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Reviews for EMBERS…
“One of the most promising debut novels I’ve read in a great while… I’d highly recommend this book to anybody who reads fantasy. It reminds me in many regards…of another exceptional first novel…Emma Bull’s seminal War for the Oaks, and there’s not much higher praise that I can give.” —Elizabeth Bear on Tor.com “Bickle has something great in Anya. Embers has everything: demons, ghosts, dragons, love, sex, police, and murder.” —M.L.N. Hanover, bestselling author of Darker Angels —Jeri Smith-Ready, award-winning author of Bad to the Bone and Shade
Bickle’s dark, dramatic urban fantasy debut introduces Lt. Anya Kalinczyk of the Detroit Fire Department, who investigates arson by day and huntsghosts at night. As a unique type of medium, a Lantern or “human bug zapper,” Anya can simply inhale and destroy spirits while accompanied by her familiar, a … salamander named Sparky…Though she’s a far cry from the usual hip, cheeky urban fantasy heroine, Anya’s stoic determination is completely apropos for a crime-solving loner. Bickle provides plenty of suspense as the arsonist tries to raise a powerful elemental being, and Anya accidentally absorbs a demon that threatens to possess her. Readers will look forward to Anya’s future supernatural investigations.
Locus: “This very promising first novel is a solid fantasy mystery with a strong protagonist and an effective contemporary setting in a decaying Detroit.”—Carolyn Cushman, Locus Magazine
With a lovable narrator who fights daily with good and evil, Bickle delivers a fun new addition to fantasy reading. She packs her novel with an overall sense of doom, peppered with side stories and relationships that make this a fast, entertaining read. Hardly a dull moment! (4 Stars)
Night Owl Reviews - Top Pick I was attracted to this series because I crave new twists on paranormal stories and the main character’s ability to be a “lantern” seemed interesting. Ghosts are attracted to her like a moth to a flame and she struggles with the moral responsibility of deciding which ghosts to let haunt in peace and which ones she will force on their way. However, I was thrilled to discover that one of the real gems of this story is the tidbits of information I learned about being an arson investigator. Laura really did her research and readers will feel like part of the team when Anya is investigating a scene.
I truly love this series and it will be a great shame if there are no more books in this compelling series. (5/5 Stars-Reviewer Top Pick)
4.75 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick
Subterranean Press Recommended Reading: Urban fantasy is quickly becoming one of those genres that is harder and harder in which to be a unique voice, but with Embers Laure Bickle manages to be just that. Eschewing the werewolves and vampires that one usually finds in urban fantasy, Bickle explores ghosts and mediums in Detroit, a half-deserted city with abandoned buildings galore, which lends itself well to her fast-paced ghost story. Bickle’s protagonist Anya, while the oft-seen damaged heroine, is believable and interesting to follow through her investigation of a series of arsons that Anya is convinced are paranormal in nature, her nature in fact. My only disappointment, and it’s a slight one at that, is Embers’s ending. Bickle obviously wrote this to be the beginning of a series centered around Anya, but I think the story would have been stronger if Bickle had taken the path less chosen. Anya’s character struck me right from the start. Her character was so isolated and Laura Bickle made me feel that very strongly. You learn of her devastating loss of her mother at a young age and although her love and need of Sparky is strong, you definitely understand her reluctance to try to form relationships with men. The story is well written and you can feel the emotions that Anya is going through. Should she get closer to Brian, her co-worker at DAGR, or is it easier to just walk away? And what is it about Drake Ferrer that is so compelling? He is the only other Lantern that she has ever encountered, but he is using his powers for a more evil course. (Blue Ribbon Review)
Urban fantasy fans will relish this superb entry of a kick butt female who takes both her day and night jobs seriously. Anya knows fire investigation and paranormal inquires are dangerous and acts accordingly. The fast-paced story line follows her exploits on the mean streets of Detroit and its even meaner underground. Sub-genre fans will wonder which Lantern will prevail with Sirrush from beyond.
Embers has something for most fans of urban and dark fantasy. It is an entertaining ride and Anya is a strong character. Readers will quickly find themselves gritting their teeth as Anya is presented with more obstacles, hoping she will have her final victory. Bickle weaves in a large cast of characters, while creating an investigative feel to the story. The book is researched, creative and well written. If you like this type of fantasy, consider grabbing a copy.
Ms. Bickle pens a dynamite urban fantasy debut complete with fascinating characters, a great action filled plot, set in a very atmospheric, eerie and dark Detroit. Her characters are rich and captivating, fitting nicely into the backdrop of Detroit’s gritty and deadly supernatural scene. The plot is fast-paced and the magic is thoroughly integrated into the story, making Embers a real page-turner.
What sets this novel apart from the plethora of “tough as nails” female leads is the great work Ms. Bickle does with characterization. Embers’ protagonist, Anya, is a hero, but the nature of her work means Anya also has a dark side. Anya is one of the most multi-dimensional characters in the urban fantasy genre. She’s powerful, and tears through the spiritual underworld of Detroit, but it takes a personal toll on her. It was tough to see Anya struggle with isolation and her feelings of being torn between the spirit world and our world…
Anya has an amazing familiar, a five-foot fire salamander named Sparky. What’s not to love about Sparky? He has many endearing attributes. He’s quirky, loyal and needy to a fault, but he’s also Anya’s protector. He loves her very much and has a hard time sharing her. Sparky doesn’t speak and can only be seen by Anya and ghosts, but nonetheless his presence is felt. Sparky is the one constant in Anya’s life and he annoys her as much as he comforts her. It’s actually quite touching.
Overall, Embers is an impressive debut. Think Ghost Hunters meets Supernatural and that’s just a fraction of the good times you will get out of reading this book. Ms. Bickle delivers great storytelling, compelling characters, and top-notch worldbuilding. Embers is well written with a fresh and unique mythology. Danger, demons and Devil’s Night abound, making this book hard to put down. I’m really looking forward to visiting this gritty and dark world again in the sequel, Sparks.
Embers is the debut novel from author Laura Bickle. Right from the beginning I knew that this book was going to be a winner. I was right. My thoughts about this book never wavered. If anything, my excitement grew. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the next book, Sparks. Sparky [a salamander] is the best familiar any psychic could ever own. The way Sparky would act made me laugh. Watch out Ghost Busters as there is a new sheriff in town, and her name is Anya. She is sharp, sassy, and can kick some serious spirit soul. Laura Bickle is an author to keep an eye on as she is going far. Embers proves it. (Five Angels)
[Five Fangs]
Embers is a hot debut novel for Laura Bickle. Embers is the first book of a sizzling new series that is sure to leave you smoldering for more of Anya and Sparky….
Embers is the epitome of urban fantasy- this is what the genre is all about–a little hard and edgy, emotional, with a dash of romance thrown in–all tied together in a complex world peppered with supernatural creatures and phenomenon.
Sparky has to be the most unusual and one of the best sidekicks out there. I can honestly say I have never felt all cuddly about a salamander before but now after reading about Sparky, I am seeing them in a new light. Sparky is full of personality and pizazz which greatly adds to the story. A good sidekick can make or break a book sometimes and Sparky helped put this book in the keeper pile.
Embers is a great UF book filled with emotional turmoil, a character that is richly developed (but not complete which hopefully means we will get to see plenty of character growth in the upcoming books) and the world building is solid. The minor characters are great story supporters and I really look forward to reading more of this series.
One thing I really enjoyed about Embers other than the gritty story line and complex characters, is that the author got Detroit and the underlying turmoil that is currently running through many areas in Michigan. She addressed the depression, the emotion, the energy that runs through the areas around here. The economic crisis, the old and new butting heads while trying to blend together even though the odds are stacked against it. She also gets that Detroiters (and Michigan people in general) are tough. It was great reading a story set in practically in my own backyard.
Embers is exactly what I was hoping it would be–just a killer debut urban fantasy. I connected with the characters immediately, but almost as importantly, I connected with the setting. My favorite urban fantasy series feature a place that is as much of a character as the supes and beasties that call it home. And I absolutely loved Bickle’s burning Detroit, a city on the verge of consuming itself. A city, as Anya bleakly observes, that no sane person would want to stay in, but that she can’t help but hope some will. Someone with the vision to reinvest and rebuild in the future of both the city and the isolated residents who walk its dying streets. The narrative is dotted with very real glimpses into the gritty lives of everyday people on the streets. These are thrown into relief by the side-by-side depictions we get of those other everyday people who died and are lingering for whatever reason. The effect is at once thoughtful and haunting. As for Anya, she’s my kind of heroine. She fights the good fight every single day, despite her doubts and uncertainty, despite her fragmented history, despite the very real ghosts that plague her. Luckily, she has one of the best sidekicks I’ve run across in awhile. A salamander protector–brilliant! Sparky solidifies into the torque she wears around her neck night and day, though he loves nothing more than to slither into corporeal form to chase ghosts with Anya and play with any electrical source he can find. Their relationship is sweet and funny as Sparky is the one being she’s never without. I enjoyed all the secondary characters as well, particularly the refreshingly normal (though by no means boring Brian), her good friend and organic witch/baker Katie, and the dark man behind the recent reign of fire himself. This is a dark, serious, and intense read and I was especially satisfied with the resolution. This is the first in a series and yet Ms. Bickle happily resisted the temptation to leave a million and a half plot threads hanging. There are several directions the next book could take, of course, but I finished Embers satisfied and I can’t thank her enough for that. A fantastic new urban fantasy and highly recommended. I can’t wait for Sparks, which is due out the end of August.
