Very good paranormal romance. I really liked the fact that the female lead was neither a blushing virgin or helpless. She also had her own secrets that rivaled the hero's. This is the second book in the Darkest London series I have read (I read them out of order but it did not matter) and I will read the third when it is out next Feb. ( )

This was a much darker book then I imaged it would be originally (yes I realize the irony in that statement). It was also however a much deeper and complex romance than I imagined as well. Part Beauty and the Beast and part Cupid and Psyche, I was fascinated by the interplay between Archer and Miranda. Their way with words, their verbal sparring and well chosen words interested me far more than the romance at times in fact.

It would be safe to say that if I hadn't read EMBER, the prequel short story, first then Miranda's guilt complex would be a lot more irritating then they were. EMBER really set the stage as to why Miranda felt she had no choice but to hide what she could do--why she felt ashamed and desperate to make amends for the past. It also gave a better accounting of what happened with Martin, since its more or less glossed over in this novel.

Oddly, having read EMBER I was almost put off by Archer's attitude. A few years had passed from the first meeting between Archer and Miranda and the start of the novel, but he seemed a lot less...determined I think is the right word. Less confident in his decisions, especially in regards to Miranda.

The revelation of what Archer was becoming exactly was really not what I expected. To be perfectly honest I had a lot of trouble visualizing it and buying into the idea. It was clever however, and definitely a good twist on the whole 'gaining immortality' angle. There's many forms of immortality after all.

As I said above the interplay between Archer and Miranda fascinated me moreso than the romance. Callihan excels at believable and rich banter; both in terms of making it snappy and making it intelligent. Both are highly intelligent individuals and both know how to make words work for them, how to hide the truth in plain sight with a sentence. That said the romance was a slow burn, despite how passionate they both were, and it felt like an organic process.

Miranda was not instantly in love with Archer, she was too wary and curious about him to feel that emotion. Even after she finds out it was he who saved her years ago she doesn't fall into a fit of giddy school girl flights of fancy. Archer was quicker of the two, but then he knew of her much longer and was of a somewhat more impulsive nature (where his emotions were concerned at least). When they finally understand one and other, well its a joy to behold and read. ( )

In book one in the Darkest London series, Miranda Ellis’s crooked father lost the family fortune, so she has no choice but to steal in order to survive. Then her father forces her into a marriage with Lord Archer, a wealthy man rumored to have a violent temper. Miranda can create fire from just thinking about it, and though she’s determined to never let Archer know about it, she’s prepared to use it to protect herself if need be.
Benjamin Archer hides his face behind a mask due to a mysterious accident from years earlier. People shun him, believing he’s a monster and a murderer, and he prefers that fear and scorn to pity. He marries Miranda, believing she’s the one person capable of accepting and understanding him for whom he truly is, but he still refuses to show her his face and share his secrets with her.
Wow. This couple just downright refused to communicate. Both of them had huge secrets, and neither of them trusted the other well enough to share those secrets. This became really tiresome after a while. Though they formed a strong friendship and genuinely liked one another, their romance felt forced because of the lies and tension constantly wedging between them. The one and only sex scene is at the end of the book, and I would’ve preferred more.
The plot itself was very entertaining, but the pacing was a little slow. A masked villain is parading around London, killing noblemen, and shifting the blame on Archer.
The secondary characters were fun. I’m very interested in Miranda’s sisters, in particular Poppy and her husband Winston.
There were some typos, but nothing major. I enjoyed Ms. Callihan’s voice and smooth, lyrical writing style. I also enjoyed the world building, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
3 Stars

Disclaimer – I borrowed this book from the library. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
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Loved this book. The voices of both main characters were different from one another and interesting. The mystery of what Archer hides behind his mask really kept me going. I'm reading the rest of the series now and the gradual development of their world has me hooked. ( )

Kristen Callihan’s historical paranormal romance novel Firelight promises action and romance and delivers on both. The heroine Miranda Ellis possesses a strange power that if uncontrolled can devastate all that she loves. The hero, Lord Benjamin Archer is mysterious, brooding and hiding something that could separate the lovers forever. ( )