Veronica S. (snowkitty) -
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this book which surprised me b/c Urban Fantasy is not my favorite genre. Some good action and suspense, although for those of you that care, I don't remember any sex. Maybe in later books. Persephone is a witch, but turns out to be much more than that. I loved all the charaters, especially Johnny and her grandmother. There are witches, werewolves, beholders, vampires and so forth; something for everyone. I already have the next three? on my WL.
Helpful Score: 2
This is an excellent debut book from Linda Robertson. Many women will be able to identify with Seph as she takes on more and more responsibility, even while thinking she she can't handle what she's got. And what a mix of witches werewolves and vampires. Like any good book that is to be a series opener, it resolves many plot lines, but leaves us some to wonder about. This book is a good read for anyone who likes urban fantasy type stories.
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Helpful Score: 1
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it reminded me somewhat of Anita Blake without the sex! Vampires, werewolves, witches, some friendly and some not so much. I also saw elements of C.E. Murphy's Walker Paper series, particularly the spirit guides. Persephone does lots of meditation where her spirit animal, a jackal gives her help and advice as well as a mustang who embodies the Goddess.
For the most part I liked Persephone's character though her naivety regarding vampires and even werewolves became dangerous to her and her loved ones. I would think that if you get involved in kenneling werewolves during the full moon, that you would research werewolves and see exactly what you are getting yourself in for. And when the vampires entered the picture, the same. But she just rolled with the punches tripping and stumbling along. I disliked Vivian immensely and couldn't understand why Persephone caved in to her blackmail attempt without a fight. I did like Johnny though the stereotypical bad boy image surely didn't fit him. He was a sweetheart and it was refreshing for Persephone to finally see this. It will be interesting to see where Ms. Robertson takes this series.
For the most part I liked Persephone's character though her naivety regarding vampires and even werewolves became dangerous to her and her loved ones. I would think that if you get involved in kenneling werewolves during the full moon, that you would research werewolves and see exactly what you are getting yourself in for. And when the vampires entered the picture, the same. But she just rolled with the punches tripping and stumbling along. I disliked Vivian immensely and couldn't understand why Persephone caved in to her blackmail attempt without a fight. I did like Johnny though the stereotypical bad boy image surely didn't fit him. He was a sweetheart and it was refreshing for Persephone to finally see this. It will be interesting to see where Ms. Robertson takes this series.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Vicious Circle (Persephone Alcmedi, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
I have had this book on my shelf to read for awhile. It was a good book and I am glad that I read it. The world is intriguing and Persephone is a character that is very down to earth, yet caring and tough.
Persephone is a practicing witch who makes her money doing tarot readings and kenneling werewolves during full moons. She gets a call from a woman named Vivian who wants Persephone to hunt down a man who is suspected of killing one of Persephone's friends. Persephone reluctantly agrees, but things get more complicated when she finds out that the suspect is a vampire and then one of her other friends almost gets killed while tracking down info on this elusive vampire.
Robertson does an excellent job with world-building and characters. This is obviously a complex world where the interactions between witches, vampires, and werewolves are complicated. Robertson does an excellent job of tying mythology and Wicca beliefs into everything. Persephone is an wonderful character; she is very neighbor-next-door-like but is committed to protecting those she loves and has a streak of toughness when it comes to these people. Persephone wasn't the most distinctive heroine of urban fantasy that I have read about, but she was unique enough to keep me interested. Johnny, her love interest, is an intriguing character and obviously has a complex past I am dying to know more about. The baddies are definitely bad and you are happy to see them get what they deserve.
The plot clipped along at a good pace and was engaging making this book a fast read. There are some fun twists and turns towards the end of the book that really keep the reader guessing. I did have some problems with the plot, the main one being why Seph would accept a job to assassinate someone when she doesn't really do that normally. This was a bit contrived and it was the main thing that got the plot going.
The book ended well, but there are a lot of things that will be carried into the next book. This was more urban fantasy than paranormal romance; although there is a little bit of romance throughout. Persephone isn't the most intriguing urban fantasy heroine out there (Kate Daniels, Dorina Basarb, Jane Yellowrock are all more interesting) but she was a little more interesting than others out there and I like the detail that went into describing the magic system.
Overall I am glad I read this book. While not as creative as say, the Kate Daniels series, I liked this book a little bit better than Devon Monk's Allie Beckstrom series. The world is well done, the plot very engaging, and the magic system well described...the characters are all people you really care about and you want to learn more about them. This is a good option for those who are fans of The Hallows series by Kim Harrison or similar series involving witches, vamps and weres. I am excited to read the next book in the series Hallowed Circle.
Persephone is a practicing witch who makes her money doing tarot readings and kenneling werewolves during full moons. She gets a call from a woman named Vivian who wants Persephone to hunt down a man who is suspected of killing one of Persephone's friends. Persephone reluctantly agrees, but things get more complicated when she finds out that the suspect is a vampire and then one of her other friends almost gets killed while tracking down info on this elusive vampire.
Robertson does an excellent job with world-building and characters. This is obviously a complex world where the interactions between witches, vampires, and werewolves are complicated. Robertson does an excellent job of tying mythology and Wicca beliefs into everything. Persephone is an wonderful character; she is very neighbor-next-door-like but is committed to protecting those she loves and has a streak of toughness when it comes to these people. Persephone wasn't the most distinctive heroine of urban fantasy that I have read about, but she was unique enough to keep me interested. Johnny, her love interest, is an intriguing character and obviously has a complex past I am dying to know more about. The baddies are definitely bad and you are happy to see them get what they deserve.
The plot clipped along at a good pace and was engaging making this book a fast read. There are some fun twists and turns towards the end of the book that really keep the reader guessing. I did have some problems with the plot, the main one being why Seph would accept a job to assassinate someone when she doesn't really do that normally. This was a bit contrived and it was the main thing that got the plot going.
The book ended well, but there are a lot of things that will be carried into the next book. This was more urban fantasy than paranormal romance; although there is a little bit of romance throughout. Persephone isn't the most intriguing urban fantasy heroine out there (Kate Daniels, Dorina Basarb, Jane Yellowrock are all more interesting) but she was a little more interesting than others out there and I like the detail that went into describing the magic system.
Overall I am glad I read this book. While not as creative as say, the Kate Daniels series, I liked this book a little bit better than Devon Monk's Allie Beckstrom series. The world is well done, the plot very engaging, and the magic system well described...the characters are all people you really care about and you want to learn more about them. This is a good option for those who are fans of The Hallows series by Kim Harrison or similar series involving witches, vamps and weres. I am excited to read the next book in the series Hallowed Circle.
This book by itself didn't keep my interest very well, but I'm hopeful for the series!
