Dark Possession

Fairwick Chronicles #3

by Carol Goodman

How far would you go for love?
Callie McFay is about to cross worlds and time...

Fairwick used to be populated by all manner of magical creatures but when a cabal of witches forced the closure of the last door to Fairie, the townsfolk had to choose sides. Now it is up to Callie to find a way back.

Her quest will take her far from home – to a 17th Century Scotland where the demon she once fell in love with is still very much a man...

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Magic, Witches, Urban Fantasy

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

Carol Goodman is the author of The Lake of Dead Languages, The Seduction of Water, which won the Hammett Prize, The Widow's House, which won the Mary Higgins Clark Award and The Night Visitors, which won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also the co-author, with her husband Lee Slonimsky, of the Watchtower fantasy trilogy. Her work has appeared in such journals as The Greensboro Review, Literal Latte, The Midwest Quarterly, and Other Voices. After graduation from Vassar College, where she majored in Latin, she taught Latin for several years in Austin, Texas. She then received an M.F.A. in fiction from the New School University. Goodman currently teaches literature and writing at The New School and SUNY New Paltz and lives with her family in the Hudson Valley.

Reviews

[AH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial Thoughts: I think that what I enjoyed most about this book was the atmosphere. This is a book that transported me to wherever the main character was: modern day Fairwick College, Faerie, and 17th century Scotland. I loved that even in the present, The Angel Stone had a lovely Gothic feel to it. I also enjoyed how the author used myth and folklore in her book.

The Review:

I first fell in love with this series when I read The Demon Lover. I liked how the author created a magical world nestled in the Catskills Mountains at a fictional college. I could picture in my head the college buildings covered in ivy, the quaint little town surrounding the college and the lush green of the hills surrounding the town. Then, when I met the town’s inhabitants, I was intrigued. Fairwick was not your ordinary town. The inhabitants were quite special.

The Angel Stone picks up right where The Water Witch left off. Callie McFay is teaching a course at the “new” Fairwick College. Things just aren’t the same since the door to Faerie was closed. There’s a new Dean at the college and his agenda is a little sinister. Callie and her colleagues vow to defeat the Dean and his supporters who happen to be nephilim. Callie learns that she must retrieve the Angel Stone, an opal with special powers, in order to defeat the nephilim. Problem is, the stone was last seen in 17th century Scotland.

There’s a bit of a rich dark, Gothic feel to this book. The author layers myth and folklore together to form a compelling narrative. The story is told mostly from Callie’s point of view. There are some intriguing dream sequences that felt almost too real when Callie awoke to sprigs of heather in her bed.

I liked how the element of time travel was handled in this book. Callie realizes that since she is a doorkeeper, she can use the hallow door to travel to Faerie. In Faerie, she rescues William Duffy from the fae queen and they travel back in time to 17th century Scotland in order to find the Angel Stone. I loved the scenes in Scotland (yes, I am a sucker for a brawny highlander).

The magic was so cool, especially the weaving of the plaid. I loved how the witches worked together and combined their powers to help defeat the nephilim.

The Angel Stone had a diverse and eccentric cast of characters. Not only did it include the usual supernatural suspects – witches, vampires, fae, etc., the book also had a character with Down’s syndrome (go, Jessica!) and another who suffered from a mental illness.

I enjoyed The Angel Stone and I’m keeping my eye out for more books by this author, who also writes as Carol Goodman.

Review posted on Badass Book Reviews.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Ballantine Books for a review copy of this book.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be honest with you. I haven’t read the first two books in this trilogy. I approached this particular conundrum as a scientific experiment to see if I could follow along with enough of the story that I didn’t feel as though I had wandered around in the woods late at night without my shoes or socks. Since my wife reads all of my reviews before I post them, she’s probably shaking her head at this point, and I’m sure I’ll hear about it later. But I was able to follow along, and I did enjoy myself, although there was a bit of a learning curve. I did miss a few inside jokes, and I did scratch my head at times when I probably should have laughed. But I laugh more than enough as it is anyway. The challenge suited me, just as the unconventional often does as well.

THE ANGEL STONE, however, took unconventionality to new heights and then proceeded to aim for the direction of Jupiter while bypassing the moon entirely. Had I read THE DEMON WITCH and THE WATER LOVER, I still would have been overwhelmed by the preponderance of nephilims and fairies and witches and the angel stone and tartan cloaks and gnomes and owls and brownies (not the edible kind) and winged monsters and pirates and trows and gargoyles and folklore and romance and Tam Lin and Luckenbooth brooches and vampires and Fairy Queens and Kings and All Hallow’s Eve and enchanted woods and the incubus.

But once my body purged those half a dozen brain cells, I actually started to enjoy my life minus that IQ point that I lost. This novel blended fantasy and historical fiction and romance with ease, and the cast of characters proved both interesting and entertaining. After all, this is a college campus, and as such, fair women are taken advantage of through spells and enchantments and imbued beverages, and men are often prone to act like shitheads, especially when alcoholic cocktails and exorbitant amounts of testosterone are involved.

But the real heart of this tale is Cailleach (half-witch/half-fey) who proves strong and admirable and quite desirable and who jumps back in time to restore the balance to fair Fairwick, NY. And in the process, she discovers a manifestation of the love that got away.

