Customer Reviews

Myla by Moonlight

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

 

 

Inez Kelly goes out of her way to bath the reader in a rich tapestry of visual and visceral images in this beautiful fantasy of love and war. When the crown prince falls in love with his mystical guardian, he must find a way to make her human. The resulting conflict is resolved with stunning action and heart wrenching emotion.

The bottom line is this is a wonderful love story that will keep you turning the pages to very end.

This is a must read.

Men of the Segur bloodline suffer under an unusual "curse": they can only conceive children with a magic-marked heartmate. To make things worse, this bond only works one way; should a true heartmate refuse or never be found, the Segur man is doomed to childlessness; should a bonded heartmate die, madness looms. Of course there are advantages as well; such marriages tend to be very strong, conflict among heirs is reduced along with their numbers, and a Segur man can sow his wild oats without having to pray for crop failure.

This would be complication enough in an ordinary family, but in a royal family it becomes an ongoing crisis: a royal heir must be produced, must survive to adulthood, must heart bond successfully, must produce an heir himself, and so on. Perhaps it was in order to improve the odds for her newborn son, Crown Prince Taric of the kingdom of Eldwyn, that Queen Tarsha, reputedly the greatest sorceress of her age, made her dying gift to him: a magical guardian, Myla, sometimes woman, sometimes cat, but always deadly and always indestructible,...

until a session of Prince Taric's wild oat sowing is interrupted by an assassination attempt, and Myla receives what in a mortal would be a mortal wound. Magic restores her magic-born body but cannot restore the status quo. Myla is beginning to think like a woman rather than a coldblooded killing machine, and Prince Taric is beginning to realize how much Myla means to him.

Chaos ensues because the ongoing bitter and violent struggle for the throne of Eldwyn is about to escalate significantly and get a lot more complicated. Can a magical guardian become a real woman? If so, at what cost?

As I noted to unnecessary length in my review of the sequel, Salome at Sunrise, which due to circumstances beyond my control, I read first, any description of Myla or Salome as "just a spell" is a gross oversimplification. What becomes clear in this novel is the reason for this gross oversimplification: magic fearing people's preference not to know the truth. Even King Balic, who loved Queen Tarsha more than he hated her magic, didn't really want to know the details concerning the magical guardian of his only son and heir!

Those who would never be caught dead reading a romance novel can take comfort from the knowledge that in addition to the lovey-dovey (or in this case the sexy-wexy) this is a pretty interesting novel of military conflict and political intrigue, complicated by shape shifting and magic and the local form of government: feudalism, which makes the king more first among equals than absolute ruler. (There's a fascinating and pivotal royal trial of Prince Taric for breach of promise near the end.) Author Inez Kelley keeps the suspense wound to the highest pitch by tossing in twists, twists to the twists, twists to the twists to the twists, etc., all logical, all defendable, but really annoying to those of us who consider ourselves smart enough to figure out how things are going to turn out. An Inez Kelley story isn't over 'til it's over, not 'til the last chapter is read, the epilogue is read, maybe not until the ads at the end are read! Despite what the brief book descriptions might have lead you to believe, these two books are quite different because of the differing circumstances and more importantly IMHO the differing personalities of the protagonists: fierce killer Myla versus peace bringer Salome and playboy Prince Taric versus grim would-be suicide Bryton. To my surprise this was the grimmer book with a blood drenched finale while Salome at Sunrise was in many ways a light romantic comedy by comparison.

Defects? About the only thing I can find to complain about is the lack of a map, without which I found it difficult to keep track of all the movements. Perhaps this is more of an issue for the male reader who would like to find his way around this imaginary realm WITHOUT having to ask for directions.

Note: The concluding book in this "Born of Magic" trilogy "Darach in Darkness" is coming out around the beginning of 2011.

Note: For full disclosure I won an ecopy of this book from the author rather than purchasing it.

Myla by Moonlight is an erotic fantasy filled with magic, enchantment, fierce loyalty and devotion entwined with very human fears and desires. I really enjoyed my journey into Inez Kelley's world and the way she slowly accustoms Myla to her human form and emotions. Taric's feelings for Myla are genuinely male, even when he gets exasperated with her. I was delighted by their banter and games of one-upmanship. And loved the way Myla got really angry with Taric for his high-handedness and made him suffer for it, literally.

Ms. Kelley's secondary characters are a delight as well. Bryton, Taric's captain and best friend is a perfect counterpart to Taric, respecting Taric as his prince but giving him just enough sass as his best friend to keep the lordly prince humble.

I highly recommend Myla by Moonlight for readers who enjoy sensuous tales loaded with magic and suspense that will keep you turning pages. - Kathryn

This is a different twist from the books I usually read, but it somehow captivated me. I cried so hard at the end that was hiccupping like a child, my eyes are not looking good this morning!
I can't wait to read Salome at Sunrise!

