Everwood Falls: Book 1
By Kat Kinney
© 2023
ASIN: B0B86LJ9ZK
Kindle version; file size 2343 KB
Everwood Falls is a small, shielded community set in the Colorado Rockies, where witches, werewolves, vampires, and other magical beings can live without fear of discovery. It’s also a place where fae, registered demons, and those with curses they can’t control are sent to live so that their magic will remain hidden from the Mundanes. When an arsonist begins setting fires in the town and endangering the residents, Asher, a fae prince who can’t control his cursed fire magic, and Gwyn, a dragon-shifter who’s running from her past, find themselves thrown together to uncover the arsonist’s identity and save the town.
This book was such an enjoyable read! I immediately connected with both Asher and Gwyn and wanted them to survive the dangers that came to Everwood Falls. Their sweet, romantic subplot was a nice addition to the larger storyline. I loved that Gwyn was a strong female character who not only needed no man’s help but served as a hero herself.
Except for its magical residents, enchanted forest surrounds, and magical elk, the setting for the story could be any small town with that warm, welcoming atmosphere. The camaraderie of the residents who mostly know and help one another, the community events, and the local shops’ charm (no pun intended) all made for a very inviting feel. Despite the cold winters, I would love to live in a place like Everwood Falls.
While the plot was certainly intricate enough to hold my focus, Light My Pyre is an easy read with a classic “cozy” vibe. No scenes depict bloody battles or lurid love scenes on the page. Most of the action is character-based and that, for me, is what made the book so good. There’s a fair share of family drama filling the mid-ground throughout the story, too, which will likely strike a chord with many readers. The author also threw a few well-done twists into the tale that I did not see coming. Bravo!
There is a subtheme in the tale that focuses on discrimination, even racism, pointing out that most magical folk automatically jump to conclusions about dragon shifters or demons, and how that creates a gulf in understanding between the races—as true in Everwood Falls as it is in real life. The author’s handling of this sensitive topic was top-notch. While not preachy, she definitely points out how automatic assumptions about others can hurt both parties. I was glad to see that the characters in the book came to better understand this truth by the end of the story.
Thankfully, this is not the last we’ll see of Everwood Falls and its fine residents. The second book is in progress. I look forward to reading more from this author. Definitely recommended.