Friends, I appear to be genetically unable to 'get' Megan Derr books. If you are considering this book, please don't be put off by my mild rating. All other evidence suggests you will love it.

***

Enjoyable-enough fantasy with a YA feel (from the lack of depth, the very simplistic plot, and the very little sex). Actually, apart from one (mildly) explicit sex scene, this would be a good tween book: I would have adored it when I was 12. Although the characters and story are dissimilar this reminded More...

I discovered Megan Derr this year after a couple of friends sort of pushing her stories to me -- and I ended up loving her stories so much. See, I'm not such a fan of fantasy books. Sure, I enjoy watching "Lords of the Ring" or "Merlin", but don't expect me to actually read those. I like urban taste to my fantasy. So, what Megan Derr does to me is proving some sort of simplicity, so that I can still enjoy her fantasy stories. It's more 'grounded', for lack of the better term.

I don't know if this More...

One of my favorite books of the year. Megan Derr writes fairy tales and HEAs like no other.

I actually liked the story better before it was rewritten. I found the MC's less likeable and the story a little bit less exciting. The story didn't really feel like it all came together and reader's didn't get that great detailed moments between Ambrose and Rakken. The air of mystery and subtle dancing about of Koray and Sorin weren't as elegant as the first version and the the character building of the necromancer was gone. That was one of the great things I loved about it before it was rewrit More...

4 1/2 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/


Sorin is High Paladin of Vindeia and is devastated when his cousin is brutally murdered; it turns out to be just the beginning as someone dabbling in black magic begins to lose their soul. Koray is a necromancer and is inexplicably drawn towards the Royal castle and into Sorin’s path, the Goddess has plans for both of them and it is a journey of forgotten secrets and new allies.

This book is written in thre More...

4.5 stars

A beautiful fantasy story and a captivating read.

The fantasy elements in here wove together to a caleidoscope of greys instead of black and white. What appeared to be the bogeymen at first turned out to be mislead "normal" people that could be redeemed, what seemed to be the purest of of the pure proved to be able of cruelty and violence. Further, this book played on the claviature of fantasy archetypes (the priest, magician and warrior) in a new and enticing way, combining them with a More...

Where are the ten stars when you need them????

There are some books you just cannot stop reading and this is one of those. I was gripped by this story, utterly enthralled! I read and hoped that everything will turn for the better, I held my breath when the MCs had to fight, cheered them on when they fell in love, was happy when they found allies in the most unusual places or forms. I cried when one of them was so, so stupid and hoped that both of those stubborn men would see reason (they did... t More...

Review posted at The Armchair Reader.

I get so excited when a novel by Megan Derr is released, and even though I love when it is part of a series that I already enjoy, every now and then there is one like this, that is part of a new series or a standalone. I love those the most because the part of Megan Derr's novels that are so exciting to me are the world building, and this novel doesn't disappoint on that count. I can only hope that she'll continue in this world too, but then if she doesn't, I More...

Found it hard not to compare this to fond memories of the previous version. The original had less plot but there was the slow comforting bond between characters that stuck with me, and a feel for Ambrose and his demon. Unfortunately in this new version all that has gone; Sorin and Koray hold hands once and that's the extent of the warmth between them. There's an attempt at a grittier plot but for me it falls short; there's a battle 150men die, then they have tea, it doesn't have impact.

The chara More...

~MADE OF MAGIC!~

4.5

Megan Derr has done it again, and I am always amazed when I read one of her books. Black Magic pulled me in from the very beginning, and the author manages to bring another world to life with characters that are unforgettable.

Reviewing a Megan Derr book is always a challenge for me, because there is so much awesome happening that I want to talk about, but then I don't want to give spoilers and ruin the overall enjoyment of the book. Because a fantasy book by this author, the More...

4.5 stars
My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is that we were introduced with three important couples (all basically main characters), but we never got to really follow their developing relationships. One of the couples get more "screen time" but it was still too little for my tastes.
Other than that the book is awesome: interesting magic system and world building, good plot, great characters.

Let me be honest upfront, I'm incredibly biased (favourably) when it comes to Megan Derr. So I wasn't surprised I loved this. Sadly I seem to remember the original version had more about Rakken and Ambrose in it, and I missed that in the new version. (Then again, with five MC's in the here and now, adding their love story as well might have been a bit too much.) Likewise, the Lost Paladin's sword arc didn't feel entirely resolved, nor what happened with the Queen of Navath.

But man, the history p More...

My one complaint with this book -- aside from a few mis-spellings that did not succeed in taking me out of the fantasy (Bad, *bad* typos!)is that it ended where it did. Don't get me wrong, there's no evil cliffhanger and most of the plot points are resolved, so it would seem. But there is room for more exploration, more adventures in this fascinating world. Sequel please, Dear Author, and soon. :-)

I was utterly enthralled, and couldn't put this down! Richly built world and a tense, gripping plot with high stakes and a great cast of characters, Black Magic was a fast paced, engrossing read. I enjoyed this very much.

Reviewed by:Sean
Genre: M/M Fantast
Rated: 3.5 hearts

Check out the review at: Hearts On Fire Reviews

Beautiful story and world-building.
I loved the way the magic worked, and the characters supported it and were interweaved by it.
Megan is a must-read for me, and this story did not disappoint.

Excellent. Was looking forward to this one and it lived up. This is how you do multiple pairings in the same novel and do it right, people.

High-fantasy adventure plus romance. For me it was The Magnificent Seven meets Lord of the Rings with sexual tension and romance and even sex! It was pure pleasure to read.

Every book I read from this autor just get better! This is my favorite so far!

4.25 stars.

Can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read by Megan Derr! Really, really liked it!

Another great story from Megan Derr, although not quite among my favourites of the series. This piece had all the right elements necessary for my reading enjoyment: multi-dimensional characters, engaging plot, subtle romance with a dash of hot scenes sprinkled in, everything conveyed in the author's trademark style of writing.

Lovely.

review pending

solid 4 stars.

ahhh Megan derr how much I love you

Best book I've read in a while!

If all books were this much fun to read, I would never get anything else done.

3.5 stars

The review can be read at http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=16602 :)

To be honest, though this was a very enjoyable book, it didn't really "do it" for me, as much as the other Dance books. It still had that very sweet and non-explicit romance and characters, with a solid storyline, and the happily ever after that I've always adored but for some reason it fell a bit flat.

Oh well, it was still incredibly enjoyable and a nice relaxing read.