Echoes of Magic by Donna Grant

This was my second book in Donna Grant's Sisters of Magic series, and I think the hardest thing I had to decide about this book was which one I liked more. Although I would like to point out to all potential readers that this book could be read by itself (Grant does a great job at updating the reader on past events without it being overwhelming), although every though you could read it on its own I think you should read the first book for the full effect.

This series has to do with witches and the men that they come across and end up helping. In the last book we went through Serena's journey with Drogan, and were briefly introduced to the main characters in this book, Grayson and Adrianna. This story starts off with Adrianna finding Grayson in the forest near death, and so she helps him to recover, only to realize he is being hunted by the same evil that was hunting Drogan in the previous book. This book documents their journey to find the evil and defeat it while finding themselves pulled to each other even more with every passing day.

The one thing that was strikingly different in this book to the previous was Grayson is motivated by finding out about his past, more specifically about his mother. When he was a child his mother was taken, and he has been bidding his time until he went back to his home and find the answers as to what happened to his mother. I find this to be a nice change, it made the book not just about fighting evil, it keep this book from being repetitive to the previous.

I also think this book had more sexual content in the than the previous, but once again, Grant is very capable at writing the sex scenes, and none of it came off as cheesy. And because it is a historical period book, it was written in a way that was consistent with the time which I appreciate.

Another thing I also appreciated in this book, was that Grant did a great job at keeping the story going. The book kept the reader engaged, as well as introduced a lot of information that kept the plot fresh. She revealed only enough to keep the reader wanting to know more and then held off on more for later. It's because of this that I don't feel like I can talk about the specifics of a lot of the plot, because so much of it leads up to a very spoilerific ending.

Overall, I am going to call this yet another good book by Grant. Her third book is going to be coming out at the end of the month and is going to deal with the character of Cade, and I have to say I am looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy. As with the previous book, I think if you like paranormal romance you will like this book, even if you only like historical romances this would be a good read as well.

Donna Grant Interview

Today I am joined by Donna Grant, and later today I will be posting the review for her book Echoes of Magic. This latest book is a part of her Sisters of Magic series and if you haven’t read the first book yet, Shadow Magic, I suggest you read it!

UFR: Thank you for joining us today. I want to start with why you chose to write historical fantasy. I have read many books in epic fantasy with similar tones or fantasy set in modern times, but this was my first real historical fantasy. What drew you to this?
DG: I’ve always loved history, but fantasy and paranormal have always intrigued me as well. There aren’t many historical paranormal writers, and I loved the mix of the two genres. With historical your tied to certain things your characters can and can’t do. With paranormal you aren’t. So, it’s a great mash up for characters.

UFR: When writing this series did you ever find yourself slipping into modern dialect?
DG: Lol. I laugh at this all the time, especially when reviewers say the dialect is too modern when they read a historical. If authors wrote in the dialect that was spoken at the time no one would read it. Yes, we do try to make it as modern as we can, trying our best not to use certain words that are definitely more our time, but we don’t always get it right. Which is why its called fiction. ;)

UFR: Serena (in Shadow Magic) is a delightful mix of delicate and powerful. If you had to pick one thing about her as a character you love what would it be?
DG: Her strength. She soldiers on no matter what. I think it’s a lesson anyone can learn from her character. Fate gave her an pretty awful life and magic gave her an ability no one wanted, yet she makes the best of everything.


UFR: Serena is a bana-bhuidseach (or witch), and her peoples power lies with the gift of premonition. Is this a gift you wish you had yourself?
DG: Hmmm….I don’t know. In some ways yes, because then I could stop an accident, but in other ways no. Life is supposed to happen the way its supposed to happen. I’d rather not know. :S

UFR: Your books involve sword fighting, which can sometimes be both hard to write and hard for the reader to follow along with. The battles within your series are very well written and super clear and easy to follow along. What kind of research did you do to get these scenes written so eloquently?
DG: Thank you. I do/did lots of research involving watching sword fights in movies as well as reading as much as I could about swords and how the different swords were used. There have been times reading a book I get lost in a fight because I don’t know who is doing what. I try to make it as clear as I can without losing the reader.