Not to be trite, but Embers by Laura Bickle smolders with urban fantasy originality and suppressed emotional turmoil. With each turn of the page, Bickle sucked me deeper into the heated world of inner city Detroit and held no punches regarding a city that is on the brink of collapse. Bickle exploits everything that makes a good urban fantasy in Embers. A tragically haunted main character that is tough as nails, yet close to breaking because of emotional strain. A background urban setting that sets the tone of the novel.
An originally crafted plot that sets itself apart from all the other vampire and werewolf stories that are jostling each other for recognition. A simmering romance that isn’t the main focus, but is touched on just enough to build tension. I was highly impressed with Bickle’s debut and was very excited to read this book, I’m glad it lived up to the hype –and was chosen as a [Blog With Bite] adult selection….
A superb example of the Urban Fantasy genre, Embers is an easy and entertaining adult read. Prime for fans of the UF genre and a great starter for those that would love to jump into this genre. If you can’t tell, I really liked this one… RECOMMENDATIONS: Urban fantasy lovers and starters, go for it, a great read. It is an adult selection. There are some hot scenes, but nothing graphically explicit.
Plot: 5 Stars
Embers is a hot debut novel for Laura Bickle.Originally I had no intention of reading Embers. I’m a little burned out from Urban Fantasies, at least starting new series, and had resolved to take a break. Best laid plans and such found me buying Embers and then reading it in relatively quick order.
The tone of the novel was much darker than I expected, exploring several deeper emotions such as lust, guilt and personal responsibility in slightly uncomfortable ways (for me at least). Anya is a conflicted young woman with deeply rooted guilt issues and a problem with forming personal connections, not particularly uncommon in today’s UF heroines, but Bickle takes it a step forward with Anya’s growing fear that one unwary step will burn her life down. Uncertain about the exact nature of her power as a Lantern (spirits are attracted to her like a moth to flame and she has the power to devour them, burning them to nothingness), Anya fights her nature. Meeting the firebug with an oddly do-gooder mentality, confirms her worst fears, but also opens her up to exploring who and what she could be.
The cast surrounding Anya, both supernatural and otherwise, all have distinct personalities. Sparky, her ‘hellbender’ elemental protectors; Brian, tech geek who cares for her; Katie, organic baker by day, witch by night; Ciro, demonologist and one tough old man; Jules, group leader and fond of slapping Mike upside the head; Mike, the newbie on the crew with a whole lot of enthusiasm and then Captain Marsh, her boss at the Fire department. The firebug, who becomes more important for a variety of reasons as the story goes on, was oddly appealing….
Book 2, Sparks, is due out at the end of August though there isn’t a whole lot out about what it will be about and the end of Embers gives nothing away to give us clues. I am however looking forward to it and have great anticipation for Laura Bickle’s alter-ego, Alayna Williams’s debut UF Dark Oracle due out in June!
Embers takes the reader on a fast-paced, page-turning adventure, as Anya, Sparky, and DAGR race to save Detroit–and Anya herself–from demons and ancient gods. Bickle has written a fantastically believable world that a reader can get lost in. Embers, is hands down, bar none, the best Urban Fantasy written by a debut author, hell, written by anyone, that I have read in a very long time. I look forward to reading more about Anya and Sparky and the mishmash of others that complete DAGR in Bickle’s next release Sparks.
Bickle evokes the decay and aura of sadness surrounding Detroit, yet also infuses her depiction with an air of hope, personified by the character of Anya who never gives up. Feeling guilt over a childhood action that impacts the rest of her life, coupled with her unusual ability, Anya has difficulty forming strong attachments to others. Even though she does not understand why she has the talent or what it means, Anya believes she knows her place within DAGR, “Her role was inescapable: to bat clean-up, to be the garbage disposal for lost souls”. In spite of recognizing the necessity of her actions, Anya never really feels comfortable performing this duty, which leads to self-doubt and an increased sense of isolation. The author magically transforms the unseen creatures and spirits into beings easily perceived and envisioned by the reader, skillfully juxtaposing the characters who can and those who cannot see Sparky and the ghosts. With vivid characterization, stark imagery, and true suspense keeping the reader guessing until the end, this outstanding novel hits all the right notes. Urban fantasy fans will welcome this new addition to the genre…(5 stars/tombstones)
Finally, I was both surprised and jubilant with the ending. Many books, especially within the Urban Fantasy genre, conjure a lot of build up between the protagonists and antagonists only to have a lackluster finish. This is not the case with EMBERS. Not only are you shocked but you're left, not with a cliffhanger, but rather on the precipice of Anya's jumping off point into the abilities she's yet to unleash from within herself. Trust me, you'll want to read it twice.
Capital Area District Library (Lansing, MI): This is a surprisingly original urban fantasy introducing Anya Kalinczyk a Detroit arson investigator whose evening job, working with a group of ghost hunters, is starting to invade her work for the Detroit Fire Department. Her latest case is a string of fires that feature only one connection—a mysterious symbol on the floor of each building. Suspecting a supernatural connection she finds herself enlisting her team and the ghosts of Detroit to help. Part mystery and part demon-summoning horror this has an interesting take on Detroit, a fascinating mythology, characters I want to know more about, and a scene stealing elemental salamander named Sparky. I’m looking forward to the sequel Sparks, due out in late Aug 2010. Fans of Kat Richardson ( Greywalker), Patricia Briggs ( Moon Called), and Rob Thurman (Trick of the Light) should check this out.
"Anna Kalinczyk [is] a down to earth person, who just happens to be a Lantern, a rare kind of psychic medium. But she's completely cool -- she's not unearthly beautiful, impossibly smart, and just too amazing to be real; she's a real person who just happens to be a Lantern. I really appreciated that Laura Bickle wrote Anna to be this way; she's not too perfect, and that's what makes her a great character. Bickle also created a really interesting story here, where there is a real-life setting, completely with some real-life situations, mixed in with the magical. There's just enough of both elements to make the story gritty and intriguing, and somehow, pretty believable...All in all, a good read."
Fantasy Literature Review:In her debut novel, Laura Bickle introduces us to Anya Kalinczyk, a woman as troubled as her home city of Detroit…Bickle incorporates mythology in a really interesting way, mostly Babylonian but with a nifty tie-in to a famous Native American monument. I don’t quite “buy” what happens with the villain at the end, but for the most part, this strand of the plot is great. Together with the wonderful character of Sparky, the investigation makes Embers a compelling read… Embers is worth reading…I will definitely be checking out the next book in this series, Sparks.
…WOW!! I was beyond impressed and am totally hooked on this series now…. I am obviously no expert in how fire and arson investigators work, on how a fire progresses, or on elementals, but I was completely impressed with how knowledgable this author came across in her descriptions. That it was believable was my overall impression after reading Embers. I loved the Devil’s Night in Detroit setting, it reminded me of how much I enjoyed a similar setting in the original Crow movie starring Brandon Lee. Anya’s familiar, Sparky, is a loveable scamp who I’m looking forward to reading about again! The Ghost Hunter crew is a great group made up of richly detailed eccentric and charismatic individuals. And last, but not least, we come to Anya… she’s a wonderfully written character who’s a whirlwind of strength, vulnerability, unique, conflicted, loyal and brave. I have three words for this book… I WANT MORE! (Five Fangs)
The characters were intriguing, the storyline felt fresh and fast paced and there were some twists in the story even I was shocked to read and had me flipping the pages to see what would happen next….EMBERS is a wonderfully fast paced story that draws you in and keeps you enthralled till the very end. I read this book within a matter of hours and wanted to know more when the last page was read. Ms. Bickle is one author I am going to have to check out in the future. I can not wait for more Anya stories in the future. I just hope Ms. Bickle doesn’t keep us waiting too long for her next installment. EMBERS is a sheer joyride from start to finish. Run-don’t walk-to grab this newest debut from an author that will leave you breathless. (4 Hearts)
This was an interesting new sort of paranormal. Anya works as an arson investigator for the fire department and learns that a series of fires are being started magically by someone who wants to raise a dragon-sort of demon to cleanse the city of Detroit by burning it up and sacrificing the inhabitants. Anya works with her elemental Sparky and a number of her fellow paranormal investigator colleagues to capture the man trying to raise the demon…My favorite parts of the book were those showing her relationship with Sparky. He is a combination pet and protector. Only Anya, ghosts, and cats and dogs can see him…I recommend this book to lovers of the paranormal who want to read about interesting characters and a new paranormal talent.
Embers is a unique and assured debut from Laura Bickle, capturing the heart and soul of its setting, Detroit, and giving us a fascinating protagonist in Anya. Not to mention an adorable sidekick in the form of Sparky, Anya’s salamander familiar. A strong supporting cast helps create a sense of community and friendship in the novel - as much as Anya tries to shut herself away, there’s always someone there to bring her out of her self-imposed exile. And that’s one of the nice things about this novel: Anya isn’t afraid to admit when she needs help, nor does she hesitate to ask for it. That’s a trait you don’t see much in urban fantasy, where the emphasis is often on the lone-gunman type character. It was refreshing to see a protagonist who’s aware of her strengths and limitations, and plays to them accordingly….I’d recommend this book unreservedly to anyone - not just genre fans, but anyone who loves a well-crafted novel. I hope there are plenty more adventures for Anya and Sparky in the future!
