"history, lore and myth skillfully mixed and conjured to satisfy"
Joy Nash follows up The Grail King (Romantic Times' Best
Historical Fantasy of 2006), with the second in the Druids
of Avalon series, Deep Magic. It's already getting
attention, earning a Psyche Award Nomination. Considering
she is coming off the USA Today best-selling book the
Immortals: The Awakening (a series with fellow authors
Robin T. Popp and Jennifer Ashley) Deep Magic only
reinforces what a talented author Nash is. In this tale, the Druids have long suffered persecution at
the hands of the Romans. Using the magical mists to shield
Avalon, they have hidden there in safety. Only that
idyllic life is threatened by a Roman sorcerer, a young
rogue solider who has the powers to penetrate the
protective mists. It falls to Gwendolyn to save Avalon, in
her role of Avalon Guardian. Gwendolyn must use everything
to protect Avalon, even powers she has been forbidden to
call upon in her quest to discover the enemy. She is a
shapeshifter, a wolf, but this side of her nature she
cannot control. Marcus Aquila, is a Roman blacksmith. The
handsome man once saved Gwendolyn's life, and now has
earned her love. He hides her, protects her, and with her
magic he is able to forge a sword on par with Excalibur.
Only, the wolf side of her nature threatens their love,
even threatens Avalon. The story is strong, pulling the reader into the magical
world Nash has fashioned. Her world-building allows the
reader to walk into this dark age period, giving you strong
history, lore and myth skillfully mixed and conjured to
satisfy. You might also want to get Celtic Fire, Nash's print debut,
which actually introduced some of the characters of this
series.
Reviewed by Deborah Macgillivray
Posted January 9, 2008
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Hidden away on a misty isle, steeped in the teachings of The Lady, they used enchantment to stem the tide of the invaders while battling a still darker enemy. Primordial power, older than Light and Dark magic. Dangerous. Unpredictable. Forbidden. A power no human can tame. One woman will try. She is Gwendolyn -- Druidess, Daughter of the Lady. She fears her Light alone is not strong enough to protect Avalon from its enemy. Marcus Aquila -- Roman, blacksmith, hater of magic. To banish his sister's terrifying premonitions, Marcus barters his skills to a tempting Druidess he dares not trust. Together, they create Exchalybur. Dangerous. Unpredictable. Forbidden. A weapon no human can command. One woman will try.
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