I received this book for free through NetGalley.

Cross-posted at Robert's Reads

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you.

In this book, Callie is still grieving Bill while dealing with Nephilim who have overtaken the college with the help of the few fae friends of hers that remain. All while trying to protect her students and find a way to reopen the door to Fairie. When Callie discovers the key to defeating the Nephilim, she has to open the door, travel to the past, and there she will get what she needs to save them all. And maybe be able to save her love as well.

This was my third reread of this series and I still love it as much as the first time. It has everything I love. It's a mix of gothic, romance, fantasy, horror, and mystery. The town always makes me think of this sweet little fairyland village. The house she lives in sounds lovely. And she herself is strong, independent, caring, and compassionate. It's really one of the most amazing series I've read, and the first time I picked it up was random. It was by complete chance, or maybe luck, that I found this series.

The last book of the trilogy is honestly my least favorite of the three, but I still LOVE it. It is a must-read for the series and really informs about many things that have come up in the last two books. It just feels like the story has veered off course a bit. The enchanting feeling I got from the last two books is still here in this one, just not anywhere near as strong, and that's my only real issue with it. I look forward to my next re-read, which I know will come again and again.

[Patrice Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fairwick Chronicles has come to an end with The Angel Stone. I hate to see Callie go but after 3 books I'm beat. Anyone who is interested in reading this book should read the first two The Demon Lover and The Water Witch. Juliet Dark does supply readers with ample background information but it's really necessary to go discover it all first-hand and not in the abridged version provided in this novel. With that being said let's move on to my thoughts... yes!

Juliet Dark begins The Angel Stone a few months later from where the plot ended in The Water Witch. Those who have followed the series know that Callie's incubus has been killed after becoming human briefly. Duncan Laird, the evil wizard of the 9th order, and his nephilim, have taken over the Fairwick College and have big plans for the student body. Callie and the others left in Fairwick after the door was closed, devise a plan to take back their school as well as their lives. This is the goal at least until Callie finds another guy...

Callie must be the hottest woman on earth because she gets laid constantly. Sorry to be so brash but she's really romping it up and when she isn't she's dreaming about it. That was the most annoying aspect of The Water Witch. Lucky me (insert sarcasm here) Juliet Dark continued to keep up with that bizarre limbido of Callie's. I needed to get that gripe off my chest and move on to the good.

Juliet Dark's writing is still top-notch with this novel. I feel like I've escaped to another dimension every time I pick up a Fairwick Chronicle book. The setting is well described with a supporting cast of characters worth getting to know throughout the 3 books in this series.

Overall, I am saddened that my time with Callie is over but I am still relieved. It's so tiring that Callie finds any reason to let a hot piece of tail distract her from saving Fairwick. I have enjoyed this journey and has made me a fan of the fantasy romance genre. I recommend this novel to anyone who's read the other two first, and lives for the romance in a fantastical world.

[Lucie Paris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big fan of the first volume, "The Demon Lover", I confess to not being managed to find the same magic than in the first one. The tome 1 was a tasty mix of magic, myths and legends, a quest, fairies, fightings and a beautiful love story.
Sure, I had noticed some heaviness due to many details, but all were consistent and have carried me in an amazing world. I was really thrilled to continue the serie.

"The water witch", the second opus of the tale, was great because more magic and supernatural were added in the story. But suddenly, it was the evolution of the heroine, Callie, after loosing her lover that had disappointed me. More lengths also and much less good romance for ma taste.
Fortunately, the final scenes have awakened my interest and made ​​me want to eagerly continue the "Fairwick Chronicles" until the end.

Unfortunately same thing in "The Stone Angel", there is an imbalance in the story. The first part is a little too soft and dull even if is full of supernatural elements. Also a sense of repetition and lot of details that obstruct the text.
Then, when I began to doubt, the author has succeeded, again, to pique my interest with a travel to the past that explains Callie's role and love story.
Even though I enjoyed less her affair with William, how their relationship is portrayed made ​​me turn the pages. Liam will always be my favorite lover for Callie. He conquered me from the start!

Despite my remarks, the "Fairwick Chronicles" is an awesome serie. Juliet Dark takes you into her endearing universe, teeming of excellent and charming characters.
I also loved the Celtic legends and tales that are at the center of the saga.
For lovers of folklore, fairies and second chances.

Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...

[BlebeTanja]

Update: I GOT APPROVED ON NETGALLEY! AAAA! *does the Carlton dance*

__________________________

What if I die before September????? :O

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

The atmosphere of The Angel Stone, book 3 of the Fairwick Chronicles had the same kind of Gothic touch and complex, fantasy storytelling as the earlier installments. I loved that as much as I did in book 1, The Demon Lover and book 2, The Water Witch. I was eagerly waiting for the conclusion because I wanted to see the Incubus back in the story. But did it meet my expectations? Let’s see...

