Shadow Magic [Mass Market Paperback]

The shadow dancer, Deidre, had me a little confused half way through the novel. Because Deidre cannot see or be in the sunlight and beyond one line that says she shares some bread with Egann in the middle of the book. I thought Deidre may have been a vampire. I was wondering at her never eating and such. It was like, she would wake at night, only to travel, then go find shelter without any nourishment. I enjoyed her personality because she always seemed to know what she wanted and was very factual in what she saw or believed. She didn't get caught up in the emotional dramas like most heroines do.

Prince Egann of Rune, came across a little like a petulant boy who needed to be spanked or slapped occasionally and yelled out to snap out of his emotional past. His character was not really three dimensional. Other than good looking, a warrior we never see fighting, powers he rarely used, and some sort of loyalty to his people he didn't seem that strong of a hero.

The whole plot of the Maccus hunting and sacrificing the Shadow Dancers was never fully explained. They talked briefly about Hearne taking powers from the Shadow Dancers, but the way the other Maccus talked they were just sacrificing the dancers to their god. Now where I was confused is that the Maccus have been hunting the dancers generation after generation but they never give a reason why. In fact only Hearne has his own reason, but the other members of the group just think its for sacrafice. So I'm confused as to why after the Maccus were thrown out of Rune did they start hunting for the Shadow Dancers if they weren't originally stealing their powers.

Also, the significance of the Amulet of Gwymyrr, was never fully explained. They never explained how the amulet came into being, or how or why Queen Gwymyrr died or became queen after her mortal lover died. Not much beyond that the amulet had powers for the King was explained. In addition, the whole curse going to the wrong people seemed kind of hokey. I was hoping that was some sort of mistake that would be explained with more history. Unfortunately, Whiddon leaves that explanation right there. I'm also not sure why the Maccus would leave a magical kitten for Deidre to find either.

Of the 2 books I have read by this author, this is probably one of her better works. But like her previous novels, she needs a little more explanation in her world buildings. However, I did like the heroine and the whole shadow dancer story line. The explanations and the history could use some re-working though.

Once he darns the amulet, Egann's world vanishes and he finds he is journeying onto the mortal plane in 467 AD. However, a mortified Egann also realizes he has lost the amulet. He believes that Deirdre of the Shadows, a dancer with power, stole the amulet. However, she recognizes her accuser as the male of her dreams. As they defy human and fairy logic by falling in love, Egann knows what he must do to regain the amulet from a killer seeking to steal his beloved Shadow Dancer too.

SHADOW MAGIC is an enchanting historical fantasy romance that will entertain fans of both genres. The story line enables the audience to believe that Egann and the Fairy are a real species. The action is fast-paced as Egann chases after the amulet while the love subplot is delightful due to the fabulous lead couple. The key that proves Karen Whiddon is an adept conjurer is how the magically interwoven romance, fantasy, and adventure into a charming chronicle that captivates her crowd of readers.

Harriet Klausner