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Alice & Owen #1
Harmony of Fire
The We walk among us—beings who existed long before humans ever did, filled with powerful magic. Owen and Alice are both Etherealist, rare humans born with magic and a target for those We that wish to take it from them. At nine years old and against her will, Alice's soul was tied to one such powerful and evil We. She escaped and was trained as a weapon so she might one day break the bond and safely return home. Owen is a musician who is trying to outrun his past while keeping those around him safe in an increasingly dangerous world. Only through finding each other do either Alice or Owen have a chance of survival.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 28, 2022
282 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Brian Feehan
4 books89 followersBrian Feehan is a 2nd generation author, son to #1 New York Times Bestselling author Christine Feehan. He lives in a small coastal town in Mendocino County Ca with his son and the love of his life Michelle. He loves spending time with family, playing tennis, cooking, reading, and of course writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
June 26, 2022
Brian Feehan’s debut novel,
Harmony of Fire
is an intense paranormal romantic suspense novel with plenty of action, thrills, and edginess. It is the first book in the Alice & Owen series and is mainly set in Miami, Florida.
Owen and Alice are humans born with magic who are targets for beings that walk among humans called the We. When Alice was nine years old, she was tied to a powerful and evil member of the We against her will. After escaping from him, she is trying to break the bond between them. Owen is a musician trying to keep his friends safe until a group of hunters crosses their path. He decides to return home and seek protection. When Alice and Owen meet, their survival is at stake.
While Owen comes across as very likeable, Alice took this reader some time to warm up to. Owen is a musician, cares for others, and is a risk-taker while Alice is a warrior single-mindedly focused on breaking the bond to the We Kerogen. The chemistry between Owen and Alice creates an unusual dynamic through most of their difficulties.
The author’s creativity and great world-building stand out in this novel. However, it took a little while before I was fully engrossed in the story. The beginning sixteen chapters not only switch back and forth between the two main characters, but also move backwards and forwards in time ranging from years before they meet to hours before this significant event. While this interrupted the initial flow, these backstories gave great insight into their thoughts, behaviors, and actions.
The plot is solid and absorbing with both heartrending and pulse pounding moments. It kept me hooked and enabled me to empathize with the characters as they encountered struggle after struggle. This action-packed and suspenseful story kept me turning the pages. There was always something exciting about to happen. The story arc combines broken protagonists with themes of trust, protection, romance, selflessness, magic, family, racism, friendship, music, and much more. Written with skill in a way that blends magic with the inner lives of the characters, it’s an excellent start to what I hope will be a long series that meshes paranormal romance and suspense in an urban fantasy novel.
Overall, the story was engrossing, unique, and beautifully executed. If you enjoy contemporary paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasy novels, then this author may be one you will enjoy as much as I do. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Brian Feehan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 28, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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Review to be posted during the week prior to publication.
Owen and Alice are humans born with magic who are targets for beings that walk among humans called the We. When Alice was nine years old, she was tied to a powerful and evil member of the We against her will. After escaping from him, she is trying to break the bond between them. Owen is a musician trying to keep his friends safe until a group of hunters crosses their path. He decides to return home and seek protection. When Alice and Owen meet, their survival is at stake.
While Owen comes across as very likeable, Alice took this reader some time to warm up to. Owen is a musician, cares for others, and is a risk-taker while Alice is a warrior single-mindedly focused on breaking the bond to the We Kerogen. The chemistry between Owen and Alice creates an unusual dynamic through most of their difficulties.
The author’s creativity and great world-building stand out in this novel. However, it took a little while before I was fully engrossed in the story. The beginning sixteen chapters not only switch back and forth between the two main characters, but also move backwards and forwards in time ranging from years before they meet to hours before this significant event. While this interrupted the initial flow, these backstories gave great insight into their thoughts, behaviors, and actions.
The plot is solid and absorbing with both heartrending and pulse pounding moments. It kept me hooked and enabled me to empathize with the characters as they encountered struggle after struggle. This action-packed and suspenseful story kept me turning the pages. There was always something exciting about to happen. The story arc combines broken protagonists with themes of trust, protection, romance, selflessness, magic, family, racism, friendship, music, and much more. Written with skill in a way that blends magic with the inner lives of the characters, it’s an excellent start to what I hope will be a long series that meshes paranormal romance and suspense in an urban fantasy novel.
Overall, the story was engrossing, unique, and beautifully executed. If you enjoy contemporary paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasy novels, then this author may be one you will enjoy as much as I do. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Brian Feehan provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 28, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------
Review to be posted during the week prior to publication.
March 12, 2023
Harmony of Fire by Brian Feehan
Alice and Owen book #1. Fantasy romance.
Significant world building in a complex matrix of good and evil and the people stuck between them, with and without power. The timeline is in flux in the beginning of this story as the backgrounds are set up and important details are laid out. When Alice and Owen meet, it music and magic and compelling conflicts. They must fight to survive and the We are ultimate power.
Slow start from the detailed world building. Powerful romance at its end.
3.5
Alice and Owen book #1. Fantasy romance.
Significant world building in a complex matrix of good and evil and the people stuck between them, with and without power. The timeline is in flux in the beginning of this story as the backgrounds are set up and important details are laid out. When Alice and Owen meet, it music and magic and compelling conflicts. They must fight to survive and the We are ultimate power.
Slow start from the detailed world building. Powerful romance at its end.
