Reviews

Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

katyanaish's review against another edition

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4.0

Hurrah! I liked this one best so far! But aiiieeee, cliffhangers!!

Though I have to add really quickly... the similarities to the Anita Blake series continue when it comes to the central triad of characters. But I feel like this book really distinguished itself when it comes to overall story - it was sharp and solid in this book, and quite different from Anita-land. Definitely a fun read!

nuttkayc's review against another edition

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Eye roll inducing innuendo is a bonus. Love it.

claire_loves_books's review against another edition

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1.0

This was so frustrating- It felt like a huge important chunk of the book was left out! It starts one week after hallowed circle and just after the witch's halloween ball- the event the previous book was building up to but do we get to read about the ball? No. No we do not. Apparently there was a big thing at the ball- Fairies tried to kidnap Beverly and then Seph killed a fairy prince which all caused a lot of chaos that this book then tries to sort out, so instead of reading about the action we're reading abut the aftermath. It's like going to a ball, but not going to the actual party bit just going to the end bit where everyone is drunk and on their way home and then staying to clean up! The ball sounds so much more interesting than reading about how perfect Menessos' decorating is (he has spiffy ceiling lights that look like stars if you were wondering).

Anyway, this book seems to borrow from the 'terrible names in the fantasy genre' because we are introduced to both Seven and Mountain. Steph is getting more and more Anita Blake-esque. I still don't see any attraction to Johnny. Menessos is particularly rapey. I really didn't like it.

I also kept getting told things instead of shown them, "He showed me[Seph] that he was willing to lead" he might have shown Seph but he's not shown me.


SpoilerWhy didn't Menessos just summon the fairies earlier in the book- it's part of their big plan at the end, but surely it would have been a lot easier to kill them if they weren't all prepared for war. And why doesn't Seph shut the door to the fairy relm before she kills Menessos, the whole point of killing him was to get the fire fairy out of the human's realm but then Seph doesn't even need to do tha, she just shuts the door anyway, it doesn't seem like Menessos needed to die. Although Menessos is obviously going to be bought back, he'll probably come back stronger ... sigh

snarkymotherreader's review against another edition

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5.0

Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson brought tears to my eyes. The emotional depth of each character lapped at my feet and tried to lure me in. I could either drown in the possible sorrows or learn to swim by trial by fire. Reading this series has been like watching a child grow, from a wobbly toddler first learning about its world in Vicious Circle, to an obstinate, hormonal teen in Hallowed Circle, to an adult, sure of itself and ready to take on the world in Fatal Circle.

Full review available here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=27026#more-27026

andimontgomery's review against another edition

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2.0

I couldn't stay interested in this story, and it really dragged for me. I don't think I'll be continuing with the series.

alexiachantel's review against another edition

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4.0

Witches, weres, and vamps are a good combination. Plenty of arguing and finger pointing going around. Then Robertson decides to add another element to the mix, the fairies have declaired war! Fatal Circle, book three in the Persephone Alcmedi series steps up the action!

Menessos actually did something that appears selfless. Now the fairies are demanding his life, and Seph wont willingly give him up. Loyalty is a good attribute, though it is going to cost her.

Johnny continues to be sucked into the politics of the weres. A reluctant leader is what he would be, yet he is on a slippery slope he can’t get off of and that means Seph is left behind.

What urban fantasy series is complete without an all out brawl. Bring in everyone, throw in some magical creatures and see who is still standing in the end. High action and tough choices is what you will find in Fatal Circle.


*copy courtesy of publisher
Separate review posted at Reading Between the Wines:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-fatal-circle-by-linda-robertson.html

drey72's review against another edition

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4.0

Oh, Persephone. Nothing you do will ever be enough to keep the peace, will it? Especially when there’s a crazed fairy leader who’s just itching for a fight. When Seph, Xerxandrea, and Menessos come up with a plan to protect Seph — and Menessos — Seph knows it’s going to leave a lot of people ticked off. It’s not like she has other options, though. The things a girl does for peace…

So, off we go on another adventure. This one’s littered with lies, and it doesn’t take much before Seph learns who’s friend and who’s foe.

I’m liking this series more, the more I read. Seph started out reluctant and doubtful, and here she’s strong and if not always sure, she’s at least aware that sometimes she is the only one who can do what needs doing. And she does it without complaint. Acceptance is a necessary step in growth, and she walks that path with eyes wide open.

Saving the world from crazy fairies takes a lot from Seph — and Johnny and Menessos too. I’m still not sure about the threesome, but it sure is entertaining. Though now, I’m wondering how her actions at the end of the fairy-fight will affect their relationship – hers and Johnny’s, hers and Menessos’, and Johnny’s and Menessos’ (which right now is pretty much just fighting over who has the girl) – and Menessos. His life going forward is going to be different by necessity, so what’s he going to do about it? I’ll be picking up Arcane Circle as soon as I can to find out!

This one has everything an Urban Fantasy fan can ask for. A complicated heroine who’s strong and kicks ass. A couple of heroes/sidekicks (hah!) who’re strong in their own right, and as annoyingly smug about it too. Plenty of plot and action. And plenty of repercussions for actions taken. Give it a whirl if you haven’t already. Start with Vicious Circle.

drey’s rating: Excellent!

loveinpanels's review

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5.0

This series just gets better! I really like the characters, especially as I get to know them better and see that they aren't just the same stereotypes. A great combo of excitement, mystery, and fun!

pacey1927's review

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3.0

Yeah, I had a hard time with this one. I hate to say it because I really enjoyed the first two books. The basic plot here is the Persephone has to save Menessos the vampire from the fairies who caused all the drama in the previous book. Seph must act like she has been cast off from her coven and disowned by her own family. She moves in temporarily with Menessos and joins him as his head witch. Johnny comes along but is also being forced to accept a bigger role in the werewolf pack.

I struggled with this book for a few reasons. I think it was overly complicated at the beginning and even though it hasn't been long since I read the first two, I was confused a time or two. I love Johnny and dislike Menessos. I understand that I am supposed to empathize with him but he just comes across as possessive and controlling. This book reminded me far too much of Anita Blake with Anita caught between Jean-Claude and Richard. Menessos even picks out Seph's outfits for particular events just like Jean-Claude did. True I enjoy Johnny much more than I ever did Richard, but the similarities are there. As the book progresses their three connect in ways even more similar to the connection shared by the trio in Anita Blake. I don't care for the love triangle between Seph, Johnny, and Menessos. It has been done too many times before and I just don't like it. I hope Seph stays true to herself as we have known her from the first book, if she does, the series will probably be fine. Another thing I don't care for is Seph's out of body meditations. They seem to go on far to long and they are an action killer.

The last 1/2 of this book saved it for me. The action was literally non stop and was written extremely well. I loved the scene with the werewolves in the church (sounds like the start of a joke). I also really liked some of the new characters; Mountain, Six, and Risque in particular. I want to know more about them so I really hope they pop up again in the future. While these are characters from the vampire side of things, I seemed to enjoy the werewolf parts of the book more then the vampire ones.

I think if Robertson stays away from an all out love triangle and tries to make her vampire world more unique it would really help this series. The oddest thing is that the first two books were completely unique and I loved the world she created. Maybe this book is just a fluke. Its important to the series so go ahead and read this one if you liked the others. I am going to read the next book and see where it goes and whether I will continue to be along for the ride.