What If Elizabeth Wasn’t Magical Enough to Tempt Darcy?

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Paranormal Variation

THE PREMISE: Although he finds himself beyond tempted by Elizabeth’s charm, wit, and beauty, Fitzwilliam Darcy tries to supress his attraction because he is of ancient and aristocratic Miatharan decent and must only marry someone with similar magic ancestry. But Darcy finds it impossible to escape Elizabeth’s spell and begins to wonder if fate or some other forces are ordaining his future with her…

WHAT I LOVED:

• The Premise: An Elizabeth who feels different from the rest of her family but doesn’t understand why and a Mr. Darcy trying to fight his feelings for Elizabeth for other reasons than pride and prejudice sounded like some interesting twists to explore. And the execution of these twists delivered plenty of excitement and surprising reveals!

• The Magic: Some interesting magical elements were employed: characters can converse with each other telepathically, transfer their presence different places, and use such things as “glamour” and “healing” spells. In addition, I also took pleasure in learning about different magical races and the history and legacy of each race. It was interesting to learn all about what abilities exist, who can have them, and what dangers exist.

• The Desire: The attraction is strong for our Mr. Darcy and his desires for Elizabeth are unconquerable. I love seeing Mr. Darcy so undone. And even though Darcy tended to exhibit more lust than love, I loved his fervent attachment and devotion to Elizabeth and how it felt destined that they should be together. NOTE: Due to some sensual and steamy scenes, this story is recommended for Mature Audiences.

WHAT I LOVED AND DIDN’T LOVE AT THE SAME TIME:

• Some of the Surprises: There were some deliciously jaw-dropping surprises in this tale and I want to say that I completely loved them all, but there were a few that felt like they didn’t make sense when looked at through the framework of the character’s journey or behavior. Some reveals left questions without satisfying answers.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

• Sometimes Too Abrupt: There were a couple of instances where some events and revelations occurred rather swiftly, and I wouldn’t have minded seeing some more build up or groundwork laid for these developments. For example: (SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT!) Elizabeth goes from declaring she doesn’t want to marry Mr. Darcy to welcoming his advances in a few pages, and Elizabeth becomes aware of her abilities yet is untrained, yet in two scenes wields tremendous and inexplicable power. Both of these instances would have felt less jarring if there was some more development leading up to them.

• Sometimes Too Forward: Occasionally some of the dialogue felt a little modern and too blunt for the Regency period. In addition, the subject of intimate relations and remaining virtuous was discussed so publicly and unabashedly, I was starting to feel second-hand embarrassment for the characters.

CONCLUSION: Despite some wishes for slower pacing and more fleshed-out developments, I loved reading this Pride and Prejudice variation filled with magic, mystique, secrets, danger, and romance. I was happily bespelled by Sue Barr’s charming characters and their captivating adventures together. Readers who love stories with magic and an undone Mr. Darcy will be thoroughly enchanted.

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