Darkness and magic are two themes that are often intertwined in the works of author Darynda Jones. Jones is known for her urban fantasy novels, which combine elements of mystery, romance, and the supernatural. In her series, the Charley Davidson series, darkness and magic play a central role in the protagonist's journey. The main character, Charley Davidson, is a private investigator and a Grim Reaper. She has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts, which allows her to help them find closure and move on to the afterlife. This power also puts her in contact with the darker side of the supernatural world, including demons and other malevolent beings.
–NY Times Bestselling Author Darynda Jones
Once again Jeffe Kennedy builds a fantastical, complex world replete with mystery and the machinations of a culture in which marriage is entwined with slavery, and where devotion can be a shackle or a key to freedom. She decided to go back to school while in Albuquerque and ended up graduating Summa cum Laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Sign Language Interpreting.
This power also puts her in contact with the darker side of the supernatural world, including demons and other malevolent beings. Throughout the series, Charley's connection to darkness and magic grows stronger as she discovers new abilities and faces increasingly dangerous enemies. She learns to harness her powers to protect herself and those she cares about, but also has to grapple with the moral implications of her actions.
Dark Wizard
". utterly compelling. clicked Buy right at the end of the sample and just kept reading and reading because this book is so good, with such a rich world and characters. I'm so glad I picked it up. now can it be June already so I can read more?" ~Amazon reviewer
In The Witcher meets The Selection…
She ran from him. but couldn't escape her heart.
Lord Gabriel Phel wants one thing: to rebuild the shattered fortunes of his people and restore his ruined house to its former station in the Convocation’s highest tiers of elegant society. Fortunately, through a wild chance of birth, he was born with powerful wizard magic, the first in his family in generations. If he can obtain a familiar to amplify his magic, a highborn daughter he can marry, to be mother to his children, he’ll be that much closer to saving his family. With her by his side, he can ascend to such a position of power in the Convocation that he can destroy it forever.
Lady Veronica Elal, captive in her tower, has only one way out. To her bitter disappointment, she will never be a wizard. Instead, through a twist of fate, and despite her expensive Convocation Academy education, Nic is doomed to be a familiar like her mother. Forced to participate in the Betrothal Trials, she receives a wizard suitor for one night each month. Whichever man impregnates her will bond her to them forever. With no choice but to serve the one who wins her, Nic has one hope for control over her life: a wizard she can manipulate.
Gabriel Phel seems like the perfect choice for Nic’s gambit—he’s desperate and untutored in wizardry—but within moments of meeting him, she feels the bonds of magic tying them together. Afraid of losing her will to the compelling wizard who touches her heart like no other, Nic does the unthinkable: she runs. Pregnant and alone, Nic eludes monstrous hunters, searching for a safe haven. But when Gabriel catches up to her, their adventure has only begun.
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Reviews
"With delicious characters and exquisite writing, Jeffe Kennedy is an author you simply can't go wrong with. Dark Wizard is one of my top reads ever. It will always have a place on my favorites shelf. I was drawn deeper and deeper into the story with each succulent twist. Each savory turn. Jeffe writes with stunning beauty and clarity, and I can't even hate her for it. I've tried. Oh, how I've tried. She's just that good. Damn it. You know what? I take it all back. Fuck you, Jeffe Kennedy, if that's even your real name. I hate you so bad. So, so bad. Also, when is the next book coming out? Not that I'm going to read it. You know why? Because I hate you. So bad. But if you could give me a general idea, that'd be great. A+! Highly recommended!"
–NY Times Bestselling Author Darynda Jones
"Once again Jeffe Kennedy builds a fantastical, complex world replete with mystery and the machinations of a culture in which marriage is entwined with slavery, and where devotion can be a shackle or a key to freedom. A man with a purpose and a woman on the run make for the best conflict and scorching scenes in this tale of epic adventure and the romance between two strong, driven people at cross purposes. Jeffe nailed what it is to write a fantasy romance. Fabulous!"
–USAT Bestselling Author of Radiance, Grace Draven
"DARK WIZARD is pitch perfect. The best two main characters I've read in a long time. The world is finely drawn and lustrous, the hero and heroine so real, they walk off the page. DARK WIZARD will be on my keeper shelf for freaking ever. I can't wait until book 2 comes out, because I'm desperate for the rest of the story, but also, because I'll get to reread book 1 in preparation. (If I don't reread it sooner, which I probably will.) If you like fantasy romance, clear your day."
–NY Times Bestselling Author Dana Marton
"I've fallen so crazy in love with one of the best Fantasy/Romance books in 2021. If you haven't tried Jeffe Kennedy's books, please give her a chance. Highly recommended this book as one of the best Book#1 of a new series EVER."
-AlwaysV on Goodreads
"This is not a standalone book and the next one doesn't come out until June, but I'm confident the wait will be worth it. This story is so utterly compelling and I absolutely adore our protagonists Gabriel and Nic. Note, even though this is subtitled "A Dark Fantasy Romance," it is less intense than I feared. When I think of dark romance, I think of appalling, abusive "heroes" - mafia and childhood bullies and horsemen of the apocalypse. Here, the WORLD is dark and disturbing, but our hero works so hard to show our heroine that they are equals and he treats her as such, even when society literally considers her his property that he can manipulate at will."
-Cat at Goodreads
Gabriel Phel seems like the perfect choice for Nic’s gambit—he’s desperate and untutored in wizardry—but within moments of meeting him, she feels the bonds of magic tying them together. Afraid of losing her will to the compelling wizard who touches her heart like no other, Nic does the unthinkable: she runs. Pregnant and alone, Nic eludes monstrous hunters, searching for a safe haven. But when Gabriel catches up to her, their adventure has only begun.
Jones skillfully weaves together the themes of darkness and magic, creating a rich and immersive world. The darkness represents the shadowy and dangerous aspects of the supernatural, while the magic adds an element of wonder and possibility. The combination of these themes adds depth and complexity to the story, keeping readers captivated from start to finish. In the Charley Davidson series, darkness and magic are not just external forces, but also internal struggles for the characters. Charley must confront her own fears and insecurities as she comes to terms with her powers and the responsibilities that come with them. She also grapples with her own inner darkness, the shadowy parts of her personality that she must learn to accept and control. Overall, darkness and magic are integral to the world of Darynda Jones' novels. These themes create a compelling backdrop for the adventures of Charley Davidson and bring a sense of depth and mystery to the stories. Through her masterful storytelling, Jones explores the complexities of these themes and their impact on the characters, making for an engaging and captivating reading experience..
Reviews for "The Art of Dark Magic: Darynda Jones' Unique Approach to Spellcasting"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Darkness and magic" by Darynda Jones. The story felt disjointed and the character development was lacking. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself rolling my eyes at their actions. The romance element also fell flat for me, with no real emotional depth or chemistry between the main characters. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Darkness and magic" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with cliched twists and turns that I saw coming from a mile away. The writing was lackluster, filled with flat descriptive language and repetitive dialogue. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. I was bored throughout the entire book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars - I didn't enjoy "Darkness and magic" as much as I hoped. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the story. The magic system was inconsistent and seemed to conveniently change to fit the plot. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. I struggled to care about what happened to them and found myself skimming through pages just to finish the book. Overall, it was a disappointing read for me.