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Rayne #2
Fire
The thrilling sequel to POSSESSED finds 16-year-old Rayne still entwined in the creepy history of Morton's Keep -- and about to discover that she's the only one who can stop the evil lurking there.
Rayne's countryside escape has proven to be anything but -- the remote mansion house where she lives and works holds terrible secrets, and she feels trapped there. And when a new manager shows up, things take an even more sinister turn.
Rayne doesn't know who to trust -- even the ghosts of Morton's Keep seem to be warning her. It's up to Rayne to overcome the ancient evil lurking here -- but how?
Rayne's countryside escape has proven to be anything but -- the remote mansion house where she lives and works holds terrible secrets, and she feels trapped there. And when a new manager shows up, things take an even more sinister turn.
Rayne doesn't know who to trust -- even the ghosts of Morton's Keep seem to be warning her. It's up to Rayne to overcome the ancient evil lurking here -- but how?
362 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
13 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Kate Cann
45 books239 followersWhen I was a child, I wanted to be a witch. My first foray into writing was a series of nasty spells full of rats’ tails and bats’ wings. Then, when I turned thirteen, I began keeping a lurid diary, full of adoration or loathing, depending on who I was writing about. I used my later diaries for the Diving In trilogy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
I never thought ‘I want to be a writer’, but I loved books and writing. At school, I was rubbish at just about everything but English, so I went on to Kent University where I did two degrees in English and American Literature. At Kent, I fell dramatically in love with the man I'm still married to. We had loads of fights and adventures, but we kept coming back together. He's still the person I most want to spend time with. Awww!
My first proper job was in a publishing house, Time Life Books, as a copy-editor. I felt very glamorous. I used to go to the huge YMCA on Tottenham Court Road at lunchtime and do aerobics classes (very big in the 1980s and yes - I wore legwarmers). Then I'd fall asleep over my desk in the afternoon.
When my two kids came along, I set up as a freelance copy-editor and worked from home. By chance I got given some teenage books to edit, and I hated the way they treated sexual relationships: they were either full of gloom and doom, or were gushy, unrealistic candyfloss. So I got bitten by the ‘I can do better than this’ bug, and started writing. I remember the first day I started to write - it took me over. I forgot to eat (unthinkable for me) and I nearly forgot to collect the kids from school. About a year after that, Diving In was accepted for publication.
When I ran out of material from my diaries and memories, I realized my daughter and son were teenagers, and started eavesdropping on them. They were extremely tolerant about this although they did sometimes demand money from me.
Big changes have been afoot recently. My kids have left home - really left home, not just gap-year-travelling/university left home, and my old man is doing the sort of work that means he can work from home a lot of the time. So we've sold up and moved into the wilds of Wiltshire and so far I am absolutely loving it. The space, the silence, seeing the stars at night in the pitch black, the owls, the trees, the walks, the great food in the local pubs - everything! I'd started to bring nature into my books - it all started with Crow Girl - and now I'm working on two books about a city girl who gets plunged into the wilds. So the move is very much linked to and helping my writing. I think the sheer beauty and power of nature and how it can get right inside you is something a lot of kids are cut off from today.
I still love London though - the plan is to come up every couple of weeks, catch up with all my old mates, possibly do something seriously cultured like go to the theatre. And I want to travel a bit more, too - offsetting my increased carbon footprint with an enormous compost heap.
I love long conversations, running, reading, gardening, walking and white wine (in moderation of course) and I’m the first to admit I have the life of Reilly (who apparently had a pretty cushy life). I start the day with a run or walk with my dog, when I think about what’s going to happen next in the book I’m writing. Then I have a huge breakfast, and get down to work. I write on (or if it’s cold, in) the spare bed with a laptop, my dog at the bottom of the bed. If it’s sunny, I write in the garden, on a sun-lounger. Tough, ay? I also have this theory that you can’t be truly creative for more than about three or four hours a day, so in the mid afternoon, I knock off, and do my emails and stuff. Told you it was cushy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 31, 2011
When I learned that Consumed (Fire and Rayne in the UK) was being released stateside, I was excited. I enjoyed the previous book, Possessed, and was eager to find out what lay in store for Rayne and for Morton’s Keep. Kate Cann has done a great job with this sequel, giving us a hair-raising tale that tops the first book and brings Rayne’s story to a thrilling conclusion.
Sir Simeon Lingwall’s modern-day pawn has been defeated and his basement chamber of horrors filled in with concrete — so why is Rayne still seeing and hearing uncanny things, and why are gruesome crimes being committed in and around the town of Marcle Lees? Rayne begins to suspect the evil has not been completely laid to rest and may be rising again even stronger than before. The only hope of stopping it lies in traditions half-remembered by the townspeople, and in Rayne’s connection with the mysterious Green Lady.
