A Chalice of Wind

I originally read Tiernan's Sweep series when I was in my early teens, and this series follows in quite the same pathways. The major themes of good versus black magic, romantic triangles, and discovering power through magic are all present, but have been rearranged well enough to continue to entertain readers. That being said, I don't think that I'll bother reading the other 3 books in the series, since it can't quite compete with my memory of Sweep and just isn't quite as intriuging to me anymore.

First off, I want to say that I'm actually reading the version that has all four books in one. And really, if I had seen this cover in the store I would never have even thought about picking it up.

Not a whole lot is happening in this first book. Heck, Thais and Clio don't even meet until page 100. However, the chapters are short and the story moves along nicely. It does a good job of showing us who the girls are and building the background foundation for later. But omg there are so many freaking characters! I had to write down who people were as a reference. I had a feeling there was something wonky about these love interests that the girls both fell madly head over heels for though.

All in all, a good start to the series. There's not a show more lot of character growth at this point, but it's early so I'm hopeful. If you enjoy YA books with a witchy or supernatural bent to them, you'll like this. show less

Thais Allard and Clio Martin are twins seperated for their own good and to keep them safe, they have no idea that they have other family. Thais is brought up by her father and when he dies in a tragic accident she ends up in New Orleans where she finds her sister and finds her magical heritage.

Clio is used to magic, her grandmother has brought her up using it for good. Now the two sisters are together they have to face up to their power and what to do with it.

It's not a bad story but it's pretty predictable if you've read any of Cate Tiernan's series or many of the teenage witches stories going around. This genre seems to need an injection of some new ideas.

From the Witchy Books Network review blog.

I'm reviewing the Balefire series as a whole because, while it is currently out of print, it will soon be reprinted in one volume some time around the holidays. However, I'll try not to give too much away in case you want to hunt down the original volumes (A Chalice of Wind, A Circle of Ashes, A Feather of Stone, and A Necklace of Water).

Clio Martin and Thais Allard are twins, separated at birth by their grandmother, Petra, to protect them from the questionable machinations of people within her own coven. Thais goes with her father to live in Connecticut, while Clio remains with Petra in New Orleans. But when they are 16, their father is killed in a mysterious accident, and Thais finds herself show more in the hands of strangers in a city she never thought she had any connection to. Running into their twin the first day of school is the least of the surprises the girls face as they both discover their family's true history, one that goes back further than either of them ever imagined.

It is a mystery that these books ever fell out of print, and it is a blessing that they will be brought back. Clio and Thais's world is vividly drawn. Tiernan's New Orleans is a character a character in itself, emanating from the page. The Balefire coven is filled with rich, complex characters, from the duplicitous Luc-Andre, the penitent Michel, the haughty Axelle, the wise Petra, and the fiery Richard. The system of magic in this series is so organic to the world and very believable.

One complaint is the somewhat rushed ending -- Tiernan had planned a 15 book series, but low sales required it to end at four. However, she has tweeted her intentions to smooth it out for the reprint. Also, it switches perspective between Clio and Thais every other chapter, which I don't mind, but I know that annoys some people. show less

Clio and Thais are twins who have never met each other. They were separated at birth, Clio living in New Orleans and Thais in New England. But when Thais father is killed, she is brought to New Orleans to live with a woman she has never met before. Eventually, Clio and Thais meet and Thais is shocked to discover that she hales from a long line of witches. And Clio and Thais are both surprised to discover that twins have a special meaning to a coven of witches that want to claim them for their own. Who can they trust?

I loved Cate Tiernan's Sweep series and was thrilled to find the Balefire series. A Chalice of Wind is the first in the 4 book series and I was not disappointed. As always, Tiernan has her teens down pat. These are real show more teens who don't always behave as good girls should. And the witch part of the story is really intriquing. Can't wait to see where this is going. show less

Rating : 4.0/5
Number in Series : #1 in Balefire series
Reason for Reading : I loved her Wicca/Sweep series

This is book one of four in the new Balefire series by Cate Tiernan who wrote the Wicca/Sweep series about teenage witches aimed at teenagers. This series again focuses on teenagers and witchcraft, but is a very different tale from her previous series.

It alternates between identical twins Clio and Thais who are seperated at birth. Only Clio's nan knew the secret. When Thais' father dies in a car accident, stranger Axelle is appointed to be her guardian and moves her to New Orleans. Thais is pretty much left to her own devices and enrolls herself into the local school where she accidentally bumps into Clio for the first time. show more Obviously this then changes both of their lives forever...

I really enjoyed this book. It took a little while to get going and I am really looking forward to reading the next one as it left on such a cliffhanger. It was good fun and appeals to me because of the witchcraft content, the teenager characters (even though I am nearer thirty then twenty sadly) and the easy-to-read style. The supporting characters twist and turn in your mind as to whether they have good or bad intentions towards the twins and the story keeps you guessing. I also liked that Clio and her nan have a deaf cat who can sense vibrations through the floor. show less

i loved loved loved this book! i devoured this in one evening. a lovely tale about a long line of witches, twins separated at birth, and an impending, dangerous ritual. i love how it's set in new orleans, the little french phrases. i can't wait to read the next book. i really like this author and i have seen her sweep series in the bookstore so i am going to have check those ones out, too.