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kirkw1972's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second book from Catherine Fearns (Reprobation review can be found HERE) and I enjoyed this just as much as the first. I ended up reading both books in 3 days. Although it can be read as a stand alone book the events here take place 6 months after the first book and Darren Swift is now investigating what appear to be cases of spontaneous combustion and links to people trafficking. Former nun, Helen Hope is now lecturing at the university and researching demonology. Someone how the two things appear to be related and it's up to our investigators to work out how.
The first book concentrated more on Helen and her relationship with the convent and her religion, this one now changes focus to Darren and his upcoming marriage to fire fighter Matt and the budding friendship with Helen as they dig deeper into possible demon worship. There are some disastrous consequences with this but at the same time a possible twist which I'm eager to see develop.
This one leaves a few loose ends and did make me think that we will definitely be picking this up again in Book 3 which is fine with me. I've definitely found an author to watch which is one of the reasons I love blog tours. Overall loved this and can't wait to find out what happens next.
The first book concentrated more on Helen and her relationship with the convent and her religion, this one now changes focus to Darren and his upcoming marriage to fire fighter Matt and the budding friendship with Helen as they dig deeper into possible demon worship. There are some disastrous consequences with this but at the same time a possible twist which I'm eager to see develop.
This one leaves a few loose ends and did make me think that we will definitely be picking this up again in Book 3 which is fine with me. I've definitely found an author to watch which is one of the reasons I love blog tours. Overall loved this and can't wait to find out what happens next.
dave_holwill's review against another edition
4.0
I was sad that Mikko and Total Depravity didn't make an appearance in this excellent sequel to Reprobation. Another macabre tale of the occult weaving its way into the every day world told masterfully.
abattleofmice's review against another edition
5.0
If there was ever any doubt that Catherine could maintain the quality of writing and storytelling seen on debut novel [b:Reprobation|40938606|Reprobation|Catherine Fearns|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532461908l/40938606._SY75_.jpg|63831257], it is immediately quelled upon beginning book two of the series. Consuming Fire has more of everything – an engaging storyline, strong characterisation, crime fiction doused in occult mystery – and builds upon the story that began in book one with a detective team and a (now ex-) nun whose curiosity and thirst for knowledge make her an unlikely partner for DI Darren Swift.
The unexpected opening chapter is Lovecraftian gold – remarkably well-written and stylised amidst a wonderfully evocative historical backdrop and succeeds in setting a sinister tone that continues back into the modern-day Liverpudlian setting with some gruesome murders to solve.
Catherine’s focus on characterisation is such that the appearance of returning characters feels like seeing old friends after a long absence, with Darren and Helen’s friendship and unofficial crime-solving partnership particularly enjoyable to read amongst other characters both old and new, the latter including an ex-con-turned-entrepreneur and a premiership footballer (I’m a blue at heart but I’ll let the red-centric storyline slide just this once haha). The duo’s trip to rural Switzerland is filled with rich, vivid imagery that is at once alluring and foreboding courtesy of the scorching hot weather and some enigmatic locals.
With further excerpts of Catherine’s wonderfully-imagined grimoire – the accursed Ars Adramelechum – dotted throughout, Consuming Fire is much more than a typical crime thriller (although those elements also shine through thanks to strong writing and a clear passion for her home city). One of my favourite books I've read this year, it’s been a long time since I awaited the next in a series so eagerly – lucky for me it has already been written!
The unexpected opening chapter is Lovecraftian gold – remarkably well-written and stylised amidst a wonderfully evocative historical backdrop and succeeds in setting a sinister tone that continues back into the modern-day Liverpudlian setting with some gruesome murders to solve.
Catherine’s focus on characterisation is such that the appearance of returning characters feels like seeing old friends after a long absence, with Darren and Helen’s friendship and unofficial crime-solving partnership particularly enjoyable to read amongst other characters both old and new, the latter including an ex-con-turned-entrepreneur and a premiership footballer (I’m a blue at heart but I’ll let the red-centric storyline slide just this once haha). The duo’s trip to rural Switzerland is filled with rich, vivid imagery that is at once alluring and foreboding courtesy of the scorching hot weather and some enigmatic locals.
