Fear of Fire by Chicory

Guest Review Submitted by KCerena

Read Fear of Fire here.

Victoria, James, and Aro all have their moments as Twi-archvillains. Moments of wimpitude in the extreme, that is. Enter Chicory to the badass-ness rescue, writing about the one Twi-villain who seems to be built of stronger stuff. A vampire so scary that Stephanie kept her shut up in flashbacks.

Fear of Fire is a pre-Twilight take on the time Maria visited the Cullens in Calgary. Cryptically referred to as 'eventful' in Midnight Sun, the visit is usually represented in 'fic as a one-shot-worthy killing spree. Chicory gives the event a much more interesting, elaborate treatment, developing Maria's character to a depth I haven't seen before. An author's note relishes the fun of writing a character who has no morals, who kidnaps Alice for her own dark purposes and hasn't even bothered to learn her current boy toy's name. He is her second in command, like Jasper was; we, like Maria, know him only as Second.

Second is darker and livelier than Jasper, at peace with his vampiric nature if not with his current livelihood. He is in love with Maria, who doesn't realize that she has met her match in him, though she seethes over the attention he appears to be showing Alice. That attention, in case you're wondering, is part of Second's private scheme, a scheme that is only beginning to unfold as the kidnappers run from their pursuers. Second would rather Maria be ruined than have her apparent indifference to his charms go unpunished.

Alice is torn between her sympathy for Second and her fear that Second will betray her if it suits him. She is occasionally beset by visions of what will happen to Jasper if she dies. Their concern and longing for one another are poignantly written, Jasper being a delicious fountain of angst, as always. He is going crazy with guilt at the prospect of losing Alice to a demon from his past, with definite New-Moon-Edward-esque qualms about dragging a wife into his screwed-up existence. Come follow to find out how their story will play off of Second's and Maria's!