Magic's Design

The writing team of C T Adams and Cathy Clamp, here writing as 'Cat Adams', have produced yet another book. Their speed of output is very impressive, as is the evident thought that they put into making their books something more than your standard paranormal romance. 'Magic's Design' is a standalone novel, as far as I could see, but I felt most of the time whilst I was reading it that I was missing rather a lot of information. It's set partly in our world but also in a magical world underneath the earth whose inhabitants worship four special trees but whose inbuilt magic is dying. When Talos, an agent sent to live in the normal world, discovers some strange goings on, he also runs into Mila, a woman with a gift of healing... but perhaps more. This is where the book gets complex. The world created by the authors is very unusual, with painting of hens' eggs a significant step in a battle against evil. Who would have thought it? Mila as a heroine is a bit too unlikely - she suddenly finds herself thrust into a bizarre world of magic, painted eggs, special trees, etc, but seems to cope with it all marvellously - while also trying to do her normal job in a legal practice at the same time as saving the world. The romance between Tal and Mila was fairly subordinate to the overall plot of the book, and for this reader the plot didn't quite work. I wasn't ever entirely sure what was going on as there were so many changes of direction and so much magic and other stuff that the reader couldn't predict. Although the authors' style is good, I was just too confused by the events of the book and didn't find it entirely satisfying. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2009

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques A CK2S Recommended Read! Talos "Tal" Onan is a firecraft mage from the magical world of Agathia, hidden deep in the earth sworn to protect both the world of Agathia and the Overworld from the dangers of evil magicwielders. When the most dangerous of criminal held in Rohm Prison escapes, Tal must return to the surface to hunt down the villainous Vegre before he can wreak havoc on the humans. Mila Penkin is an overworlder who holds the gift of healing deep inside, unaware of this ability until called upon to use it when two strange men appear in her home, just in time for Mila to see her roommate Sela get kidnapped. She is one of a long lost Agathian guild of healers, exiled long ago after a deadly magic wiped out many of the Agathian population. Now with the help of her precious Baba (grandmother) and Tal, Mila must break down the barrier blocking her memories of her magic and restore her gifts in order to prevent yet another magical pandemic. The last thing she expected was that her abilities would be the stuff of legends, or that she would find love in the midst of evil. Magic's Design is the first book under a new pseudonym for writing duo CT Adams and Cathy Clamp. I have thoroughly enjoyed both their Sazi series and their Thrall trilogy so I was excited about this new one that was to be so different from their other series that they had to use a different name! Magic's Design not only met, but exceeded my expectations! All the key components that make me a diehard fan of Adams and Clamp are found here. We have excellent world building, exciting plots and subplots, brave heroines who don't know their own strength until forced to use it, and sexy heroes who would die before allowing any harm to the women they adore. While still at its heart, Magic's Design is an urban fantasy, the emphasis is on the "fantasy" more than the "urban." There is an exceptional romance between Tal and Mila that will have readers sighing. These two were meant for each other long before they met and I loved seeing them surpass all the odds to be together. I was quite surprised by the final scenes, expecting something with a lot more "oomph" after all the buildup, but the ending works quite well for the story. I loved the use of pysanky (a type of artwork that is comprised of painting complicated designs on eggs) as one of the primary magic mediums, along with the focus stones used by the magicwielders to direct their power. The environmentalist in me absolutely loved the idea of trees being the center of all life and power for the magical race of humans found underground in Agathia. Also of note are the little bits of Ukrainian lore doled out by Baba and her dearest friend Victor. One of the best things about Magic's Design is that the way it is set up, I can see more books set in this world if this one does well. Don't let that fool you though, almost all the plot points are wrapped up nice and tidy. There are at least two

Ukrainian egg artist Mila Penkin is concerned with the blackouts that have recently increased. Meanwhile Overworld Police Operative Talos Onan is assigned to recapture an escaped convict who broke out of a high security magical underground prison. When Mila and Talos meet he is severely injured; she psychically heals him to her amazement as she had no idea she possessed such a skill. Mila and Talos team up to learn how she did what she did and to prevent Vegre's evil plan to destroy the Tree of Life. They learn she is a firecraft mage, whose mother took away her memories. Neither can understand why. Mila hopes her mom was protecting her from the danger, but she has doubts that it is so as her gut insists the reason was more selfish. As they work together, they fall in love, but Mila is the only hope to heal the dying Tree of Life if she can learn to focus her firecraft magic before doomsday strikes. Cat Adams provides her fans with a wonderful romantic urban fantasy starring a heroine who takes to her role with honor and her soul mate who encourages her every step of the way while covering her back. Interestingly even with a world at stake, the theme seems narrower as the big picture doomsday never fully evolves. Still that small spotlight leads to a charming tense thriller as love blossoms while two intrepid warriors set out to save the world. Harriet Klausner