Once Upon a Midnight
The latest entry in this popular anthology series offers a solid set of magical stories.
Night Embrace
Night Embrace is far from perfect. In the words of Mozart’s imperial patron in Amadeus, “Too many notes.” But given my heretofore unknown weakness for black-leather-clad himbo-warriors who are dedicated to protecting defenseless humans while dealing with the ceaseless power games and selfish whims of mythological gods, I did find a good bit to enjoy…
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
The cover for Kusheil’s Dart immediately caught my attention when I first saw this book while waiting in line at the local Barnes and Noble. Having an interest in architecture, any book with columns on the cover automatically interests me and the striking figure of the nude woman with a beautiful tattoo didn’t hurt the…
Spellbound by Kathleen Nance
Kathleen Nance’s Spellbound features a great hero, a great setting, and some nifty mythology. But the heroine and plot are both overly complicated, and the balance between light and dark story elements is out of whack, resulting in a somewhat disappointing reading experience. As Minstrel of Zaf, the planet inhabited by (it seems) many, many…
Heart Thief
Robin D. Owens’ first book, HeartMate, was the 2002 RITA winner for best paranormal romance. I thought it was amusing, but no masterpiece – your basic alpha-meets-spunky romance novel, dressed up with a little telepathy and set on a minimally-realized futuristic world. I’m happy to say that in the sequel, Owens has obviously done a…
Kushiel’s Avatar by Jacqueline Carey
This book could probably stand alone, but as it’s the third book in a trilogy I can’t recommend that you read it that way. To do so would be to limit yourself to the appreciation of only a few small designs in this intricately patterned tapestry of intrigue, deception, romance, adventure, philosophy and theological magic…
Impractical Magic
Impractical Magic is a light and funny romance about the meeting between stage magic, à la David Copperfield, and the real magic of the Fae Realm. Alas, its lighthearted spirit is thoroughly spoiled by a hero who is, well, thoroughly spoiled. Rose and Brand grew up together. Rose is the daughter of a faery and…
Aphrodite’s Secret by Julie Kenner
There’s a word missing from the end of the title of Aphrodite’s Secret. That word is child. In fact, the six-year-old boy at the center of this book is apparently such a secret that he’s mentioned nowhere on the cover, despite the entire story revolving around him from the first page. While the kid in…
Cupid.com by Karen Lee
Cupid.com is supposed to be a wacky paranormal comedy with Cupid himself behind the hijinks. Unfortunately, both Cupid and the plot are out of the picture for most of the book, and the laughs feel incredibly forced. Chloe Phillips is the head of Creative Investments, a business that markets small inventions. Her father gave her…
Spellbound in Seattle
Spellbound in Seattle was a Golden Heart finalist last year. It’s not hard to see why. Garthia Anderson’s writing is strong and polished, and in her first novel she’s fashioned a creative, original story. It’s an admirable first effort, even if it is not an entirely successful one. The story is set in an alternate…
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