Dark Passage (Dark Mirror) [Paperback]

M.J. Putney (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 13, 2011 | Series: Dark Mirror (Book 2)

The Irregulars return home to 1803 England safely, but their worldview has changed.  Not only have their heroic efforts at Dunkirk given them pride and confidence but their dangerous mission has increased their magical powers. 

Tory delights in the ever deepening bond she shares with Allarde until she discovers how powerfully he is connected to his ancient family estate—the lands he will not inherit unless he denies his magical powers and chooses a nonmagical mate. If Tory really loves him, she must walk away—but does she have the strength to leave the love of her life?

Cynthia’s heroic efforts at Dunkirk have won her the respect of the Irregulars, but her sharp tongue keeps everyone at a distance. Isolated and very alone at Lackland Abbey over the Christmas holidays, she reluctantly agrees to join Jack Rainford and his family for their celebration even though they’re commoners, far below her own noble rank. The warm welcome of the Rainfords makes her feel happier and more accepted than she has ever been. But she can’t possibly be falling in love with flirtatious Jack! Can she?

Then the Irregulars are drawn into a dangerous attempt to rescue a vitally important French scientist from Nazi-occupied France. Tory and Allarde must work together because countless lives are at stake. Disaster strikes and not only is their mission threatened, but their very lives. Can magic and their loyalty to each other help them survive to return home? 

Find out in Dark Passage--M.J. Putney's thrilling follow-up to Dark Mirror.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the action and the magic keep flowing to keep readers engaged and suspense high.... The suspenseful story combined with paranormal romance works well, with the exciting history lesson as an added bonus."

--Kirkus Reviews

 

"The same delightful blend of love, magic, adventure and irresistible characters readers love to visit with. Putney’s sequel leaves nothing to be desired — except a third book! I enjoy visiting this universe every time and I cannot wait for more."

--RT Book Reviews

About the Author

M. J. Putney is the author of the young adult fantasy novel Dark Mirror. As Mary Jo Putney, she is the New York Times bestselling author of historical romances. M. J. is fond of reading, cats, travel, and most of all, great stories.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Original edition (September 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312622856
• ISBN-13: 978-0312622855
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author, Mary Jo Putney was born in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. Her entire romance writing career is an accidental byproduct of buying a computer for other purposes.

Her novels are known for psychological depth and intensity and include historical and contemporary romance, fantasy, and young adult fantasy. Winner of numerous writing awards, including two RITAs and two Romantic Times Career Achievement awards, she has five times had books listed among the Library Journal's top five romances of the year, and three times had books among the top ten romances of Booklist, the magazine of the American Library Association.

Her favorite reading is great stories, but in a pinch she'll settle for the backs of cereal boxes. She's delighted that e-publishing can now make available books that have been out of print.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#88 in Books > Romance > Historical

#89 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#88 in Books > Romance > Historical

#89 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this Series October 11, 2011

By L. Curtis

Format:Paperback

I really enjoy this series. I really do. To me DARK PASSAGE combines a lot my favorite things: magic, WWII, love, school adventure, time travel, and historical detail.

I liked Tory as a character. She's come a long way from the first book. I am really curious as to where Ms. Putney is going with her and especially her relationship with Allarde. Tory's like sixteen now, will she be more open about her magic and be stuck at Lackland until she's twenty-one? Will she just say screw it and leave and start a life on her own? These are burning questions that I'm dying to know.

Yet, no matter how much I liked Tory, Cynthia (Tory's snobby roommate) really shined in this installment. Cynthia has that edge that Tory lacked and her journey was more of a focus in DARK PASSAGE than Tory's was. I loved Cynthia's evolution. It was a complete 180 degree turn, yet Cynthia was still Cynthia. While Tory is still ambiguous, I think Cynthia is actually a stronger character and I actually don't worry about her as much, because I know that she has the strength to pursue her own happiness.

