THE MAGE'S DAUGHTER

Author: Lynn Kurland ISBN: 9780425219164 1/2008 FANTASY Publisher: BERKLEY

Darkness in the kingdom... Neroche is under assault by a mysterious magic that has stripped its king of his powers and unleashed nightmarish creatures as weapons in a war of evil. Morgan of Melksham is fighting against that menace as well as for her life. Struggling to regain her strength after a near-fatal attack, Morgan realizes that she must decide between two fates: that of being a simple shieldmaiden or accepting her heritage as an elven princess. If only she could ignore that she was the daughter of the perilous black mage of Ceangail... Magic in the blood... Duty bound to aid his king, Miach of Neroche is torn between what his responsibilities demand and what his heart desires. He is willing to risk his life to rescue Morgan from the darkness that haunts her, but he must do so at the peril of his realm. Forced to choose between love and the burden of his mantle, Miach sets out on his most deadly quest ever.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I didn't read the first book of this trilogy, STAR OF THE MORNING. That fact did not detract at all from my enjoyment of THE MAGE'S DAUGHTER. This second book is so well written and the plot and characters introduced so thoroughly, that my not having read the first book didn't matter. Honestly, I'm glad I didn't pass on reading this because of missing the first book. It would have been a shame if I had, because I absolutely loved THE MAGE’S DAUGHTER. A sweeping tale of fantasy romance, it pulled me right into the world of magic, kings and the fight between good and evil.

Micah is a hero whose intensity and determination makes him sexy beyond words. Morgan, with her initial weakness due to having been poisoned, is a sympathetic character from the first pages. It is fascinating to watch her regain her former self as she heals. I love it that she is, by the end, a strong, smart woman who is ready to take her place in the world.

Lynn Kurland has written a magical tale that will warm the heart of any reader who believes that princesses live in castles, bravery wields a flashing sword and that the realm, and all it stands for, must be protected at all costs. Me? I believe. I'll be reading THE MAGE’S DAUGHTER again, I'm sure.

Kay James