Title: Balefire
Author: Cate Tiernan
First published December 16, 2010
974 pages, Paperback
Rating: 4.14
Overview
Get ready to be spellbound with the Balefire series by Cate Tiernan, now available in one edition. Thais Allard’s life takes a dramatic turn after the death of her father.
She is forced to leave her home and move in with a stranger in New Orleans, a city full of secrets and mysteries. But nothing could prepare her for the discovery of an identical twin sister she never knew existed.
Clio is fiery and resistant to sharing her spotlight, but Thais learns that they both come from a family of witches and possess incredible powers. Together, the twins must complete a rite that will change their lives and their coven forever.
Join Thais and Clio on a thrilling journey filled with magic, sisterhood, and the power of love.
About the Author
the author who was born in the vibrant city of New Orleans in 1961. Growing up in this culturally rich city had a profound impact on her, and she was exposed to unique experiences such as selling voodoo gris-gris and making wax dolls in the likeness of her enemies.
The constant heat and humidity of the city resulted in gardens growing uncontrollably, and the laid-back atmosphere allowed for eccentric and flamboyant behavior.
After completing her education in New York, she returned to New Orleans before eventually settling back in New York City where she worked in publishing and began writing. Her first book, a middle-grade chapter book, was published in 1990.
Living in Manhattan provided her with endless opportunities to explore and observe, but the frenetic energy of the city could also be overwhelming. After eight years, she and her husband moved back to New Orleans.
However, after five years and the birth of their two children, they decided to relocate to a safer environment.
Today, she resides in a cohousing community in Durham, NC, which she finds vastly different from living in the middle of a city. Although there are not enough coffee shops, she appreciates the safety and the strong community of women.
While she may not identify as a witch, she relates to the woman-centeredness and female identity of Wicca. She is inspired by several writers, including Barbara Hambly, Barbara Pym, P.D. James, and Philip Larkin.
In addition to reading nonfiction, she enjoys romance novels that explore emotional fulfillment and sexuality.
And as for her dark side? That’s a story for another time.
Editoral Review
Balefire, written by Cate Tiernan, is an enthralling young adult novel that follows the story of a young girl named Thais Allard. The book was first published on December 16, 2010, and since then, it has gained a dedicated following among fans of the fantasy and supernatural genres.
Cate Tiernan is an accomplished author who has written many young adult novels, and Balefire is undoubtedly one of her most notable works. The story takes place in the fictional town of Widow’s Vale, which is located in upstate New York.
Thais Allard is a teenage girl who has led a relatively normal life until she discovers that she is a descendent of a long line of powerful witches. Her mother, who died when Thais was young, was one of the most potent witches in the family, and Thais realizes that she must come to terms with her newfound powers to protect her family and save the world from the clutches of an ancient evil.
Tiernan has a remarkable talent for weaving a spellbinding tale, and Balefire is no exception. The story is a perfect blend of supernatural thriller and coming-of-age drama.
The characters are expertly developed, and the pacing of the plot is spot on. The themes explored in the book are profound, ranging from the relationship between mothers and daughters, to the concept of destiny, and fate.
What makes the book particularly fascinating is the way in which it explores and challenges the well-worn tropes of the supernatural genre. Tiernan takes the time to provide a rich backstory that explains the history behind the witches in Widow’s Vale, and this depth of detail makes the story all the more captivating.
The prose in Balefire is elegant and refined, which adds to the overall ambiance of the book. The dialogue is naturalistic and believable, and the descriptions of the settings are vivid and evocative.
Tiernan’s writing style is immersive, and readers will find themselves fully immersed in the world that she has created. Despite its many strengths, Bailfire does have a few limitations.
Some readers may find it slow-paced in parts, and the plot twists and turns can be a little predictable at times. Additionally, there are a few moments where the narrative becomes overly reliant on exposition, which can be a little off-putting.
All in all, Balefire is an exceptional novel that should be on every young adult book lover’s reading list. Its seamless blend of supernatural elements and coming-of-age drama, along with its well-developed characters, and captivating world-building, make it an outstanding read.
I recommend this book to fans of the supernatural and fantasy genres, as well as anyone who enjoys a good young adult novel. I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