Possessed hinted at an ancient evil in Morton’s Keep, but focused more on a seventeenth-century man who invoked it for his own sadistic ends. Consumed delves deeper into the past and the folk rituals of Marcle Lees. I loved the greater emphasis on the pagan survivals, and the pacing is terrific in this installment, with each piece of backstory being revealed at just the right moment.
Rayne has to decide who to trust as the danger mounts. Sometimes she can be a frustrating protagonist, trusting unscrupulous characters too easily while refusing to trust characters who really do have her best interests at heart. She’s always relatable, though, as she struggles with disbelief, fear, and anger before accepting her role in the happenings at the Keep.
The romantic plotline is well-done, and refreshingly devoid of the “we’re fated to be together” trope so common in YA fantasy. In fact, Rayne questions the relationship at times and wants to be sure the attraction is not just because of the supernatural events.
Consumed builds to a suspenseful climax in which Rayne and friends face off against the people who would bring back the ancient evil. The conclusion leaves room for more RAYNE books if Cann chooses to write them, but it’s a satisfying ending and I highly recommend these two books as a duology. Cann combines history, suspense, and romance into an addictive, spooky tale.
Sir Simeon Lingwall’s modern-day pawn has been defeated and his basement chamber of horrors filled in with concrete — so why is Rayne still seeing and hearing uncanny things, and why are gruesome crimes being committed in and around the town of Marcle Lees? Rayne begins to suspect the evil has not been completely laid to rest and may be rising again even stronger than before. The only hope of stopping it lies in traditions half-remembered by the townspeople, and in Rayne’s connection with the mysterious Green Lady.
Possessed hinted at an ancient evil in Morton’s Keep, but focused more on a seventeenth-century man who invoked it for his own sadistic ends. Consumed delves deeper into the past and the folk rituals of Marcle Lees. I loved the greater emphasis on the pagan survivals, and the pacing is terrific in this installment, with each piece of backstory being revealed at just the right moment.
Rayne has to decide who to trust as the danger mounts. Sometimes she can be a frustrating protagonist, trusting unscrupulous characters too easily while refusing to trust characters who really do have her best interests at heart. She’s always relatable, though, as she struggles with disbelief, fear, and anger before accepting her role in the happenings at the Keep.
The romantic plotline is well-done, and refreshingly devoid of the “we’re fated to be together” trope so common in YA fantasy. In fact, Rayne questions the relationship at times and wants to be sure the attraction is not just because of the supernatural events.
Consumed builds to a suspenseful climax in which Rayne and friends face off against the people who would bring back the ancient evil. The conclusion leaves room for more RAYNE books if Cann chooses to write them, but it’s a satisfying ending and I highly recommend these two books as a duology. Cann combines history, suspense, and romance into an addictive, spooky tale.
March 6, 2016
4.5 stars
I have to say that it was better than the first book in the series. I thought this book was more interesting than the first book, but towards the ending of the first book it got better in the end. This one was kind of like that. I was more into the characters than the first book. I felt like we kind of had a connection.
I have to say that it was better than the first book in the series. I thought this book was more interesting than the first book, but towards the ending of the first book it got better in the end. This one was kind of like that. I was more into the characters than the first book. I felt like we kind of had a connection.
October 6, 2024
sadly not as good as the first one...
this book picks up right where book 1 left off, where Rayne and all the resident of the house deals with the event that had just happened. But it seems new trouble is coming round and this time the perpetrator might be just a tad bit smarter then previous contender.
In my opinion, the ending is somewhat guessable. I can kind of guess what is going to end by the last 10 chapters or so. But nevertheless, it's still a very enjoyable book. perfect for those looking for a "Halloween read" without being scared to read it in the dark.
this book picks up right where book 1 left off, where Rayne and all the resident of the house deals with the event that had just happened. But it seems new trouble is coming round and this time the perpetrator might be just a tad bit smarter then previous contender.
In my opinion, the ending is somewhat guessable. I can kind of guess what is going to end by the last 10 chapters or so. But nevertheless, it's still a very enjoyable book. perfect for those looking for a "Halloween read" without being scared to read it in the dark.
April 5, 2011
I was so psyched to hear that there was a sequel to Possessed! I don't know if that book got the buzz it deserved.
Things I like about Possessed and Consumed:
1. It's not really paranormal, more like supernatural. There's a difference for me, maybe I'm thinking in marketing terms.
