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A review by ccgwalt
Breath on Embers by Anne Calhoun
4.0
4.5*
Grade A
Breath on Embers is an emotional story. Calhoun's characters feel human and vulnerable. Perhaps Ronan is a little too good to be true. Perhaps Thea's grief is more excessive than usual, but as a reader I never doubted either character. There are people like Ronan, and we all respond differently to tragedy.
I was wary of ready this story because I've rarely found real depth in stories that border on erotica. When sex plays such a huge part in a story, it often leaves little room for the character or story development. But in this case Calhoun manages to make the sex scenes part of the character and story development. While steamy and well-written, and worth reading for the own sake, the sex scenes show Ronan's attempts to reach Thea, and Thea's continued resolve to use sex to keep the darkness at bay.
The writing is beautiful, and I can't wait to read more by this author. Why 4 stars? It comes very close to 5 stars for me, but I felt the change in Thea was a little too abrupt, plus I'd love to have known more about both main character's backgrounds. In other words, I wish this had been longer.
Highly recommended.
Grade A
Breath on Embers is an emotional story. Calhoun's characters feel human and vulnerable. Perhaps Ronan is a little too good to be true. Perhaps Thea's grief is more excessive than usual, but as a reader I never doubted either character. There are people like Ronan, and we all respond differently to tragedy.
I was wary of ready this story because I've rarely found real depth in stories that border on erotica. When sex plays such a huge part in a story, it often leaves little room for the character or story development. But in this case Calhoun manages to make the sex scenes part of the character and story development. While steamy and well-written, and worth reading for the own sake, the sex scenes show Ronan's attempts to reach Thea, and Thea's continued resolve to use sex to keep the darkness at bay.
The writing is beautiful, and I can't wait to read more by this author. Why 4 stars? It comes very close to 5 stars for me, but I felt the change in Thea was a little too abrupt, plus I'd love to have known more about both main character's backgrounds. In other words, I wish this had been longer.
Highly recommended.