With further excerpts of Catherine’s wonderfully-imagined grimoire – the accursed Ars Adramelechum – dotted throughout, Consuming Fire is much more than a typical crime thriller (although those elements also shine through thanks to strong writing and a clear passion for her home city). One of my favourite books I've read this year, it’s been a long time since I awaited the next in a series so eagerly – lucky for me it has already been written!
jessbookishlife's review against another edition
4.0
This is the sequel of a book called Reprobation that I had the pleasure of reading, so I was quite excited to go back to this world and follow Dr. Helen as she gets involved in another crime/mystery. Consuming Fire was just as good as Reprobation. Another unique, mind blowing and amazing book.
From the very first page I was puzzled by the case that Detective Inspector Darren Swift brings to Dr. Helen. And what an intriguing case it is, we have a lot more questions than answers because Catherine Fearns created a brilliant setting, just like the old crime/mystery classics.
An unique plot, spontaneous combustion... and Helen's knowledge is needed when it appears that the supernatural may be involved. It will give goosebumps, it will make you stay at the edge of your seat, and it will make you wonder. That's what it certainly did to me. I was quite fascinated by all the concepts and connections in this book, that helped the plot make sense in the end.
That combined with the fantastic writing style and flow of the storyline created by the author, it gave the novel a good tone and quality. This series has stablish a particular feel to it with that made both books special.
Despite the main plot, we get to see more about the main characters and how they developed from the first book until this one, and from the first chapter until the grand-ending. Darren is dealing with his problems and personal issues, and Helen is adjusting to her new journey too.
Helen and Darren's relationship made the book feel real and it grounded us to the fact that this book isn't just about figuring out the truth about the crime, but also about all the characters involved. So I loved all the interactions between the characters.
Overall, I loved the book and I can't wait to see what more Catherine Fearns comes up with. I'm leaving my review very open because I don't want to give you guys any spoiler accidentally. Let's just say that if you want a book that has a unique crime/mystery plot with a detective and ex-nun partnership, a case involving spontaneous human combustion, some theological takes and birds... Then I recommend you to read not only this book, but the first one too.
From the very first page I was puzzled by the case that Detective Inspector Darren Swift brings to Dr. Helen. And what an intriguing case it is, we have a lot more questions than answers because Catherine Fearns created a brilliant setting, just like the old crime/mystery classics.
An unique plot, spontaneous combustion... and Helen's knowledge is needed when it appears that the supernatural may be involved. It will give goosebumps, it will make you stay at the edge of your seat, and it will make you wonder. That's what it certainly did to me. I was quite fascinated by all the concepts and connections in this book, that helped the plot make sense in the end.
That combined with the fantastic writing style and flow of the storyline created by the author, it gave the novel a good tone and quality. This series has stablish a particular feel to it with that made both books special.
Despite the main plot, we get to see more about the main characters and how they developed from the first book until this one, and from the first chapter until the grand-ending. Darren is dealing with his problems and personal issues, and Helen is adjusting to her new journey too.
Helen and Darren's relationship made the book feel real and it grounded us to the fact that this book isn't just about figuring out the truth about the crime, but also about all the characters involved. So I loved all the interactions between the characters.
Overall, I loved the book and I can't wait to see what more Catherine Fearns comes up with. I'm leaving my review very open because I don't want to give you guys any spoiler accidentally. Let's just say that if you want a book that has a unique crime/mystery plot with a detective and ex-nun partnership, a case involving spontaneous human combustion, some theological takes and birds... Then I recommend you to read not only this book, but the first one too.
ksmarsden's review against another edition
2.0
When impossible deaths happen in Liverpool, it is up to DI Darren, and ex-nun Helen to uncover who or what is responsible.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book following Darren and Helen, but it works well as a stand-alone, in the sense that you can come in without previous knowledge (like me).
Darren is a Detective Inspector in his home town of Liverpool, he's engaged to a fireman, with their wedding looming; which puts increasing pressure on Darren to reconnect with his homophobic family.