In book 1, we meet Callie, a half-witch, half-fey girl. An orphan, Callie had been raised by her cold and distant grandmother. Then, as she grew up, Callie started dreaming of this dream lover who would come to her at night and make love to her. She could blame it on anything, except that the lovemaking seems too real to dismiss as dreams. It keeps happening so frequently that Callie begins to wonder her sanity. After her thesis on her favorite subject of Folklore, Callie gets a job as a professor in the small-town of Fairwick. She was not very keen on it, but somehow everything about this quaint town attracted her to a point that Callie, who thought herself a practical girl (even with her obsession with fey, witches and the like), makes quite a few impulsive decisions. She not only joins as a Professor but also buys a house called the Honeysuckle House which is situated on the edge of the wood, bordered by a huge growth of entangled honeysuckle vines. Callie finds the story of a reclusive novelist living all her life in it but that story doesn’t really go anywhere, except for binding her to the Incubus. Yes, a research told Callie that the author had indeed been visited by one, the same thing that visited her when she was young and thought to be her Prince Charming. It’s a long, complicated story but the fact of the matter is, soon enough Callie finds her true calling.

The reality (or was it?) is slapped on her face when she finally learns of her origin as a fairy door-keeper, that Fairwick is actually an enchanted town where fey, witches and other types of supernatural beings live together. There are unsuspecting humans too. Callie also learns that the dean of the Fairwick collage, Elizabeth Book, is actually a witch, that Soheila Lily, a professor there, is a wind elemental who once was a succubus. There are others such as hers in the collage, even the fairy queen, Fiona, the cold b!tch I hated on spot. Now all of them want the Incubus, who was still visiting Callie and taking her to the Fairyland etc. in her dreams, be vanquished for security reasons. According to Soheila, an Incubus can’t have any good reason to be with a human, except to suck the life out of his ‘prey’. I, personally, didn’t believe in it because I felt that the Incubus really did have some kind of connection with Callie, as he kept showing her through those dreams. So much so that he returns as a poetry Professor, Liam (whom I could tell was him but Callie never did until the end) to teach. Callie is attracted and jumps into bed with him soon. Unfortunately, when some bad stuff keep happening (not the Incubus’s fault), the witches convince Callie that it’s because of him, making her chicken out. With Dean Book, her partner, the deer fairy Diana and Soheila’s help, Callie banishes the Incubus/Liam to the borderland, where he’d suffer for eternity. I was so pissed at her, could never forgive Callie for her idiocy, even though she keeps saying Liam hurt her… not sure how though. *eyeroll*

In book 2, I didn’t know what to expect. Callie tells us she’s missing Liam/Incubus a lot and knowing that he won’t be coming back doesn’t help. Soheila asks her to buckle up and concentrate on her teaching job. They also discuss on Callie’s own power that needs to be practiced and developed because they all sense something very strong in her. For that, a teacher is employed; a Duncan Laird. Never once that I thought he’s the Incubus when he starts teaching Callie, though SHE makes the mistake. How could she, after having the Incubus as her lover for so long, make such a stupid mistake I couldn’t imagine? She even lets him become intimate once or twice, though it doesn’t go far. In this book, we also meet the Stewarts, who at one time resided in the village of Ballydoon in Scotland. They’re a sort of witches who can weave protection spell, keeping Fairwick safe from the otherworldly creatures that can come through the door to the fairy, which is incidentally, also that Honeysuckle vine near Callie’s house. Here, we have some new adventures for Callie, who is given the task of saving some undine eggs with Aelvesgold (something coming from the fairy and very much in demand among the creatures living in this world). Callie does her job well, but she also meets her Incubus when she goes to the fairy to safely escort the remaining undines. He somehow tricks her to free him.

Soon, news arrive that there is trouble ahead and it’s not from one crazy undine which escaped the Fairy. It’s more to do with a bunch of Nephilims who are currently in Fairwick, and they’re just a fraction of the original number. They have a mission to fulfill here. More complicated history follows, of how the Nephilims came to be as a cross-breed among the beautiful elves and the humans they impregnated, and how they became so violent when their fathers rejected the first batch for being so ugly etc. Over the centuries, the beauty of their gene has taken over but the heart and mind remained the same; as cold and cruel as ever. And they’re still secretly breeding with human to ensure that THEY are the one who rule this side of the world one day. They’re vicious, ruthless and mindless to the max. They can control your mind; twist and turn in a way that you’d end up wishing you were dead. And then, they’d just suck you dry and kill you. Callie was very late learn that her Incubus actually came to her as Bill, the shy handyman she hired to do her job when her regular handyman Brock, an ancient Norse deity, got badly injured from a fall. With Bill, Callie falls in love (though I didn’t believe in her feelings when she was rubbing off with Duncan for the 80% of the story thinking he’s the Incubus!). I always found Duncan a bit cold and calculating though he fooled Callie with his blonde good looks. Callie also learns that her Grandmother, the one who raised her, is also a witch and have taken the side of the Nephilims. And the Nephilims are winning the bargain because they produce their own Aelvesgold. They’ve been manipulating those witches with that lure. They’ve also want the door to the Fairy closed forever. This way, they can rule the Earth, securing the ‘assistance’ of the other supernatural beings.

It seems like the Nephilims won the final battle, though Callie tries her best to keep the door open by bonding her heart with the door. Majority of her friends, including Dean Book and Diana are forced to leave for the Fairy. But Soheila and another professor and witch, Frank Del Marco stay behind. In the last scuffle, when Duncan, who comes out in his real form, tries to strike Callie down, Bill saves her but is killed himself. It was all a little hazy for me at that point but apparently, since Callie started loving him unknowingly even then, he became a human once more. Yes, they shared a bond of heart, which only needed to be recognized by Callie. But she couldn’t so far because of some spell her mother put on her when she was young. It seems now it’s all gone, leaving Callie distressed and once again, heartsick.

