"Enchanting Magical Fantasy"
Susan Spencer Paul has always had the ability to entertain
and with her newest series featuring the magical beings of
the Seymour family she has created a world that will
enchant and intrigue the reader long after the last page is
turned. Set in London and Wales she introduces the reader to Niclas
Seymour who has the ability to 'read' the minds of the
people around him. Three years earlier he discovered his
best friend's wife was unfaithful. Believing himself
responsible to warn Drew of her infidelity without taking
into account the frailty of human emotions, Niclas' best
friend Drew committed suicide. Because it was Niclas' magic
that inadvertently led to the spilling of a mortal's blood,
the Guardians saw fit to lay a blood curse on Niclas in
punishment of his misdeed. Three years later, Niclas has
not slept, cursed to never know a moments peace he has one
chance to redeem himself before going entirely mad. With nothing to lose and everything to gain Niclas begs his
cousin and family patriarch, Malachi, to allow him to
escort Drew's distant relation Miss Julia Linley to rescue
her aunt from the clutches of one of the Seymour's mad
cousins. The chance this would be the cure for a blood
curse was minimal, but Niclas was willing to try and
whether or not it worked, somehow, just being in Julia's
presence brings a calm to Niclas that he hasn't had in
years. Their journey is fraught with a kindling passion and
danger including a confrontation with the evil wizard the
Earl of Cadmaran, a confrontation that will either break
the curse or end Niclas' life. *** This was a wonderful magical romantic fantasy from an
inspired author whose imagination and creativity knows no
bounds. I've yet to be disappointed by anything I've read
by this author. Niclas has got to be one of the most
tortured souls ever created, not having been able to sleep
for three years and the weaker he became, not able to
control his ability of reading emotions from other people.
Meeting Julia for the first time was such a relief as here
was the one mortal whose emotions were not overwhelming
him, but whose very presence and touch had such a soothing
effect on him. Julia was also developed beautifully for her role in being
Niclas' savior so to speak. She was a late bloomer having
been out for seven seasons, Julia noticed Niclas before
he'd removed himself from society and fallen in love with
the suave, elegant man. From that very first moment there
could be no other man for her. Her ability as a mere mortal
without magic and whose emotions could not be read by
Niclas was part of the surprising ending that was delivered
beautifully in a lovely wrap-up to this story and as a
beginning to this marvelous series. Be prepared to be
enchanted and thrilled by this master wordsmith. Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted January 15, 2007
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