3.5
July 5, 2022
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Harmony of Fire is a book that I have been highly anticipating and it was on the top of my list for 2022 of releases that were coming out. This author “Brian Feehan” is the son of Christine Feehan and Harmony of Fire is his debut novel. I was eagerly ready to read this one but I was a bit nervous as some of the reviews relayed that the first half is a bit slow going with the world-building style that happens. So I half-listened to the first half and then finished up the second half with the ARC that I received. I was impressed with this book and it’s not very often that I enjoy Urban Fantasy (as it tends to never have enough romance for me) but this one was very solid in the romance despite it being only in the second half of the story. I really was fascinated by the writing in the book as its vastly different from his mother and I am really happy about that. You can definitely see his flair and unique writing style and it completely worked for me and man can he write a romance haha
Summary
The story starts out with two main storylines, one that follows our hero, Owen. And the other that follows our heroine, Alice. Owen is the head of his troupe and is a protector and powerful in his own way. He keeps hidden, his power and his capabilities but are determined to keep his group protected no matter what. Then we have Alice, who as a little girl was forced to bond with an evil We. She has been apart from her family most of her life, and a priest has been protecting her and teaching her how to fight and protect herself. She is determined to find the evil We who bonded her so that she can be free of him. When Owen and Alice’s path’s meet in an interesting set of circumstances, Alice is captured by Owen and his people. Owen and Alice begin to build a bond, their chemistry is off the charts, but Owen is determined to win Alice’s trust and find out why she is so determined to kill all We and not just the evil ones. As Alice begins to learn the reality of the We and her relationship with Owen deepens, her true enemy will come to the surface, but only with them all working together can he be defeated and a future be available for Owen and Alice to forge their own path be possible…
What I Loved
There were so many unique aspects of the story that I truly found myself loving in this one. I will be honest if I was just grading the second half, this book would be a five-star read. But as the couple doesn’t even meet till past the 50% mark, it’s a solid 4-star. But I will say that I was impressed with how the romance developed, as it didn’t feel rushed, it felt completely natural in its progression. I adored the way that Alice and Owen interacted and seeing them form their bond. There is some angst, but despite them being a bit enemies to lovers, the angst level wasn’t super strong and I really enjoyed seeing the way that they developed their relationship and that there wasn’t this full-on hate, more like a distrust of each other at first. The world-building that is implemented was strong and does take over quite a bit of the first half, but as this is a UF type of world and the first in a series, that is expected to happen as there are some complexities to this world that is being created and it is good to have that foundation of knowledge going into this series. I really was intrigued by the world-building and the bit of Christian mythology that is portrayed within the story. It was truly fascinating and I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for the readership in future books. There are some unique and fun side characters that we see and I felt that they added a level of charm to the book that really balanced it out. The actual romance that forms between Owen and Alice is on point and the chemistry is steamy, and I was impressed with how it was built within the story. There is a level of playfulness within these more intimate scenes that I adored and was almost infectious and had me wanting more. The story ended with a HFN, with a slight teaser and I am curious to see Owen and Alice’s relationship build more in the next book.
What I Struggled With
I think the biggest aspect is there is a lot of world-building and the couple doesn’t meet until the latter half of the story and I would have liked more couple page time. I understand why it was written in this way but that is just my personal reader preference.
The Narration
I was impressed with the narrator, and this was my first time listening to him. I really felt like he pulled me into the story which is what I needed and I was impressed with his level of personalization of the characters and building upon the dramatic effect in the right moments.
Overall View
I found Harmony of Fire to be a stunning beginning to what is to be sure a fiery series. This book took my breath away, it held a captivating note all throughout the story that will charm and endear its readers and have you yearning for more of this power couple! TRULY AN EXHILARATING READ!
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Harmony of Fire is a book that I have been highly anticipating and it was on the top of my list for 2022 of releases that were coming out. This author “Brian Feehan” is the son of Christine Feehan and Harmony of Fire is his debut novel. I was eagerly ready to read this one but I was a bit nervous as some of the reviews relayed that the first half is a bit slow going with the world-building style that happens. So I half-listened to the first half and then finished up the second half with the ARC that I received. I was impressed with this book and it’s not very often that I enjoy Urban Fantasy (as it tends to never have enough romance for me) but this one was very solid in the romance despite it being only in the second half of the story. I really was fascinated by the writing in the book as its vastly different from his mother and I am really happy about that. You can definitely see his flair and unique writing style and it completely worked for me and man can he write a romance haha
Summary
The story starts out with two main storylines, one that follows our hero, Owen. And the other that follows our heroine, Alice. Owen is the head of his troupe and is a protector and powerful in his own way. He keeps hidden, his power and his capabilities but are determined to keep his group protected no matter what. Then we have Alice, who as a little girl was forced to bond with an evil We. She has been apart from her family most of her life, and a priest has been protecting her and teaching her how to fight and protect herself. She is determined to find the evil We who bonded her so that she can be free of him. When Owen and Alice’s path’s meet in an interesting set of circumstances, Alice is captured by Owen and his people. Owen and Alice begin to build a bond, their chemistry is off the charts, but Owen is determined to win Alice’s trust and find out why she is so determined to kill all We and not just the evil ones. As Alice begins to learn the reality of the We and her relationship with Owen deepens, her true enemy will come to the surface, but only with them all working together can he be defeated and a future be available for Owen and Alice to forge their own path be possible…
What I Loved
There were so many unique aspects of the story that I truly found myself loving in this one. I will be honest if I was just grading the second half, this book would be a five-star read. But as the couple doesn’t even meet till past the 50% mark, it’s a solid 4-star. But I will say that I was impressed with how the romance developed, as it didn’t feel rushed, it felt completely natural in its progression. I adored the way that Alice and Owen interacted and seeing them form their bond. There is some angst, but despite them being a bit enemies to lovers, the angst level wasn’t super strong and I really enjoyed seeing the way that they developed their relationship and that there wasn’t this full-on hate, more like a distrust of each other at first. The world-building that is implemented was strong and does take over quite a bit of the first half, but as this is a UF type of world and the first in a series, that is expected to happen as there are some complexities to this world that is being created and it is good to have that foundation of knowledge going into this series. I really was intrigued by the world-building and the bit of Christian mythology that is portrayed within the story. It was truly fascinating and I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for the readership in future books. There are some unique and fun side characters that we see and I felt that they added a level of charm to the book that really balanced it out. The actual romance that forms between Owen and Alice is on point and the chemistry is steamy, and I was impressed with how it was built within the story. There is a level of playfulness within these more intimate scenes that I adored and was almost infectious and had me wanting more. The story ended with a HFN, with a slight teaser and I am curious to see Owen and Alice’s relationship build more in the next book.
What I Struggled With
I think the biggest aspect is there is a lot of world-building and the couple doesn’t meet until the latter half of the story and I would have liked more couple page time. I understand why it was written in this way but that is just my personal reader preference.
The Narration
I was impressed with the narrator, and this was my first time listening to him. I really felt like he pulled me into the story which is what I needed and I was impressed with his level of personalization of the characters and building upon the dramatic effect in the right moments.
Overall View
I found Harmony of Fire to be a stunning beginning to what is to be sure a fiery series. This book took my breath away, it held a captivating note all throughout the story that will charm and endear its readers and have you yearning for more of this power couple! TRULY AN EXHILARATING READ!
July 22, 2022
Review coming soon.
June 28, 2022
The WE have been around since the beginning of time. They walk among us on Earth and have levels of power, seven being the strongest. When heaven and hell battled, they were forced to take sides.
This romantic story has a contemporary setting and follows several threads as we watch Alice, an etherialist and hunter, run from and track down the demon, Kerogen, who at nine forced a bond with her. We also follow Owen who is a musician, etherialist and gatekeeper until their paths cross. He and his group are on the move protecting an unbonded etherialist until she turns eighteen and can refuse a bond.
