Heart of the Volcano
Imogen HowsonFantasy erotic romance
Available from Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60504-668-6
September 2009
| When Aera is discovered to be a lava-shifter, able to transform her body into molten rock, she is taken away from her home, family and Coram, the boy she was growing to love, in order to serve the volcano god as his fire priestess. Trained to use her power so it will not consume her, she is prepared to assume her ordained role, which she will assume once she completes her final test -- executing a criminal sentenced to death for the most unforgivable of all sins, blasphemy. Prepared and willing to carry out her duty, she approaches the law-breaker waiting chained at the center of the labyrinth, ready to dispatch the evil-doer with efficient mercy only to discover the person she is to execute is Coram, condemned to die for the crime of being a gargoyle, a winged stone-shifter. A gift, though akin to hers, that is unsanctioned by the temple for being unholy.
If Aera refuses to complete her task, she will betray her god and condemn her family to dishonor. To pass it, she must kill the boy she used to love... the man she still does. Heart of the Volcano is a poignant story filled with unusual magic, controlling priests and characters with very unhuman gifts poised in battle against their very human fears and desires. I was totally captivated by Imogen Howson's world and the way she slowly brings Aera and Coram back together. She does an excellent job of revealing the differences between the various powers her characters have over stone and fire, and how their lives are wholly ruled by the priests charged with ensuring the volcano god's rule remains supreme and unchallenged. I highly recommend Heart of the Volcano, and I look forward to reading more by Imogen Howson very soon.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Kathryn |
