Balefire (novel series)

Did You Know?

• After her father's death, Thais Allard moves to live with a total stranger in New Orleans.
• The twins must learn to work together.
• School Library Journal praised Tiernan's characters in a review of the first book.

Characters

Thais Allard came into the world just after midnight on November 23, one of a pair of twins. Her father, Michel Allard, raised her in Welsford, Connecticut, until his death in a car accident. The more rule-abiding and responsible of the two sisters, Thais learned of her twin’s existence and moved in with Petra and Clio, where her training in witchcraft began. A Sagittarius with a water element, Thais unknowingly dated Luc-Andre Martin at the same time as her sister, and ended the relationship when she found out. By the end of the series, she and Luc have rekindled a friendship.

Clio Martin was born just before midnight on November 22, the second twin. She was raised by her grandmother and ancestor, Petra Martin. More impulsive and less responsible than her sister, Clio also starts the series with a deeper knowledge of witchcraft. A Scorpio with a fire element, she begins dating Luc-Andre Martin, only to discover he was also seeing her twin. Despite a growing attraction to Richard Landry, Clio stubbornly clings to what she believes is love for Luc, denying her feelings for Richard. In the final book, she finally accepts that her connection with Richard is undeniable and that Luc no longer affects her the same way. She ends the series choosing to be with Richard.

Richard Landry was in love with Cerise when he was fifteen and has held onto those feelings ever since. He approaches life with cynicism, keeps a hard guard up, avoids getting close to others, and generally doesn’t care about anyone—until he meets Clio. By the series’ end, he recognizes that his feelings for Clio are far stronger than anything he felt for Cerise, and the two end up together.

Luc-Andre Martin is the cousin of Melita, the nephew of Petra, and the brother of Sophie. He has never truly cared for anyone besides his sister and has a habit of using people. That changes when he meets Thais, whom he considers his soul mate. At the close of the series, he and Thais resume a tentative friendship.