Bookaholics Romance Book Club: Bickle’s first book is a fun, fun, fun read! For once, we don’t have a super angsty, tough GI Jane. Well, Anya is tough, but not so tough like Xena. She’s likeable and we can relate to her. Even though she comes with a lot of baggage, she’s very normal still. Well, as normal as a person can be with a pet elemental. Her relationship with Sparky brings a smile to my face. Sparky, unlike other pets or familiars, aren’t snarky and/or talkative. He’s more like a dog that no one can see. Bickle was able to weave so much personality into a non-talking character. Every time I think of Sparky and his favorite toy, I can’t help but smile.
Of course, the rest of the motley crew are equally interesting. From Katie the witch to the main bad guy, everyone has so much potential. I hope Bickle can expand further on the adventures of DAGR. They all seem complement each other. Of course, it is also a relief to finally read a book without the same old plot of a tough chick who falls in love with a vampire. I think mediums and ghosts are far more interesting…and spooky. The ghosts in Bickle’s novels are all quirky and fully fleshed out. They are all interesting and none of them are flat. I find it impressive that Bickle can juggle so many characters and still move the plot in a fast, enjoyable pace. Bickle is a talented writer and even though I normally don’t read paranormal love stories, I can’t wait for her second book.
EMBERS is a strong debut; well written and peopled by diverse and intriguing characters. Anya is a tortured soul—in more ways than one—and often her own worst enemy. As a reader, you sympathize with her friends’ frustration as she pushes away those who would help her, insisting on doing everything by herself. But once you learn her history, it becomes clear that Anya is damaged; and this story is as much about her own redemption as it is about her fight to keep her beloved city safe.
The unexpected beauty of the fiery entity, the playful malignance of the demon that inhabits Anya, and the flashes of humanity demonstrated by her enemy all enrich this book. My only complaint (and it is a small one) is that Bickle occasionally displays some of the writing flaws of a beginning autho… But overall, this is a winner, and I look forward to reading Anya’s further adventures. And her familiar Sparky is one of my new favorite paranormal creatures.
Embers is…unique, not your typical run of the mill urban fantasy….[Anya’s] relationship with her familiar Sparky is really wonderful and made me smile. I especially enjoyed Anya friendship with the baker/witch Katie who is a therapist of sort to Anya and gives her advice and a shoulder to lean on.
The first part of Embers is really wonderful with a great deal of action and suspense…The arsonist is revealed early on and isn’t the hard-core villain everyone makes him out to be. He has been wronged and feels he has no other choice with his decisions. Anya has a very touchy relationship with him that’s written in a very interesting way…
As debuts go, I would say Embers is a pretty solid read and the start of a series that I wouldn’t mind continue reading. Other then too much of an emphasis on the annoying Linda Blair Exorcist type drama, I would say that Laura Bickle is one to pay attention to, especially if you are looking for a new unique Urban Fantasy series to read.
I really liked this story. It's well written, has a great and suspenseful storyline and has one of the coolest familiars I've come across (the demon duck in 'A Nameless Witch' by A. Lee Martinez is even cooler, but that story isn't as good as this one.) I must confess at this point I pictured Sparky (the familiar) as a small Komodo Dragon, which is one of my favourite animals.
This story had everything. Romance, a touch of horror, fantasy, myth. There wasn't a dull moment throughout the book. I think though, what I loved most about the story is that the characters were unpredictable. Just when I thought I had them figured out, they would do something surprising.
EMBERS is Fresh Fiction’s Pick of the Week:“The Fresh Pick is chosen by a group of readers and is never a purchased advertisement or promotion. We’ve chosen your book because it appeals to us and we like to share our diverse tastes in reading and hope other readers will give it a try.”
I agree - Anya is both a unique and kick-ass heroine. I cannot wait for more of her and the band of ghost hunters she reluctantly tags along with. One of the best Urban Fantasy heroines to come around in a long time, I felt Laura did an amazing job of making Anya something new in the Urban Fantasy world, but that she also made her incredibly real and honest.
A serial arsonist is targeting what seem to be random buildings in the city. Anya discovers that the crimes are ritualistic in nature, and that the perp is planning a grand finale on Devil’s Night, just two weeks away. This plotline is exceedingly well done. The investigation scenes are fascinating. The arsonist harbors utopian dreams of urban renewal, and while his methods are despicable, his motives are more complex than is usual in a villain. Bickle incorporates mythology in a really interesting way, mostly Babylonian but with a nifty tie-in to a famous Native American monument. I don’t quite “buy” what happens with the villain at the end, but for the most part, this strand of the plot is great. Together with the wonderful character of Sparky, the investigation makes Embers a compelling read.
This well-crafted, highly descriptive tale feels fresh for readers burned out on vampires and other typical paranormal creatures. Anya's familiar, Sparky, is adorable, and the characterization feels spot-on, from the impish to the menacing.
Embers, is a gritty read. It’s full of darkness and despair. Detroit is falling apart, and so is Anya’s life. Honestly, Ember’s is one of the darkest reads I’ve read in awhile. However, just because it was a dark read, didn’t mean that there weren’t parts where I laughed. Sparky, Anya’s elemental familiar, was super cute and was a very good mood lightener.
Finding out who was setting the fires was fairly easy, at least for me. However figuring out why it was being done was a good mystery. Anya not only had to solve that problem, but also figure out how to move her life out of the rut it was in. They say that fire clears away to make room for growth, and for Anya that’s exactly what it did.
Embers includes everything you could wish for in an Urban Fantasy book. A compelling story that picks up its pace from page to page until it culminates in a surprising and sizzling finale ...and not your typical vampire and werewolf cast, but something else entirely.
Laura Bickle´s captivating debut makes you laugh with Sparky, sympathize for Anya, cheer for your favourite love interest and bite your nails at the very end. 4.5 of 5 Points from me.
As Anya pursues her arsonist through the city of Detroit, she discovers more and more about the entity that has Ferrar setting fires. In the end, it will take a Lantern to stop the whole city from burning. And Anya has the job. Even if it means sacrificing her soul.
This was a fun read and entertaining, a good example of the Urban Fantasy genre. There is an upcoming sequel to this called Sparks, and I look forward to seeing what Ms. Bickle has in store for her characters.
I really liked this book and am excited to read more from this author. I want to read more about how being a lantern affects Anya and I want to read more about the other investigators that Anya works with...her "Scooby Doo" team that another reviewer dubbed it :) And I want more of Sparky (Anya's familiar). All in all, I just want more which is always a good thing!
Embers is on fire in the smoking supernatural world of urban fantasy. Sparking to life as new author Laura Bickle’s debut novel, this hot, gritty, paranormal mystery brings originality to a genre that covets expanding creativity in the paranormal and supernatural realms. For those who enjoy reads like Demon Inside by Stacia Kane, Matters of the Blood by Maria Lima or Deadtown by Nancy Holzner, Embers is right in league with this diverse selection of comparables. (4 stars)
Embers is one of the absolute best urban fantasies that I’ve read. Having spent most of my youth in Detroit, one of the first things that struck me was the author’s knowledge of the city and its surroundings. Ms Bickle has done a phenomenal job of capturing the feel of the Detroit urban area.
But setting alone does not a story make. Ms Bickle has written a book that captures the loneliness and near despair of a woman who wants a more normal life. Unfortunately, her talent as a Lantern and her familiar, Sparky, makes that nearly impossible. However, Anya isn’t a ‘poor me’ sort of character. She honestly loves Sparky who, I admit, is a fascinating and lovable creature who reminds me of a cross between a big doofus dog and a quirky, independent feline. The plot is fresh and masterfully intertwined with the setting. I will remind readers of Star-Crossed Romance that Embers is not a typical romance with the plot actually depending on the romantic elements. However, the romantic elements do play a fundamentally important role for characterization and, to a lesser extent, to the plot. I highly recommend Embers for anyone who enjoys urban fantasy or paranormal stories.
Dano Buzz—Top 5 List of Best Debut SF Books: Embers by Laura Bickle
An original urban fantasy with gutsy, hard-hitting characters that fans of crime fiction and thrillers will love….
You can smell, feel and hear the musty, metallic, clawing pulse of Detroit in Embers. That buildings are being burned down in the midst of this decline makes you wonder whether it’s just best to let it all burn down – and simply start again….
Laura Bickle has created a world and characters that are accessible for readers of other genres, in particular, action thrillers and crime fiction. Embers is essentially a crime thriller with paranormal on the side….
In all, I was expecting a low quality, clichéd, forgettable read. Instead, I was gobsmacked by how good this book was. I could not put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed Embers (apart from Sparky), and recommend it to my crime and thriller-loving friends. Before I’d even finished Embers, I’d downloaded the new release follow up, Sparks, onto my Kindle.
This book has it all: action, mystery, romance, tragedy—all wrapped up in an urban fantasy package with a meaningful plot twist. Characterization is deep and powerful. But as hot as Anya is (in more ways than one), I have to admit that Sparky’s little antics stole the show. He’s one of the most independent, headstrong, and entertaining sidekicks I’ve ever read. All-in-all, Embers is a well written tale.
The novel is well-written and the pacing is quick keeping your attention. Anya is a likeable character with only occasional lapses in to Romance novel character.
The Intersection of Dykedom and Dorkdom: I really enjoyed this book. Anya and her supporting cast are all well-rounded, I suppose some readers might be annoyed by Sparky and perhaps think he’s too cute but I didn’t find it overbearing, and the author’s descriptions of Detroit landmarks both vacant and occupied are excellent as is her descriptions of arson investigation.
