Warning: This title contains explicit material.

A terrible dream of black clouds and razor sharp teeth awaken Minna from her sleep and remind her that her husband has been missing for several months.  She crafts jewelry to survive. Pure of heart and strong in spirit, Minna wonders how long she can hold on without her beloved Derik.  Minna has relied on a friend from the village, Lessier to help her find Derik, but so far there are no clues to his whereabouts.

Derik is living a nightmare after being captured by the evil warlock Blagden.  He has been turned into a beast made to feed on the lives and blood of the villagers of Bramstead.  The horror eats at Derik’s soul and each night after the carnage stops, he remembers his beloved wife Minna and deeply mourns their lost life together.

After discovering that Lessier intends Minna for himself, she is visited by a kindly wizard named Lachlan who gives Minna three magic stones to aid her in finding Derik.  Meanwhile Blegden’s control of Derik tightens, and the beast is forced to kill again.  As true love does not give up, Minna searches for her husband. Derik fights to hold onto his soul and memories of better times, until they can reunite and be together once more.

Under A Warlock’s Spell has an intricate plot with multiple characters and connecting plotlines.  Clear definition of roles with the ‘good’ Minna and Derik versus ‘evil’ Blagden and Lessier, as well as several supporting characters define this story of struggle.  Overly flowery romantic language and scenes of melodrama detract from this tale at times. Having said that, Ann Cory certainly does know how to write a complex fantasy with strong characters fantasy readers will truly enjoy.

Reviewed by Lisa Guest
10/15/2006

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