December 23, 2019
Sparks launches the Embraced by Magic series with a boisterous return to the magical lands of Aerthlan, the setting of her Embraced series. Feisty human Princess Sorcha, who possesses the ability to control fire (a talent that goes woefully underutilized), grew up with four adoptive sisters in a convent for the magically gifted. When Sorcha’s half-elf adoptive sister Princess Gwenmore of Woodwyn, who is pregnant with the human king of Norveshka’s heir, sets off on a diplomatic journey to address the long-standing conflict between the humans and the elves, Sorcha accompanies Gwen as her bodyguard. Their party is ambushed, but Sorcha and her companions are rescued by the Woodsman, an elfin Robin Hood–like figure who possesses the power to talk to trees. Sorcha has always been determined to resist romance, but Gwen once prophesied that Sorcha would fall in love with an elf and her instant attraction to the Woodsman makes Sorcha wonder if the prediction may come true. Sparks fly between them even as the mounting tension between species threatens to break into all-out war. Satisfying chemistry, a playful sense of adventure, and the threat of more danger to come keep the pages turning. Readers will revel in this fun, fast-paced fantasy romance. Agent: Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary.
January 15, 2020
A mysterious woodsman joins forces with an earnest princess to stop a plot that could ruin both of their kingdoms in this fantasy romance. Princess Sorcha keeps a close eye on her loved ones, constantly living in fear that her brother and adopted sisters will be taken away from her. When she uncovers a plan to murder her brother and steal his queen, Sorcha throws herself (quite literally) into ruining the enemy's coldhearted scheme. In the fray, she is taken prisoner to be used as leverage. Her freedom comes at the hands of a man known only as the Woodsman. A Robin Hood-esque hero, he leads a secret rebellion to overthrow the corrupt family in power in his woodland country. With Sorcha's ability to harness fire and the Woodsman's talent for communing with nature, they realize their combined magical strength is the key to protecting those they love. Sorcha's close circle of friends and family rely heavily on previously established relationships from prior books, and the setup is a direct relation to past events. Newcomers to Sparks' (Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon, 2018, etc.) Embraced by Magic series will undoubtedly be lost when attempting to understand character connections and references to previous skirmishes and battles. The relationship between the hero and heroine is background noise to the tangled web of political machinations by cartoonish villains, but the inventive setting and depth of worldbuilding prevent this from feeling too much like a paint-by-numbers, cookie-cutter fantasy romance. But while Sparks' crafting of distinct kingdoms and fantasy races is the strongest part of the series, this installment carries on the earlier tradition of middling, glacially slow romances. An adventurous fantasy romp only for the die-hard fan.
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January 31, 2020
A brave princess, a Robin Hood-esque hero, and an army of enemy elves, along with dragon shifters, tree talkers, fire starters, magic potions, and lots of witty wordplay and awkward situations pepper this charming, page-turning fantasy. In the magical realm of Aerthlan, babies born when two moons eclipse are gifted with magical powers and thereafter known as Embraced. Sorcha is one of five Embraced girls exiled to a convent on the Isle of Moon. Now an adult ready to leave the isle and make her way in the world, Sorcha learns she is the princess of a country at war with the elves. Sent on a mission by her brother, Sorcha is kidnapped by their elven enemies, but then a mysterious and handsome Woodsman comes to her aid and romance ensues. VERDICT Fantasy and paranormal romance fans will be immediately immersed in this fast-paced adventure from Sparks (The Vampire and the Virgin). A total delight, this new series launch will have readers scrambling for the next enchanting installment.--Crystal Renfro, Kennesaw State Univ., Marietta, GA
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