2. It's got a traditional mystery element mixed in because the main characters are just normal people trying to figure weird stuff out (ok, so Rayne has a connection to the Green Lady, but she's not, like, an angel or a werewolf or in love with an angel or a werewolf)
3. PAGANISM! THE BRITISH ISLES! squee.
4. There's not a whole lot of dithering. Rayne is very direct. She's on the train with Ethan. She looks at him. She thinks to herself that she wants to kiss him. She thinks of other things. Even when she's not sure if he likes her for her or for her connection to the mystical, there's no tortured hemming and hawing. She gets depressed about it but goes on about her life. I appreciate this.
It was such a pleasure to read this book. And it made me want to watch the original Wicker Man.
Things I like about Possessed and Consumed:
1. It's not really paranormal, more like supernatural. There's a difference for me, maybe I'm thinking in marketing terms.
2. It's got a traditional mystery element mixed in because the main characters are just normal people trying to figure weird stuff out (ok, so Rayne has a connection to the Green Lady, but she's not, like, an angel or a werewolf or in love with an angel or a werewolf)
3. PAGANISM! THE BRITISH ISLES! squee.
4. There's not a whole lot of dithering. Rayne is very direct. She's on the train with Ethan. She looks at him. She thinks to herself that she wants to kiss him. She thinks of other things. Even when she's not sure if he likes her for her or for her connection to the mystical, there's no tortured hemming and hawing. She gets depressed about it but goes on about her life. I appreciate this.
It was such a pleasure to read this book. And it made me want to watch the original Wicker Man.
August 22, 2011
I guess I didn't learn the first time around. This book was creepier than the first and I read it through the night. Kate Cann certainly knows how to incite feelings of paranoia...or maybe that's just me...
January 24, 2011
One of my favourite books ever! Loved it! It had everything, horror, mystery and romance. I recommend this to everyone!
April 5, 2020
This book was a bit better than the first one. The story was so much faster-paced. It still had the issue of wrapping up every major plotline within a few pages, but ah well.
While the title of the book isn't a lie this time (the story really does involve fire!), the blurb does make it seem a little bit scarier than it is. Something about how ghosts are warning Rayne that something bad is about to happen. I believe there to be a grand total of one ghost in the whole book, and he gets about a paragraph of time...and he isn't even warning Rayne. He does not make an appearance again, despite the book making it seem to be like a big deal.
If you haven't read the first book shortly before this one, then you are probably going to be confused as hell. This one makes almost constant references to the first book. You aren't given a frame of reference. You need to remember what certain throwaway comments meant. It doesn't really impact the story, but it is pretty annoying.
FINALLY, the author started out the book with the characters swearing. This seemed to be forgotten by about page 20, and it never happened again. Again, not an issue, but it was weird.
While the title of the book isn't a lie this time (the story really does involve fire!), the blurb does make it seem a little bit scarier than it is. Something about how ghosts are warning Rayne that something bad is about to happen. I believe there to be a grand total of one ghost in the whole book, and he gets about a paragraph of time...and he isn't even warning Rayne. He does not make an appearance again, despite the book making it seem to be like a big deal.
If you haven't read the first book shortly before this one, then you are probably going to be confused as hell. This one makes almost constant references to the first book. You aren't given a frame of reference. You need to remember what certain throwaway comments meant. It doesn't really impact the story, but it is pretty annoying.
FINALLY, the author started out the book with the characters swearing. This seemed to be forgotten by about page 20, and it never happened again. Again, not an issue, but it was weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2018
Consumed by Kate Cann is full of suspense and it also has a hint of terror in this book. This book talks about how the main character Rayne is cursed by a ghost in a stone at the top of Wildhern Valley and whenever she was at a festival and it had a fire lit she was always see the green lady in the middle of the fire. I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars because even though it was an okay book I only choose this book because it the book sounded like it had horror inside the book so I chose it, but it didn't really have it, but even though it didn't have that much horror in the book I still enjoyed this book and I recommend this bool to people that like horror and books that are filled with suspense.
September 2, 2023
Disclaimer: I got this book at my thrift store and didn’t realize it was a sequel until after I finished it, so the three star review is partly based on the fact that I was very confused at the disjointed/confusing beginning (that was probably not confusing for someone who read the first book).
It’s definitely YA, which isn’t always a bad thing, but the writing style is more simplified. The style/pacing reminds me a bit of Scapegracers by H.A. Clarke.
Parts of the ending felt a little too easy/neat, but I liked the general plot/storyline. I read it much more quickly than I normally read, which for me speaks to it being an easier read and a fast paced story once it got going.
It’s definitely YA, which isn’t always a bad thing, but the writing style is more simplified. The style/pacing reminds me a bit of Scapegracers by H.A. Clarke.
