Dangerous Magic: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Mr. Darcy's Magic #1) in Austen Variations

Feb 18, 2021 wosedwew rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned-books, 2021, book-reviews

Love is a magical energy that is the very anchor, substance, and essence of life. ~ Alan D. Wolfelt

“Dangerous Magic” begins with our hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy, angry at being forced into an unwanted marriage.

Quote from the book: “There is only so much a man can take in the name of duty!”
He was ready to explode with frustration. He drew in a breath, trying to compose himself.
“You must go on, for the sake of King and Country,” said Bingley. “Look, I know things have been more difficult for you tha ...more

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Feb 14, 2021 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. I received an ARC of this story with no strings attached.

The author's blurb sets this story up nicely for us. Elizabeth is summoned to serve her country in a time of war against France. In this story the forces of magic determine much of how the battles will go. The Council of Royal Mages has been forced to relocate as the last battle has damaged their old Hall. Elizabeth has been chosen to replace a Janus Twin who was killed in that same conflict. And she must m 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. I received an ARC of this story with no strings attached.

The author's blurb sets this story up nicely for us. Elizabeth is summoned to serve her country in a time of war against France. In this story the forces of magic determine much of how the battles will go. The Council of Royal Mages has been forced to relocate as the last battle has damaged their old Hall. Elizabeth has been chosen to replace a Janus Twin who was killed in that same conflict. And she must marry the other person of that set due to their need to work in very close proximity. Both Elizabeth and Darcy (Yes, he is to be the other half of the Janus Mage set.) are not happy and push to find other answers to this dilemma. However, the Mage Council assures them that the search for a new partner was exacting and thorough and that they are best matched.

Both find the need to accept the marriage and the fact that it will not be consummated due to dangers to any child being conceived and in utero becoming known to the enemy. Then there are many further conflicts as Darcy finds that Elizabeth has had none of the traditional academy training nor is she from a true-blood family. Their attempts to bond fail miserably...even with some physical injury and no one can figure out why. With time running out in expectations of an attack by the French Mages it is decided to abandon the pairing. Darcy's only choice now is to bond with a 14-year-old boy. The marriage will need to be annulled so Elizabeth returns his wedding ring and moves back to the quarters for maidens.

An attack occurs and Darcy's "twin" fails. Darcy has few choices: his life, the life of Redmond or fight for his King & Country. Salvation comes from a very unexpected source with power unrealized.

And so, readers, I urge you to read this tale which is very different from canon. The names are the same but the story is very different...I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting for these two to find anything in common and then to go against the Council which did not want to give credence to a new level of magic in the land.

I do have to say that I would have liked some more romance near the end. I thought it ended a little abruptly for my tastes.

I don't know if the author plans a sequel to this story but I would dearly love one. I highly recommend this story. ...more

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Apr 25, 2021 Dawn rated it really liked it

Shelves: dawn-s-2021-austen, austenesque-2022

4.5 stars. Wow, this book is a real page turner that was difficult to put down. The entertainment value is fabulous and I found it very engaging and enjoyable! It was a lot of fun to add a little, okay- a lot, of magic to make a fantastical P&P.

This wasn’t so much a variation as instead of varying or tweaking the story, it is completely different from canon. Darcy and Elizabeth have never met, but they are both powerful Mages with unique skills that cause them to be paired in both magic and mat 4.5 stars. Wow, this book is a real page turner that was difficult to put down. The entertainment value is fabulous and I found it very engaging and enjoyable! It was a lot of fun to add a little, okay- a lot, of magic to make a fantastical P&P.

This wasn’t so much a variation as instead of varying or tweaking the story, it is completely different from canon. Darcy and Elizabeth have never met, but they are both powerful Mages with unique skills that cause them to be paired in both magic and matrimony to help defeat the Napoleon and restore peace. As can be imagined, this idea goes over like a lead balloon, but ultimately, both are persuaded to put crown and country first and reluctantly agree to the match. It was refreshing to encounter some fresh blood in the way of antagonists. I’ve lately grown tired of the reading about evil Wickham and Lady Catherine and both are almost completely absent from this story.

My only real complaints here are, #1-I felt that the relationship angst between E&D was stretched out a bit too much regarding their marriage. (view spoiler)

#2- Darcy’s behavior after Elizabeth was sent away was confusing to me. He leaves Guild Hall and returns to Pemberley without a word to Elizabeth knowing she was in limbo. Not an update to her on her the council’s decision regarding her case, not a word about the state of their marriage. Nothing, he just goes home to apparently move on and forget her and apparently did just that, forget her and her feelings the fact that she would want to know what was happening. That didn’t make sense to me. They were married, at the very least, a letter or some sort of communication would have been perfectly appropriate even if he chose not to visit.

This was such a great story and I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind a little magic mixed with a little Darcy! 🥰 Can’t wait for the sequel! ...more

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Mar 22, 2021 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance

The world of Austenesque stories has expanded exponentially in recent years, and now enthusiasts of Jane Austen fan fiction (JAFF) can treat themselves to fantasy versions of their beloved novels. There’s even a delightful new Facebook group dedicated to the subgenre: Fantasy Reads for Austen Fans. Bestselling author Monica Fairview is the latest creator in this whimsical realm with her imaginative Pride and Prejudice variation, Dangerous Magic.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has the weight of the Kingdom on The world of Austenesque stories has expanded exponentially in recent years, and now enthusiasts of Jane Austen fan fiction (JAFF) can treat themselves to fantasy versions of their beloved novels. There’s even a delightful new Facebook group dedicated to the subgenre: Fantasy Reads for Austen Fans. Bestselling author Monica Fairview is the latest creator in this whimsical realm with her imaginative Pride and Prejudice variation, Dangerous Magic.