I needed to recap because the story in book 3 picks up from where it was left in book 2. But I think one can read this as a standalone because the author did a splendid job of providing little recaps whenever it was necessary to link the other books without being overly repetitive.

At this point, some months have passed by and the Nephilims have taken over the entire Fairwick; especially Callie’s collage where now Duncan reigns as the Dean. He’s brought in several other kinds of creatures masquerading as human to work with him. There are several new boys in the collage too; all with angelic, blonde good looks but one look at their semi-cold eyes tells you what they really are. Callie is still teaching but Soheila and Frank are not. The vampires, who were also professors of Fairwick collage, have also left or went into hiding, just as the rest of the good witches of the Witches Circle who helped Callie in her quests in book 2. Callie could’ve left her post but she needs to keep an eye on her students as most of them have no idea what’s going on, except that things have changed around the collage. The place is not as warm and welcoming anymore. There are some restrictions all through the campus but Callie knows Duncan won’t do anything without a plan; something that is the part of a bigger, more sinister one. Worse, Duncan is still trying to ‘woo’ her because he wants to draw her to his side.

But for Callie there’s no one else but Bill. She’s sure she would never see him again. Now all she wants is to cleanse Fairwick off of Nephilims. She’s been meeting up with Soheila and Frank in secret to investigate. It’s apparent that those frat boys (the new ones) who have taken over the Hart Brake Inn, a place opposite to Honeysuckle House, are going to be used for something... But what? Callie doesn’t feel safe around the house, so she begins putting on wards etc. so that nothing can harm her whenever she’s inside.

One day, Nicky Ballad, one of Callie’s students stops by. Nicky and Callie share a history that is explored in book 1 and 2. Since then, the girl has been a champion of Callie’s. She also loves fairytales just as much as her. Nicky brought back a book from Scotland titled “The Ballads of William Duffy”, a 17C folklore written by a woman named Mary MacGowan. This thoroughly interests Callie, more so because the narratives in this one had the same tune as Tam Lin, a favorite from Callie’s childhood fairytales. A man named Tam Lin is kidnapped by the Fairy Queen. He asks his beloved to come and get him after 7 years and hold onto him no matter what. When the girl goes to rescue him, he transforms into some scary creatures before turning into himself. This was necessary to break the curse put on him by the Fairy Queen, which she does... After Tam Lin is rescued, he marries the girl and lives HEA. But William Duffy’s story, as the author indicates, is based on a true story. Nicky gifts the book but Callie asks her to find out more on Mary MacGowan. I was left amazed when Mary’s ‘true’ identity was revealed in the final chapters.

As she begins to read the Ballad, Callie finds that this definitely connects her to her Incubus. She begins dreaming of him again, this time his face transforms from Liam to Bill to finally a younger guy with green eyes and handsome features, somewhat resembling Bill. Callie’s sex dreams return too because she’d always find herself in the middle of a clearing full of heather, a hollow door standing at one side of it with an impatient William waiting for her as if they’re meant to meet. Upon waking up, Callie would find heathers strewn all over her bed.

Because she must act quickly, Callie informs Soheila and Frank about this. They learn of a stone called the Angel Stone that is necessary for her quest in banishing the Nephilims. Callie meets up with the ancient Grandmother of the Stewarts, Nan Stuart too who tells her that she has to travel to the 17C Scotland to find the stone as it’s still there. When she group the few remaining witches together for the big ceremony, which has to take place on the Halloween, Callie finds that she’s coming up short. They need more power to work on this, also to stave off the Nephilims who’d surely attack them.

Then all of a sudden, her grandmother along with two of her other buddies, visits her. She looks so worn and thin, Callie can’t believe it is that same grandmother who held nothing but contempt for her father. It turns out their jaunts with Nephilims haven’t gone well. They were attacked where they were hiding, which left them old and frail. But when they hear of Callie’s plan, they agree to help her in this. The Angel Stone needed to be found soon.

The Angel Stone is said to be a magical stone that has been shaped from the tears of the last of the elf fathers before the ugly generation came into being. I don’t know exactly why this held such power to banish the Nephilims but it did. On the eve of the Halloween, the whole campus shuts down because Duncan has ordered it with some lame excuses. Callie knew if the girls are here, they might be attacked by those boys, who are cross-breds between Nephilim fathers and human mothers. Callie had already tried discouraging some serious partying that can only lead to one thing, transforming Fairwick as another of their breeding ground. Then Callie tried a spell that’d make her human students so homesick that they should run to their homes immediately. But somehow it doesn’t work and they are back at Callie’s house.

The ban on Halloween observation doesn’t stop Callie from making some Halloween paraphernalia. She creates three figures from her pumpkin carvings and old clothing, then enchants them with a request to guard her oblivious students while she’s not here. The figures agree to protect the students. Callie also tries to reach out to those boys who have been watching her silently lighting candles, among other things, as if to decorate her house; her plan to appeal to their human side in order to have their help, if possible.

