Pink Heart Reviews
Deep Magic
Joy Nash
ISBN-10: 0505527162
ISBN-13: 9780505527165
Love Spell, January 2008, 352 pp
Historical – Parnormal
Series: The Druids of Avalon – Book 2
$6.99 (US) $8.99 (CDN)
Reviewed by Laurel
January 2008
With her grandfather Cyric falling ill and close to dying, Gwendolyn knows the time is coming near where she will step into the role she was raised to be from birth – Guardian of The Mists. These mists protect Avalon from invaders and enemies primarily the nearby Romans who are setting up camp in search of precious metals. Fearful of the Roman Leader Strabo, whom Gwendolyn fears has powerful dark magic by his aura surrounding starts seeking alternatives to protect her home fearing that all the teachings and ways she has followed in the Light will not be enough. Gwendolyn has been keeping a dangerous secret from her brother and grandfather. She has been embracing the Deep Magic that calls her, she is able to transform into a wolf – something she knows that could prove disastrous has the wolf gains more power over her. One day she will not be able to return to human form. But when a vision provides the answers to the impeding battle with Roman Leader Strabo, she goes to a family friend Marcus Aquila, a master blacksmith and Roman. She hopes that with Marcus crafting the sword with her magic embedded deep in the sword, she will have the power needed to defeat this enemy and protect her home.
For over a year Marcus Aquila has not been able to get Gwendolyn out of his mind. With her brother Rhys they saved her from danger – while she was in wolf form. He has never forgotten the beauty of watching this wolf turn into a woman in his arms, something that should disgust him but he finds enticing erotic. When Gwendolyn arrives on his doorstep, he is surprised but when she further elaborates what she wants from him, he is elated but apprehensive. While Gwendolyn is giving him the chance to make the sword of his dreams forged with the rumoured bright iron. He wonders how he is going to keep his passion and desires to himself as she works side by side with him in his workshop without taking what he wants – making sure she never returns back home and her betrothed.
Gwendolyn was a character of great conflict with a large responsibility on her shoulders. While she respected the teachings she followed about the Light, she knew deep down inside that she had to follow the calling of her deep magic. Meanwhile she was also falling in love with Marcus, she could not ignore the powerful feelings that swirled around them when together. Truly torn on how to proceed and hoping she would be forgiven for her betrayal; it was a powerful and well-written novel that captured my attention. I found myself sympathizing with all characters, as the novel made me gasp in shock when dark secrets were revealed and fearful in others as it appeared deep magic had finally taken it’s hold. But the love Marcus felt for her was also powerful and together they battled the odds and magic changing lives and Avalon forever.
DEEP MAGIC was a beautifully depicted love story. I’ve always loved storylines about Druids and Avalon, Joy Nash did not disappoint as she crafted her tale about this magical and mysterious time. Being my first novel from Joy Nash it certainly will not be my last. She captured my interest, has her writing flows off the pages easily placing you there. I am eagerly looking forward to next instalment in The Druid’s of Avalon series.
