GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Book Review: Fire on the Island | I Smell Sheep

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Sheep Book Review: Fire on the Island

Fire on the Island, by J.K Hogan, is a PNR with a big helping of Scottish flare, sadly no kilts included. It contains a cleverly developed story with believable characters and plenty of intrigue. I called the witch doctor and she told me you're about to be entertained! 

Plot:
All Isla Macallen wanted was a simple existence on her little Scottish island, free from her mother's insanity and the prying eyes of neighbors. What she got was embroiled in a war for the souls of mankind. A war of good versus evil, of witches versus demons, and Isla learns that she alone can end it.

Dr. Jeremiah Rousseau was a self-proclaimed nomad, traveling the world researching paranormal phenomena. He doesn't expect his research to lead him to Scotland, and to the woman who will turn his world upside down.

Together with a facetious shapeshifting animal spirit guide, Jeremiah and Isla discover that she is part of an ancient bloodline bred to protect the gateways between the human world and the spirit world, to keep evil demons from destroying them. They must find the key to defeating Alastore, the demon king, and closing the gate before Samhain, when the veil between the worlds is lifted. As the war for their souls wages around them, Isla and Jeremiah will risk it all for love—a love neither had ever thought possible.

The first thing J.K. wants the reader to do is fall in love with her world and its colorful characters. Isla is hands-down someone you can root for from beginning to end. Her Mommy dearest wasn't the nurturing kind, but that's yet to slow this fearless gal down. Rumors on a small Scottish island surround the gal as she tries to set down roots and make a peaceful life for herself, but peace comes at a price. And while Isla's ready to take on just about anything, you do wonder if she's about to fly over the coo-coo nest. Drama, drama, drama. Fire on the Island is filled with drama which adds to the overall plot line and keeps the story on pace. 

The chemistry between Isla and her main man Jeremiah was at times off the charts. While she does fall for him a tad too quick for my tastes, it all plays out in stellar fashion by the end. With stories based on witches and demons I sometimes have a hard time staying invested, don't ask me why, but fortunately that didn't happen here. The parts with all the other worldly business kept me wanting to know more about our main pair and their world. 

Unfortunately at times I felt more back history on the specific characters, the spirit guide and grandma for example, would have helped general understanding over all. There's definitely buildup for the ongoing saga but a little more attention to what's happening here would have been appreciated. 

The story has a heavy focus on hiking around the island, climbing, and overall outdoorsy events. How anyone has that much stamina to keep going day in and day out is beyond me but it's a fictional story so I guess they have superhuman strength. Or have caffeine drips. 

I'm looking forward to seeing where this saga heads as a whole. With a little more fine tuning I think this could be one that sneaks up on folks!


Getting 4 'climb on' Sheep 
KD

4 comments:

  1. Thanks! And believe me, it's caffeine! I spent days and days with my husbands family walking that island. People there walk everywhere!

    Thanks again for the review!

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    1. lol I would find a horse or something! :) Great book JK!

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  2. OOOOO . . . caffeine drips work for me ;=D Thank you for sharing with us what sounds like great start to a new series. Sometimes you want the drama in your fiction, makes life seem a little more tame, and you definitely have to watch those sneakers they suck you in and I love that in a book. Hopping over to check out more :)

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    1. I would love a Coke drip. Pump it right in my vein!

      This is one to check out for sure Denise! :)

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