Callie dresses as a medieval maid, or close to it and begins her journey through the wood. As she reaches her destination, she finds that the witches are already carrying on with the ceremony. Only Frank is not present because he was injured while saving Callie from one of Duncan’s attacks before all these, which made Callie determined to get this over with. But now that time has come, she’s overwhelmed. Can she do it? Callie finally steps into the portal opened by the witches... and stumbles somewhere near another wood. It seems like a procession full of supernatural creatures is on its way. Callie knows this is where William is supposed to be. In the Ballad, it was said that William was not rescued but Callie rescues him. When she gazes up at a young William, Callie realizes just how close he resembles her Bill. William, it seems recognizes her too, but not as ‘Callie’ but as Cailleach of another time. It seems like the old Cailleach resembled her to an alarming degree! What does that mean?

William later realizes though that Callie is not the same Cailleach. They venture into a small village from where William hails. It seems eerily quiet as if everyone is in the hiding. William finds his aunt’s house empty but decides to stay there and investigate. I distinctly disliked Callie having sex with him on the first day because I couldn’t understand exactly why she’d be horny in the middle of such a confusing situation! Later, their investigation reveals this village being plagued by the witch hunters who have been taking people from the village to a nearby crumbling castle, Coldclough which looms over the village like something dark, unwelcoming and ominous. They also meet another of William’s relations, a woman in her mid/late thirties, Nan. Callie immediately thinks this is the ancestor of the Nan she knows from future but we later learn that she’s THE Nan of future!

At that point, I thought anything is possible... so I moved on.

When they all talk, things begin unraveling. It seems like the Nephilims have always played a big role as witch-hunters for obvious reasons; eliminating threats. Nan and William listen to Callie’s part of the story, of a future they can’t even imagine. But because they believe in the impossible, they believe in Callie’s stories too. Callie learns of the first Cailleach, or Katy as they called her, who came to this village from the woods. Everyone thought her to be crazy but somehow she made a place, even got married and had a girl named Mairi. But then she disappears just as suddenly leaving her husband heartbroken. From all things, it was no doubt that this Katy was Callie’s ancestor. I was confused about her relationship with William, as it never really felt like he missed her while doing you-know-what in and around the Fairy!

Aside from such crazy thoughts, I actually enjoyed this part of the story MUCH MORE than the first 50% which seemed to be dragging, making me think that the fun has gone out of the story. I was wrong of course. Soon Callie gets a glimpse of the Angel Stone too, which is possessed by the head witch-hunter, Endymion. Callie and William have to save them. They also have to find a way to have the Angel Stone back. And for that, Callie and Nan join forces with a few other trusty witches to find a solution for this... which will lead you how the Stewards or the Stewarts were originally founded.

The ending is full of actions. First, Callie, William and Nan, alongside the Stewards fight the Nephilims... Before Callie leaves, William makes a fast decision. A sad twist in the story. The fact was, Willam’s transformation has not yet happened, so he decides to serve Fairy Queen in order to become the man Callie falls in love in the future. I had some of my crazy questions here as well- about William’s ‘real’ intention, also to learn of Endymion, the gorgeous Nephilim’s true identity. Something made me think it was another of Duncan’s faces but we’re never made sure of that.

Callie returns to the present to find that the Nephilims have attacked her friends. It was THE big showdown and I enjoyed every moment of it! I loved how the author tried to give us solutions for almost every puzzle she put Callie through. I also appreciated her having me hooked no matter what. One last complaint that I had was about Callie and the Incubus’s much anticipated reunion. I was definitely hoping for something grander, something mind-blowing. Too many pages were spend in showing that he might not return and Callie trying to move on with her life, devoting herself in rebuilding Fairwick. TBH, I was NOT happy because it scared the hell outta me! When they finally come together, it was SO abrupt that it left me with frustration... 4 stars.


This ARC was provided to me by Random House/Ballantine Books via edelweiss which didn’t influence my review and rating in any way.

[C.M. Truxler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Angel Stone is Heavenly Read

To say simply that a work like The Angel Stone, the third book of the Fairwick Chronicles, by Juliet Dark, aka Carol Goodman, is a Fantasy Fiction novel written in first person does such an injustice to the work that it puts the entire reviewing process into question. It is a cross-genre novel, but to say even that bit more does not add the needed information. It occurs to me that the only reason Hollywood has not latched onto this series is that it could never do justice to the tale, regrettably that has never stopped the Hollywood establishment before. This book has something for every Fantasy fan and then some, from action to mystery to romance to mythical beings; it is full of what readers crave.

The characters are vivid and emotionally charged, which creates the alternate reality for which many authors only strive. The main character, Cailleach McFay, is strong, brave, and loves with her full heart. She is a hero worthy of the classic epics. The other characters are just as vivid as Cailleach, staying with readers even after the tale is finished. Cailleach is not the only character at the forefront, but it is her story and she is telling it.