Parts of the ending felt a little too easy/neat, but I liked the general plot/storyline. I read it much more quickly than I normally read, which for me speaks to it being an easier read and a fast paced story once it got going.
April 15, 2025
Not written very well, lots of "said"s instead of using different words to describe how things were said. Super boring and barely anything interesting. Lots of chapters in until it gets even the tiniest bit interesting. There's also no way to tell that it's the second book in a series until you actually start reading it and realize most of the things being said had to have happened in another book.
March 8, 2018
Just finished this book,
A must read for sure ! "Fire" the second book of the series is definitely interesting, there is a lot of action and background described in this book compared to its 1st book "Possessed".
The author is not yet done with this series, so let us see how the story will be continued...
A must read for sure ! "Fire" the second book of the series is definitely interesting, there is a lot of action and background described in this book compared to its 1st book "Possessed".
The author is not yet done with this series, so let us see how the story will be continued...
April 24, 2024
I read the first book POSSESSED when I was still in school and I fell in love with it - the characters, the world, and everything in it. 10 years later I realised there was a sequel to it and I grabbed it right away!!! I was pulled back into this world and was completely lost in it! Nostalgic and unique!
November 11, 2024
I think this book owes inspiration to both Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
Just a YA dark academia version.
Just a YA dark academia version.
March 24, 2025
It was an ok book to read as I waited for a different book on hold.
March 29, 2010
One of the things I love about Kate Cann is the way both Possessed and Fire & Rayne invoke the mixed serenity and severity of nature rather than with “paranormal” elements. Cann embraces all nature’s powers and the worship of the Green Lady as her literary mysticism. Her lead has no telepathic powers, no vampire or werewolf friends but simply, a burgeoning affinity for the natural world.
With her mixed heritage, Rayne Peters is a child of the earth, and a favorite of the Green Lady. This reverence to nature, the cosmos, and the natural order that is present in Cann’s novels make it inherent to simply take her pages in stride, surrender to the enveloping mood that creeps over you, page after page like a mist rolling in from the moors. In many ways, Cann’s take ends up being more believable than the most complicated paranormal plot and what makes her story, mood, and voice so distinctive.
This time for Rayne and her small band of friends, the evil of Simeon Lingwall’s legacy has started up again and this time the whole town of Marcle Lees is involved. If they are not careful, the miasma will not come creeping from under the flagstones of Morton’s Keep, but through the front door and endanger everyone in the vicinity. The good towns folk must dig into the history and rituals of the fire festivals in order to combat this lethal threat. (That means Rayne will be working closely with Ethan!) Within that history and their local religion, they must seek out and protect the six sacred goddess sites before the cult of Simeon Lingwall’s followers desecrate them. It is said that on the 6th cursed act, the evil buried beneath the keep will be freed.
Is the ghost of Simeon Lingwall acting through St. John and his followers again, or is it some new threat? Since the arrival of Mr. Stuart’s new estate manager, Louisa Skelton, the house has been slowly coming back to life as it was in Lingwall’s time. Capitalizing on the keep’s past history, Skelton has launched a website, has been staging elaborate gothic dinners and concerts. She has forced out the old protectors like Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Driver and even Rayne. And the keep’s haunts can’t help but eagerly wait for the evil to flourish once again. Rayne can feel its oppressive presence slinking ever closer to her and the ones she loves.
Cann has deliciously upped the ante in many ways. Cann has deliciously upped the ante in many ways. Cann has deliciously upped the ante in many ways. Possessed's scintillating sequel is full of chilling action, romance (YES!), contemplation, murder, mayhem, magic, and a sinister moodiness that is pervasive throughout the book. Rayne has finally embraced who she is with one minor setback. Cramphurst Estate is no longer home for her. Rayne must look forward. She’s still crushed about St. John, but well rid of him, and it’s cleared a path for Ethan. But will she take that step? Will Ethan prove himself different from St. John? Why is she so drawn to him? Will she also admit that she is part of the community, and the necessary force behind the fight? The village cannot combat the threat without her. With the most recent murder and attacks, they need her.
Fire & Rayne is all about her taking on the mantle of her responsibilities and readers will find that all their questions will be answered within its delicious pages. Deeply suspenseful, meshed with romantic elements, and simply unique, Cann is fast becoming one of my new favorite YA authors!
A Fiendishly Bookish Review
With her mixed heritage, Rayne Peters is a child of the earth, and a favorite of the Green Lady. This reverence to nature, the cosmos, and the natural order that is present in Cann’s novels make it inherent to simply take her pages in stride, surrender to the enveloping mood that creeps over you, page after page like a mist rolling in from the moors. In many ways, Cann’s take ends up being more believable than the most complicated paranormal plot and what makes her story, mood, and voice so distinctive.
