Dangerous Magic – Monica Fairview

January 18, 2022 • Reviews • 32 Comments

What If Darcy and Elizabeth Need to Marry to Save England?

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation Fantasy

SERIES: Mr. Darcy’s Magic #1

SYNOPSIS: After a devastating attack from Napoleon and his powerful Mages, the Council of Royal Mages brings in an unknown and untrained woman by the name of Elizabeth Bennet to align herself (not only in battle, but in marriage!) with Fitzwilliam Darcy, a powerful Mage who just lost his longterm Janus Twin. Both Elizabeth and Darcy want nothing to do with each other and this mandate, but soon discover it is impossible for them to refuse serving their king and country…

MY THOUGHTS:

Immediately spellbinding! This story launches off with excitement, intrigue, and conflict. It is completely outside of the typical Pride and Prejudice canon and centers upon a wondrous world where magic exists, Darcy and Elizabeth are in a forced marriage situation, and the war with Napoleon is taking center stage.

I thoroughly loved both the magical elements infused in this tale and the magical world Monica Fairview constructed. The practicing of magic and the different rolls and abilities each Mage possessed was fascinating to learn about. I enjoyed learning about “bonding” and seeing how power is harnessed and utilized in battle. With the derision of non “True Bloods,” a revered academy for training young Mages, and a council serving as a governing body for the magic community this magical world feels reminiscent to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. I especially felt some Hogwarts vibes seeing Darcy and Elizabeth reside in a great big enclave together with other Mages. With separate halls for sleeping, eating, studying, and nursing – it was easy to picture Founder’s Hall to be just as sprawling and brimming with people and magic as Hogwarts.

Another element I loved about this story was the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth. They are both thrust into impossible circumstances and, as you might expect, begin to exhibit some of their same flaws of prejudice and mistaken assumptions. So you can imagine how slowly any sort of amicability or partnership develops. And in addition to learning to understand each other better they have a more imperative challenge to deal with first – how to bond their magic so they can work together as Janus Twins.

I enjoyed witnessing their struggles through this challenge – how different were their approaches to magic (Mr. Darcy is classically trained from the Academy, where as Elizabeth was informally educated by her father), how Darcy was obstinate and rigid in following the set protocols for magic, and how Elizabeth believed their problems stemmed from a more emotional and mental block than inept ability. In addition, I loved that  when the romance finally develops between these two, it was both deliciously sweet and exquisitely heart-wrenching!

CONCLUSION:

With intense danger, unfathomable complications, and burgeoning affections Dangerous Magic is a most compelling and exhilarating Pride and Prejudice adventure! I am completely bewitched by Monica Fairview’s magically woven Pride and Prejudice world and I cannot wait to visit it again!*

*And it will soon be possible to do so with the next installment of this series – Threads of Magic releasing in one week!

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32 comments

  1. Wonderful review! You captured the excitement, danger and chemistry of Elizabeth and Darcy! I absolutely love, love, love this book! You will love the second book as well as the excitement, danger, and chemistry continue!

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  4. I’ve downloaded this one based on the high ratings you and others have given it, and now I’m panting to read it!

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  5. Excellent review. I agree completely. I have read and LOVED this story of magic and love. Whew! That fight scene left me breathless. Love it. The second one is amazing. Grab it, read it, love it.

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  7. I really enjoyed this book and will be definitely reading it again before the next release. I didn’t realize it was next week so I better get cracking!

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  10. This was one of my favorites of 2021! I just LOVE when Elizabeth is underestimated (especially by Darcy) and then proves everyone wrong.

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  11. I do have this but haven’t read it yet! I have to be able to handle the ‘intense danger’ I’m hopefully getting there! I have a number of angsty books on my kindle waiting to be read (not as big as your TBR Meredith, but big enough!) these are all books that I just have to read and I know I’ll love once I manage it.

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    1. I think you will fare well during the intense parts, Glynis – they pass swiftly. Lol, glad to hear your TBR is more manageable! I know you will loved this one.

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