Customer Reviews

Wicked Magic (Magic Series, Book 3)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have just finished this book and I can say I really enjoyed it. The characters are wonderful, everyone has a need for love and that includes hunky, alpha, males from faery. This is the third installment of the series and I must say it is the best one so far. I am looking forward not only to the next in this series, but MOVING TARGET sounds like a great read also.

Rhiannon Castle is a witch, she and her coven are battling Balor and his goddess wife Ceithlenn. Rhiannon is an orphan, her aunt was her last relative and she forced Rhiannon out into the world at 18. Rhiannon has found her family within her coven. She finds it hard to trust men. She caught her fiance cheating on her and doesn't want to be blindsided by a gorgeous D'Danann warrior. But help from the Otherworld may be the only chance to save our world.

Keir is a loner, a half-breed in his world, treated badly by his father and without a mother's love. Hawk is his half-brother but they have little use for each other. Hawk is bonded to Silver from the first novel, FORBIDDEN MAGIC. Keir is leader of a band of warriors who are devoted to him. He has found his family in this group of peers.

Both Keir and Rhiannon are in for some surprises and that makes for a good read. The journeies between lands and the people are great. There is warmth in the actions that take place and I must say the author has a wonderful imagination. She has brought both worlds to life. There are alot of sensual encounters, so be aware that if you do not like alot of heat in your books you might have to skip a few pages. But the read is worth it. Do not miss this one. You do not have to have read the others but it does make the adventure better.

This is an enchanting book, that is providing you have a basic understanding of Irish Celtic mythology. Knowing that the Tuatha Danann warriors are fey (i.e. fairy) warriors of myth and who the foul and dreaded Formarians are is important. Of course, a quick Internet search would take care of those details. This story is about Rhiannon, one of the d'Anu witches, who discovers that she is half-elven. She meets Keir, a Tuatha Danaan warrior with a tragic childhood full of rejection and of course they become enamored. There are epic battles between the good d'Anu and Tuatha Danann and evil which includes a demon goddess, a black mage, and a Formarian queen who smells like rotten fish. Rhiannon and Keir find love and an understanding of who they really are.

If you like hot sex, action, magic, and everything paranormal then this series is for you. In this book, we meet Rhiannon again, who is a D'Anu witch with a secret. I truly did not think her "secret-conflict" was such a problem and found that the author dragged that conflict way too long. Rhiannon, at times, seemed so close-minded regarding events that happened in her life. You would think she would set it aside for the greater good. It irritated me that she would cast stones at her father for choosing the darker path when Rhiannon's coven chose a path that mirror's it. Did they not choose to stray from white magic and go gray? She could not accept that Drow's are not inherently evil, they just chose a darker path--to ensure the best for their people. Similar intentions, no?

The hero, Keir, was simply to die for. He pretty much fell fast and hard. The sex scenes were hot but I actually started skipping them because it distracted me from the fight. The only thing he did that disturbed me is that when they bonded, why pick the woman you screwed earlier in the book as a witness? It just seems so skivvy especially when Rhiannon had no clue who she was when the bonding thing was happening.

Another thing that I think was a bit shaky was the fact that even though these witches were Gray and not white, they were still not allowed to kill--but were perfect okay to maim and gouge their enemies--as long as they are not the ones who brings them down--a bit hypocritical, don't you think? It makes them a liability in battle, in my mind, if your attacked then you defend--and that means vanquishing your enemy. Sure, they were "helping" the Tuatha D'Danann by slowing the monsters down but I still think it would have been better if the author allowed them to finish them off.

Don't get me wrong, these are just minor criticisms, it doesn't change the fact that this series is top notch.

This was very much on the line with other books in this genre by Cheyenne McCray. I enjoyed the twists in the plot especially the addition of a jealous fairy. I am very much looking forward to seeing where Ms McCray goes with this series next.

I strongly suggest you read this series in order (Forbidden Magic and Seduced by Magic) before tackling this book. This installment was tremendously enjoyable. Rhiannon, a D'Anu witch is keeping a deep dark secret from her coven sisters; she has dark shadows inside of her. She is not just susceptible to dark magic but she actually has living shadows inside of her. Keir, Tuatha D'Danann warrior and brother to Hawk, crosses over from Otherworld to assist in the battle. He becomes taken with Rhi and together they combine their strengths against their enemy. The battle with Balor, the god of death, is heating up; especially now that his goddess Ceithlenn has escaped the Underworld and possessed Sara, an ex D'Anu sister. Ceithlenn encounters Rhi and unleashes a mental torment that attacks Rhi like a parasite. The battle with Ceithlenn spills into the public view. Ceithlenn is a powerful force to be reckoned with. The goddess being denied power and devastation for centuries has an insatiable hunger that gruesomely kills people by the thousands. My only regret with this book is that we don't see Darkwolf get dominated in the same way he humiliated and dominated Junga. This book had plenty of action and magic; it was delightedly a bit darker than the first two installments and there were thankfully fewer sex scenes than the first two installments. I would consider this a dark paranormal romance fantasy, not exactly a hybrid between dark urban fantasy but very close. I recommend this book to those dark urban fantasy readers who have patience to flip through the many sex scenes (which are usually hot but one or two is enough for me) to stick with the plot. I also look forward to reading the Magic series novella in the anthology No Rest for the Witches, as well as the next book in the series, Shadow Magic.

I also recommend:
Dreamfever
Thorn Queen (Dark Swan, Book 2)
Demon Inside
Insatiable Desire (The Demonborn)
Witch Blood (Elemental Witches, Book 2)

This series is awesome. Lots of action with just enough romance to make sure it has everything you need to create a great read.

I've now read 1-3 and ordered the 4th in the series. Fun read. I read most of what this author writes.

Love it! The smoldering Fae Warriors are back doing that sexy, alpha male thing. As expected McCray keeps it hot, funny & suspenseful with lots of action and of course hot, steamy love with another delish Tuatha Da Danann warrior.

The 1st meeting between Rhiannon & Keir is hilarious and witty dialogue continues throughout the book. Keir's side kick fairy is adorable. We continue to learn more about previous characters and the world of the Fae.

Our previous villains, Darkwolf and Junga, have returned only to be brought to heel by the series vilest villain yet. Cethleinn, evil goddess and Balor's mate. She is nasty & gives the Fae & Witches a run for their money.

Rhiannon's parentage is a good twist. The Dark Fae aren't so bad eh? I look forward to a book with Rhiannon's father as the alpha male love interest.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I stopped reading "Force of Nature" by Brockman to read it. (forces is not as good as recommended). Anyway, at first Rhiannon got on my nerves, but you grow to understand her resistance and respect it. Keir is Hot, sexy, and a great hero. I loved his pursuit of Rhiannon. And she made him run for it. Cethleinn, the Bi**h Goddess was absolutely the worst enemy I have ever read of in a book. Her crimes and atrocities against humans were disgusting. The witches, the D'danaan and the PSF have got to get her. And, that Darn Balor is loose. The San Francisco is doomed. Darkwolf and Junga are a puzzle. I cannot wait on the last two books. Sidney's anthology comes out Oct. 7th, 2007.

I just got this book and I liked it pretty well. Thought that it was quite good in fact. Nice pace and well hey this is a romance novel and the scenes were good.