Red Fire: A Gods of Midnight Novel

by: Deidre Knight

Published by: Signet Eclipse (October 7 release)

Reviewed by Stephanie Boyd

Ajax Petrakos and six of his Spartan brothers made a bargain with Ares the Spartan god of war to protect humanity for eternity in exchange for immortality. As part of the pact, they were given special abilities to help them with their task, including the ability to take the form of a hawk. It has now been centuries and Ajax has tired of the responsibility, the wars, the darkness and violence–and the only thing keeping him going is the promise of finding his soul mate.

Shayanna Angel is Ajax’s mate but his most dangerous enemy, a powerful ancient demon, has found her, too. Shay is the sheltered daughter of a family of demon hunters but her family has never allowed her to join the “family business.” Shay knows she is developing skills, like the ability to see demons, that means she is destined to fight demons–and she will learn how by herself if she must. Destiny lies in the hands of Shay and Ajax. Are they up to the challenge?

I loved the story of the seven Spartans and their sense of duty and protectiveness that lead them to make this deal with a god. I’m sure this is just the beginning as author Deidre Knight surely intends to tell all the Spartans’ stories in later books.

I loved the characters of Shay and her over-protective brothers. The romance between Shay and Ajax is well done except I was disturbed by Ajax shifting into his bird form during sex– and Shay enjoying it. I could accept her loving a shifter, but I want him to stay human when they are intimate. This was a little too much for me but everything else about the story is so good and well done. If this anomaly won’t bother you; you will surely love this book and the rest of the series. Without the unnatural sex, I would have said I intended to read this entire series. But I’ll have to think about it because I was uncomfortable enough that I am hesitant to say that I will automatically look for the next book in the series.

Armchair Interviews says: Note this reviewer’s comments.

Author’s Web site: http://www.DeidreKnight.com