I liked the way the story was told. The author has a very nice "voice" indeed, to keep my interest engaged. She has a very good way of making the characters come to life like Sparky. I like that Sparky is sentient enough to have free will and that he gets naughty sometimes ;) (4 out of 5 cherries)
If you're an urban science fiction fan, try these two books, with a dash of red hot demons in the motor city.
It was a well-written novel of Urban Fantasy and this is my first try at the genre. This was an excellent way to be introduced to the genre. Laura Bickle made Anya's character compelling and her story was very strong. Am looking forward to reading the next installment in the series, Sparks, and will write the review for that one also.
I enjoyed this story and the writing was both solid and fast paced. There were a couple of points where I could not put it down and the final resolution of the conflict made sense in the realm of the story, as well as, provided a nice ending to the tension and build up of the storyline...Bickle nails the final scene between Anya, Sirrush and Ferrer and left me in tears.
Embers is a really amazing novel that will pull you head first into a dangerous and adventurous world that you will not want to leave. I enjoy the depth of Bickle's characters the most. Anya is clearly my favorite heroine, but I loved Sparky, Anya's needy but protective familiar, just as much. Fabulous world. Wonderfully developed characters. I couldn't ask for more. This is a story that I would love to be turned into a television series because I could sit and watch Anya's life unfold for many seasons to come. Embers is a must read that I encourage you to run out and devour right now!
EMBERS included in TOP 5 GREAT DEBUTS list at number five.
It takes place in Detroit, which is different and interesting. It deals with some kind of complex issues, such as the plight of manufacturing towns, people deserting cities for the suburbs, a bad economy, etc. It also has ghosts, demons, and a supernatural salamander (and ZERO vampires to be found!). The main character is flawed but likable. What with Charlaine Harris being the most supernatural thing I've really read (other than Harry Potter and stuff like that), it was cool to read an urban fantasy that was a bit more serious and was MUCH, much better written.
EMBERS included in Top 5 Best Debuts of 2010
EMBERS included in Best of 2010
Embers is a very different type of Urban Fantasy novel and I found it very refreshing. Our heroine, Anya is a lantern – able to see and speak to ghosts and occasionally she swallows them - but only if they are inferring with the living. She’s had a tough childhood and finds it difficult to trust others. However, she isn’t snarky or cold. What makes Anya different, in my opinion is that she thinks things through. She’s not a physical heroine, willing to kickbox everyone out the way but rather she uses her unique abilities and tries to solve things with research and greater knowledge. She feels more real than many ‘save the world’ heroines. Her fire elemental Sparky is a cute companion – I’d quite like one! And the rest of DAGR group help Anya to ground her and focus on the living.
One of the joys of this novel is the creepy atmosphere Laura Bickle creates especially during the exorcisms. The demon one sent a shiver down my spine and the description of the fire scenes seem well researched but not lecturing. Anya is a fantastic character and I like the way that not only does she change and evolve over the course of the story but so do others around her – especially the arsonist she’s chasing.
This book has some beautiful description in it – everything from the cookies baked to the church helps place it so much more in the real world. I actually wanted to visited Detroit when I’d finished as I felt I knew the city so well by the end. I already have the sequel, Sparks in my TBR pile so I’m sure I will be visiting again soon! Recommended for fans of intelligent Urban Fantasy, Diana Rowland and Ilona Andrews. 9 out of 10.
This was an unusual and engaging urban fantasy, and I found myself unable to put it down! In Anya, Ms. Bickle has given us a heroine to root for. She’s not the usual type that you see in these kinds of fantasies. She’s very serious and her loneliness tends to temper everything she does, including getting involved with a man that could very well destroy her, even though he sees through to the very core of her being. One of the highlights of Embers is Anya’s familiar, Sparky, a salamander that she wears around her neck as a necklace and only she and certain others can see when he comes to life. He’s quite like a mischevious puppy; always getting into all things electrical and fierce in his loyalty and protectiveness of Anya. Embers, in spite of the title conjuring flames and ash, was a breath of fresh air for the genre and an immensely enjoyable read! Keep an eye out for my review of Sparks, the second Anya Kalinczyk adventure from Laura Bickle!
Embers is different in a number of ways. Detroit and its decay play a very important role in the tale. Anya herself isn’t just a private detective, she has an official role in the law enforcement of the city. Also, the villain in this book is one of the most human, sympathetic bad guys to be found in urban fantasy. Embers also simultaneously deals with traditional occult such as demons, ghosts, paganism, as well as more exotic, fantasy occult such as Lanterns, elementals, and Ishtar. Plus, it has one of the cutest, best sidekicks ever, a salamander (fire elemental) named Sparky. Recommended as part of paranormal romance and urban fantasy collections, public and private.
Laura Bickle's rich and poetic writing with her detailed descriptions and witty humour will keep you spellbound all through the story. Embers is a wonderfully vivid and emotionally deep urban fantasy novel, and Laura Bickle proves that she is an author not only to watch but to put on your auto-buy list! Plot: 9/10 Characters: 10/10 Ending: 10/10 Writing: 10/10 Cover: 10/10
The end of this book was surprising yet well done. I really enjoyed this book and found it to be riveting. 5 stars
I love Sparky! He's my favourite character. So mischievious and loyal. He really stands out as a unique sidekick. I found the mythology in the story was very interesting. The use of ghosts as secondary characters was quite unique and refreshing. Especially since they were mostly victims or allies. 4 Hearts.
Original. Well written. Unique. Strong characters. Anya is incredible! The idea of a Lantern (Elemental) was totally new to me. Sparky is fabulous - a salamander familiar! Intriguing. Clever. Fast paced story. Can't wait for more!
This was my first time reading a story where the main character is a medium and I gotta say I enjoyed it immensely. I was immediately drawn into the story from the start of the very first line...5 Black Orchids.
If you enjoy urban fantasies, I highly recommend giving Embers a read. It is suspenseful, the characters, even the villain, are engaging, and the pacing is fast and furious.
The investigation parts were straightforward but Anya and her opponent had a deliciously conflicting relationship that upped my enjoyment. It's obvious too that Anya has a lot to learn about who she is as a Lantern and that she needs to drop her walls when it comes DAGR, so I expect more character development and world building to come. This is a promising start to a series and I can't wait to see what's next.
Reviews for DARK ORACLE: “Alayna Williams writes with power and poetry, combining old mythos with complete ass-kickery. You don’t want to miss this series.” -National bestselling author Ann Aguirre
“DARK ORACLE is a scientific, paranormal read that takes readers on a wild chase. A subtle romance lends to the entertainment this read offers. Tara is a strong female who has many stories till waiting to be told. An interesting new series that is not quite like anything else! (4 stars)” -RT Book Reviews
“Dark Oracle is a lot of fun…”
“One thing I enjoy about Bickle/Williams is that her protagonists do not conform to the brittle, mouthy urban fantasy stereotype that I find so irritating. They have real problems, and not all of their issues are provoked by their tendency to run off at the mouth. Also, Bickle/Williams (a criminologist) is obviously knowledgeable about law and criminal enforcement, so her stories ring more true than many urban fantasy narratives. Her cops worry about the chain of evidence and warrants and not looking like an idiot in the media...I find this satisfying.” -Elizabeth Bear, Realms of Fantasy Magazine (December, 2010)
Dark Oracle is a novel filled with exquisite descriptions and rich detail that put you right in the middle of everything. While reading you feel as though you have been transported directly to the scene.
Tara Sheridan used to be a criminal profiler. She used a combination of science and her intuitive skills channeled through her Tarot card divination. Then she got too close and became a victim of the serial killer she was tracking. Left scarred and scared she quit work and pretty much quit life moving to a remote location with no one for company except her cat.
Now Tara has been asked by Delphi’s Daughters, a secret and powerful group of women her mother was part of, to look into the disappearance of scientist Lowell Magnusson. She doesn’t want to but can’t let it go, so she heads back to her old life and ends up right in the middle of a dangerous situation.
Mystery, corruption, science, magick, even a little romance…it’s all here in Dark Oracle. It is a richly detailed book full of characters you’ll want more of. Totally unique.
I really loved the history and lore of the Tarot that was included, it made me pull out my old deck which I haven’t touched in years.
Fab read, I look forward to more books by Alayna Williams.
4 out of 5 from Romance Junkies: If you are looking for an urban fantasy that is jam-packed with spin-chilling mystery from start to finish, then DARK ORACLE is just the book for you. The main focal point of the plot revolved around Tarot cards – there were no werewolves, vampires or God-like beings; yet, there still was a paranormal element presence. Readers, I must warn you that DARK ORACLE is an introductory novel to author Alayna Williams’ new series, and it ends on a cliffhanger note with more exciting episodes to come. There was some romance but it was told in a secondary manner. I am sure that Tara’s romantic relationship with her new FBI partner will develop more in depth as the series progresses. Overall, I found DARK ORACLE to be an enjoyable sci-fi, urban fantasy read.- Romance Junkies Reviewer Contessa
The exciting Dark Oracle draws the reader in from its first page description of the remnants of a scientific site explosion, setting the scene for the events to follow… elements combine to create a thrilling cat and mouse game characterized by wonderful pacing and sustained suspense. The villains of the piece are revealed early on, but the unknown fate of the man being searched for keeps the reader guessing throughout the book. Williams excels at depicting a world of both shadowy magic and dark science, and her skillful characterization of both primary and secondary players adds breadth to the narrative. An unusual and atypical backdrop for the story sets this novel apart from the herd in the urban fantasy field, earning the author extra points. This reviewer fears that the sequel to this excellent and intriguing novel will be much too long in arriving. (Five stars)
Tarot, quantum physics, mines, botany, geology, divination, serial killers…if any of these interest you, purchasing Dark Oracle would be wise. A mix of The X-Files and Alex Kava’s Maggie O’Dell series, this novel has enlivened urban fantasy with a smack of science that grounds the story with realism. Plus, there are definite wow moments – the climax features a character who truly is one with the earth, in jaw-dropping imagery. Unfortunately, the sequel, Rogue Oracle, won’t be released until March. Too bloody long away…
I’ve been wanting to read this book since the first time I heard about it as it sounded really cool. And it is! I love this book. The mix of tarot and profiling is very well written and Williams sure knows her tarot too I can tell you. The story is suspenseful and compelling with rich and vivid descriptions and even though Williams uses various viewpoints this didn’t distract me from the story as sometimes happens, but instead it felt right as it gave me extra insight in the story that made it come even more alive.
