Review: Anyone who likes a tortured hero will like this book
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 13, 2012
Reviewed by SuzanneI confess I haven't read the previous two books in this trilogy so I endered mid-struggle as it were. But the plot wasn't too complicated so I did manage to figure out what was happening in this book, but I think to fully appreciate it, you would need to read Shadow Magic and Echoes of Magic as Dangerous Magic shows previous characters in the series.Nigel is coming. Granted those words wouldn't normally fill you with fear, but if the Nigel in question has sold his soul to the devil, amassed a soulless army and then come to your castle to collect your soul and spread death and blood, you may feel differently! Cade has fought off the darkness slowly taking over his soul for a long time, but the end is nearing and the darkness is harder and harder to resist. He knows his upcoming battle with Nigel will be his last, he only hopes he won't slaughter his friends once the darkness has taken over his soul. He doesn't count on seeing Francesca, a witch with secrets of her own, whose very presence seems to fight back the darkness.Anyone who likes a tortured hero will like this book: Cade has the whole tortured thing down; horrible past, check! Self loathing, check! Drop dead gorgeous (especially if you like 'em blonde) check! Completely honourable despite his protestations that he is completely evil and not to be trusted, check! I have to say I am not the biggest fan, but I can appreciate a gorgeous blonde as much as the next gal and his complete selflessness was kind of sexy as well. But I didn't really feel like I knew the characters that well, it was like he was written from a tortured hero template, and Francesca from the heroine-that-loves-them template.As I haven't read the other two books in the series I was only getting the tail end of the overarching plot from this series and as such maybe I didn't feel the danger that Nigel was supposed to generate. I think it was also because there was always someone sneaking out the castle, I don't think the secret exit qualifies for secret anymore as half the castle seems to realize its existence!But it was a quick enjoyable read and my first book from this author, I would definitely look in to reading more of her books.