The world building was fascinating as we learned the world, its history and hierarchy and the threats and dangers they encounter. The information dumps bogged down the story and slowed the pace until Alice arrives at the bar where Owen and his people are. From there, the story took off. Despite the time required to build the world and introduce the characters, I found myself drawn into the story.
From the hunters who chase them to the bar keepers who offer haven to the complexity of the world, I was pulled in. The romance was a slow-burn and the magic intriguing. While this story has a series arc, we see some resolution and focus on one romance. I am looking forward to the things hinted at to come.
Secondary characters were distinct and memorable, and despite the darker tones, I laughed aloud and enjoyed seeing them perform, battle, and banter.
Fans of angels & demons, battles of good vs evil and dancing the grey line will want to dive in a read Harmony of Fire. Book two, Harmony of Lies will release February 2023.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
This romantic story has a contemporary setting and follows several threads as we watch Alice, an etherialist and hunter, run from and track down the demon, Kerogen, who at nine forced a bond with her. We also follow Owen who is a musician, etherialist and gatekeeper until their paths cross. He and his group are on the move protecting an unbonded etherialist until she turns eighteen and can refuse a bond.
The world building was fascinating as we learned the world, its history and hierarchy and the threats and dangers they encounter. The information dumps bogged down the story and slowed the pace until Alice arrives at the bar where Owen and his people are. From there, the story took off. Despite the time required to build the world and introduce the characters, I found myself drawn into the story.
From the hunters who chase them to the bar keepers who offer haven to the complexity of the world, I was pulled in. The romance was a slow-burn and the magic intriguing. While this story has a series arc, we see some resolution and focus on one romance. I am looking forward to the things hinted at to come.
Secondary characters were distinct and memorable, and despite the darker tones, I laughed aloud and enjoyed seeing them perform, battle, and banter.
Fans of angels & demons, battles of good vs evil and dancing the grey line will want to dive in a read Harmony of Fire. Book two, Harmony of Lies will release February 2023.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
June 28, 2022
I was intrigued to read this one as I know the author is Christine Feehan's son and I enjoy her books for the most part. Sadly this one didn't work out for me. I gave up at the 20% mark. Not really sure I can put a finger on what exactly turned me off, more it was that I wasn't sure what was going on. Sure some of that was due to the world set up in the book, but I was also bored. I kept stopping and it became harder for me to go back to listen to it. In the end this one just wasn't for me.
July 12, 2022
HARMONY OF FIRE is the first instalment in Brian Feehan’s contemporary, adult, ALICE AND OWEN urban fantasy, romance series focusing on musician/gatekeeper/Etherialist Owen Brown, and twenty-six year old, Etherialist/ hunter Alice.
SOME BACKGROUND: The We have been around since the dawn of time. With seven levels of power, the We walk among the people of Earth but a war between Heaven and H*ll forced the We to choose sides, be it angel or demon, Heaven or H*ll.
Told from third person perspective following several time lines HARMONY OF FIRE focuses on twenty-six year old Alice as she hunts down the demon that controls her life. At the age of nine, Alice found herself ‘bonded’ to a man named Kerogen, who was using our heroine as his source for power. As a member of the We, Kerogen is a demon, one of the strongest of his kind, and Kerogen is determined to reclaim that which was lost. Alice is on the run, hunting for the creature that took away her free will but Alice is determined to destroy every demon that crosses her path, or has the unfortunate luck to be caught in her sights. Alice never expected to meet Owen Brown, a man she considers just as evil, but a man who can control the gates between Heaven and H*ll. Trying to prevent further destruction, Alice is imprisoned by Owen and his ‘people’, people who have power unlike anything Alice has seen before. What ensues is the building relationship between Owen and Alice, as Owen’s people make plans to take down the man who has bonded himself to our story line heroine.
We are introduced to a large cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of whom are a part of Owen Brown’s life, a life spent in service protecting the gates to the beyond.
HARMONY OF FIRE is a slow building but detailed, complex and focused story of angels and demons, power and abuse, magic and mayhem, Heaven and H*ll. There is an inordinate amount of ‘info dumping’ as the author’s world building introduces the premise, some of the backstory and details as to the who, how and why. Owen Brown is a man whose darkness pulls at his soul, a need to tread the fine line between good and evil, as our hero performs music to relieve the fire that burns from within.
www.thereadingcafe.com
SOME BACKGROUND: The We have been around since the dawn of time. With seven levels of power, the We walk among the people of Earth but a war between Heaven and H*ll forced the We to choose sides, be it angel or demon, Heaven or H*ll.
Told from third person perspective following several time lines HARMONY OF FIRE focuses on twenty-six year old Alice as she hunts down the demon that controls her life. At the age of nine, Alice found herself ‘bonded’ to a man named Kerogen, who was using our heroine as his source for power. As a member of the We, Kerogen is a demon, one of the strongest of his kind, and Kerogen is determined to reclaim that which was lost. Alice is on the run, hunting for the creature that took away her free will but Alice is determined to destroy every demon that crosses her path, or has the unfortunate luck to be caught in her sights. Alice never expected to meet Owen Brown, a man she considers just as evil, but a man who can control the gates between Heaven and H*ll. Trying to prevent further destruction, Alice is imprisoned by Owen and his ‘people’, people who have power unlike anything Alice has seen before. What ensues is the building relationship between Owen and Alice, as Owen’s people make plans to take down the man who has bonded himself to our story line heroine.
We are introduced to a large cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of whom are a part of Owen Brown’s life, a life spent in service protecting the gates to the beyond.
HARMONY OF FIRE is a slow building but detailed, complex and focused story of angels and demons, power and abuse, magic and mayhem, Heaven and H*ll. There is an inordinate amount of ‘info dumping’ as the author’s world building introduces the premise, some of the backstory and details as to the who, how and why. Owen Brown is a man whose darkness pulls at his soul, a need to tread the fine line between good and evil, as our hero performs music to relieve the fire that burns from within.
www.thereadingcafe.com
October 6, 2022
What a debut! Mesmerizing & captivating! What a brilliant world building! I'm so blown away by the paring of a kickass warrior Alice & an incomparable musician & gatekeeper Owen💘 All that I love about the PNR book is packed to overflowing in this book!
Love how the characters are so well created & magical. I want to hang out with the Good and want to join the fight in wiping out the despicable & blood thirsty villains
Both Alice & Owen ignite this book when they are together! Their sizzling chemistry is a thing of beauty! The best though ~ how their deep yet tender connection just rip out all the emotions I didn't even realize I could feel, then own all of me and never let go! So yeah, I'm going to share the scene at the end! You'll be the judge!