This time for Rayne and her small band of friends, the evil of Simeon Lingwall’s legacy has started up again and this time the whole town of Marcle Lees is involved. If they are not careful, the miasma will not come creeping from under the flagstones of Morton’s Keep, but through the front door and endanger everyone in the vicinity. The good towns folk must dig into the history and rituals of the fire festivals in order to combat this lethal threat. (That means Rayne will be working closely with Ethan!) Within that history and their local religion, they must seek out and protect the six sacred goddess sites before the cult of Simeon Lingwall’s followers desecrate them. It is said that on the 6th cursed act, the evil buried beneath the keep will be freed.
Is the ghost of Simeon Lingwall acting through St. John and his followers again, or is it some new threat? Since the arrival of Mr. Stuart’s new estate manager, Louisa Skelton, the house has been slowly coming back to life as it was in Lingwall’s time. Capitalizing on the keep’s past history, Skelton has launched a website, has been staging elaborate gothic dinners and concerts. She has forced out the old protectors like Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Driver and even Rayne. And the keep’s haunts can’t help but eagerly wait for the evil to flourish once again. Rayne can feel its oppressive presence slinking ever closer to her and the ones she loves.
Cann has deliciously upped the ante in many ways. Cann has deliciously upped the ante in many ways. Cann has deliciously upped the ante in many ways. Possessed's scintillating sequel is full of chilling action, romance (YES!), contemplation, murder, mayhem, magic, and a sinister moodiness that is pervasive throughout the book. Rayne has finally embraced who she is with one minor setback. Cramphurst Estate is no longer home for her. Rayne must look forward. She’s still crushed about St. John, but well rid of him, and it’s cleared a path for Ethan. But will she take that step? Will Ethan prove himself different from St. John? Why is she so drawn to him? Will she also admit that she is part of the community, and the necessary force behind the fight? The village cannot combat the threat without her. With the most recent murder and attacks, they need her.
Fire & Rayne is all about her taking on the mantle of her responsibilities and readers will find that all their questions will be answered within its delicious pages. Deeply suspenseful, meshed with romantic elements, and simply unique, Cann is fast becoming one of my new favorite YA authors!
A Fiendishly Bookish Review
September 5, 2016
Consumed
I initially picked the book off the shelf because of the back cover descriptor, “It was ghosts dancing…They were responding to the music…” I was searching for a ghost story - nothing gory.
I finished reading Consumed after several jump starts. I was not initially engaged in the story, however I found myself returning to the book to fill a few afternoons of quiet time. I admit my lack of engagement is mostly due to the fact that I haven’t read the first book in the series so I was catching up to the story thru vague references from the main characters.
I found the author’s conversational writing style moved the story along fairly quickly. As an adult reading a story meant for teen/middle-grade readers I could find myself being more critical to some of the story lines. The conflicted romance between Rayne and Ethan held absolutely no interest for me. I was solely interested in the good vs. evil battle. I was thrown off by the anticlimactic scenes at the end of the novel and how easily the characters went on to party; always seeming to have beer and food available. At times I wanted to grab hold of Mrs. Driver and shake sense into her, warn her of the evil.
The author neatly wraps up the other conflicts/story lines rather quickly in the end. Was this important to me? I don’t know. I wasn’t even thinking about Rayne’s family at the end of the story given she’d moved back to Morton’s Keep, however the author provides us closure to how Rayne will most likely not interact with her family into the future. Quick explanations are given about the treatment of the folks conjuring up the evil-again, I thought it was a bit too simplistic, but again for a teen/middle-aged reader an important aspect.
For anyone looking for an engaging ghost story without the gore present in many paranormal novels, I’d recommend this book and I should seek out the first novel leading up to Consumed.
I initially picked the book off the shelf because of the back cover descriptor, “It was ghosts dancing…They were responding to the music…” I was searching for a ghost story - nothing gory.
I finished reading Consumed after several jump starts. I was not initially engaged in the story, however I found myself returning to the book to fill a few afternoons of quiet time. I admit my lack of engagement is mostly due to the fact that I haven’t read the first book in the series so I was catching up to the story thru vague references from the main characters.
I found the author’s conversational writing style moved the story along fairly quickly. As an adult reading a story meant for teen/middle-grade readers I could find myself being more critical to some of the story lines. The conflicted romance between Rayne and Ethan held absolutely no interest for me. I was solely interested in the good vs. evil battle. I was thrown off by the anticlimactic scenes at the end of the novel and how easily the characters went on to party; always seeming to have beer and food available. At times I wanted to grab hold of Mrs. Driver and shake sense into her, warn her of the evil.