When a perfectly normal woman bursts into flames and dies, Darren is put onto the case. When he starts getting more questions than answers, he turns to an old ally, Helen.
Helen's history as a nun, and her keenness for academia, makes her the perfect researcher. Especially when it becomes obvious that it is involving the occult, demons and angels and forbidden books coated in skin...
The chapters alternate between several characters, and are also interspersed with the writings of a Victorian scholar.
I found the scholar's introduction to the story fascinating, as he goes to investigate rumours with just the right amount of arrogance and selfishness. That he succumbs to temptation, and dutifully notes his decline.
Later in the book, his sections are merely the translation of the unholy book he found, which tells the story of a fallen angel that becomes a fire demon. This has a bearing on the main story, and it does have a sense of being true to this ancient text; but it was very dry, like trying to read a bible. I ended up skimming a lot of this sections.
The main story was OK, I wanted to say that it is shared between several narrators, but it frequently shifts into third-person omniscient, which I personally find jarring.
This, along with the way information was piled on, made it hard for me to connect.
The plot was decent, it was original and creative, with enough twists and red herrings thrown in.
But I was disappointed by the ending - it has a powerful emotional punch, which I wasn't expecting; but it didn't feel like it had any resolution to the mystery.
I mean, we the readers know who is behind it, we know vaguely why, but it felt like it stopped before officially wrapping it all up. Yes, it leaves it open for the rest of the series, but it left me feeling dissatisfied, and failed to finish this "stand-alone" story.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book following Darren and Helen, but it works well as a stand-alone, in the sense that you can come in without previous knowledge (like me).
Darren is a Detective Inspector in his home town of Liverpool, he's engaged to a fireman, with their wedding looming; which puts increasing pressure on Darren to reconnect with his homophobic family.
When a perfectly normal woman bursts into flames and dies, Darren is put onto the case. When he starts getting more questions than answers, he turns to an old ally, Helen.
Helen's history as a nun, and her keenness for academia, makes her the perfect researcher. Especially when it becomes obvious that it is involving the occult, demons and angels and forbidden books coated in skin...
The chapters alternate between several characters, and are also interspersed with the writings of a Victorian scholar.
I found the scholar's introduction to the story fascinating, as he goes to investigate rumours with just the right amount of arrogance and selfishness. That he succumbs to temptation, and dutifully notes his decline.
Later in the book, his sections are merely the translation of the unholy book he found, which tells the story of a fallen angel that becomes a fire demon. This has a bearing on the main story, and it does have a sense of being true to this ancient text; but it was very dry, like trying to read a bible. I ended up skimming a lot of this sections.
The main story was OK, I wanted to say that it is shared between several narrators, but it frequently shifts into third-person omniscient, which I personally find jarring.
This, along with the way information was piled on, made it hard for me to connect.
The plot was decent, it was original and creative, with enough twists and red herrings thrown in.
But I was disappointed by the ending - it has a powerful emotional punch, which I wasn't expecting; but it didn't feel like it had any resolution to the mystery.
I mean, we the readers know who is behind it, we know vaguely why, but it felt like it stopped before officially wrapping it all up. Yes, it leaves it open for the rest of the series, but it left me feeling dissatisfied, and failed to finish this "stand-alone" story.
esuchyta's review against another edition
Consuming Fire has much the same feel as its Reprobation series opener, but book two is also appreciably different in material -- less eschatological, but still plenty of duality and religion inversion abounding. Darren's struggles are brought to the forefront, offering a male-secular mindset to counterbalance Helen's female religious one, one which echoes Hellen's sentiments of overwhelming self doubt and skepticism. I'm very excited to see where Sound will take the series next. (PS: you'll be rewarded with an epic, iconic Heavy Metal Easter Egg if you venture these pages.)
scottasuchyta's review against another edition
3.0
Consuming Fire is the second in Fearns' series, following Reprobation. This book features more Darren and less Hellen than the first. I missed the more prevalent heavy metal elements featured in Reprobation and didn't find a whole lot new here. I also didn't find it as philosophically intriguingly as the first in the series.
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