With their ethereal power, the fight scenes are beyond words breathtaking! The only scene missing? The one when they fight on the same side ~ side by side~ maybe in Book #2?
Please check out this heart-stopping scene❣️
OOPS! Not that scene! This one ↙️😍
Love how the characters are so well created & magical. I want to hang out with the Good and want to join the fight in wiping out the despicable & blood thirsty villains
Both Alice & Owen ignite this book when they are together! Their sizzling chemistry is a thing of beauty! The best though ~ how their deep yet tender connection just rip out all the emotions I didn't even realize I could feel, then own all of me and never let go! So yeah, I'm going to share the scene at the end! You'll be the judge!
With their ethereal power, the fight scenes are beyond words breathtaking! The only scene missing? The one when they fight on the same side ~ side by side~ maybe in Book #2?
Please check out this heart-stopping scene❣️
"Fool. Now your life is mine." His words were interrupted when a hard force jolted his head forward . . .
Owen snapped the whip back as Alice's black hair and beautiful face appeared over Kerogen's shoulder . . . Owen watched, mesmerized, as more of Alice came into view.
"How?" Owen asked as Alice pulled the blade free . . .
OOPS! Not that scene! This one ↙️😍
"You first," Owen said, a dark lust within each syllable.
"You're holding back." Alice tightened her leg around his, trying to force the issue . . .
"Alice."
"Owen." She challenged again, knowing it was the right thing to say . . . 🔥 . . .
"I kind of like you working up a sweat. It reminds me of when you were up onstage."
"I kind of like you naked. It reminds me of when you were naked."
"Is that so?" Alice asked.
"It is. My eyes are fascinated by you."
June 25, 2022
HARMONY OF FIRE is the first instalment in Brian Feehan’s contemporary, adult, ALICE AND OWEN urban fantasy, romance series focusing on muscian/gatekeeper/Etherialist Owen Brown, and twenty-six year old, Etherialist/ hunter Alice.
SOME BACKGROUND: The We have been around since the dawn of time. With seven levels of power, the We walk among the people of Earth but a war between Heaven and H*ll forced the We to choose sides, be it angel or demon, Heaven or H*ll. Etherialists are humans born with ethereal magic, magic that can be used and abused by someone else.
Told from third person perspective following several time lines HARMONY OF FIRE focuses on twenty-six year old Alice as she hunts down the demon that controls her life. At the age of nine, Alice found herself ‘bonded’ to a man named Kerogen, who was using our heroine as his source for power. As a member of the We, Kerogen is a demon, one of the strongest of his kind, and Kerogen is determined to reclaim that which was lost. Alice is on the run, hunting for the creature that took away her free will but Alice is determined to destroy every demon that crosses her path, or has the unfortunate luck to be caught in her sights. Alice never expected to meet Owen Brown, a man she considers just as evil, but a man who can control the gates between Heaven and H*ll. Trying to prevent further destruction, Alice is imprisoned by Owen and his ‘people’, people who have power unlike anything Alice has seen before. What ensues is the building relationship between Owen and Alice, as Owen’s people make plans to take down the man who has bonded himself to our story line heroine.
We are introduced to a large cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of whom are a part of Owen Brown’s life, a life spent in service protecting the gates to the beyond.
HARMONY OF FIRE is a slow building but detailed, complex and focused story of angels and demons, power and abuse, magic and mayhem, Heaven and H*ll. There is an inordinate amount of ‘info dumping’ as the author’s world building introduces the premise, some of the backstory and details as to the who, how and why. Owen Brown is a man whose darkness pulls at his soul, a need to tread the fine line between good and evil, as our hero performs music to relieve the fire that burns from within.
www.thereadingcafe.com
SOME BACKGROUND: The We have been around since the dawn of time. With seven levels of power, the We walk among the people of Earth but a war between Heaven and H*ll forced the We to choose sides, be it angel or demon, Heaven or H*ll. Etherialists are humans born with ethereal magic, magic that can be used and abused by someone else.
Told from third person perspective following several time lines HARMONY OF FIRE focuses on twenty-six year old Alice as she hunts down the demon that controls her life. At the age of nine, Alice found herself ‘bonded’ to a man named Kerogen, who was using our heroine as his source for power. As a member of the We, Kerogen is a demon, one of the strongest of his kind, and Kerogen is determined to reclaim that which was lost. Alice is on the run, hunting for the creature that took away her free will but Alice is determined to destroy every demon that crosses her path, or has the unfortunate luck to be caught in her sights. Alice never expected to meet Owen Brown, a man she considers just as evil, but a man who can control the gates between Heaven and H*ll. Trying to prevent further destruction, Alice is imprisoned by Owen and his ‘people’, people who have power unlike anything Alice has seen before. What ensues is the building relationship between Owen and Alice, as Owen’s people make plans to take down the man who has bonded himself to our story line heroine.
We are introduced to a large cast of secondary and supporting characters, many of whom are a part of Owen Brown’s life, a life spent in service protecting the gates to the beyond.
HARMONY OF FIRE is a slow building but detailed, complex and focused story of angels and demons, power and abuse, magic and mayhem, Heaven and H*ll. There is an inordinate amount of ‘info dumping’ as the author’s world building introduces the premise, some of the backstory and details as to the who, how and why. Owen Brown is a man whose darkness pulls at his soul, a need to tread the fine line between good and evil, as our hero performs music to relieve the fire that burns from within.
www.thereadingcafe.com
July 1, 2022
This was a fantastic debut! I loved the unique and interesting world this author created the characters also I loved some were more complex than others this story was action packed and full of suspense I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters this was a fantastic start to what I think will be a amazing series and I can’t wait for the next book !
~ I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book.
~ I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book.
June 3, 2022
Harmony of Fire is a wonderfully brilliant and devastingly heart-breaking masterpiece of epic proportions. We are gifted with an incredibly raw and decadent world filled with extraordinary beings and people. Their abilities are incomprehensible, and their motives are unknown. Our minds cannot fathom their whole existence nor their true purpose. Instead, we are left to marvel and stand in awe as we catch glimpses of their true potential.
Owen lives in a dangerous world full of encroaching darkness and deadly threats. What he focuses on is keeping his friends safe amid the lurking threats. He does not flinch in the face of dire consequences because his heart won't let him. His fierce loyalty is his greatest strength, and in time it will tested beyond measure. Alice has been forged by pain, loss, and hope. She is a living weapon that is more deadly and beautiful then any assassin. When Owen threatens to break the fortress she has built around her heart, she is at a loss as to what to do. Can she accomplish her mission and have what she has never wanted before, or will she shatter trying to pull herself in two different directions?