The author neatly wraps up the other conflicts/story lines rather quickly in the end. Was this important to me? I don’t know. I wasn’t even thinking about Rayne’s family at the end of the story given she’d moved back to Morton’s Keep, however the author provides us closure to how Rayne will most likely not interact with her family into the future. Quick explanations are given about the treatment of the folks conjuring up the evil-again, I thought it was a bit too simplistic, but again for a teen/middle-aged reader an important aspect.
For anyone looking for an engaging ghost story without the gore present in many paranormal novels, I’d recommend this book and I should seek out the first novel leading up to Consumed.
September 15, 2011
I didn't know if I was going to read this book only because I wasn't overly impressed with "Possessed," the first novel in the series. But, funny thing is I was kinda comfortable going back into this story. It was easy to read, just not a book that I couldn't put down.
So Rayne is still working at the "haunted, cursed house" and now she is upset because things arent' exactly working out with Ethan. They seem awkward together and when he finally did kiss her it didn't feel right and she thinks she scared him off. The only reason she felt so off was because she just got out of that ridiculous relationship with St. John, who turned out to be an evil S.O.B.
But now things are changing at work. The woman who used to do the tours and dinners had to leave due to her mother's sickness, and the manager is looking for someone new to fill her shoes. Enter Ms. Skelton, who is very pretty and puts the moves on the unsuspecting manager. She is all about changing the place and booking tours and overnight stays and changing the menus. And most of all, tapping into the darkness and evil of the place to get people to come there for an experience of the supernatural. That doesn't sit well with Rayne or anyone else that is working there. They think if the evil of the manor is exposed, then it will wake it up and hell will break loose.
Well then, guess what ends up happening? This was a pretty good book. Better in my opinion than the first in the series. I enjoyed it. And I appreciated the ending as well. It wrapped everything up so the reader wasn't left with a lot of questions as to what happened with some of the supporting characters.
So Rayne is still working at the "haunted, cursed house" and now she is upset because things arent' exactly working out with Ethan. They seem awkward together and when he finally did kiss her it didn't feel right and she thinks she scared him off. The only reason she felt so off was because she just got out of that ridiculous relationship with St. John, who turned out to be an evil S.O.B.
But now things are changing at work. The woman who used to do the tours and dinners had to leave due to her mother's sickness, and the manager is looking for someone new to fill her shoes. Enter Ms. Skelton, who is very pretty and puts the moves on the unsuspecting manager. She is all about changing the place and booking tours and overnight stays and changing the menus. And most of all, tapping into the darkness and evil of the place to get people to come there for an experience of the supernatural. That doesn't sit well with Rayne or anyone else that is working there. They think if the evil of the manor is exposed, then it will wake it up and hell will break loose.
Well then, guess what ends up happening? This was a pretty good book. Better in my opinion than the first in the series. I enjoyed it. And I appreciated the ending as well. It wrapped everything up so the reader wasn't left with a lot of questions as to what happened with some of the supporting characters.
May 9, 2012
Review from A Journey Through Pages
Rayne returns in Consumed tackling an even bigger problem than before in the Keep. Yes, bigger. I enjoyed this book just as much as Possessed. I love the mystery, paranormal and haunted-ness of it all. As all of you know by now from my love affair with Karina Halle's Experiments in Terror Series, I love stories about hauntings.
There is also something about these books that remind me of the Nancy Drew books, which I know sound crazy, but the way the mystery unfolds bring me back to when I was in elementary school, pretending to be asleep, but really reading the latest Nancy Drew book I had received (and then of course having trouble sleeping afterwards). And this time around, the evil is 100% known about so it's all about the human element trying to get at it, and somehow I found myself surprised and turned around again.
I enjoy Rayne as a character, she reacts to things realistically as one possibly can in the situations she's put in. She is not ready for another relationship right away which I love (seriously, who would be after St. John?), and she does not just accept the paranormal things and go with it, she runs. She also is very distrusting which is incredibly reasonable considering what happened in Possessed.
Rayne returns in Consumed tackling an even bigger problem than before in the Keep. Yes, bigger. I enjoyed this book just as much as Possessed. I love the mystery, paranormal and haunted-ness of it all. As all of you know by now from my love affair with Karina Halle's Experiments in Terror Series, I love stories about hauntings.
There is also something about these books that remind me of the Nancy Drew books, which I know sound crazy, but the way the mystery unfolds bring me back to when I was in elementary school, pretending to be asleep, but really reading the latest Nancy Drew book I had received (and then of course having trouble sleeping afterwards). And this time around, the evil is 100% known about so it's all about the human element trying to get at it, and somehow I found myself surprised and turned around again.