UFR: The second book in the series, Echoes of Magic, brings one of the secondary characters from the first book, Grayson, to the forefront. Who did you enjoy writing more, Grayson or Drogan, and why?
DG: Oh, Grayson for sure. Drogan had a dark past, but did his duty. Grayson tried to forget his past until he couldn’t, then he wanted to face it all and damn the consequences.

UFR: Since it’s December, I’m giving all my interviews a Christmas flare. If you had to pick what present your characters would desire the most what would they be?
DG: Hmm…for Grayson I’d say a new sword. For Adrianna I’d say a new gown.

UFR: Now that we know what presents your characters desire, what is your dream present (money being no object).
DG: Being able to travel to my hearts content. ☺

UFR: I normally ask authors what theme song they would pick for their books, but your book is historical, so instead I’ll ask what music do you listen to while writing?
DG: I listen to soundtracks from movies like King Arthur, Immortals, Thor, Troy, etc…

UFR: Finally, Is there anything you want your potential readers to know about the series.
DG: It’s a trilogy, and the third book DANGEROUS MAGIC will release Dec 27. This book features one of my favorite all time heroes – Cade. If you love dark and dangerous heroes, he’s the one for you! ☺

UFR: I want to thank you so much for visiting Urban Fantasy Reviews, I have enjoyed reading your books and getting to know the characters. I’m looking forward to all your future work. :)
DG: Thank you so much! I enjoyed being here. Merry Christmas everyone!

Shadow Magic by Donna Grant

A historical fantasy novel, and I believe the first I have ever read. Over the past few months I have been trying to try all different types of the paranormal/fantasy genre, and I am very happy that I read this book. I have read historical books before, but never in the fantasy realm, and this was a pleasant surprise. There was just enough historical elements to make it interesting, but not so much that it pulled away from the plot or the characters.

The general plot of the book is that Serena (a witch who can glimpse into a personal future), sees tragedy on the horizon for a family who are dear friends of hers. Gerald and Drogan have a dark past that has come back to haunt them, and that past is seeking to destroy them and everything they hold dear. Serena works with them to help protect them and the people they care about, but will it be enough to save them all?

First of all I really enjoy the character Serena. I have noticed two overwhelming themes in books lately, the heroine is either very whiny and allows herself to be pulled along by others, or they are so strong it's hard to believe in them. Serena is the perfect mix of strength and weakness. Serena physically is not a strong woman, in that slightest touch bruises her skin, direct sunlight blisters her skin, hot water would burn her, etc. But she is powerful in her gifts as a witch to see into people's future. And not only that she is strong and independent as a person. She has learn to live with her weaknesses and never lets them stop her in helping her friends to the best of her ability. All of these elements make her more endearing to read, and made me want her to have the happy ending she deserves.

Drogan is one of the men who's past is following him. He, unlike his friend Gerald, has not been able to move past it and has resolved to spend his life alone. That is until he meet Serena and is captivated by her. To make matters worse all witches like Serena are under a curse making a happily ever after impossible. I did enjoy watching the two of them fight their attraction to each other. Drogan is an honorable man, and he is willing to accept that Serena is a witch and trust in her foresight, which is quite remarkable for the time (in my opinion). In addition to that, even though he has the standard man desire to keep her safe, he never patronizes her. He is never overbearing nor does he ever con her into doing things, they very much have an equal relationship made of respect and trust from both parties; I cannot explain how refreshing that is.

One thing I found especially impressive, and that is that Grant is able to keep the readers attention even though through most of the book the group is traveling from point A to point B with not a huge amount of action during it. This is impressive because the characters really carry the book, and not the action, you really get to know the characters. If they weren't interesting it would have been very boring to read about a long journey they were taking, but thankfully this is not the case for them.

I also want to mention that when the action picks up with some fight scenes, it is sword fighting (because it's historical). The reason I mention this is because Grant writes the fighting in a such a way that is both easy to follow as well as with great imagery that as a reader I was able to picture the fight in my head. Personally I attribute this to great research and writing skills.

Overall, I think this book is a good one. As this is book one of three, I am looking forward to reading the next two books (book two is being reviewed on December 7th). I think this book would be great for all paranormal romance readers. The book is not laden with paranormal elements, but rather character driven, so anyone who likes historical books may find this to be an entertaining read as well. After reading this book I am both excited about the next book and looking forward to interviewing Grant in a couple of days. I hope you all enjoy it as well.