Review: Dangerous Magic by Monica Fairview
Posted in Uncategorized on March 28th, 2021
Dangerous Magic by Monica Fairview. Independently Published (March 3, 2021). ISBN: 979-8711512776.
This story begins with Elizabeth being told she must marry a man she’s never met because her magical talents are compatible with his. Darcy is the wizard that she is to marry and he’d just proposed to Anne de Bourgh—so he’s definitely not happy about the situation. But they understand their power is necessary to save the country from the French wizards who are currently helping Napoleon’s forces overcome the British. A forced marriage with a magical twist adds a number of new problems and unexpected dangers that Darcy and Elizabeth must overcome.
It doesn’t take long before things begin to go awry. Misunderstandings and assumptions on both sides keep them from working with each other. I often think most problems in any story could be solved in half the time if the characters would just ask questions and listen to the answers or answer the questions put to them honestly. However, keeping these characters’ beliefs, values, ethics, and actions true to the originals penned by Austen but comfortably living in a different universe, Darcy and Elizabeth continually think they know what the other is feeling and thinking without asking for clarification.
So, there’s much angst, fear, hurt, and pulling back on both sides. At times making the reader wish they could reach into the story and give them a good talking to. To me, when the writer can get me so involved in the story that I find myself talking back to the pages, I know that the story has come alive for me.
Next, there’s a war on. The French seem to have the upper hand and Darcy and Elizabeth’s magical talents are sorely needed by the British military. There’s deep paranoia that spies are everywhere and no one can be trusted. Class differences cause many to overlook the talents of lesser individuals. There are people who act on their personal agendas and forget that they are part of something bigger. It all adds up to Elizabeth not knowing who to trust and who to believe when so many are so open about their claims that she is useless and doesn’t belong among them.
There is a happy ever after eventually, but the journey from the angsty and angry beginning to the delightful ending is, in my opinion, one worth spending the time to enjoy.