A ghostly love in Scottish highlands! (4.5 stars)
C J Bahr's Walking Through Fire possesses all the dramatic ingredients required for a scrumptious read. From sexy ghosts, to ancients dwellings,to hidden mysteries, to religious references, to murderous villains, to time lapses and lastly, the mystical highlands of Scotland- where anything seems possible!
The character of Simon is a brooding, enigmatic one who is stuck between the cycle of life and death unless he atones for his duties. His wretched existence comes to an abrupt halt with the arrival of Laurel from America, who is given his room to reside into. With her, Simon finds a renewed hope to experience love for the first time in his entire existence. When her life hangs in balance Simon proves his devotion by making the ultimate sacrifice.
Meanwhile, the character of Laurel is a strong resilient one. Already hurting from a bitter breakup, she falls into the Alex's villainous trap and barely realizes it, until too late. She is forced to choose between Alex and Simon, and it is only her sharp mind and an astuteness which helps her choose the right person. Even after seemingly loosing Simon, she braves all odds to carry forward his legacy, to give him eternal peace.
Also, mention must be made of the villain Alex, who the author has portrayed interestingly as a rather charming, gentlemanly, and, outgoing person who, is a devil in disguise.
The other two characters of Beth and her husband Grant, also provides for another curious undercurrent if a subplot.
With her debut novel the author has proven her dexterous appeal in handling the plot of the story in a Delphic manner. With deliberate twist the plot has been set to span across two time lines, where we get to know of the concealed incidents of the ancient past as the story progresses. Starting off the 1st chapter in the past with the male protagonist's death,provides a brilliant shock of momentum when, it is followed by a 2nd chapter set in the present. The story keeps its rapid pace, building up tension as the plot first proceeds towards Laurel's meeting with Simon, then the realization that he is a ghost, and their budding relationship inspite of the odds stacked against them. Through all this development, the evil darkens around them and the treacheries and truths are laid bare in the final rush to climax. The climax of the story did not disappoint- with enough violence, destruction, carnage, sorrow and ultimately, providing a happy ending.
The story carries a thread of Christian overtone, where clan MacKay is seen as the direct descendant of Uriel. The clever use of the church and its's arcane archangel statues provides the backdrop for a tale of timeless secrecy.Throughout the plot three major tenants of Christian philosophy are woven intricately into the storyline- the themes of Damnation, Purification, and Resurrection.
Also, the inclusion of a sprinkle of humor into a heavy paced plot provides an intense comic relief with, Beth and Laurel's antics and, the ghost hunting episode.
Lastly, the mention of a bitter feud between two being carried out through the ages brings back glimpses of a bygone Scotland of clans and warfare and rivalry.
Although the perfection of the Scottish dialect would have provided a certain edge to the tale, but it's fleeting presence also does not clash with the storyline.
This book is a page turner, and absolutely gripping in it's appeal.
*Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.*