Wicked Embers by Keri Arthur
Series: Souls of Fire #2
Published by Signet
Published on: July 7, 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: NetGalley
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Keri Arthur, New York Times bestselling author of Fireborn, presents the thrilling new Souls of Fire Novel featuring Emberly Pearson, a phoenix that can transform into a human—and is haunted by the ability to foresee death....
Crimson Death, the plague like virus spawned from a failed government experiment to isolate the enzymes that make vampires immortal, continues to spread. Emberly and her partner, Jackson Miller, are desperately seeking the stolen research for a cure before the virus becomes a pandemic.
But their mission is jeopardized by another threat uncovered in Emberly’s prophetic dreams. A creature of ash and shadow has been unleashed on a murdering spree. Now Emberly must summon all her gifts and investigative knowledge to put an end to this entity’s brutal rampage—even if it means placing herself in harm’s way....
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Keri Arthur used to be one of my MUST read authors; her RILEY JENSON GUARDIAN novels are still, to this day, some of my all time favourite werewolf books. Then, I gave her DARK ANGELS a whirl, and my zeal for her writing took a bit of a dive. Being the ever dedicated fan-girl that I am, I snatched-up FIREBORN and enjoyed it. WICKED EMBERS on the other hand was freakishly similar to Arthur’s other two series, so newcomers will probably enjoy it, while as seasoned stalkers like myself might conclude that it’s just more of the same.
The story was good—prophetic dreams about a beast on a killing rampage, and the red cloak plot line thickens. I was hoping for more phoenix mythology, but that particular aspect was (unfortunately) a little on the light side in this installment. The action was plentiful, and surpassed my Urban Fantasy standards; then again, I’d expect no less from this writer because that’s her #1 strength when it comes to this genre, well that and thread weaving.
Emberly is clearly a hybrid of Riley/Risa. Her abilities are different; however as I mentioned, the author didn’t really go into them that much, so the variations were negligible which made all of the other similarities extremely noticeable. Sam could be the meat in a Quinn/Azriel sandwich, and Rory is a close proximity of Rhoan/Tao, except she doesn’t have sex with either of the latter which brings me to my next point…
I accepted Riley’s promiscuity because she’s a werewolf, and they tend to get around. And, maybe that’s unfair of me, but all three of Arthur’s heroines have been easy lays, and don’t know the meaning of the word monogamy. It’s difficult to cheer for a protagonist who thinks with her woman bits first and her brain a distant second. That being said, I’m deeply tempted to pick-up the next title based solely on the last sentence.
There was nothing significantly wrong with WICKED EMBERS; I’ve just read this book three times now.
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[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://rabidreads.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/KeriArthur.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]
Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than twenty-eight novels. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won RT’s Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne, Australia.
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I’ve wondered how her books have continued after Riley. I wasn’t very interested in Risa so I didn’t go on. It doesn’t sound like I missed much.
Tanya recently posted…Review ~ Burn For Me by Cynthia Eden
It always sucks when we go from an author having an easily recognizable style of writing to feeling like we’re reading about the same characters with just a different name…
Great review Carmel!
Pili recently posted…Mark This Book Monday: Burn and The Wrath & The Dawn!!!
Not ever read this author and it sounds pretty cool, so it’s going on the list. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Review of The Thickety: A Path Begins
I would love to follow @RabidReads on twitter but I’ve hit that wall they put up limiting the number of people you can follow.
Never read any of Arthur’s books. They sound interesting, Just added them to GR. Thanks for the review Carmel 🙂
Never seen the “beast”, “infuriating”, “hot mess” icons before! Love them 🙂
Daniela recently posted…Writing Checklist: 6 ways to stay focused and productive
Wow, she really is on fire
blodeuedd recently posted…Highlander Romance Wednesday x3
I’ve only read her Riley Jensen series and i haven’t finished that one…but i still think I’d probably take issue with her characters being so similar. It does say something about the elements you like that you’re willing to stick with the series though. I’ll keep it in mind. 😉
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…#ShelfLove ~ Best Book No Longer on My Shelf
I seem to have a love/hate relationship with this author. Still, I usually end up reading her and enjoying it. I read the first one and need to read this one. I think these are reissues, right?
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…On My Wishlist: Worlds of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley
I know what you mean about heroines thinking with their bits first and brains second. Grr. It’s fine if you get around — do what you’ve got to do. But think about things first, would ya?
Mary recently posted…Pre-Squee: Hunter by Mercedes Lackey
I read Arthur’s Generation 18 series last year and was surprised that it has NO sex in it. It does have the police elements and the genetic experimentation that you find in the other series.
I also wished for more Phoenix mythology in Wicked Embers. I was happy to see the new Fae though.
Wicked cover. Sounds like you enjoy the book. 🙂
sherry fundin recently posted…Awesome Mermaid Giveaway and Novella – How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes
I actually haven’t read any Keri Arthur yet, strange, no? I guess I should start with her first series, as that seems to be a favorite of yours, Carmel. Then, I can see where to go from there 🙂
I hope you’ll have a wonderful weekend! Happy reading 🙂
Lexxie recently posted…Stacking the Shelves #91 BB&B #41
Girl… you cracked me up when I got to “all three of Arthur’s heroines have been easy lays” BWAHAHAHAHA! Now I lost my train of thought!
Shame you were a little disappointed in this book, I haven’t read a book bu Keri yet, and was thinking of starting with this one. Fingers crossed I like it.
Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace
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