Why should you read it:
**** FOUR STARS! The author has done an exceptional job of explaining the complex Tarot methods in easy to understand ways. Even though I know only a little about Tarot cards, I had absolutely no trouble understanding everything. However, due to each card’s multiple meanings, in addition to the meaning of each card’s placement within a pattern, the divination scenes are very long winded. Necessary, I understand, but still tedious. The characters’ developments are well done, the plot is solid, and I felt an underlining tension throughout the entire story. These made the pages seem to fly by for me. I stayed awake much longer than I should have, but Tara’s mysterious background kept me enthralled. I wanted to know more - now, now, now! Other than having to read slowly during the long divinations, I found this story to be fantastic.
Alayna Williams creates a compelling heroine in clever, intuitive Tara. Harry is a likable character, too, and their relationship — conflicts and all — is touching and realistic. Williams also peoples her novel with memorable secondary characters, from the scientist’s daughter Cassie to Harry’s awesome mentor to the Pythia, head of the Daughters of Delphi. (Not to even mention the dog and cat.) The plot is suspenseful, the descriptions vivid and often just plain gorgeous, and all the elements add up to a perfect escapist read for summer. I found it impossible to put down; I’m usually reading three or four books at once, but this was the book for several days running.
Tara is a fantastic urban fantasy heroine. She is flawed and has her fears, but as the novel progresses, the reader really gets to see her grow and slowly strip away her fears. They're still there, but she realizes that she can continue to live her life with them instead of holing up in the woods. I really enjoyed that she was self-conscious of her scars, but not to the point that it completely got in the way of more intimate situations. Harry was a nice foil to Tara. He tried to understand both her past and her divination, and I think he was really good for her. Cassie, Magnusson's daughter, was very strong considering the situation she found herself in. Maggie, Cassie's dog, offered a chuckle here and there within the action.
DARK ORACLE is a unique book to read and one that will leave you breathless as you try to see what happens next amid all the twists and turns within the pages. Ms. Williams delivers a stunning debut and one that will haunt you after the last page is read. If you enjoy a new sort of urban fantasy to enjoy, then grab DARK ORACLE. I am looking forward to more from this “new to me” author in the future.
…Alayna Williams introduces us to a world where the occult meet science and anything is possible. Dark Oracle is a fast-paced. action-packed, character driven story that got me gripping at the edge of my seat from start to finish. Evil plots meet scientific experiments and the supernatural in a great adventure. Even though I love my Shifters and will always be a Vamp fan girl, It’s great to encounter an Urban Fantasy novel / series that stray from that beaten path and gives something new to read about. Alayna Williams has definitely accomplished that in spades and I recommend Dark Oracle to any Urban Fantasy lover out there. (4 stars)
I thoroughly enjoyed DARK ORACLE. While it initially seemed to be the second in a series, Tara’s back-story is slowly revealed and the novel is self-contained. Tara is a fully realized character, and her inner growth as well as the way her relationship develops with Harry has an emotional depth that is completely believable. The mix of science and special abilities is a different combination from other urban fantasies. I know little about the Tarot, but the author (AKA Laura Bickle) treated Tara’s readings with a delicate touch, letting the reader understand why Tara interpreted the cards the way she did, as well as giving enough of a description of the illustrations that the reader could come to their own conclusions. I highly recommend DARK ORACLE, and hope to see more of Tara’s readings in the future.
A stunning collaboration of science and fantasy, DARK ORACLE is an unusual high stakes ride of government cover ups and mythological magic. While one would expect the blend to be jarring, its actually quite seamless making the novel interesting from beginning to end. Embodying a rich epic feel, Tara and Harry traverse dozens of obstacles not only in search of the truth but also within their own inner obstacles allowing vast and blatant character growth. However, with the secondary love plot playing such a dynamic role in Tara’s healing, I would have liked to have seen more chemistry, more sexual tension. It would have pushed this book from good to stellar. But the research is still phenomenal in both the science and magical aspects. DARK ORACLE has all the makings of a good series start. For Urban Fantasy readers wanting to jump on an up and coming thrill ride, hail a ticket fast and get ready to hang on!
…Williams does a good job of keeping this urban fantasy moving along at a rapid clip. Tara and Li have an interesting chemistry, which adds a positive element to the story. With enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and enough action to keep the pages turning, Dark Oracle doesn’t disappoint.
…Alayna Williams introduces us to a world where the occult meet science and anything is possible. Dark Oracle is a fast-paced. action-packed, character driven story that got me gripping at the edge of my seat from start to finish. Evil plots meet scientific experiments and the supernatural in a great adventure. Even though I love my Shifters and will always be a Vamp fan girl, It’s great to encounter an Urban Fantasy novel / series that stray from that beaten path and gives something new to read about. Alayna Williams has definitely accomplished that in spades and I recommend Dark Oracle to any Urban Fantasy lover out there. (4 stars) …Williams does a good job of keeping this urban fantasy moving along at a rapid clip. Tara and Li have an interesting chemistry, which adds a positive element to the story. With enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and enough action to keep the pages turning, Dark Oracle doesn’t disappoint.
Dark Oracle is a mystery novel by new author Alayna Williams. When I received the book from Alayna, I was excited to dive into a story whose main character was a tarot reader, even if in the back of my mind, I expected the storyline to pale in comparison to the tarot bits I was looking forward to. I was delighted to find that the entire story captured my attention and held it. It kept me on my toes, turning pages, wanting to find out what happened next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, start to finish. It contained action, mystery, mysticism, drama, romance and Tarot (as well as other divination methods)…When I finished the book, I wanted more. I wanted to know what was next for the characters. So I was very happy to hear Alayna’s answer to my question of whether there would be sequels: “DARK ORACLE is intended to be the first in a series. The sequel, ROGUE ORACLE, is coming out in March 2011…”
…I’ve been delighted to find it’s a great read. The two threads woven through out of the intuitive arts (Tarot, for example) and hard science (quantum theory, I believe it is) I found especially enjoyable… As a Tarot reader, writer, teacher, and designer I can support her views on The Tarot…However, this book is above all a highly entertaining and intriguing mystery about a scientist who disappears while working on new technology that has possibly terrifying potential. I was intrigued and curious, concerned and delighted, start to finish. I was quite honestly briefly sad when this terrific ride was over!… But I’ll again emphasize that “Dark Oracle” is most of all an excellent mystery book. I’ve had the thought that in the future this old lady will be able to say “Oh yes, I read her first book and even back then it was quite obvious that she is a skilled imaginative writer.” Highly recommended read whether you are left brain dominant or a Tarot fan, or neither.
I started reading this book with some trepidation, I have always associated the use of Tarot cards with the use of dark or evil powers. Williams’ use of the cards to assist in the investigation was well done and has changed my opinion regarding the use of tarot cards. The novel was an intriguing read as the story followed both the mystery of the missing scientist and the path of Tara as she came to terms with what happened to her. I found the main character sympathetic without being weak, always a difficult balance to be achieved by an author. (4 stars)
Criminal Minds meets Richard Condon meets Medium. It definitely did not read like a typical UF, and sometimes it did get bogged down in the extreme divination interpretation details, but surprisingly I liked it.
I also enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to shoot Stephen Hawking a tweet to understand the mind blowing scientific end of it. I am sure he appreciates that fact also.
I am very curious to read the next installment to see how the characters will develop.
DARK ORACLE included in TOP 5 GREAT DEBUTS list at number two.
Tara can hold her own in a fight and has a dark past that forces her to keep everyone else at an arm's length, yet she opens up to a possibility of a romance. Since her magic actually depends on her being open to the world, she also possesses a softer, more intuitive side, which sets her apart somewhat from typical urban fantasy heroines.
A lot of Urban Fantasy books ignore or dismiss science in favour of the magical elements of their world. What strikes you from the start in Dark Oracle is that science is not only embraced but is a crucial plot point to the story. Not only are Tara and her partner Harry investigating an explosion at a particle accelerator lab, but both them and the bad guys are searching for the scientific research hidden by the lead scientist. While there is enough magical elements to keep this is in the Urban Fantasy genre, I liked that it flows from the story and rarely takes precedence. Tara reads tarot cards and even she admits it might not be magical but a method of tapping into her sub-conscience. I don’t really know much about tarot cards, but the way it’s explained here is like another puzzle as both Tara and the reader attempts to distinguish the meaning behind the spread.