Owen thought he would always have a darkness lurking in his soul. His friends provide him solace, but it's not enough. When Alice crashes into his life, he discovers what he has been missing. She somehow is the light to the darkness he has lived with his entire life. Even though she is danger in human form, he can't help but want to get closer and riddle out all of her mysteries. Alice is intrigued by the quiet and gentle Owen since not many have shown her kindness. She is also fascinated at the chaos and intensity that he radiates. She must decide if she can let him in or face life alone.
Michael Feehan has taken my heart on a reckless and deadly ride that left me in awe and wonder as to what will happen next. I am truly and utterly hooked with the extraordinary storyline and the incredible characters. This book is so much more than I ever expected, and I am hopeful that this new and intriguing world will continue to open up and reveal more of its amazing and mystifying secrets to me!
Owen lives in a dangerous world full of encroaching darkness and deadly threats. What he focuses on is keeping his friends safe amid the lurking threats. He does not flinch in the face of dire consequences because his heart won't let him. His fierce loyalty is his greatest strength, and in time it will tested beyond measure. Alice has been forged by pain, loss, and hope. She is a living weapon that is more deadly and beautiful then any assassin. When Owen threatens to break the fortress she has built around her heart, she is at a loss as to what to do. Can she accomplish her mission and have what she has never wanted before, or will she shatter trying to pull herself in two different directions?
Owen thought he would always have a darkness lurking in his soul. His friends provide him solace, but it's not enough. When Alice crashes into his life, he discovers what he has been missing. She somehow is the light to the darkness he has lived with his entire life. Even though she is danger in human form, he can't help but want to get closer and riddle out all of her mysteries. Alice is intrigued by the quiet and gentle Owen since not many have shown her kindness. She is also fascinated at the chaos and intensity that he radiates. She must decide if she can let him in or face life alone.
Michael Feehan has taken my heart on a reckless and deadly ride that left me in awe and wonder as to what will happen next. I am truly and utterly hooked with the extraordinary storyline and the incredible characters. This book is so much more than I ever expected, and I am hopeful that this new and intriguing world will continue to open up and reveal more of its amazing and mystifying secrets to me!
July 13, 2022
If music be the food of love, play on! Alice and Owen's story begins as sonata-allegro, with parallel movements that carry the reader through the exposition and development. As the two stories draw closer together, allegro slows to an adagio that explores each character - who they are and where they came from. Of a sudden, the musical collision explodes into vivace, the action settling into molto allegro until the coda guides the reader into the largo outro.
This story is all about music. The music moves the action and drives the magic, pulsing through the pages to the beat of the reader's heart, pushing from a three-step waltz to a maddening rave at 200 beats per minute. You can't read this without hearing the music and you can't talk about it but in terms of the music. It's a slow waltz between Alice and Owen, exploring every corner of their world as they cover the ballroom in fluid lockstep until the reader can only cry out, "Enough, no more: 'Tis not so sweet now as it was before."
Fans of the paranormal fantasy genre will sit up and pay attention. This is a very good debut novel, and I look forward to watching Brian Feehan develop as a writer.
This story is all about music. The music moves the action and drives the magic, pulsing through the pages to the beat of the reader's heart, pushing from a three-step waltz to a maddening rave at 200 beats per minute. You can't read this without hearing the music and you can't talk about it but in terms of the music. It's a slow waltz between Alice and Owen, exploring every corner of their world as they cover the ballroom in fluid lockstep until the reader can only cry out, "Enough, no more: 'Tis not so sweet now as it was before."
Fans of the paranormal fantasy genre will sit up and pay attention. This is a very good debut novel, and I look forward to watching Brian Feehan develop as a writer.
July 2, 2022
Great new Talent
Brian Feehan has created a new and exciting world. The world of the Etheralists and We is rich and vivid. The characters are well developed and bad ass. The is enough of back story that helps ensure you are drawn into the world he has created. I look forward to the next book and where A & O will go and grow.
Brian Feehan has created a new and exciting world. The world of the Etheralists and We is rich and vivid. The characters are well developed and bad ass. The is enough of back story that helps ensure you are drawn into the world he has created. I look forward to the next book and where A & O will go and grow.
July 3, 2022
Absolutely thrilled with this book and cant wait to see where it goes in the next book!!! The world building in this has definitely piqued my curiosity as to where this book leads and the characters lives unfold..... Will definitely recommend to others
October 28, 2022
Enjoyed that. The romance was satisfying though it felt a bit quick. The strange magic with music and bridges, heaven and hell was interesting and different and I’m not quite sure I understood it all but who cares.
Looking forward to the next one.
… I’m not that sure that K is gone though.
Looking forward to the next one.
… I’m not that sure that K is gone though.
January 13, 2023
If you enjoy the fantasy lore of Angel’s, Demons, Heaven and Hell, I can pretty much guarantee you'll love Brian Feehan’s twist and unique world based on it in this paranormal romance series he's created. And how his words suspend reality, giving those in the pages life among us.
Through each sentence, scene, chapter we come to know this universe, the separate journeys of Alice and Owen and the intense moments and motives that finally bring them together. The conflicts they face, the revelations that help them grow, mistakes made, lessons learned. The understanding of who they are, along with an understanding antagonists and the secondary characters so strongly written they move the plot and give the main characters ways to grow, and show who they are, their depth and dimension that pulls you in.
This story has many intense moments. I found myself gripping the book tightly, holding my breath as I read. The dangers, fights, risks, urges and need, adrenaline rush. All as we witness a strong connection and romance wonderfully woven between Alice and Owen. Not to mention twists and moments you don’t see coming making your jaw drop. The intense moments eased with some great humor.
I love the concept, the plotline, and the hints of future storylines. I recommend you read and discover the Road to Heaven, the River to the Devil’s Bridge. The We, The Etherealist musicians, the Hunters and more for yourself.
Through each sentence, scene, chapter we come to know this universe, the separate journeys of Alice and Owen and the intense moments and motives that finally bring them together. The conflicts they face, the revelations that help them grow, mistakes made, lessons learned. The understanding of who they are, along with an understanding antagonists and the secondary characters so strongly written they move the plot and give the main characters ways to grow, and show who they are, their depth and dimension that pulls you in.
