Customer Reviews

Black Magic Woman (The Others)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After finally wrapping her mind around the fact that vampires, werewolves, Fae and other species she thought were just fairy tales are actually real - and that her sister is marrying one - artist/blacksmith Daphanie Carter is excited by the discovery and enamored with the idea of exploring more of that hidden world. Unfortunately, her choice of a guide is poor and Daph quickly finds herself in a confrontation with a pompous voodoo practioner. Fortunately, Daphanie also acquires her own protector, winged Guardian Asher (he's no angel:). But Asher's commitment to his job and supernatural powers, may not be enough to counter the magical attacks that are leaving Daphanie feeling not at all like herself.

With 'Magic' in the title I had hoped that Black Magic Woman was going to be the rework of Rafe and Tess's book (Fur For All), but instead old fans of Warren's 'Fixed' series will get something new as Daphanie, Danice's sister (Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here), discovers the world of the Others and ends up with her very own 'Other'.

Even though I had a few nits, I still thought that Black Magic Woman was pretty good. It probably helped that there was a healthy helping of appearances by the supporting characters that I am so fond of: Graham, Missy and Rafe. Even though the build-up of sensual tension between the starring pair wasn't as intense as in some of Warren's other books, I liked the love scenes between Asher and Daph - the first, a wild claiming by Asher of Daph's body and the second, a tender claiming of her soul - and it didn't hurt that I am a total sucker for a winged hero. My nits, 1) Daphanie starts out a bit too headstrong and then sort of fades as the story progresses, 2)I found that the bits from the 'human guide to the Others', which started each chapter, disrupted the flow of the story. So after a few chapters I skipped them.

Still, I did enjoy Black Magic Woman and am looking forward to what Warren does with the rewrite of Corrine's story - though it's hard to remember, the original Fixed stories were pretty darn short. Oh by the way, if you are confused about how the Other's stories mesh with Warren's old 'Fixed' series, she's included a timeline in the preface of the book (I added my own version of it to the comments which follow this review.)

I love Warren's books and this was a terrific story. Asher was hot, hot, hot. Daphanie was no weakling either. Warren is on my auto-buy list, I have never been disappointed in her books. I hope they go on for a long time. The only thing that bothered me was the ending . . .

Spoiler:


Asher was over 500 years old and the story did not resolve how their relationship would work. Could he somehow make it so she didn't age and they could spend a lifetime together, or was she just going to get old and die? The ending bothered me, I really wanted some resolution to that question.

Normally I love Christine Warren, but for some reason I could not get into this book. The first couple of chapters were good but I soon lost intrest. The interaction betweenthe H/h just wasn't there for me. Ms. Warren is still one of my favorites and I love the Others series but this book is my least favorite of the bunch.

Tossed the book after the first few chapters. Couldn't get pass Daph's self intitled idiocy. There is a fine line between kick butt and arrogant and it went into arrogance right off the bat.

It's so easy to get lost among the world of The Others. Black Magic Woman was a fun & sexy read. Looking forward to next novel of The Others.

I love Christine Warren's books about the others. Some I love more than others, but they are all good reads. The other comments cover all the action in this book, so doesn't need to be repeated. Christine Warren's books are all good exciting reads and worth the money. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal romantic fiction with smoking hot romance.

I have enjoyed all the books so far in this Others series. Unfortunately, Black Magic Woman just didn't cut it for me. One irritating thing for me was that the author, or her editors, didn't bother checking out dictionary definitions when using an, apparently, unfamiliar word. The word "enervate" does not mean, as it is was used in the book, to get more energy. It means just the opposite, a loss of energy. This mis-use shows either laziness or sloppiness and destroys the continuity of the story-line. (This is the same irritating situation I have with another author whose use, or mis-use, of the word "condescending" (or condescension") drives me up the wall. The effect is also the same. I loose interest in the story when a bed-rock issue is just plain wrong.)

However, authors using words correctly is a personal foible of mine and may not bother others. The second specific reason I am losing interest in this series is that, like the mis-use of a word, the author's sloppiness is showing in other ways. I'll try not to SPOIL here, but, a vital fact of magic and witchcraft is ignored until it is almost too late, just to keep the story going. I really think that this one little fact is probably well-known to many of the Others, and definitely the witch called in for help. Ignoring this little fact until it works for the plot is just a lazy, flimsy method of dealing with the plot. Too obvious.

The main characters sounded at first as if they would have been kick-ass interesting, but, as another reviewer mentioned, by the time the plot started to really kick in, the characters had lost a lot of my interest. I think they are tired. I'll probably get the next Others book; I am always hoping that things will improve, but if I'm disappointed after that, probably will mean the end of my purchase of this author's Others series.

Yes another good fantasy read from Christine Warren and what a great surprise... her heroine is feisty, powerful, at first almost unlikable ( but not for long )and BLACK
Her Hero is amiable, affable, has a tendency to wear earrings, prefers walking to using a car ( on four legs or two he's not fussy)and WHITE. I love the idea of a town full of Shifters..... loved The Bears... writing is tight and the story line is carried along at a fast rate with two intriguing areas working at the same time.. the main one and the Heroine's on going battle to become a Warrior worthy to serve her Goddess.Laughs come often
and are woven into the theme with CHristine's usual skill. I now have most of her books and await the next one with anticipation. Keep writing Christine... I'll keep buying.
D.Ashcroft-Nowicki

i have read a good number of this series and i had higher hopes than i should have. the story was ok and there wwas action but the spirit she usually wrote with just wasnt there. im sorry

Daphanie Carter just learned about the existence of the Others. She is intrigued and feels a little left out of the loop. She decides to learn as much as she an about the Others. When an imp invites her to come with him to an Other club she knows this is her chance to learn but what she doesn't count on is just how dangerous this other world can be.

Asher Grayson is a Guardian; it is his job to protect humans from Others. He thinks he is going to finally get a night off but he was oh so mistaken. In walks trouble, the sexy human that draws his eye is bound to find herself on the wrong side of an Other.

When Daphanie bumps into a witch doctor with a temper all hell breaks loose. Asher takes Daphanie under his protection much to her dismay. After all, she can protect herself. However, Daphanie doesn't know just how bad the trouble she stepped in is about to get. Can Asher protect Daphanie from the Other-worlder's who want to get her? Can Daphanie protect her heart from the irresistible Guardian out to protect her body?

Black Magic Woman is a sexy action-packed romance! Daphanie and Asher sizzle in this sassy story. I have read a few of The Others stories and Black Magic Woman is now my favorite. Daphanie is a cool chick with tons of attitude that often gets her into trouble but makes her extremely likable. Asher is dreamy as the fierce protector. When these two come together they set the pages on fire! Black Magic Woman brings all the favorite characters of the Other world back. It is fantastic to follow along as they solve this thrilling mystery.

Miranda
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed