The Angel Stone by Juliet Dark

For Callie McFay, a half-witch/half-fey professor of folklore and Gothic literature, the fight to save the enchanted town of Fairwick, New York, is far from over. After a hostile takeover by the Grove—a sinister group of witches and their cohorts—many of the local fey have been banished or killed, including Callie’s one true love. And in place of the spirit of tolerance and harmony, the new administration at Fairwick College has fostered an air of danger and distrust.

With her unique magical abilities, Callie is the only one who can rescue her friends from exile and restore order to the school—a task that requires her to find the Angel Stone, a legendary talisman of immense power. Propelled on an extraordinary quest back to seventeenth-century Scotland, Callie risks her life to obtain the stone. Yet when she encounters a sexy incarnation of her lost love, she finds the greater risk is to her heart. As the fate of Fairwick hangs in the balance, Callie must make a wrenching choice: reclaim a chance for eternal passion or save everything she holds dear

 

I didn't realize that it was the third in a series. While I wish I had had the chance to read the first two before reading this one, overall that didn't detract from the rating I gave it. The book did fine as a stand alone novel because it gave enough background to be complete, but not to much to make it boring.

 

In the third piece of this trilogy we see the town banding together to defend itself and stand up for what the town of Fairwick embodies. And it sure embodies a lot! Every imaginable type of mythical/paranormal creature calls this town it’s home and together they must figure out a way to regain a town and college lost to those who would control it and banish/destroy all the others. I loved that there was so many different paranormal creatures, I feel that this is what makes this series a must read.

The writing is beautiful and I love the wonderful small town setting. There is a lot of mythology tied into this story. The faerie tale explored in the most depth is that of Tam Lin.The characters are vivid and emotionally charged, which creates the alternate reality for which many authors only strive. The main character, Cailleach McFay, is strong, brave, and loves with her full heart. She is a hero worthy of the classic epics. The other characters are just as alive as Cailleach, staying with readers even after the tale is finished. Cailleach is not the only character at the forefront, but it is her story and she is telling it.

I have to start off by saying that this was the first time I have read a folklore/fantasy and wow was I impressed. I really wish I had read book 1&2 first but that's okay.  I will be reading them soon.

Juliet Dark/ Carol Goodman has written a book that is  fast moving,interesting & fun characters. I definitely recommend this book.