OKAY LOOK AT ME, I AM TAKING ABOUT CHARECTERS IN A BOOK LIKE THEY ARE MY KIDS. SERIOUSLY, DO YOU HEAR ME HERE. I HAVE ISSUES!

Anyhoo. The plot is rich, layered, and keep me on my toes. The minute I finished DARK PASSAGE, I immediately re-read it. I admit that I might be biased, because I really enjoy WWII fiction.

It is so hard for me to describe this book. It is such a mash-up. If you're used to Mary Jo Putney's romances, you might be disappointed, because the focus isn't on the romance, but the development of the characters. If you don't like time travels, you might be disappointed because the story is sooo deeply entranced in both time periods 1803 and 1941. Even for die-hard young adult readers, it might give them pause, because the historical details are such a part of the characters that it's almost effortless. And once again, it's not focused on the hero/heroine and their happily ever after, but the character's journey. Also, I love, love, love the historical details the world full of magic that Ms. Putney has created. I'm sorry to say that there are few historical or paranormal romance authors out there who makes this appear so effortless like Ms. Putney has done.

DARK PASSAGE was a homerun for me and I'm looking forward to seeing what she's doing next. Even as I'm saying this, I know that others might think differently because really it's hard to put this work in a neat box. DARK PASSAGE was written outside the box of what's being written today and it was executed beautifully.

This review is totally lame. I know this! My bad!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Adventure, Sweet Romance April 3, 2012

By AUPoohBear

Format:Paperback

In this sequel to Dark Mirror, the story alternates points-of-view from Tory to Cynthia. Tory is madly in love with Allarde but she discovers that he has a strong magical bond to his family's ancestral estate. She has to decide whether she has the courage to push him aside for his own good or whether she can ask him to risk everything to be with her. Cynthia, alone and miserable on Christmas, is invited to a party at the Rainfords. She's reluctant to spend time with commoners but Lily Rainford has hearth magic and Cynthia is freezing. The farmhouse is warm and cozy and Cynthia is treated like a hero and a friend. Jack is as infuriating as ever, so why then does Cynthia feel sparks around him? Cynthia tries to push him away but Jack refuses to give up until he's unlocked the secrets of Cynthia's heart. When Nick Rainford suddenly appears through Merlin's Mirror, the Irregulars know that something must be dreadfully wrong in 1940. Nick has a premonition that he needs to rescue a Jewish scientist from the Nazis. Dr. Weiss is on the verge of a medical breakthrough that may save the life of one of Nick's loved ones. Tory, Allarde, Elspbeth, Jack and Cynthia reluctantly agree to help Nick find another magical mirror in France to rescue Dr. Weiss. They find themselves right in the middle of a Nazi compound and desperate to get back home where even the enemy is more civilized that the Nazis. Their mission is filled with danger and they may not make it out alive.

Half of this story is character-driven. I really liked the narrative from Cynthia's point-of-view. Tory and Allard are a bit boring and too noble to carry a whole story, though their romance is sweet and Allard still swoony. Cynthia's story is filled with fascinating secrets that are revealed slowly and a wonderful romantic build-up. The second half of the book is heart-in-your-throat, can't-put-it-down adventure. I stayed up way too late reading it to find out what happened next. Unlike the first book, once this adventure starts it doesn't stop until the end. It does seem a little silly that 5 kids head right into that kind of danger and mess with Nazis. I'm not sure if that's very foolish or very brave but I got caught up in the adventure so it didn't seem to ridiculous. The characters all sound and act much more mature than their ages which I will chalk up to their experiences but sometimes they sound more like adults. That's really my only criticism. Even the moral of the story wasn't as heavy as it was in the first. I'm dying to read the third volume and I may even download the short story about Allarde. This book contains a lot of violence and slightly more intense romantic feelings than the first. I'd recommend it for ages 14-16.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dark Passage (Dark Mirror) June 3, 2012

By Book Bug

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

She is a good writer that holds my interest throughout her stories. This story was no exception, as I let reality be suspended, and just enjoyed the adventure with its twists and turns.