This story has many intense moments. I found myself gripping the book tightly, holding my breath as I read. The dangers, fights, risks, urges and need, adrenaline rush. All as we witness a strong connection and romance wonderfully woven between Alice and Owen. Not to mention twists and moments you don’t see coming making your jaw drop. The intense moments eased with some great humor.
I love the concept, the plotline, and the hints of future storylines. I recommend you read and discover the Road to Heaven, the River to the Devil’s Bridge. The We, The Etherealist musicians, the Hunters and more for yourself.
May 8, 2022
2.5 stars
The short summary: The plot gets lost under all the words, but if you can get past that, it's a good story.
What I liked:
The chemistry between Alice and Owen. I really enjoyed the way they connected.
The characters were all interesting and some were a lot more complex than expected.
The world Feehan created was unique and intriguing.
What didn't work for me:
The book was a little long to support the plot. I know there was a lot to set up and a lot to introduce, but in my opinion, the book would be stronger if it were more to the point. Feehan's writing style didn't click for me. He is very, very detailed, which can be good, but it really slows down the pace here. There were several places where the details felt superfluous. Here's an example: He was not fast, wasn't slow, in making his climb around the back of the semi-remote roadhouse. There's nothing wrong with the sentence, it's just unnecessary, wordy, and exists with way too many others just like it. It takes several pages to describe getting ice out of a truck and taking it inside. The book is full of examples like this. It drove me crazy.
Overall, I think everyone should give this book a try. It wasn't one of my favorites personally, but there is a lot of potential there.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
The short summary: The plot gets lost under all the words, but if you can get past that, it's a good story.
What I liked:
The chemistry between Alice and Owen. I really enjoyed the way they connected.
The characters were all interesting and some were a lot more complex than expected.
The world Feehan created was unique and intriguing.
What didn't work for me:
The book was a little long to support the plot. I know there was a lot to set up and a lot to introduce, but in my opinion, the book would be stronger if it were more to the point. Feehan's writing style didn't click for me. He is very, very detailed, which can be good, but it really slows down the pace here. There were several places where the details felt superfluous. Here's an example: He was not fast, wasn't slow, in making his climb around the back of the semi-remote roadhouse. There's nothing wrong with the sentence, it's just unnecessary, wordy, and exists with way too many others just like it. It takes several pages to describe getting ice out of a truck and taking it inside. The book is full of examples like this. It drove me crazy.
Overall, I think everyone should give this book a try. It wasn't one of my favorites personally, but there is a lot of potential there.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
June 29, 2022
The We walk among us--beings who existed long before humans ever did, filled with powerful magic. Owen and Alice are both Etherealist, rare humans born with magic and a target for those We that wish to take it from them.
When Alice was 9 her soul was tied to a powerful evil We. She ended up escaping with the help of a priest. She was then trained as a weapon so she could break her bon and be able to go home.
Owen is a musician who is trying to outrun his past and keeping people close to him safe.
The book changes from the past to the present until the present is of Owen and Alice meeting each other.
At first Alice tried killing Owen and everyone he cares about but the dynamics change.
At first I wasn't real thrilled with the book but after awhile I got into it and needed to know what was going on. There is a lot of violence and death but not to much detail. There are a few sex scenes as well just go give you a warning.
This is the first book for this author and I think he will go far. a NY Times Bestseller, Christine Feehan, is his mother.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the book to review.
When Alice was 9 her soul was tied to a powerful evil We. She ended up escaping with the help of a priest. She was then trained as a weapon so she could break her bon and be able to go home.
Owen is a musician who is trying to outrun his past and keeping people close to him safe.
The book changes from the past to the present until the present is of Owen and Alice meeting each other.
At first Alice tried killing Owen and everyone he cares about but the dynamics change.
At first I wasn't real thrilled with the book but after awhile I got into it and needed to know what was going on. There is a lot of violence and death but not to much detail. There are a few sex scenes as well just go give you a warning.
This is the first book for this author and I think he will go far. a NY Times Bestseller, Christine Feehan, is his mother.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the book to review.
June 22, 2022
A spectacular debut voice filled with intrical character building, dynamic atmosphere and great potential in the fantasy/paranormal field! Brian Feehan thrusts his reader quickly into the heart of the fantasy world he has spun when he lays the groundwork for Alice and Owen's lives leading up to the moment they meet. While I was invested quickly in his main characters and each of their support systems, there was a bit of a disconnect periodically for me as time shifted frequently with an overpowering back story. Once Alice and Owen connect and their journey begins side by side the pace drastically picks up and you'll be hooked quickly and invested in this powerful couple. I'm looking forward to more of their story in the series yet to come!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantasy world filled with good and evil as complex characters thrust themselves into your heart and take you along for the ride of a lifetime as their journey explodes with power, drama and loads of feels!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fantasy world filled with good and evil as complex characters thrust themselves into your heart and take you along for the ride of a lifetime as their journey explodes with power, drama and loads of feels!
June 29, 2022
I have read this author’s mother for years, and while I don’t expect the same from him, I was hoping he would be an author I’d enjoy just like I do his mother. I dived into this book, and I was thrown off at first. The first part of this book was a little hard to keep track of as it went back and forth between time and two characters. I don’t mind that, but add in a lot of words, and I can get a little lost. However, I stuck with it, and I quite enjoyed the rest of the book once I got past the huge world set-up, and I became used to the way the author wrote. I fell in love with Owen and Alice, and I enjoyed the world they inhabit. I now can’t wait to see what’ll happen next in this world. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
July 3, 2022
Love this new World
It was hard, in the beginning of the book as first, it was “Months before O & A” and then the next chapter was “Seven years before O & A” and this went on for quite a few chapters. Necessary, very necessary as the reader needs to know the backstory of the main characters and necessary to this new world. Once you get that backstory and understand the new World, the story is sooooo good! I love the fierce heroine Alice and the Rock steady hero, Owen. I love the friends, who are really family. I laughed out loud a couple times. This was exhilarating, a real adventure, a real drama and I loved the romance that gently wove its way into the story. This was an excellent read and I recommend it!
It was hard, in the beginning of the book as first, it was “Months before O & A” and then the next chapter was “Seven years before O & A” and this went on for quite a few chapters. Necessary, very necessary as the reader needs to know the backstory of the main characters and necessary to this new world. Once you get that backstory and understand the new World, the story is sooooo good! I love the fierce heroine Alice and the Rock steady hero, Owen. I love the friends, who are really family. I laughed out loud a couple times. This was exhilarating, a real adventure, a real drama and I loved the romance that gently wove its way into the story. This was an excellent read and I recommend it!
