 |
|
Title: Merely Magic (Signet Historical Romance)
ISBN: 0451200497
Author:
Patricia Rice
Publicate Date: 2000-07-01
Publish: 2000-07-01
List Price: $6.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $117.78
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $2.80
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: Well...it's okay
I didn't start off reading this first book in the series. I kind of went backwards through it and I finally was able to find Merely Magic at an affordable price (since apparently it's no longer on bookstore shelves). I absolutely loved the other books in the series, but to me, Merely Magic was just kind of dull. I imagine if you begin with this book and then make your way through the series, it will be fine. However, I wouldn't suggest this book to those of you who have already read the other books in the series...unless you just want to know the actual story of Ninian and Drogo.
|
2: This series MUST be read in order
Having accidentally read book # 4 first, let me encourage any reader to read this series in order. This one, Merely Magic, is the first and does a splendid job of setting up Rice's remarkable magical world and the two families that gird the series.
The magic of the Malcolm women is unusual, and each one has her own special talent and unique way of looking at the world. Each Ives man is stubborn, arrogant, and scientifically-minded -- what could they possibly have in common? The two families are consistently intriguing and their individual antics, much less the inevitable combustion when they meet, are vastly entertaining. Add an excellent romance, and there is much to enjoy in this delightful book.
There are occasions when Drogo's arrogance is irritating and Ninian's submission is annoying, but these character flaws make them more realistic, and one can appreciate the difficulty in making a realtionship between opposites work. The superstition of the villagers and their resulting snubbing plays honestly. There are some historical gaffes, but all in all, it's a great read.
|
3: Wonderful Story - Interesting Characters
Setting - England 1750 --- Ninian Malcolm lived in a cottage on the outskirts of the village of Wystan, and that one word - outskirts - more or less described her life up to that point. When her grandmother had been alive she hadn't been quite so lonely. Ninian didn't mind so much the feeling of being kept at a distance, especially where it was a well-known fact that she was a witch -a witch whose healing talents were gladly accepted, even if she was not. As a healer, she had the ability to `read' or `empathize' with a person's innermost feelings, so it was disconcerting, to say the least when the newly arrived Drago, Earl of Ives could completely block both his feelings and presence from her. Dark, mysterious, and totally logical, Drago did not accept the unexplainable- nor was he about to believe in witches or anything that reeked of the supernatural. Meeting this `moonchild' on the feast of Beltane, would forever change both their lives as they were both inexplicitly drawn together into an attraction that according to legend should end in disaster, should the Ives and Malcolms mate. With the interference of Drago's cousin Sarah, who dabbled in matchmaking and aphrodisiacs the die would be cast and whether it was Sarah's interference, or pure unadulterated lust -- the passionate mating of these two polar opposites would forever change the course of their lives into one fantastic and `merely magical' event. I truly loved this story. The historical significance of the Malcolm/Ives mating, Drago and Ninian's contrasting personalities and especially their totally mesmerizing families consisting of Ninian's witchy aunts, and cousins, and Drago's assortment of brothers, both legitimate and not - what a circus! This was such a distinctive and unusual read - even if Drago's stubbornness made me want to slap him along the side of his head to wake him up to other possibilities! Whew! Unfortunately, I have rated this a trifle lower based on the historical aspect, only because of the references made to helium which was not discovered until 1895 and seemed out of place in the 1750 setting of the book. Nonetheless, I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author on how this odd assortment of relatives (Dunstan, Adonis, Ewan, etc.) get on with the sequels in this planned series. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com ---
|
4: Not bad, not bad....
This was a pretty good book. I've liked her comtemporary romance better I think. I was a little disgusted with Ninian thru out most of the book; She just let everyone lead her around by the nose. I did like the fact that Drogo was not willing to give up his marriage even before he came to believe in her. I also enjoyed the antics of both families - that part got really cute. I didn't like the fact that the mystery of Adonis was not cleared up, although I do realize that he will probably have a book of his own.
|
5: Riveting....
This story is so well written...It takes you away and makes your imagination soar...Its complexity makes you think and want to find out more making it hard to put down....Patricia Rice is an extraordinary story teller....Her stories make you laugh and cry...and make your adrenaline flow....There is always many surprises along the way...and things to leave you wondering and assuming....I have only read her historical novels and am amazed at her knowledge to every detail of the time and place she writes about....I can say so many more positive things about Patricia Rice's writing talents...I believe that there are story readers that find her novels too complex to follow and are not keen on the historical times she writes about....But not I!!!.....I myself can relate to her depiction of love, desire, fear, and age old anamosity between men and women through my own life's experiences and those I've observed in others....and her masterful ability to tell a story of how a relationship develops in such wonderful detail...She has an emmense understanding of human nature and emotions and can express it in a way like no other writer can....touching a reader's heart and soul so deeply...
|
|
|
|
|
