Arcane Circle (Persephone Alcmedi #4) by Linda Robertson

Arcane Circle picks up right where the last book left off.  After the fairy battle, Persephone’s werewolf boyfriend is injured. In addition, Johnny’s position as the Dom Lup (think werewolf leader of sorts) is threatened by the imminent arrival of the Rege, the werewolf leader, who must confirm Johnny in his new position.

Menessos, the original vampire, was staked by Persephone, and it remains to be seen what that will mean for his future.  Also, every manner of supernatural creature (read griffins, unicorns, etc.) has been released through the fairy door and they must be taken care of.  If that wasn’t enough, Persephone and Johnny seek to unlock his tattoos and try to figure out how to allow werewolves to transform and retain their human minds.  The werewolves, rather than the vampires, were the focus of this book.

There is a lot going on in this book.  What made it so enjoyable to me was that most of the events happened to people that I have come to care about in the past books.  It seems as though every major character was going through some sort of transition.   Even Persephone has to deal with fallout from her relationship with Menessos, as witches and humans alike turn their backs on her after her public biting ceremony.  Johnny is pulled into werewolf politics and continues to deal with the truth that Persephone is caught in between him and her complicated relationship with Menessos.

Unlocking Johnny’s past, through figuring out his tattoos, was also a major thread in the book.  Robertson did a great job of making this plot turn also result in complications for Persephone.  Someone from her past—an unwelcome someone—makes an appearance that means that Persephone has to reevaluate her family life.

The things I have complained about in past books seemed blissfully missing from Arcane Circle.  I did not feel like I was reading a textbook on how to be a witch.  While Johnny’s juvenile innuendos are still present, they were much less pronounced than in previous books.  In short, I felt like I spent time with these characters, learning about who they are, versus merely travelling with them through supernatural. 

Arcane Circle was an awesome addition to this series and I enjoyed it a great deal.  (If you want to start reading the series, you have to start at book 1!)

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Regina