Fire Watcher
Lilith Saintcrow
ImaJinn, 2006, $14.00
ISBN: 9781933417028

Fire witch Elise Nicholson cannot believe how far her life and those of her two best friends Mari Niege and Theo Morgan have turned since the two Watchers (Hansen and Dante) came to protect them from the Dark. However, though she is happy for her pals having found their soulmates, she is also envious and feels alone even with Mari and Theo including her in most of their activities. Unlike her buddies who took to Guardian duty like fish to water, Elise has doubts and distrusts the Circle Lightfall and their Watchers; in fact she just wants to go back to playing guitar and lighting candles.

Circle Lightfall assigns Watcher Remy the Hunter to locate the powerful magical artifact Trifero, a Talisman of fire and mass destruction. Remy has dreamed for a long time of meeting his beloved Lightbringer, but until now this has not occurred. He soon meets Elise and is euphoric because he knows who she is to him. . He remains unaware that Elise possesses the Trifero, but the Brotherhood realizes she does; they plan to abduct her and force her to use her talisman for their nefarious proposes. Remy risks his life to keep Elise safe, but though she is attracted to him she rejects his belief they belong together.

Of the three bewitching friends, Elise is the most fascinating as she is the only doubting Thomasina in the trio. Her reactions to her two buddies finding happiness in love is well written and real while her distrust of their protectors and her temper that leads to charging the hill regardless of the odds also add to her uniqueness. Finally her refusal to accept Remy, who has his work cut out to keep his stubborn beloved safe and accept they are soulmates make for a wonderful third Watcher tale; enhanced by a new threat the Brotherhood.

Harriet Klausner