Magic and Desire

March 14, 2016
In this mostly satisfying collection, three authors find pleasure in magical worlds of peril and passion. The best is Ashbless’s “The House of Dust,” set within the mysteries and grandeur of Sumerian civilization. Lady Ishandra, priestess of Inanna, is privy to secrets that could destroy her beloved society. Cloaked in the power of her goddess, she sets out to restore justice. Ashbless brings the setting to glittering life and imbues the characters with power and love fit for any epic adventure. Knight’s “The Dragon Lord” is set in a somewhat conventional fantasy world made fresh by the heroine’s power and self-determination. Princess Nina sets out to claim truth and honor for herself and fend off an ancient danger. Charmingly, the princess takes the role of hero, while love interest Lord Drake is pent up far from the action and frustrated by his helplessness. In contrast, Da Costa’s “Ill Met by Moonlight” brings fey magic into our modern world, but the story unfortunately drags. Lois is an unkempt, humorless woman with only her loneliness to recommend her to potential partners. Robin of the Fey is drawn to her side mostly due to a lack of other options. Without the lively sparkle of an inventive plot, this story is a dull one, but the others offer many delights to satisfy the romantic fantasy reader.

Starred review from April 1, 2016

Enchantment and erotica join forces in this powerful collection. "The House of Dust" by Janine Ashbless follows Ishara, a priestess of the fertility goddess Inanna, as she grieves over the untimely death of her beloved King Tamuz and seeks to avenge his murder. Ishara has no choice but to visit the Queen of the Underworld in order to bring back her lover and rightful king. Da Costa's "Ill Met by Moonlight" puts a more playful spin on the magic theme, as bored vacationer Lois finds herself visited at night by her gorgeous, enigmatic Dream Lover, who looks like a rock star version of "tall, dark, and handsome" and smells mysteriously of lavender. Dream Lover (real name Robin) shows up outside her holiday cabin, leading the two to embark on a fantastical sex fest that leaves them helplessly in lust and in love. But when Robin reveals that his human form is temporary, they must confront the reality of finding true love on a deadline. Olivia Knight's "The Dragon Lord" returns to the high fantasy genre, recounting a dramatic tale of legacy, intense passion, and the value of truth. In Kao, a dragon queen lies on her deathbed; meanwhile, fiery young Princess Nina of Navarone finds herself betrothed in a dull marriage meant to cure her lifelong "problem." She is thrown into a tumult by Lord Drake, a mysterious wedding guest who claims to be from Kao, a land she thought to be a fairy tale. He ignites Nina's yearning, but each is bound by a sense of duty, and Drake knows his queen is running out of time. Ashbless and Knight skillfully imbue dark, sensual scenes with the air of a time long past, both ancient and otherworldly, while Da Costa's lighter, modern fare provides humor alongside hot sex and sprites. VERDICT A perfect fit for fans of the intense erotic stylings of Sylvia Day, mingled with epic fantasy themes.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.