However the best part of Dark Oracle, are the characters. Tara feels so real with likes, dislikes, passions, a haunted past and fears – right from the start she jumps off the page and makes you feel for her – even before you learn about her troubled history. Added to that Harry Li is one of the best male leads I’ve come across for a while. He has a distinct personality and doesn’t fall helplessly in love with Tara at first sight – it truly is her personality that intrigues him. I loved how naturally their relationship develops and how they trust each other – despite the differences between them. This was one of the most natural relationships I’ve read in Urban Fantasy and I really want to see what happens next between them. Even the other characters sparkle (I love Martin and Maggie!) and make the action pop. This is a very good Urban Fantasy that makes a pleasant change from vampires, were and other supernatural creatures. And luckily for me - the sequel Rogue Oracle is released today! :) Recommended for fans of Diana Rowland and Ilona Andrews. 8 out of 10.
I waited until I had book 2 (Rogue Oracle) in my hands before deciding to read this because I had a feeling it would be like with Williams alter-ego persona Laura Bickle's Anya Kalicinzyk series (meaning, I'd want more and not have it and be sad). It didn't disappoint! Using the Tarot Cards as a means for which Tara found clues was more engrossing then I first believed. I'm not quite a skeptic when it comes to such matters (tarot reading that is), but I thought it would subsume more of the story then it did. Instead it was more like a silent partner that Tara would confer with and use as a guide, but it wasn't the crutch that the synopsis makes it sound like. As Tara puts it to Special Agent Harry Li the cards don't tell her what to do and she blindly follows them. Instead they offer a way for her to draw connections and use her own intuitive powers to observe what lines up with what. 5 Stars
Williams does a great job of creating the paranormal part of the story. I'm looking forward to Rogue Oracle because the end of Dark Oracle gave me definite hope for the future. (4 points)
I found Tara to be full of surprises. She is good at her job. The element of her using tarot cards to help her was fascinating. Agent Li grew on me by the end of the book. He may have been tough but that is what I liked about him. He and Tara worked harmoniously together for the most part. There is quite a bit of action that I was not expecting. This made for a quick read. I am a fan of Laura Bickle but I have to say that as Alayna Williams, I like her work as well. (4 Angels)
This is pretty cool urban fantasy because it also throws in science, secret military facilities, a government conspiracy, and a charming Agent Harry Li. I will definitely read the second book in this series, Rogue Oracle.
Dark Oracle is like none of the other novels I have ever read. It is a unique blend of spiritual and scientific world: dark matter and physics are explored in detail alongside divination, prophecies and oracles. But somehow these two completely contradictory areas which couldn't be more different still form an organic whole, and with Alayna Williams' metaphorical and emotional writing the result is once again a thrilling, action packed yet emotionally deep urban fantasy novel. Dark Oracle is simply spellbinding! Plot: 9/10 Characters: 10/10 Writing: 10/10 Ending: 9/10 Cover: 8/10
Alayna Williams has for me, done something different – created a world, and a character that is as fiercely based in the human world as she is in the supernatural parts of it … The book revolves around the search for a missing scientist, and as much as that comes with a bit of the unexplainable/fantastical what makes it unique is Williams’ style of writing and talent for grounding her writing so well that this could be a crime novel, with a fantasy twist, instead of an urban fantasy, with a cops and robbers theme.
So I pretty much really enjoy a book that has a strong female main character that never ever backs down! This one definitely kept me rapt to my Nook reading and reading and wanting more! Tara is someone you want to immediately know more about and it's an almost a quick bond between her character and the reader..I enjoy books that let you get to know the main character slowly instead of the dreaded, "info dump" via flash backs or loooong introductions. This book let the reader slowly figure Tara out. You get a few pieces of information about her at the start, but you get to know her as you read on. You see what makes her tick and what drives her, and to me that was awesome! She is a great character and I can't wait to see more about her!
Reviews for SPARKS…
“The second book in Bickle’s series about Anya Kalinczyk is just as wonderful as the first—Anya is a compelling and likable protagonist and Bickle does an outstanding job in her portrayal of the city of Detroit; there are ruins, yes, but also hope in the ashes. Anya never takes herself too seriously and there is a scene in a baby supercenter that is absolutely not to be missed. (4 stars)” -RT Book Reviews
“...a charming and inventive read…”
“One thing I enjoy about Bickle/Williams is that her protagonists do not conform to the brittle, mouthy urban fantasy stereotype that I find so irritating. They have real problems, and not all of their issues are provoked by their tendency to run off at the mouth. Also, Bickle/Williams (a criminologist) is obviously knowledgeable about law and criminal enforcement, so her stories ring more true than many urban fantasy narratives. Her cops worry about the chain of evidence and warrants and not looking like an idiot in the media...I find this satisfying.” -Elizabeth Bear, Realms of Fantasy Magazine (December, 2010)
The urban fantasy genre has a wonderful new heroine in Anya Kalinczyk.
Laura Bickle’s urban fantasy world is complete and unique. In a genre drowning under the weight of vampires, witches and werewolves Bickle’s character Anya, a Lantern, is something different and refreshing. And the fire elemental Sparky the salamander- brilliant. The two of them together make a wonderful team that I really enjoy reading about….
Sparks is even better than the first book Embers. The interaction between characters is much more detailed and fleshed out, Anya’s character is also fuller and richer and I loved the introduction of a new character Charon the ghostly connection between this world and the underworld. I really hope to see more of him in upcoming books….Sparks was a fantastic fiery read that I couldn’t put down until it was finished. If each book in this series just keeps getting better I can’t wait to read the next installment.
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary in the urban fantasy genre- this series is one to try. Not a vampire in sight, no werewolves either but you’ll get lots of ghosts and elementals and Lantern or two.
Just as its predecessor in the series did, the marvelous Sparks hooks the reader from its very first page and refuses to let go…As before, Bickle creates a fully-realized world believable and fantastic at the same time. The city of Detroit once again provides a fascinating backdrop for the battle between the very visible and the unseen forces at work in the story. Almost a character in its own right, the deteriorating city fights for its survival just as Anya does. The author’s tactile imagery used to depict the ghosts and Sparky, hidden from the view of most humans, enables the reader to see and experience what Anya does and places them in the action.
As suspenseful and exciting as the story is with its rich setting and intriguing plot, the psychological examination of Anya adds even more depth to the narrative. Watching Anya learn to open herself to the possibility of close relationships proves emotional for the reader, as well. Anya chooses a career related to the most traumatic event of her life, the death of her mother for which she still feels responsible, but she still seeks to understand her metaphysical purpose as a Lantern.
Bickle’s deft hand with humor ensures that the serious subject matter does not overwhelm the tone, preventing too much darkness from hijacking this fabulous tale. An unforgettable scene in the fine arts museum manages to be both amusing and sinister at the same time. This excellent series remains a must-read for all urban fantasy fans.
4.75 out of 5 Stars—Top Pick
Sparks is the second book in the Anya Kaliczyk series from author Laura Bickle. From the first chapter, readers can tell that Laura can craft a wonderful storyline with vibrant paranormal elements, fresh dialogue and amazing characters.
I’m thrilled that this author did her research. Readers can really believe Anya is an arson investigator and now I know what wick effect theory and phospheinic farts means and can use it as trivia ice breakers at the next party.
Anya is fascinating as a skilled arson investigator and her abilities as a paranormal lantern make her an amazingly complex character. As much as this story is all about Anya, the secondary characters could carry their own books. I was especially fond of the morgue scenes with Gina and I hope there is more to find out about the mysterious Charon.
I’m ready to read the next installment in Anya’s life and until that book is released, I’m going to read the first in her series, Embers. For fans of the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre with strong heroines, this book is worth reading and this author should stay on your radar.
The second book in Bickle’s series about Anya Kalinczyk is just as wonderful as the first—Anya is a compelling and likable protagonist and Bickle does an outstanding job in her portrayal of the city of Detroit; there are ruins, yes, but also hope in the ashes. Anya never takes herself too seriously and there is a scene in a baby supercenter that is absolutely not to be missed. (4 stars)
The terrific second Kalinczyk urban fantasy is a great saga that works mostly because of the portrait of Detroit as a city with many ruins, but trying to recreate a new image. The heroine is fabulous as she keeps her wits and sense of humor in the midst of infernos (some created by unnatural arsons) while battling psychopathic and avarice arsonists and supernatural malevolent essences; in this preying on impoverish forlorn seeking miracles.
When I reviewed the first book I talked about Sparky, Anya’s elemental familiar. I really enjoyed him and that feeling still existed in “Sparks.”…As I neared the end of the book you couldn’t pry it from my hands. Add to that my love for the way Bickle contrasted people’s appearance in the spiritual world to that of reality, and you got a pleasantly dark book.
Sparks is the second book in the Anya/Sparky series. I loved the first book Embers, especially because of Anya’s familiar Sparky who outshone everyone and everything in my opinion. That being said: I absolutely love Sparks!
And this time it’s quite a bit harder to name one specific thing that outshone the rest I can tell you. Sparky does shine ofcourse (both while guarding his bathtub full of newts and while wreaking havoc on an unsuspecting Baby Super Store) but Anya shines as well in a way she didn’t and most probably couldn’t in Embers. Where she was emotionally quite closed off in the previous book she’s opening up in this one, making her vulnerable in a way that makes you want to hug her and kick some butt among those who pester her. The other characters are very intriguing as well, some raising some questions about who and what they truly are and others making you wish you had them as a friend. The one negative thing I can say is that at the moment it’s not clear if there will be more books in this series. I really hope there will be because I want lots and lots more Sparky and Anya!