The plot is a twisting and turning roller-coaster of action and events, which readers devour page by page until it is gone. The tale, though complex, is easy to follow and flows smoothly throughout. Landscapes transition through time and experience with nary a hiccup. Dark’s/Goodman’s work is creative and fresh. It envelopes readers in worlds and situations that are so skillfully created that each leaves little wonder as to why well-written literature is an art form. It is always wonderful to find a new exhilarating writer and/or work to explore. This author and series does not disappoint.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Angel Stone
4 Stars

In the aftermath of the Nephilim's takeover of Fairwick College and the closing of the only remaining door to Faerie, students and faculty struggle against the tyranny of the new administration. In order to protect her allies and save her friends in Faerie, folklore professor Callie Macfay must travel back in time to 17th century Scotland to locate the fabled Angel Stone, and perhaps even save the life of her demon lover.

The first half, which establishes the Nephilim's sinister and insidious reign in Fairwick and the resistance on the part of the residents, has more of a dystopian feel than the previous books and is very compelling.

The second half detailing Callie's journey to the past is interesting although the history of the time period, i.e., the witch trials and the clashes between Scottish clans could have been better incorporated.

As in the first two books, the charming setting, the colorful characters and the captivating romance make for wonderful reading. My only concern, i.e., that Callie would end up with William's descendent was ultimately unfounded, and the resolution to this aspect of the story is very satisfying.

All in all, Fairwick Chronicles is a well-written tale of magic, community, friendship and eternal love. Highly recommended for fans of both UF and PNR.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay.

It's hard to read books after reading such an excellent one, because it dampens the books that you read after.

It was a decent enough story and very readable.

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third and final book in the Fairwick Chronicles. This is a beautifully written paranormal series about a woman who moves to a small town and ends up embroiled in a battle to save Fairie.

There are spoilers ahead from the second book, so just be warned.

In the previous book Callie McFay failed to stop the last door to Fairie from closing and suffered when her incubus lover died. To complicate things the evil nephilim have moved in and starting taking over the college that Callie teaches in and taking over the town of Fairwick. Callie has had mysterious dreams that point at their being one more door to Faerie somewhere. Callie has to figure out where this last door to Faerie is before the Fey of Fairwick start to die. Callie also has to figure out how to defeat and drive out the nephilim before they destroy everything about Fairwick that Callie holds dear.

This book is just absolutely beautifully written and ties up the series nicely. This is a wonderful story about fey and time travel in a small country town. I have really loved this series. I love the beautiful settings and sensual writing.

Callie has come a long way from who she was in the first book. She is still learning how to use her powers as a witch though. In this book she goes on a long self-exploratory journey to find the last door to Fairie. Then she goes on a long journey through time to find something called The Angel Stone, that is rumored to be able to defeat the nephilim.

The writing is beautiful and I love the wonderful small town setting. There is a lot of mythology tied into this story. The faerie tale explored in the most depth is that of Tam Lin.

In each book we have meet an aspect of Callie’s demon lover. In the first book it was that of the demon lover/incubus Liam, in the second it was that of Bill the handyman that was the incubus broken down by love, and this book we meet yet another aspect of this man/fey.

My only main complaint about his book was that the ending felt very rushed. I would have liked an epilogue showing how Callie ended up continuing on or something like that. There was just a lot that happened quickly and it left me feeling a bit unsatisfied with how everything ended. Don’t get me wrong everything is tied up nicely, it is just kind of abrupt. I wish we had had a little time to bask in Callie’s successes.

Overall this has been an absolutely magical and beautiful series. I have really really enjoyed it and definitely plan on checking future books by this author. Juliet Dark also writes under the name Carol Goodman and has a young adult novel called Blythwood coming out shortly that I definitely want to read. This series is highly recommended to those who enjoy magical descriptions and magic, also to those who enjoy faerie based paranormal books.

[Melissa ♥ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

How sad I am that The Fairwick Chronicles have come to a close (I think) with The Angel Stone! This series is perhaps the epitomy of my favorite sort of read. Dark and gothic, magical and hopeful…set in a small town with amazing characetrs. I just loved every moment of this ride Juliet Dark has taken us on.

In the third piece of this trilogy we see the town banding together to defend itself and stand up for what the town of Fairwick embodies. And it sure embodies a lot! Every imaginable type of mythical/paranormal creature calls this town it’s home and together they must figure out a way to regain a town and college lost to those who would control it and banish/destroy all the others. Add to that a new element – Time Travel – and one might say that Dark had attempted too much within this series….that all of these paranormal creatures and storylines is overload. I would wholeheartedly disagree!

I loved how all of the characters, new and old, and even an adorable door mouse named Ralph, examine their weaknesses and find their inner strengths while on the path to save Faiwick and the college. Most of all though…I loved that we and Callie have the opportunity to revisit the past, meet William, watch Callie grow finally into the strong and independant woman we knew was there…and then finally get our Happily Ever After!

Juliet Dark’s amazing world building and character development coupled with the lyricism and beauty of her writing style pull everything together and make this a must read series.

[Marie Z Johansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a life long fair tale fan, and I have been a big fan of this fantasy series by Juliet Dark (aka Carol Goodman) since it began with "The Demon Lover". Each of these books works well as a stand alone book though so you don't have to read the entire three book series, but I think that once you read " The Angel Stone" you will want to read the other two books!

Over the course of the last two volumes I have become enthralled with the quirky world of Fairwick College, and the delightful mix of it's inhabitants. The witches, demons, fey,nephilium, and humans are all rife with possibility. The plots all contain what could be considered an allegorical basis in the truth of all humanity and they contain the best elements of what makes up all good, timeless fairytales.