I enjoy Rayne as a character, she reacts to things realistically as one possibly can in the situations she's put in. She is not ready for another relationship right away which I love (seriously, who would be after St. John?), and she does not just accept the paranormal things and go with it, she runs. She also is very distrusting which is incredibly reasonable considering what happened in Possessed.
August 9, 2010
Well... I fell in love with the first book Possessing Rayne because of the absolutely beautiful way Kate Cann described the setting. How Rayne would wake up to the smell of burnt wood, with the sun slipping in through the curtains, how she'd walk out of her sty and feel the wet grass between her toes and take in the blissful silence around her.
I even wrote a poem about it, can you believe it?
Ever since I read the last page of that book I've had the urge to do exactly what Rayne did; get out of the big city, get a job and live in the middle of the woods.
What was another plus in that book was the romance between her and evil St John. And sure, that might have been her biggest mistake, hooking up with him, but at least the reader got something to giggle about!
Here there is nothing like that between Ethan and Rayne; or there is, but a little bit more romance would not have been wrong.
So yeah, it was a bit boring. But I read it, and I enjoyed it.
Not quite as much as the first book, but enough that I didn't give up on it halfway through.
I even wrote a poem about it, can you believe it?
Ever since I read the last page of that book I've had the urge to do exactly what Rayne did; get out of the big city, get a job and live in the middle of the woods.
What was another plus in that book was the romance between her and evil St John. And sure, that might have been her biggest mistake, hooking up with him, but at least the reader got something to giggle about!
Here there is nothing like that between Ethan and Rayne; or there is, but a little bit more romance would not have been wrong.
So yeah, it was a bit boring. But I read it, and I enjoyed it.
Not quite as much as the first book, but enough that I didn't give up on it halfway through.
January 3, 2012
Consumed starts off where Possessed left off. Rayne + Ethan have just stopped St. John from unleashing the evil from Morton's Keep. But as we find out in Consumed, burning an old, evil dungeon where torture was carried out and breaking the spirit of St. John isn't the last of it.
In the aftermath, lots of changes comes to the Keep. Rayne isn't sure what to trust, but eventually she cannot deny that evil is still there, it's actually getting stronger, and she needs to be a part in stopping it.
I think I liked this better than Possessed because there was less kissing, less lieing? by Rayne, though there still is a little romance in this.
In the aftermath, lots of changes comes to the Keep. Rayne isn't sure what to trust, but eventually she cannot deny that evil is still there, it's actually getting stronger, and she needs to be a part in stopping it.
I think I liked this better than Possessed because there was less kissing, less lieing? by Rayne, though there still is a little romance in this.
April 26, 2011
Oh, Rayne. Not even a day has passed since you found out that St John Arlington's been using you for a sinister, sick, twisted plot to bring back the evil that once consumed (ah! get it?) the manor of Morton's Keep and you've already moved on to the swarthy fire dancer, Ethan. Really? Yes, it's difficult to kiss him because all you see is St John's creepy face kissing you and dread fills your heart but you still look longingly towards Ethan as the new man in your life. Even when you suspect he also might be using you because you attract the mysterious Green Lady and you might hold the key to saving the town from the devilish curse that threatens to destroy the town of Marcle Lees. But what do you do when things get too tough? You run away from your problems! I was mildly sucked into the first book of this series, but with Consumed, I was bored and angry. I don't like Rayne's character and all the spiritual earthiness of this book didn't dissuade me from thinking otherwise.
April 26, 2011
In this sequel to Possessed, Rayne is recovering from the harrowing experiences of the last few weeks. Although everyone is sure the worst is over, evil defeated, Rayne still has misgivings. She’s still seeing the Green Lady occasionally, and the changes at the Inn are disturbing. When animals begin showing up mutilated, and their locations coincide with the old legends, Rayne realizes that she is once again caught up in something horrifying.
Although it is possible to read this book without reading Possessed first, readers will be missing out on a few details. Possessed is a much stronger story. This one seems to be superfluous – maybe the publisher just wanted a sequel so Cann produced one. There’s not much here to add to the story, and it’s pretty predictable. Not terrible, just ordinary. Fans of the first one will probably want to read the second, but it’s not really anything special.
Although it is possible to read this book without reading Possessed first, readers will be missing out on a few details. Possessed is a much stronger story. This one seems to be superfluous – maybe the publisher just wanted a sequel so Cann produced one. There’s not much here to add to the story, and it’s pretty predictable. Not terrible, just ordinary. Fans of the first one will probably want to read the second, but it’s not really anything special.
