STOLEN MAGIC

Author: M. J. Putney ISBN: 0345476891 6/2005 HISTORICAL/FANTASY Publisher: BALLANTINE
Time Period: Georgian - 1748

Heir to an ancient title, Simon Malmain, the Earl of Falconer, is well known among the Guardians, humans with magical powers derived from nature. Well known, but not always well loved . . . for those who enforce the law are rarely embraced by those whom they protect-and this is equally true whether the law is magical or mundane. A routine mission to confront a rogue Guardian who has misused his powers turns disastrous when Simon's quarry, Lord Drayton, captures his pursuer in a transformation spell that can only be released by Drayton-or death. Aid arrives in the form of Meg, a fey young woman who first traps Simon, then frees him. As they flee together, Simon recognizes that Meg is also a victim of Drayton's evil enchantments, and he restores her nature and innate magic. Though her memory is still clouded, she is freed at last from a shadowy world of fear and lost identity. She agrees to help Simon bring down Drayton. The need for each other's magic binds them together-and releases the more ancient magic of passion. But desire cannot be satisfied until the rogue mage is stopped. For Drayton has a diabolical plan that will profoundly alter the course of Britain's future. Even the combined power of Simon and Meg may not be enough to stave off catastrophe. Only a desperate act of love may win back the future-or destroy all they hold dear.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

What a fascinating blend of the historical, mystical, fantasy, and romance genres M. J. (aka Mary Jo) Putney has put together in STOLEN MAGIC. It's a bewitching tale that will charm you, intrigue you, and leave you scurrying off in search of the previous book that this one spun from, KISS OF FATE, which features the story of two of the characters that reappear here, Gwynne Owens and Duncan Macrae.

One of the things that held my fascination the most when reading STOLEN MAGIC, was how in depth the author goes into describing the spell weaving, spell casting, mind melding, and all the other tricks and techniques these battling mages (plural?) use throughout the book. Just as Meg is a novice in training, so becomes the reader, following along in her shoes as she's taught the how's, why's, what for's, and when to's of each power and spell she masters. And it's not just her powers, it's everyone's powers and abilities that are explained, helping make this a much more believable story when these mystical forces and conjured up spells are cast by these magical humans at such breakneck speed. A lack of action this book does not possess!

STOLEN MAGIC truly belongs in a class of its own, with a little something in it for everyone, no matter what genre you happen to love. Into the mystical? What can be more mystical than a charming, dashingly sexy aristocrat who shapeshifts into a unicorn? Fantasy is your thing? Well, there's the virginal maiden that comes with the unicorn, a fey creature if ever there was one. Into science fiction? Then how about a little bit of mind melding or thought probing to keep you entertained. History is a must for you? There again, Putney fills the bill with a story richly steeped in the Georgian period and man's beginning ascent into the industrial age. As for the romantic angle, that too sparkles in this book in the form of Simon, the man/unicorn and Meg, his beautiful maiden companion. Theirs is a relationship that is charming, sensual, sensitive and refreshing, as they combine in power to battle an evil mage but soon find themselves romantically intertwined, as well.

For something that's a little bit different and sure to please a broad spectrum of readers with varied tastes, M. J. Putney's STOLEN MAGIC nicely fits the bill. I highly recommend it.

Nancy Davis