Fitzwilliam Darcy has the weight of the Kingdom on his shoulders. As an elite and formidable Royal Mage, he is destined to help save England by winning the war against Napoleon and his ever-increasing army of French mages. “Darcy wondered if there had ever been a moment in his life when he could have forged his own path. He had always been guided by duty, honor, and good principles, and he had never thought to question their hold on his life.” (17) Trained from childhood as a true-blooded mage at the exclusive Royal Academy, Darcy is well-versed in the textbook spells—but they’re not strong enough, and England is on the verge of being overtaken. Darcy needs to Bond with a Janus Twin—an equally powerful mage, thus doubling their magical strength—if the Kingdom has any chance of surviving Napoleon’s attack. But such mages are exceedingly rare, and time is running out.

Elizabeth Bennet has been raised in the countryside, instinctively developing her magical skills without any formal training and only vaguely aware of the war being fought on English soil. Her life changes dramatically on the day the Royal Mages arrive to enlist her services for King and Country. “Conscripted. A heavy sense of dread had lodged inside Elizabeth, along with a prickling of fear. What if she had to be in a battle? What if they sent her to fight in France?” (95) Although she is not a true-blooded mage, she is extraordinarily talented, and she has become their last, best hope for saving England from the French.

The challenging circumstances escalate when it’s decided that, due to the extensive amount of training time they must spend together, an unmarried man and woman cannot form a magical Bond as Janus Twins without utterly ruining the woman’s reputation, and therefore, Darcy and Elizabeth will be forced to marry for the benefit of the war effort. Darcy is bitter. “An insignificant young lady, from an insignificant family, and an even more insignificant village? …All I can hope for is that she is at least tolerably pretty.” (54) Elizabeth feels trapped. “Serving as a mage for a few years was one thing. Being bound to a stranger for a lifetime with no possibility of escape was quite another.” (249)

Sparks fly—literally—and the volatile situation becomes ever more dire as they fight with each other, as well as against mysterious forces determined to keep them apart, and the French mages continue to hunt for a battle. When the dust settles, will Darcy and Elizabeth reign victorious?

This book was an absolute page-turner from start to finish. My only complaint is that it felt like it ended too soon—mostly because I read it so quickly and couldn’t put it down—and I want to read a sequel posthaste. Imagine my delight when I discovered that this book, although easily a stand-alone story, is the first in a series and a sequel is, in fact, forthcoming. The story was so immersive and had such a cinematic feel to it that I wish I could see a film adaptation. The creative yet believable world-building was enhanced by beautifully descriptive explanations of the magic used. It was fascinating to see the wealthy, upper-class ladies and gentlemen working together with a real purpose, instead of their usual leisure pursuits. I also enjoyed the apt depiction of Janus, the Roman god with two faces, representing beginnings and transitions. Our courageous Lizzy was her usual obstinate, headstrong self, with some impressive magical talents making her a truly accomplished young lady. Taciturn Darcy was just as proud and prejudiced as ever, with the added bonus of his role as an esteemed Royal Mage to make him that much more dutiful to tradition and reluctant to change. Their fiery interactions were, dare I say, magical.

Dangerous Magic is an enchanting tale that will charm both Austen enthusiasts and fantasy fans in equal measure.

5 out of 5 Stars

https://austenprose.com/2021/04/05/da... ...more

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May 01, 2021 Faustine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jaff, re-read-and-still-great

2024: upgraded to 5 stars! I still can’t believe I love this book so much, as I’m not at all in this kind of fantasy plots usually. But here it works so well! It’s well written, just the right length, full of surprises and creative.
2021: Life can be surprising. I never excepted to like to a book (let alone to finish one) about mages and Wards but somehow I did.
The author kept the story simple yet original while keeping ODC recognisable. Well done!
I would have liked a little more passion earlie ...more

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Jul 06, 2022 Anne Wrightwell rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fantasy, books-to-review, p-p-fantasy

A fun and entertaining read. This is one of two Pride and Prejudice fantasy novels I've read so far. The other was Abigail Reynold's "Mr Darcy's Enchantment". They both start out with the premise that magic exists in Regency England but the two novels are very different.

I liked the plot, that Darcy and Lizzie must marry to help foil the dastardly French and have to work together to help win the war.

I thought Lizzie was suitably feisty as she isn't always in some Pride and Prejudice fiction nove ...more

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Mar 21, 2021 M rated it liked it

Shelves: audible-reads

3.5

I liked the world & political structures. I would have liked to see more detail about the relationships between everyone, personal and political. Quite angsty in that the resolution isn’t until the last chapter - though both the ‘bad guy’ and the end were guessable early on, it still is a lot of negative focus rather than romance or relationship building btw ODC. There is to be a sequel which I expect will answer the hanging questions.

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Apr 03, 2024 Michelle David rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Magical Mayhem in Mayfair

The Napoleonic War between France and England only instead of cannons the biggest threat are the Mages. An action packed and emotional story to be devoured in one sitting. I can’t wait for the next episode. An absolutely delightful story.

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Oct 02, 2022 Craftyhj rated it really liked it

Shelves: maybe, fantasy-jaff, audio, zz2022jaff, own-copy

An enjoyable read

An enjoyable fantasy read with a feisty Elizabeth as a mage who likes to push against authority and a Darcy who is a stickler for the rules.

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