Review: THE LADY OF THE STORM by Kathryne Kennedy

Kathryne Kennedy's The Lady of the Storm, the second installment of her Georgian fantasy, The Elven Lords, is a rousing story of adventure and the coming of age interspersed with magical marvels galore.

Half-human Cecily, bastard daughter of the elven lord of Dewhame, never wanted the powers over storm and stream she inherited from her father. And for years, thanks to her stepfather's magical safeguards and the watchful eye of Giles, whom her stepfather appointed as her protector, she lived as an ordinary girl. But Giles longs for action and adventure, and chafes in his role as blacksmith in a provincial village, especially since he desires Cecily. Cecily also desires Giles, but her stepfather has forbidden their yearning.

Then Cecily's stepfather disappears, and so do his shields. The water lord discovers his powerful daughter is still alive and moves to eliminate her. Cecily and Giles flee to the humans who fight to regain England from the elven overlords, and undertake a dangerous quest that leads them straight into the water lord's palace.

Ms. Kennedy has created another fascinating blend of history and magic in the elven kingdom of Dewhame. Merging magic and mores, she again captures Georgian sensibilities against the background of a world of magical wonders. And the magical water wonders are indeed wonderful and fit seamlessly into the story.

But The Lady of the Storm is also a study of heroism. Giles and Cecily, so human in their determination to seek their desires, achieve heroism and their yearned-for love when they finally accept the roles fate has thrust upon them.

Another fine effort from the master of historical magical romance.

Thank you all,
Linda
ARC provided by Sourcebooks

Review: THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER by Kathryne Kennedy

The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy is a dark tale of intrigue, treachery, and unexpected love in a fantasy Georgian England where malicious elves rule their despised human slaves with a brutal hand.

This first book of the series takes place in Firehame, the domain of the Fire Lord, Mor'ded. Dominic, Mor'ded’s half-human son and general of his army, has just won the latest of the war games the elves wage to amuse themselves. He returns home to wed Lady Cassandra in an arranged marriage. He also returns to his father’s continued scorn of his human side.

Cass, assassin for the humans of the Rebellion, weds Dominic to get close enough to his hated father to kill him. In spite of her intentions, she falls in love with Dominic, but he disdains her. A confused Cass wonders how she can convince him to return her love.

His father's cruelty has forced Dominic to bury his human emotions deep. He does his best not to fall in love with Cass. But when he does, his contempt is a mask to protect her from Mor'ded, who has tortured to death everyone for whom Dominic has ever cared.

Those of you who read my posts know that I like nice guy heroes, decent men who’ve been kicked around and it’s made them even better men. In Dominic, Ms. Kennedy has created a spectacular version of my favorite hero. Literally tortured by his father in an effort to eradicate his humanity, Dominic emerges more human than ever and the kind of hero I never tire of finding.

Kathryne Kennedy will guest here on Wednesday, July, 21.

Thank you all,
Linda
ARC provided by Sourcebooks

Review: UNCERTAIN MAGIC by Laura Kinsale

If you've never read a Laura Kinsale novel, read one. Now. I'd heard how wonderful her historical romances were, but, somehow, I never got around to reading one.

What a mistake.

Uncertain Magic is a vivid, atmospheric tale of deceptive appearances, high stakes, and wrenching emotion. Set in late Georgian England and Ireland, the novel adds Irish magic and mystery to a can't-put-down, sweeping drama of two misfits who find their fit with each other.

Roderica can read minds. The constant intrusion of others' thoughts is so painful, she fears she will never wed--until she encounters Faelan, "The Devil Earl", the only man whose mind is opaque to her power. Faelan needs money to resurrect his impoverished estate. Roderica has a large dowry. Without telling him of her unusual ability, she encourages him to seek her hand in marriage. Faelan harbors his own secrets. Is he really the devil, as his nickname implies?

Against the terror and tumult of the doomed 1798 Irish rebellion, Roderica and Faelan, afraid to trust each other, risk their love, their sanity, and their very lives.

Uncertain Magic was first published in 1987 and time hasn't diminished the power and appeal of this early paranormal. I especially like that Ms. Kinsale has written two of my favorite characters, the strong heroine and the wronged, decent hero.

Uncertain Magic is a keeper. I look forward to my next Laura Kinsale novel.

Thank you all,
Linda

ARC provided by Sourcebooks