Why should you read it: In my honest opinion sofar this book is one of the five books you should read this year.
This series has a freshness, uniqueness about it that truly helps it stand apart from the other Urban Fantasy stories. If you are expecting the paranormal elements of vampires, were-wolves, etc, well this series is not for you.
I found it very easy to like and connect with Anya. She has her day job, nothing spectcular like a cop or bounty hunter; however there is more to Anya than what people believe. Really liked how Anya is coming to terms with her past, new light being shed for her to stew on.
Yes, we do have a very interesting character introduced. I am anticipating on seeing more of this character in future books. And of course Sparky, we can not forget about him! Laura had me giggling during the scene with Anya and salamander in a baby store. The image is imprinted there.
Near the end got incredibly sad to the point that I sniffled. It was to be expected but I really did not see it happening this soon. Despite that, the ending brought a smile to my lips and anticipating the next installment, wondering what Anya and Sparky would get into next…
Bickle does a great job of transporting the reader back and forth between the city of Detroit and the psychic planes she explores in the book. The characters are smart and funny. SPARKS is a fast paced and entertaining read.
Sparks is …full of suspense and thrilling adventure…Laura Bickle’s Anya comes to life in this twisting tale, both in and out of the physical world, fighting with strength that will last forever, even if she does not. In my opinion, Sparks was a spectacular young adult novel. This book will capture a wide audience of teen readers, because of its great sense of adventure and terrible but great suspense. To me, this book has no equal and would make a moving series; I think Laura Bickle should consider this. 10/10
Ex Libris Spotlight on Urban Fantasy Some of the best urban fantasy series…(along with Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong and Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews) Laura Bickle’s evocative descriptions are extraordinary and the UF universe she built is very original (the heroine is no vampire, werewolf, fairy or angel, no she is a “lantern”). Anya’s universe is darker than the usual and maybe because of that, the athmosphere is more intense and deeper. An amazing journey, and you just have to meet Sparky!
I’m constantly amazed at the detail Ms Bickle incorporates into her books but more than that I’m delighted with the growth and depth of the characters. These are not static people who’ve been pigeon-holed into specific roles. Some of the personality twists are just as surprising as the plot twists but they’re logical enough that the reader will nod and say yes, I know a guy just like that.
All in all, Sparks is a grab-you-by-the-neck attention getter that you won’t want to put down. If you enjoy urban fantasy, you want to get Sparks. I highly recommend it. Fang-tastic Fiction: Twenty-First-Century Paranormal Reads (ALA Editions, December 2010) Bickle provides a fine sense of place as she describes the failing city of Detroit.
Laura Bickle has definitely upped the ante with her sequel to Embers. Anya and Sparky are back in Sparks, with more ghosts, more creepies, and more bang for your buck...a competent writer who has realized her vision with this series, plunged head first to write an exciting and visually stunning sequel. Bravo!
The Intersection of Dykedom and Dorkdom: I liked this book as much as I did the first one, as did Booboo. I can’t wait for the third book in the series to be published! Highly recommended.
If you're an urban science fiction fan, try these two books, with a dash of red hot demons in the motor city.
Sparks is a fantastic sequel to Embers... I can't stress how much I love Anya. Although she is able to devour souls, she desperately wants to be normal, and she is very conflicted about her relationship with Brian. I think all women can relate to her soft heart as well as her strength. Sparks is a fascinating novel that will keep you guessing.
If Embers was a solid double, then Sparks hits the ball out of the park. The action is faster paced and flows better in the second book. Charon is a very believable ferryman, and the trauma and turmoil of the salamander eggs is a nice edition to the storyline. Anya's character is deepened and broadened, with background provided that is pertinent to understanding her and Lanterns in general, while perhaps finally laying to rest her grief and guilt at the death of her mother. All aspects of the story make sense, drawing on the traditions of Wiccan practice (the calling of the quarters by Katie raised the hair on my arms - which I read on solstice of all days), greek mythos (which I was able to discuss with my son, since he is a huge Rick Riordan fan) Christian belief (catholic upraising and Jules in general) and even throwing in a touch of Artifical Intelligence in the character of ALANN…
The book still retains the fabulous story telling quality. And I like it that I get to read more about Sparky. Sparky being my favouritest in Embers. But having said that, I now have a new character favourite… Guess who?! Oh, yeah, Death!! Man! Can this author spin a nice touch on Death!
...Another element which I think made this book/series so good is it’s authenticity factor. The story has such an authentic feel to it that as a reader I can easily connect with the characters and the world of Anya Kalinczyk. And I can also very easily suspend disbelief. Let me quote a line a character had said:
“After a few centuries, they tend to develop a personality of their own.”
That to me is a logical thing to happen. Something which I can honestly believe could happen. As opposed to just saying something like, it happened just because it’s magic, and leave it at that …and besides, the idea of a “Princess Kerberus” tickles me pink!
4.5 out of 5 Cherries
I wonder at the consequences of this fight on Anya. Not just supernaturally, but personally. She learned things about Brian that were unsettling, the team itself is headed for self-destruct and the news about her father, and the truth of what happened when her mom died? Yeah, let's talk about trauma issues… 4 Stars
All things I loved about Embers are still here - Anya and Sparky, the beautifully described city of Detroit, which is almost a character itself, the ragtag group of ghost hunters that Anya reluctantly helps, and the ever-present themes of fire, destruction, loss, and ghosts. But this is far from a retread of Embers; Bickle expands her world with the second installment, introducing new elements such as the Afterworld, new characters like the enigmatic but charming Charon, and new dangers - like the aforementioned spontaneous human combustion. Anya, a fire investigator for the Detroit fire department, is called in to investigate a house fire that appears to have been caused by a case of SHC, although of course nobody really buys into that. I loved that Bickle explored this myth without being heavy-handed and info-dumping - references to the wick effect made me squee because I know about that stuff, but for someone who's never heard of it, there was enough information there to be enlightening without overwhelming the actual plot.
I found this interesting and a unique take on ghosts and their world. A really good read that sucked me in (pun intended). 4 stars
I again loved the mythology in the story. It was a fresh look at old tales. Charon's character was unique and interesting. The continual use of ghosts as victims and allies was as enjoyable in this books as the first. Overall, a great second book in the series. It was complete on its own, and yet a comprehensve part of the series. 4 Hearts.
Reviews for ROGUE ORACLE…
“Alayna Williams writes with power and poetry, combining old mythos with complete ass-kickery. You don’t want to miss this series.” -National bestselling author Ann Aguirre
“I found this book to be very interesting. I love the Tarot cards mixed with the FBI profiling. Those are two stimulating subjects and they mixed well with the story line. The secret scheming and underhanded methods of the Delphi Daughters held my attention from chapter one to the end.” -From Barbara Vey’s Publishers Weekly Blog (review by “Dawn”)
Rogue Oracle by Alayna Williams is a suspense-filled and sadly apropos novel that follows Tara Sheridan as she investigates a case that Agent Harry Li is involved with. Dangerous materials are suddenly appearing on the world market, seemingly unrelated to a string of disappearances that are eerily reminiscent of alien abductions as no corporeal remains have been recovered. Tara has been slowly getting accustomed to her new deck of Tarot cards but they seem to function differently from the set that she inherited from her mother and give her a startling message of danger and continued involvement with Harry who suddenly re-enters her life with a vengeance. An unusual villain gives a different perspective on the results of the nuclear tragedy of Chernobyl while Tara struggles to protect Cassie from the machinations of the Pythia who is grooming her anticipated successor...A nicely escalating tension-filled and imaginative novel that follows Tara as she continues to stretch her abilities and mature in her perceptions. 4.5 Stars
The fantastic pacing and weaving together of the plot elements do not occur at the expense of character development. We see Tara’s acceptance of her abilities, which appear to be changing with the addition of visions, even though she continues to resist direct involvement with the order of Delphi’s Daughters. Harry and Tara both initially tiptoe around their blossoming relationship, understanding that their jobs can present difficulties and sometimes create roadblocks, but they both are willing to make the attempt and their efforts feel realistic and ring true. A unique and refreshing addition to the genre, this terrific series will appeal not only to urban fantasy fans but also to mystery and suspense readers willing to entertain a touch of the paranormal. This reviewer will be first in line for the next book in this engrossing series, as well as for whatever else Williams offers. (5 Stars)
The storyline itself is fast-paced, with some carefully crafted cliffhangers along the way, and it doesn’t lose it appeal once in those 300 and so pages. It was also a welcome change from the fantasy novels I’m used to read: the theme was original, as was the world-building. I thought the explanation of the Tarot Cards and their use in Rogue Oracle was very interesting; I’ve never been one for fortunetelling, but it does make an intriguing addition to the story... If you’re tired of reading the same fantasy novels over and over again but in different format and with other titles, or you rather stake a vampire than read another love story with vamps in the lead role and you feel like declaring war on both hell and heaven so you could just kill every demon and angel alive, then Rogue Oracle really is the novel you are waiting for. A fast read, entertaining, original, and it doesn’t let you go until the end – and even then, you’ll have some trouble getting away from it. Even if you’re still a huge fan of vampire love stories and demons still hold a special place in your heart, you’ll enjoy Rogue Oracle nevertheless. Because it’s really everything fantasy should be like, but all too often isn’t. (4.5 Stars)
Alayna Williams has written a book that scared the bejabbers out of me and yet made me like it anyway… Tara, the tarot-card reading criminal profiler we met in Dark Oracle, here applies her talents to the disappearance of several U.S. spies of the Cold War era, all of whom were involved in a project concerning unsecured nuclear material. She learns that the mystery has its roots in the Chernobyl disaster and that she needs to solve it before a worse calamity is unleashed upon the world… There’s a great deal of horror, tragedy, and repulsive imagery, and a villain whose acts are unconscionable but whom one can’t help but pity… Readers who enjoyed the mix of mysticism and science in Dark Oracle will find another good story here. Rogue Oracle may freak you out, gross you out, or both — but even if it does, the compelling plot and the evolving characters make it worth continuing. (4 Stars)
I want more of this series! Alayna writes such interesting villains and plots that you can’t help but be captivated. I can honestly say I’ve never read the kind of plot she writes in Urban Fantasy before and that is awesome. If you are an Urban Fantasy lover like me, you should totally give this series a shot, but please read Dark Oracle first, you won’t regret it!