July 9, 2022
What a fascinating world, and a fascinating couple. I love the complicated dynamics between Alice & Owen. Everything you learn, isn't always truth. Right? I can't wait to read more about A+O. Congratulations on a 1st book so well-done!
July 2, 2022
Great read
I couldn't stop reading it. He made me feel like I was right there in the story. Can't wait for the next one.
I couldn't stop reading it. He made me feel like I was right there in the story. Can't wait for the next one.
June 27, 2022
The first in a series of good versus evil, it is clear to see the influences in author Brian Feehan's writing. I picked up this book partially because of the new author's name and partially because it is about angels. Or a version of angels... This concept is intriguing and I want to see where this series goes. As a first book by Mr. Feehan, it contains the kind of worldbuilding that interests me.
To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.
To read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website.
July 12, 2022
Harmony of Fire is the first book in a brand new series and a debut by author Brian Feehan. The story is paranormal romance and suspense set in a world of urban fantasy. Being a fan of all three, I was excited to get my hands on this one, and it does not disappoint. As this is the first in the series, there's a fair amount of introduction by way of world-building, which can go either way for me depending on how it's done. Here, it's a lot, but it never felt overdone to me. The story is exciting, and Brian Feehan's world is a place I want more of. The characters are interesting, and the romance, while a little slow to start, is one that's easy to root for. This first Alice & Owen book is a good combination of paranormal romantic suspense and urban fantasy and a pretty impressive debut. I'll be looking forward to whatever comes next for these characters, and I have a new author to add to my watch list. I realize I've been vague, but this is one to be enjoyed without spoilers. Just know that I recommend Harmony of Fire to anyone who likes paranormal romance and/or urban fantasy.
July 30, 2022
I met Brian at San Diego Comic Con last week and asked him about his book. I purchased it through Audible the same day. I stopped by the booth over the next few days to discuss Harmony of Fire as well as other Christine Feehan books.
I like the narrator. In the beginning I had to lower the speed from what I normally listen to because I felt like I was missing something in the world building. The world building and the character development in the beginning was a lot to take in because it was from multiple points of view. Once the world building and explanation of characters are done then there are amazing scenes.
Owen is a fierce protector with an extraordinary gift. Alice is a hunter in search of the one who entrapped her as a child. Even the secondary characters have depth and substance. This story was beautifully written. A tale of family, friendship and duty. It also has strong women characters who have their own stories of perseverance that I am waiting to be told in later books. I look forward to reading more about these characters.
I like the narrator. In the beginning I had to lower the speed from what I normally listen to because I felt like I was missing something in the world building. The world building and the character development in the beginning was a lot to take in because it was from multiple points of view. Once the world building and explanation of characters are done then there are amazing scenes.
Owen is a fierce protector with an extraordinary gift. Alice is a hunter in search of the one who entrapped her as a child. Even the secondary characters have depth and substance. This story was beautifully written. A tale of family, friendship and duty. It also has strong women characters who have their own stories of perseverance that I am waiting to be told in later books. I look forward to reading more about these characters.
July 22, 2022
Interesting first work
I will be honest, I only purchased this book because I love reading his mom's work. This was a very intriguing concept for world building that at first I was a bit like huh? But don't give up by the 3rd chapter it becomes addicting. The characters have depth and make you want to know there stories. I would highly recommend this book,a plus to me is that even though there is romance there isn't sex every third page. It seems that recently there has been a trend with authors that the books are getting more about the sex and less about the story. My 32 year old son likes to read my science fiction/fantasy books and this is one I would be safe recommending to him. Great job Brian I am so excited for the next book.
I will be honest, I only purchased this book because I love reading his mom's work. This was a very intriguing concept for world building that at first I was a bit like huh? But don't give up by the 3rd chapter it becomes addicting. The characters have depth and make you want to know there stories. I would highly recommend this book,a plus to me is that even though there is romance there isn't sex every third page. It seems that recently there has been a trend with authors that the books are getting more about the sex and less about the story. My 32 year old son likes to read my science fiction/fantasy books and this is one I would be safe recommending to him. Great job Brian I am so excited for the next book.
July 24, 2022
A very Intense book.
I almost put this book down after the 5th chapter, but kept going because this is a new author for me. There were many times where things were repeated several times in the early chapters. I’m still confused about this story and who the “We” are. There were too many characters where their talents were very confusing and I still don’t know who or what they are. The story is very intense and dark. Please if possible make the battle scenes easier to follow. It was very hard to follow the crew when they sang, played or even when there was a battle. I gave it 4 stars because I’m going to buy the next book in the series and hope I get a better understanding of Alices and Owens world.
I almost put this book down after the 5th chapter, but kept going because this is a new author for me. There were many times where things were repeated several times in the early chapters. I’m still confused about this story and who the “We” are. There were too many characters where their talents were very confusing and I still don’t know who or what they are. The story is very intense and dark. Please if possible make the battle scenes easier to follow. It was very hard to follow the crew when they sang, played or even when there was a battle. I gave it 4 stars because I’m going to buy the next book in the series and hope I get a better understanding of Alices and Owens world.
August 9, 2022
RATING:
3.5 STARS
Brian Feehan's debut paranormal romance and suspense book, Harmony of Fire, is an action-packed tale filled with a unique 'magic system', innovative worldbuilding and lore, and a slow-burn romance.
In the world of Harmony of Fire, the "We" are beings that have been around since the dawn of time. Varying in power level, they are divine beings that were forced to pick a side when Heaven and Hell went to war. Once on Earth, they often seek out Etherialists, those who can give them a taste of what they've lost. The story follows the perspectives of two such Etherialists, Alice and Owen. Alice is a hunter, forcefully bonded to the cruel We Kerogen as a young child, and has grown up determined to end his life, no matter the cost. Owen, on the other hand, is a Gatekeeper, able to access the gates of Heaven and Hell. He travels with a band of fellow Etherialists, and they all perform together whenever the power build-up gets too much. Once Alice and Owen meet, the chemistry is electric but they must sever the bond holding Alice captive if they ever hope to have a life together.
My initial thoughts were that this would be a take on the idea of fallen angels, but that wasn't quite the case. The 'We' are divine beings (not necessarily angels or demons) who were forced to pick sides when Heaven and Hell clashed. Many came to the mortal realm, and Etherialists are the only way to get a taste of what's now lost to them. In particular, I enjoyed learning about the magic system of the 'We' and how they are categorized by power levels. I also enjoyed seeing Owen's group using music as a way to control their power. My only complaint with worldbuilding is that there was a bit of an info dump at the start of the book; I always prefer to learn things over the course of reading rather than upfront (though I do understand the desire to provide initial background).
