Review: Uncertain Magic

My Synopsis:

Uncertain Magic by Laura Kinsale

(For review from Sourcebooks)

Roddy can't decide if her "talent" is a gift or a curse. Being able to read the minds of every living creature around her, may sound like fun, but for Roddy it can be overwhelming. When Roddy meets, the "Devil Earl", Faelan Savigar she is shocked to realize that she cannot hear anything from him. Roddy realizes that this may be her only chance at a normal life. Who wants to marry a wife who can read their every thought? But the Lord of Iveragh has secrets of his own. His reputation precedes him and Roddy's family worries for her safety.

When Roddy and Faelan marry, Roddy assumes it will be a marriage of convenience. Faelan needs her money to save his estate in Ireland and she wants to marry and have children. But, does she dare hope that the stories of Lord Iveragh are only rumors? Is it possible that he could love her and no other? Faelan has been plagued by bouts with what he calls "lost time", from his childhood. He just doesn't remember! His deep secrets threaten to ruin their happiness. Will Roddy's gift be able to save him from his aliment or will it destroy him?

My Thoughts:

Ireland is a land of mist and magic. Laura Kinsale draws on the legends and fairy tales of Ireland to bring Uncertain Magic to life. Uncertain Magic is a re-issue from 1987, and was Laura Kinsale's second novel. In 1987 the genre of "paranormal" romance didn't exist. This novel was a forerunner to the explosion of books we are now seeing with "magical" themes. Whether is be vampires and werewolves or more subtle elements like Roddy's gift of reading minds, paranormal romances have taken the book community by storm.

In Uncertain Magic, Laura Kinsale uses characters that uncommon. They aren't your average Lord and Lady. Roderica's, character is torn between believing her 'talent' is a gift or a curse. She desperately wants to find love, but believes it is beyond her ability because no one wants to be with someone who lays them bare and vulnerable. Faelan's character is the strong and silent type, but we soon learn it is because he fears himself more than anything else. Both characters are have faults, but that makes them all the more accessible. We as readers, want to see them overcome their fears and find love.

I really liked the way, Kinsale used point of view in this book. The story is primarily told from Roddy's perspective. We don't get to see what's going on Faelan's mind until the very end of the book. Though we are able to glean a lot from his actions we can't see him clearly and that adds a lot of mystery to his character. I think this is a very powerful tool in the writer's arsenal.

I truly enjoyed this book and will probably add it to my top ten of the year so far! I give this one a definite 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

If you like historical fiction with a little twist of the paranormal this book is definitely for you!

Uncertain Magic is available from your favorite bookseller NOW!

Here is some more information about the author, Laura Kinsale.

Laura Kinsale is a winner and multiple nominee for the Best Book of the Year award given by the Romance Writers of America. She became a romance writer after six years as a geologist -- a career which consisted of getting out of bed in the middle of the night and driving hundreds of miles alone across west Texas to sit at drilling rigs, wear a hard hat, and attempt to boss around oil-covered males considerably larger than herself. This, she decided, was pushing her luck. So she gave all that up to sit in a chair and stare into space for long periods of time, attempting to figure out What-Happens-Next. She and her husband David currently divide their time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Texas.