Sam’s Book Blog:
All in all, an exciting book with a paranormal edge, I would recommend it to my friends.
The Oracle Series is a fresh take in the Urban Fantasy genre. There are no vampires, werewolves or demons in this one. Just exceptional humans; that is if you can call an oracle just a human….Overall, Rogue Oracle is a recommended read for you UF and paranormal addicts. (4 stars)
The Delphic Oracle Novels are so unique. I wasn't sure the whole tarot card oracle storyline would work for me but Alayna Williams does a wonderful job in explaining and laying out all you need to know so that you aren't lost with all the card she pulls. I loved the police like investigating, some of my favorite novels have that in the story and they are always entertaining and attention grabbing. There is plenty of action and the story comes along at a good pace. The characters are enjoyable to read about and follow along with. Im looking forward to seeing what comes in the future for Alayna and Harry's relationship as well as what is in store for Cassie as she is thrust deeper into getting ready to take on as Pythia. (4 Stars)
The unique premise of this novel is really what attracted my initial attention as I’ve always been fascinated by the Tarrot. But, what struck me most when I actually started to read the novel was the every accessible police procedural base underlying the story. It was definitely a bit of a surprise to find these two elements of the arcane and the mundane intertwining, but it made for an extremely intense story that was very relevant in today’s world. I also really enjoyed the throwback to past tragedies in the form of Chernobyl, something that I’ve only ever known the barest of facts about. Williams did a wonderful job of making this atrocity extremely real in a way that I had never experienced before through the eyes of her antagonist, The Chimera. These very real ties to the ‘real’ world were perfectly injected into the story to give it a life of its own making it accessible and eerily plausible.
I love the mix of science and paranormal that these novels blend together. The first novel dealt with physics, and this novel delved into the history of Chernobyl and the science of nuclear reactors. Add in a bunch of oracles with different skills in divination, and you've got a mix of Urban Fantasy with a touch of Science Fiction. It's not very often I learn a lot (about real, non-paranormal things) from a book, but I learned so much about Chernobyl and the nightmare that followed. I don't want to ruin the big twist of the novel, but the idea revolving around the bad guy was a very unique idea. I had never heard of this specific idea before (although I had seen the word before), and I liked the little bit of science that it was based on. I have a feeling I won't be coming across this specific kind of bad guy all that much in my reading. (4 stars)
I absolutely love Dark Oracle, the first book in this series, so I was more than eager to read Rogue Oracle. And let me say:
Alayna outdid herself on this one. I was completely sucked into the story from the first page. From the prologue with the strange man hiding out waiting for his next victim to a possible terrorist in chapter 1 and wondering how it all tied into the story with Tara and Harry. I love the rich detail Alayna used when describing the cards and her dreams- also the detail of Chernobyl, the scary fact that some of the story is quite real. Chernobyl, the nightmare so far away yet closer than we think, it's real and the threat is still there. Alayna gives us a great "what if" to think about. What if all that radiation and toxic threat could create monsters, monsters like the chimera, monsters that we can not, have not even imagined yet. 5 Stars
Once again there is a combination of science and mystical with Tara’s tarot cards vital to the investigation – even as the power itself mutates. There is more mysticism this time round with Cassie exploring her oracle powers as well. One of my favourite creations though is Galen – a troubled man who has some extraordinary abilities – which are fascinating and repulsive at the same time. Certainly a character that stays with you after you close the book! I enjoyed this more than Dark Oracle and I enjoyed Dark Oracle a lot!
Recommended for fans of Ann Aguirre and Kelley Armstrong. 9 out of 10
“Rogue Oracle” is not a light-hearted, fun-filled or happy read. It is a very powerful story based upon a real and devastating chapter in our history. It is filled with the mysticism of oracles and Tarot Cards, questions about free will versus destiny and thought-provoking commentary on whether the end justifies the means. Williams makes the reader think with “Rogue Oracle,” maybe even question one’s assumptions about how one might react in the face of a catastrophic event and about what choices one might make for the greater good.
Despite the dark subject matter, I found “Rogue Oracle” to be a deeply captivating read – one that I definitely recommend to readers looking for something gritty, thought-provoking and/or challenging. The story isn’t easy to read; it is gruesome at times and may evoke dark and frightening memories for people who remember the Chernobyl disaster. But Williams makes remembering worth it. I can’t wait to read “Dark Oracle” and am looking forward to seeing where Williams takes Tara and Harry next.
I loved the first book and was equally excited to read this one! I'm so glad that I did! Alayna once again did a great job with her story.
I love her character building because it seems there is always one more layer or bit of depth to each one. They don't get boring for me. Of course her plot building is also excellent and there is a surprise around every corner. If you're an Urban Fantasy fan and you haven't checked out this series yet then I suggest trying it out!
If an Urban Fantasy and a Romantic Suspense had a child - it would be Rogue Oracle. I think the reason it was given the distinction of UF is because of the magical influence of the Tarot and Delphi’s Daughters. I would recommend Rogue Oracle
It's in the cards: if you like action, mystery, horror and mysticism this is a book in your future...This is a very engaging read and fast paced as it keeps you wanting to know what will happen and how Tara will handle her dreams, her cards and ultimately the killer. Book two with Tara and Harry worked fine as a stand alone, however, it did make me want to read the first book and check out other books by this author.
Rogue Oracle grips the reader from start to finish with an exciting storyline, great pacing and wonderful characters.
Tara Sheridan makes a wonderful heroine, blending inner strength with her amazing abilities. It was great to see her develop throughout the novel as she came to grips both with her changing powers and her relationship with Harry.
ROGUE ORACLE is a tightly plotted thriller with hints of romance and the paranormal. It gives a fascinating glimpse into the workings of post 9/11 security forces, and a horrifying look into the history of the disaster at Chernobyl and its repercussions. Williams writes scenes containing gory, explicit violence but they are not out of place with the story line, in fact any softening or blurring of the edges would not ring true with the underlying story. The Delphic Oracle series may have its roots in the ancient past, but the dangers Tara encounters are very much part of current events, making the sense of danger immediate and terrifying. Although there are definitely paranormal elements in the books, the plot hangs on speculative science and cold, hard fact making this a book that will be enjoyed by readers of either paranormal or standard fiction
Top Choice Award—10/10. "Rogue Oracle" is an original story full of adventure, mystery, magic, and underlying tones of romance. This book was very well written and made me feel like I was actually in the story. It also had very memoriable characters who work together perfectly in the plot of this story. Tara is a daring heorine who cares greatly about protectting those around her no matter what the cost. Harry is a truely uniqe character he works to protect his country but is slowly having his job change him to the point it is almost frightening. Galen was born in Chernobly but radionion changed him until he bacame a monster who in his dying days wants to make others feel his pain. And last, but not least, is Cassie a 20 year old woman who is destine to be the next, even though the training can get a little gruesome sometimes. I would recomend this book to any teens looking for a good read.
The storyline itself is amazing; all the nuclear events revolve around Chernobyl, making this book feel very present. If you like murder and mystery wrapped up in an UF package you will REALLY enjoy this story... If I had to put into words, the story feels a lot like if CSI/NCIS met Charmed on the set of Bones.
I’m always drawn to books with well developed characters and a plot that I can’t forecast each twist and turn so I’m doubly drawn to writers like Alayna Williams. Add a good helping of suspense…and you have the best of all things. This book is labeled as an Urban Fantasy, which it is, but you won’t find the standard elves or vamps or shapeshifters.
No, you’ll find a villain reminiscent of The Thing, one of the best Science Fiction/horror stories of all time. Except in Rogue Oracle, you’ll get into the head of the villain, Galen. And, in some ways, you’ll sympathize with him even while you’re yelling at his victims to run. But that’s not all.
That’s not even half of it. The plot is quick paced and grabs you right from the moment you open the book. There is enough suspense to keep you turning the pages even when you know you should be turning the light off and going to bed. Ms. Williams also does a marvelous job with all her characters.
Williams takes a historical moment and weaves an unexpected, complex and riveting tale, fuelled most of all by Galen, the killer Tara and Harry are trying to catch. There is something unique about his method of killing people, but one I won’t reveal here – I will say that in those moments, I cringed because of how creeped out I was with Galen, and I mean that in a good way! William’s characters, supporting especially, are strongly drawn and no words are wasted; everything means something, including the vivid descriptions of each time Tara’s uses her cards. |