With The Angel Stone this trilogy sadly comes an end. I will miss waiting for the next book in the series,but I will console myself by reading more of Carol Goodman's other novels.

The Angel Stone was a delightful read that held my interest. I almost read it all the way in a day! I love the creativity that comes through in this tale of love lost and found again- of just causes fought for well and won. Although this is a tale of fantasy there are bits of real world wisdom to be found as well

Although YMMV ( your mileage may vary) I suspect that any fantasy/ paranormal or escapist reader will surely enough this creatively written delightful read.

[Ionia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must confess that I haven't read the other two books in this series, but this cover was so beautiful and enchanting that it drew me and demanded that I read this one. Not an issue, I was able to figure out what I needed to through the brief recounting the author does, and went on to enjoy this book immensely. Of course, now I want to go back and read the others.

If you enjoy atmospheric novels this one is a good bet. I got the Gothic feel all the way through the book, and the dialogue is fantastic as well. The characters feel very natural and it was easy to find myself imagining that I was the one talking to them.

The main character in this book is great and has a lot of personality and traits that make her not only a good heroine, but the kind of girl you want to become friends with.

Over all, this was a very enjoyable story that I am happy to recommend to others.

This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all see what we want or need to see in a book we read and with this book I see a adult fairy tale with a very satisfying ending. I was not sure about this book because I thought it started off a bit slow, but there is a reason for this. It has to built us up for the jump to the past along with the outcome that comes to be. I was so torn up about Liam, Bill and William....although all are one of the same. There is a bit of darkness that is part of this tale but without the darkness the light would not have the same dramatic effect. This was a wonderful fairy tale but this is for adults not recommended for those under 18 since there are some sex scenes.

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was more feminist than I expected, and that was excellent!
The story was very atmospheric and the narration really well done.

[Mina De Caro (Mina's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my extended review on MINA'S BOOKSHELF http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2013/0...

Welcome to Fairwick College, a picturesque academic community located in a secluded area of upstate New York. Populated by a crowd of otherwordly creatures, disguised as humans and perfectly blended in the charming environment of a college town, Fairwick offers the best of Northern European folklore and fae mythology.

In The Angel Stone , cross-genre novel and final installment in The Fairwick Trilogy (penned by literary fiction author Carol Goodman under the pseudonym of Juliet Dark), Gothic and paranormal elements, folk traditions and literary references give shape to a fantasy world richly conceived, vividly portrayed, and laced with an alluring dose of romantic flavor. Fairies and witches, vampires and goblins, demon lovers and nephilims, wizards and other mythical beings trapped in the 'shadow land' between humans and Fairy World, are involved in an epic fight for the control of the passages connecting the two realms. Torn between loyalty to her community and undying love for her own incubus, Callie McFay, a fairy/witch hybrid and only surviving doorkeeper of the Fae World, will need to travel back in time to a 17th century Scotland to recover an amulet (the Angel Stone) that can protect her people from the nephilims' aggression. While rescuing faes and humans from the tiranny of the fallen angels, Callie will find in her ancestral history an even more powerful talisman and a way to reconnect with her true love, once and for all.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Fairwick Chronicles, with a warning: it would be a good idea to approach this highly imaginative trilogy starting with its previous installments. As cosmology, plot threads, and characters' back-stories are inextricably entwined and arc back to the prequel The Demon Lover (read my review here http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2012/0...) and to transition episode The Water Witch, The Angel Stone doesn't really work as a stand-alone. Although the author provides her readers with a nutshell summary and sparse references to some pivotal facts concerning world-building and characters' back-story, only an ordered narrative framework can enhance your enjoyment and connection to cast and storyline.

Although the romantic element doesn't unfold with the same intensity and sensual charge of the previous books, the relationship between Callie and the different human incarnations of her demon lover finds its gratifying fulfillment in this ultra-sweet finale. With an abundance of fairy lore, pagan traditions, and references to ancient rituals performed in occasion of the winter solstice, The Angel Stone is a perfect Halloween read.

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had so much trouble finishing this book. The series went from okay to bad unfortunately.
The characters really could not interest me anymore and I found the story lacking an interesting build-up and at times it was very predictable.

[Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring as fuck. On hold for now.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad that this book ended! really well written and sucked me in completely.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Fantasy/romance par excellence

[ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

With more adventures than ever, Juliet Dark is back with the third book in the Fairwick Chronicles, Angel Stone. I found the first two books enjoyable, with the second book – The Water Witch coming in first and Angel Stone following closely behind, in second place.

After the Gove – a group of witches -- took over Fairwick in the last chapter of the series, everything is more uptight and there something amiss. A new and unknown creature sets foot in town, and Callie – a half witch/ half fey has to overcome her numbness after the death of her one true love and try to set things straight, in order to protect her town. But these creatures cannot be defeated, without the angel stone. Callie has to venture back in time to the seventeenth century Scotland in order to obtain it. On her search for the stone, she meets with William – an incarnation of her lost love, and is met with indecision to save her friends back home and lose her chance at renewed love, or to remain and forget all that has happened in Fairwick.

