Lions and tigers and bears… OH MY. Just kidding, but we do bring you some nasty witches. Dawn was nice enough to read my X-Mas present to her and review it for us to post on OBS. What have I learned from this… always buy Dawn books on witches and she’ll love you forever. Now i wonder if I can find her a book on warlocks and get a few hugs out of her.

Brought by OBS founder Dawn

Book One: Balefire Series

Summary
Clio and Thais are identical twins, but neither knows about the other.

While Clio was raised by her grandmother in New Orleans, practicing witchcraft from Petra, Thais was raised by her father in Connecticut. As Thais nears her senior year of high school, an accident leaves her father dead and Thais is left in the care of someone she has never met, Axelle.

Axelle is from New Orleans and she insists that Thais move there with her. Once in New Orleans, Clio and Thais “meet” at school, where everyone is shocked by their likeness. As they get to know one another and discover their ancestry, they both struggle to figure out what’s happening to them. Why have they been brought together in New Orleans? Will they find out in time to protect themselves?

Thais quickly discovers that Axelle has some strange friends. Who are they and what do they want from the twins?

Review
If you like witches and magick, this is a must read. It’s mysterious, a bit scary, but a lot of fun. The plot twists keep you on the edge of you seat.

I have been fascinated with witches and magic since I was a child. Other than The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice, I haven’t really enjoyed the books I’ve read relating to them, until now.

A Chalice of Wind is filled with unique characters, each developed and described until I felt like I knew them each personally and if you pay careful attention, you’ll realize that no character is who they seem.

In the best plot twist, I did not see it coming, we learn that Andre and Luc were the same person. I was shocked to learn that this interesting character was dating both Clio and Thais and lying to them both. I was thrilled when Thais and Clio finally came together to kick Andre/Luc out of their lives and he deserved much worse.

The coven is dark and their motives shady. I was wary to trust them and I’m excited to learn more about them in future books.

The New Orleans setting is richly described and I can almost smell the flowers in the French Quarter. The culture, beauty and danger that is New Orleans is brought across with ease and detail.

Overall, I loved Cate Tiernan’s Sweep series and the Balefire series is even better. I can’t wait to find out what happens next in A circle of Ashes.