September 1, 2013
*This review contains some spoilers*
I started reading Consumed with low expectations. I wasn't a big fan of Possessed and sequels usually aren't better then the originals.
I was really surprised at how much I liked the book. I thought it was MUCH better then Possessed. I thought that the pacing was good. I really enjoyed the new villain, but was happy that St. John was still in the story.
One of the things I loved most was that the book started where the last one left off. The author could have easily combined the two into a huge novel.
Something I didn't like about this book is that it had some cheesy parts. Like when Rayne "flew" over everyone to save Becky. And that Rayne and Ethan were surrounded by birds when they finally kissed.
Speaking of Ethan, it's safe to say that he was my favorite character in the book. I felt like I was falling in love with him instead of Rayne.
I started reading Consumed with low expectations. I wasn't a big fan of Possessed and sequels usually aren't better then the originals.
I was really surprised at how much I liked the book. I thought it was MUCH better then Possessed. I thought that the pacing was good. I really enjoyed the new villain, but was happy that St. John was still in the story.
One of the things I loved most was that the book started where the last one left off. The author could have easily combined the two into a huge novel.
Something I didn't like about this book is that it had some cheesy parts. Like when Rayne "flew" over everyone to save Becky. And that Rayne and Ethan were surrounded by birds when they finally kissed.
Speaking of Ethan, it's safe to say that he was my favorite character in the book. I felt like I was falling in love with him instead of Rayne.
July 13, 2012
When the cellar at Morton’s Keep has been burned and filled with cement, Raine hopes everything will get better. But, the evil doesn’t dissipate. Soon, a new manager is hired; one who want to embrace the Keep’s dark side. Then, Rayne starts finding dead creatures nailed to doors or on altars. People start turning up dead. The evil at the keep is growing. Who is causing it? Can Rayne and Ethan keep it away? Why does Rayne keep seeing the Green Lady?
The gothic images are vivid and engrossing. The story is entertaining and is well-paced. This sequel to Possessed continues in a true horror fashion that will leave fans of supernatural horror and Steven King engrossed in a spine-tingling novel.
The gothic images are vivid and engrossing. The story is entertaining and is well-paced. This sequel to Possessed continues in a true horror fashion that will leave fans of supernatural horror and Steven King engrossed in a spine-tingling novel.
July 1, 2011
I have to say that I loved this book...even more than I loved the first one. There's something about Rayne that I just identify with so strongly that I can't help, but love her. I felt this sequel moved at a much quicker pace than the first book and was more detailed in regard to the historical context of the keep and the secrets surrounding it. I loved how Ethan and Rayne's relationship developed because it was absolutely true to how real relationship's act. In addition, when she went home, it felt like every story of every young adult whose ever gone home after an extended visit away. It was perfect.
Definitely a book that I recommend reading.
Definitely a book that I recommend reading.
June 27, 2014
'Consumed' was full of thrills and chills for me. I loved this book because of course I already read the first book and wanted the story to go on, but also because it really just hopped right into the action. I can actually say that I liked the second book more than the first because the beginning wasn't as boring, but I suppose books have to be boring to give important details for later. Anyway I would definitely reread the series (like I said in my review for 'Possessed') and it was just too great. You guys who saw the cover of the book in the library or on the computer or in your frineds hands, should so check it out because it is so worth it.
May 6, 2011
I didn't feel like I had to read Posessed to be able to follow Rayne's experience and story. It had very nice flow to it and I felt like I could care about Rayne and her troubles. The only place I found a disconnect was when she took off for her mom's place and came into a horribly unwelcome environment, but I assume it is because I just don't know the whole story from not having read Posessed.
May 18, 2011
Mrs. Cann did an AMAZING sequel. I was really hoping we hadn't seen the last of St. John but the new villain (Ms. Skelton) was especially treacherous!
I'm very sad to say the ending of this book seemed to be the end of Rayne and Morton's Keep...I can only hope there will be more stories to stay up late reading. But for now, the ending has pleased me!
I'm very sad to say the ending of this book seemed to be the end of Rayne and Morton's Keep...I can only hope there will be more stories to stay up late reading. But for now, the ending has pleased me!
August 27, 2011
Definitely not as good as Possessed. Still spooky, but way more predictable, with a Babysitter's-Club-style recap for the first three chapters.
October 10, 2011
This book was ok but I did not finish it, I got maybe 70 pages in and it just didn't hold my attention. I went right into reading tihs book after reading the first one, so I think I was just tired of the storyline completely, mainly because the second book was taking too long to get to the point and rehashed a lot of the first book continually.
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