Blurb:

And you think beauty pageants are scary?

Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland, Ohio, coven -- now that the former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has strangely gone missing. Unfortunately, there are a few small problems with the idea. Not only does Seph know rather more about Vivian's disappearance than the other witches realize, but the epic struggle she's just survived has left her with some highly unusual powers -- ones that could be dangerous to reveal. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to participate, if only to prevent snooty Hunter Hopewell, an obnoxious but talented witch, from ending up in the winner's circle. Can Seph hide her secrets -- including her connection to the master vampire-wizard Menessos -- from the terrifyingly wise judges? Plus, there's her rock 'n' roll werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, and some angry fairies to deal with....

Once the competition begins, a finalist turns up dead. It looks as if one of the contestants is willing to do anything -- including murder -- to win. Suddenly Seph has even more on her plate than she thought: from solving a murder to working out what her new powers really are...and exactly why they're creating so much havoc in her love life.

I love the way Robertson has blended many elements of the witchy world into her series. She has the old images of witches in pointed hats riding on broomsticks (which many modern witches hate) but she's put a new spin on them and made it hip and sassy and completely non-insulting plus she's thrown in aspects of wicca, old world witchcraft, mythology and mixed it all together to create something unique.

I just have one question: what's the answer to the test question on page 155?

Seriously I want to know, Persephone never gives us the answer and I curious to know if there is a correct answer.

This book was great. I was instantly pulled in by the descriptive writing that put me right there on the page. I could "see" everything- it was amazing, great descriptions that fit right in with the story without being intrusive or overdone put me in that world like I was walking around inside a movie in my head.

And the complications...Persephone has a kinda sorta werewolf boyfriend and ties to a master vampire and she's coming into her own powers as the Lustrata- the witch who dishes out justice. Persephone's grandmother lives with her and she's adopted a young girl who recently lost her werewolf mother.

This series has all the makings of a good PNR/UF series- a detailed alternate world that knows witches, weres and vamps walk among them, a witch coming into her own torn between a vampire and werewolf. Then add in everything else life throws at her.

Wonderful.

It's another series I'll be adding to my must read pile. Book 3 is already on my wish list and book one is in my current to-read pile since I started with this book, which is actually book 2. The first book is Vicious Circle which I am going to read to get the whole story about how all of it started and I really want to know more about the mysterious vampire who only plays a minor role in Hallowed Circle. Fatal Circle, book 3, comes out in June.