The romance in this book is interesting. Alice and Owen don't even meet till halfway through the book. The reversal of stereotypical roles, with Alice being the battle-hardened warrior and Owen a gentle protector only resorting to violence as a last resort, made for an interesting dynamic in their relationship. While it is a slow burn romance, they do have some moments that were fun to read (so no worries about long building tension and an extended wait). I believe the next book is set as a direct sequel to Harmony of Fire, so I'm curious to see how their relationship will continue to develop in the future.
As a side note, given that this book was marketed so heavily as “written by the son of legendary writer Christine Feehan” and it is similar in genre to what she writes, I did have some issues reminding myself that this is completely separate from her published novels. It’s obvious after reading this book that writing talent runs in the family, but that’s the extent of things (they have very different styles of writing) and it took a conscious effort not to compare them too much.
Overall, Harmony of Fire was an engaging and entertaining paranormal romance debut from Brian Feehan; the writing flowed well and lended itself to an immersive storyline. Narrator Will Peters delivered a solid performance that helped enhance the suspense aspect of the book. My curiosity has been piqued for the next book, and I’ll definitely be checking it out to see what’s next for Alice and Owen. If you are a fan of Christine Feehan’s books or you simply enjoy books that cross the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres, then Harmony of Fire would be a great choice for your next read.
Brian Feehan's debut paranormal romance and suspense book, Harmony of Fire, is an action-packed tale filled with a unique 'magic system', innovative worldbuilding and lore, and a slow-burn romance.
In the world of Harmony of Fire, the "We" are beings that have been around since the dawn of time. Varying in power level, they are divine beings that were forced to pick a side when Heaven and Hell went to war. Once on Earth, they often seek out Etherialists, those who can give them a taste of what they've lost. The story follows the perspectives of two such Etherialists, Alice and Owen. Alice is a hunter, forcefully bonded to the cruel We Kerogen as a young child, and has grown up determined to end his life, no matter the cost. Owen, on the other hand, is a Gatekeeper, able to access the gates of Heaven and Hell. He travels with a band of fellow Etherialists, and they all perform together whenever the power build-up gets too much. Once Alice and Owen meet, the chemistry is electric but they must sever the bond holding Alice captive if they ever hope to have a life together.
My initial thoughts were that this would be a take on the idea of fallen angels, but that wasn't quite the case. The 'We' are divine beings (not necessarily angels or demons) who were forced to pick sides when Heaven and Hell clashed. Many came to the mortal realm, and Etherialists are the only way to get a taste of what's now lost to them. In particular, I enjoyed learning about the magic system of the 'We' and how they are categorized by power levels. I also enjoyed seeing Owen's group using music as a way to control their power. My only complaint with worldbuilding is that there was a bit of an info dump at the start of the book; I always prefer to learn things over the course of reading rather than upfront (though I do understand the desire to provide initial background).
The romance in this book is interesting. Alice and Owen don't even meet till halfway through the book. The reversal of stereotypical roles, with Alice being the battle-hardened warrior and Owen a gentle protector only resorting to violence as a last resort, made for an interesting dynamic in their relationship. While it is a slow burn romance, they do have some moments that were fun to read (so no worries about long building tension and an extended wait). I believe the next book is set as a direct sequel to Harmony of Fire, so I'm curious to see how their relationship will continue to develop in the future.
As a side note, given that this book was marketed so heavily as “written by the son of legendary writer Christine Feehan” and it is similar in genre to what she writes, I did have some issues reminding myself that this is completely separate from her published novels. It’s obvious after reading this book that writing talent runs in the family, but that’s the extent of things (they have very different styles of writing) and it took a conscious effort not to compare them too much.
Overall, Harmony of Fire was an engaging and entertaining paranormal romance debut from Brian Feehan; the writing flowed well and lended itself to an immersive storyline. Narrator Will Peters delivered a solid performance that helped enhance the suspense aspect of the book. My curiosity has been piqued for the next book, and I’ll definitely be checking it out to see what’s next for Alice and Owen. If you are a fan of Christine Feehan’s books or you simply enjoy books that cross the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres, then Harmony of Fire would be a great choice for your next read.
March 18, 2023
Spoilers through questions .....
I had a hard time getting into these characters and their story. I normally read 1-3 books a week, yet it took me nearly 2 weeks to finish this one. I had to force myself to pick the book back up. Was it the writing style or the story itself that I had a hard time with? I'm not really sure if I will continue with this series or not. Knowing myself, I'll probably get the next book from the library and give it one more chance.
Questions:
Do 'normal' people know about the We and etherealists?
That's never addressed. Do we assume humans are clueless to them? Humans can't see the flames as the musicians play, but they see the singed clothing, right? Don't they want to know what the heck is going on? Or do they already know?
Are etherealists born with this 'power'? How & Why
Did Alice's parents witness the bonding between Alice and Kerogen? Did they understand what happened, why she disappeared with the priest? Did they report her missing to the authorities? Has anyone besides Kerogen been looking for her?
What happened to the tattoos?
Is every book in this series going to have extended scenes of playing music and going to the arches? Those scenes just didn't cut it for me. Maybe that is what was off-putting for me?
I'm guessing that the next book will tell us:
Do they find & rescue Father Patrick?
What happens with Kerogen? Dead or not, he technically knocked 3 times at the door, even if the last knock was after he died. I don't believe for one minute that we've seen the last of him.
I had a hard time getting into these characters and their story. I normally read 1-3 books a week, yet it took me nearly 2 weeks to finish this one. I had to force myself to pick the book back up. Was it the writing style or the story itself that I had a hard time with? I'm not really sure if I will continue with this series or not. Knowing myself, I'll probably get the next book from the library and give it one more chance.
Questions:
Do 'normal' people know about the We and etherealists?
That's never addressed. Do we assume humans are clueless to them? Humans can't see the flames as the musicians play, but they see the singed clothing, right? Don't they want to know what the heck is going on? Or do they already know?
Are etherealists born with this 'power'? How & Why
Did Alice's parents witness the bonding between Alice and Kerogen? Did they understand what happened, why she disappeared with the priest? Did they report her missing to the authorities? Has anyone besides Kerogen been looking for her?
What happened to the tattoos?
Is every book in this series going to have extended scenes of playing music and going to the arches? Those scenes just didn't cut it for me. Maybe that is what was off-putting for me?
I'm guessing that the next book will tell us:
Do they find & rescue Father Patrick?
What happens with Kerogen? Dead or not, he technically knocked 3 times at the door, even if the last knock was after he died. I don't believe for one minute that we've seen the last of him.
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