Prince Taric received the gift of a lifetime from his mother minutes after his birth--a guardian who will always be around. Her only job is to protect Taric from any harm. Taric has always know that Myla is around, which made him take her for granted until the one night she saves him from an assassination attempt and she is badly hurt. That night, Taric saw Myla as more than his magical guardian.

Myla was born when her essence came to the magical call of Taric's mother. She has watched him grow up from an adorable small boy to a teen determined to train so he could be a warrior himself and now he is a man that suddenly makes her feel things that Myla never knew existed. Against her best instincts, Myla agrees to a dinner with Taric--a dinner that was just the beginning of a passion that should never happen.

Taric wants Myla as his Princess and Queen. He doesn't care that she is mystical and magical. Taric just knows that there has to be a way to make her human and his bride. The danger that has always been around Taric becomes more deadly as a family enemy makes a decisive strike. Myla has always protected Taric from everything, even himself, and now she must save him from the deadly past. On a night that should have been pure celebration, death strikes and it's only true and lasting love that can put things right again.

When your true love isn't real, can it be forever? Myla by Moonlight begins with life, death and magic. Interestingly enough, it ends the same way. Prince Taric could have had a life of pure indulgence, but he learned to fight along side his men. Myla became a part of Taric's life after answering the magical call of his mother. Taric's entire life has had danger just around the corner so I wasn't surprised that it was because of danger that Myla and Taric discovered their passion. Emotions run high from every corner, which made the story that much more interesting to me. Right up until the end, I just didn't see how Myla and Taric could find a way for their love to have a chance. However, last minute twists and turns not only brought them together forever but also showed me that a true love will last eternally. Myla by Moonlight takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride that has many happy endings. A story that I can firmly say you will want in your fantasy/paranormal library to be re-read many times.

Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Prince Taric has always had a protector, a guardian literally within him. From the moment of his birth, his mother magically created Myla, a woman who lives inside of him and is to stay with him all his life. When danger is imminent, Myla is able to come out of the scar on his side and take a human form. She is lethal, deadly, and will keep Taric safe at all costs. When she is inside of him she feels his emotions and can sense when danger is near.

On one such occasion, Taric is getting a bit frisky with a bar maid. Unbeknownst to him this bar maid is an assassin and just before a knife goes in his back, Myla appears to save his life. But the knife cuts Myla. This is the first time Taric has seen her bleed. He suddenly realizes he can not just take this woman for granted. And a "woman" is what he sees now. All of a sudden he sees her for the beauty for what she is. Myla sees Taric as a grown man now, and something in their odd relationship changes. Myla knows if she stays in the human realm for too long, her powers start to diminish. Devoted to protect Taric, she refuses to stay out for too long. Taric can't get his mind off Myla, but also knows as the prince and next in line for the throne, he must have an heir so the legacy doesn't turn over to his family's nemesis. Knowing Myla is not actually real person, she most likely would not be able to bear children.

When Taric's family is threatened by their rivals, seeped in revenge, a battle is on the horizon. Myla has much to do to keep Taric safe, and Taric has much to do to convince Myla they are destined to be together.

Myla by Moonlight is the first I have ever read by Inez Kelley and I was pleasantly surprised. Taric is definitely an alpha male that likes his women, but when he finally sees Myla for what she is, his lust turns fiercely towards her. Their romance is very hot and Inez Kelly devotes many pages to it. I love that it is not rushed, and that she really draws out each scene giving us plenty of detail to their sexual escapades.

Taric and Myla have a unique relationship because she has been a part of him his entire life. She has been an adult his entire life, so she has watched him grow into the man he is today. I was a bit thrown off by Taric's sudden interest in her. Not only his interest but he starts questioning why she is his guardian to begin with. It just seemed like he should have been questioning this his whole life - why now? He does ask himself the same question - wondering if he really sees her now because he noticed she was bleeding and maybe there is a chance she won't always be there. I also thought her powers were not always clearly outlined. I never quite understood exactly what she could "see" while inside Taric. Just emotions? Sometimes it felt like more. Later, we learn she can foreshadow too, which seems like it would come in handy at all times.

Overall though, Myla by Moonlight has a solid villain and a very sweet, sexy, and at times heartbreaking romance. I look forward to her next book, Salome at Sunrise.

Rating: 3.5/5

I loved the premise of this book - a prince is given a magical protector who appears in times of need. One day he realizes his protector is more than magic, she is a woman who can bleed, feel pain and feel pleasure. But she still isn't real and can't be the woman he needs at his side, or can she?

Myla is a beautifully written book. It's the second I've read from Ms. Kelley and I can't wait to for more. Is a sequel for Bryton too much to hope for?

This is a wonderful story with gorgeous language, an intriguing heroine, and a gripping plot.