After reading The Water Witch, which had an amazing ending, I was in agony having to wait on the third book to be release. I really wanted to know what happened to Callie and her demon lover. I knew – I just knew Juliet Dark was going to come back with something creative! As always, the beginning of the book was a tad bit slow yet when the actions starts kicking in you won’t be able to stop reading.

One of my favorite parts would definitely be the time-traveling – who would mind a little journey to the past? I am glad that Callie was given an opportunity to meet with the incarnation of her lover. Because by doing so she was able to learn whom he was before, and how he became the man today. Their time together was fun, exciting, and full of passion. For The Demon Lover fans, I know it’s their romance that everyone is looking forward too, and let me just say, you do not want to miss this!


All I am going to say is that fans of Juliet Dark will not be disappointed!

[Anna Kosovac · Rating 2 out of 5]

After enjoying the first and second in the series, I had high hopes for the end to the trilogy. Unfortunately, they weren't met. The story felt rushed, badly put together and overdone. Our heroine, Callie McFay, goes back in time to Scotland to get a stone (not sure why), and then sits there to spin some thread for a month, and then remembers she needs to get the stone (still not clear why). The romance playing out between her and William is cringe-worthy, as is the on-again, off-again Scottish accent.

All in all, I had a lot of trouble getting through this book. Very little character development, villains were not interesting (they were just plain evil, with no interesting shades of grey). The gothic nature of the first book was lost in this one, which was a real shame.

Steer clear of this one if you value your time.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story that preserves female friendship

Finally finished the third, and I think the strength of the series is the fact the main character, Callie, maintains her other friendships, especially with women, throughout. The other woman are mentors and guides...not rivals. The romantic challenges avoid most Romance cliches of triangles, etc. it is a fantasy novel so the challenges and supernatural, but I was so glad to avoid the cliches.

I’m just really pleased by the real-world questions the novel raised about what’s a *healthy* relationship, and that a woman can have real friendships with others, including other women, while pursuing a man. Novels like this are the antithesis of unhealthy stories like “Twilight.” I’d r commend this series to young women readers without hesitation.

[Helen Pugsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another outstanding book! This one had me pulling off my copies of fairy tales from the shelves. Had to go deeper than Grimm to find my copy of Tam Lin! What an imaginative retelling of an old story!
If you're reading it for the sex don't bother. There wasn't really much room in the storyline for it. (Not my jam so I'm not mad)
Had to knock off a star because the part where she was trapped in Scotland was soooooo slooooooow. But then it picked back up and was well worth the read!
This is a good book with the overwhelming message "True love conquers all." I even had to commit a sin and since I OWN my copy I highlighted a few quotes.
Now to go back and read book one.

[Dragana · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Fairwick Chronicles' series always reminded me of a grown-up version of Harry Potter. I liked the magical school setting and different complications that teacher Callie solved in each book.

The Angel Stone is nice conclusion to the story , full of twists, surprises and interesting paranormal creatures. My only problem was that I have read The Water Witch long time ago and now felt a little bit detached from characters.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series and how the characters were written. The first book was a little trying to get through as some of the incubus sex scenes used metaphors that were a bit funny to me but the author may have been trying to construe the old gothic romance tone and I just missed it at the time. The venture to the past was intriguing in the Angel Stone and all loose threads buttoned up nicely at the end. I will most likely look at other books written by Dark/Goodman as I very much enjoyed her writing style!

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't really post a review until August 20th since that's one of the requirements from Ballantine, but I'll post a mini "should you or shouldn't you buy it" synopsis for now.

This isn't an awful book, but it is different from the two that preceded it. It's worth checking out for the most part, but I would say that if you went into this with as high of an expectation as I did, that you should lower it some.

(ARC provided through Netgalley)

[Danika · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was marginally more interesting than the second book, but still a horrendous disappointment. There was absolutely no character development, no relationship development, the story moved so quickly that it read more like an itemized list of things to do rather than a detailed story. And frankly, by adding time-travel to 17th century Scotland, it seemed like Dark/Goodman was writing a cheap knock-off of Outlander.

The overall ideas aren't bad, but they aren't really explored. These are basically underwhelming, underdeveloped, and under-seasoned romance novels that just happen to have an element of magic. Callie falls for 3 iterations of her incubus (Liam/Bill/William) with little to no explanation. I've felt more for characters in sonnets (poems in iambic pentameter that are 14 lines in length) than I did in about 1000 pages' worth of Dark's/Goodman's stories. Don't waste your time and money.

[Victoria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book 3 of The Fairwick Chronicles. I really enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy, but this one was nowhere near as entertaining. The premise is great, the idea of Callie having to go back in time to 17th century Scotland in order to try and stop the door between Fairwick and Faerie being closed forever. That appealed to me. However...the way the story goes is actually just too ridiculous for words. I feel like 17th century Scotland was very poorly researched. I hated the way the characters kept saying the odd scotch word or phrase, then reverting back to modern English. It felt so unauthentic. Disappointing. At one point, Callie is looking in the kitchen cupboards of a small dwelling in Ballydoon in the 17th century. She notices that “they don’t have much food in”, as if they need to take a trip to Tesco or something. I’m sorry, I just didn’t buy into any of it. I think the three books could have been condensed into two larger books, instead of publishing two great books, and a poor third.