Dark Passage

Dark Mirror #2

by M.J. Putney

The Irregulars return home to 1803 England safely, but their worldview has changed. Not only have their heroic efforts at Dunkirk given them pride and confidence but their dangerous mission has increased their magical powers.

Tory delights in the ever deepening bond she shares with Allarde until she discovers how powerfully he is connected to his ancient family estate--the lands he will not inherit unless he denies his magical powers and chooses a nonmagical mate. If Tory really loves him, she must walk away--but does she have the strength to leave the love of her life?

Cynthia's heroic efforts at Dunkirk have won her the respect of the Irregulars, but her sharp tongue keeps everyone at a distance. Isolated and very alone at Lackland Abbey over the Christmas holidays, she reluctantly agrees to join Jack Rainford and his family for their celebration even though they're commoners, far below her own noble rank. The warm welcome of the Rainfords makes her feel happier and more accepted than she has ever been. But she can't possibly be falling in love with flirtatious Jack! Can she?

Then the Irregulars are drawn into a dangerous attempt to rescue a vitally important French scientist from Nazi-occupied France. Tory and Allarde must work together because countless lives are at stake. Disaster strikes and not only is their mission threatened, but their very lives. Can magic and their loyalty to each other help them survive to return home?

Find out in Dark Passage--M.J. Putney's thrilling follow-up to Dark Mirror.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Young Adult, Magic, Romance, Historical

291 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2011

About the author

This is a pseudonym for Mary Jo Putney.

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just devoured this book in an afternoon! The best part about Regencies and WWII era time-shifting magics in YA is the lack of sex! I know, it's ridiculous, but there really isn't the problem of sex scenes to get in the way of plot. :)

I enjoyed this second of three books more than the first. (If anything, because we are thrust straight into adventure vs. needing any world-building or starting character development.) I also liked Cynthia the most, so it was good to witness her growth.

Good book!

[Elliot A · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I really appreciate is the seamless continuation of the story without any fast forwarding or random flashbacks of years past since the conclusion of the first installment.

Everything continues to grow and develop, from the adventurous plot, the group of friends, the secondary characters to the explanation of the magic used. Everything except the protagonist.

It saddened me to some extent that the character of the female lead almost remains completely stagnant as the secondary characters reveal greater depth, which, on the other hand, allows for more interest to be built between the reader and those secondary characters.

As with the first installment, the protagonist seems to act only as an anchor to which the most important characters and their development are centered.

Generally speaking, the protagonist remains naive and odious, and more than a few times during reading her inner most thoughts and feelings I could not help but roll my eyes in sheer annoyance.

Having said that, the plot is still worth the read, the adventure still makes up for one character's nuisance and I would recommend this book as I have recommended the first installment.

ElliotScribbles

[Angelc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a little bit of everything that I like. It was historical, YA, and had magic. And it had a lot of something that I love-romance! You can really tell the author was a romance writer first because she really knows how to do romance!

Tory and Allarde were a great lead couple. Allarde, especially, was so noble, but yet never seemed too good to be true. His love for Tory was above everything else for him, and he wasn't afraid to show it.

But I have to admit that I liked the gorgeously flawed Cynthia more than the too perfect Tory. Cynthia was so prickly on the outside, but the author always let us in on how she was really feeling on the inside. She was so vulnerable, and afraid of being hurt again, like she was when her family wouldn't accept her magic. Cynthia's friendship with the adorable Jack and the slow growth of their relationship was just so good!

My favorite part of the book was the Christmas holiday that Cynthia spent with Jack and his family. She finally fit in somewhere and felt accepted and loved. Plus, it's a Christmas party with lots of mistletoe, what's not to love!

I loved this book and I especially enjoyed the two very different romances. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves historical romances with a lot of magic too.


sent by publisher in exchange for honest review

reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 continues where Book 1 left off. This is pleasantly not a "filler" book to get to book 3. It is best to read this book after reading the 1st one. Tory is back with her Irregulars and they return to the future to fight against the Nazi. What these kids pull off in the effort to make a difference in the world is pretty far out but exciting.

Tory and her friends bond even more and learn they aren't infallible. Sadly for Tory, she learns that it may be best to let Justin go as he is tied to his land and being a "mageling" would be a killing blow to the Dukedom.

I find this hatred of magic to be so typical of petty minded people who are jealous of others. I kind of wish the aristocratic magelings get together and create their own society to balance it out. But that comes with its own problems too. No good answers.

Still, this is an exciting adventure as the kids fight in both century.

[Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Ok, so I'm a bit disappointed with this one. I still love the story and love Tory and Justin, but it didn't have the same feel or tension that book 1 had. Dark Passage felt more like a filler book. There are some interesting things that happened, but not at the level of book 1. I hope that Justin and Tory can be together. The small-minded crap from high society is really starting to piss me off. They are jealous that they don't have anything making them special. I did love how supportive Torys sister and brother were. That made all the difference.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 bk 151. I had read (and owned the first and 3rd book of this series) not realizing that there was another title. I found this second tale as enchanting as the other two titles when I stumbled across it on the Kindle listings. The plot revolves around rescuing Jewish scientists from the German military in occupied France, using the time portal mirrors. Our intrepid band of teens from the 1800's and the 1940's work together to help protect England and the future. Well done!

[Mary-Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dark Passage" (Dark Mirror 2) by M.J. (Mary Jo) Putney could be magical original premise, delightful Georgian aristocratic whimsy, fortified with children finding courage amidst danger ("It's up to you how you use your gifts" p123), but mushy for me. Lackland Abbey school officially cleanses 1803 youths from their forbidden magic, but secretly trains the best as Britain's Irregulars, to save the Empire from the basement Labyrinth. Previously, two couples crossed society schisms, and through a time "mirror" (misnomed invisible area without framed glass turns dark when active) to save May-June 1940 Dunkirk soldiers with weather powers. Nick Rainford needs them again to rescue a scientist with a revolutionary penicillin antibiotic cure from a Nazi-held castle in France, but Dr Weiss wants his lab partner wife, and other hostages too, complicating the mission.

Stunning sharp-tongued Lady Cynthia, even "like something the cat dragged in, [you] looked like a pretty cat" p64 succumbs to flirtatious Jack Rainford. Vivacious commoner Tory tries to give up dukedom heir Lord Justin "Allarde" (stick to one name please?), whose connection to the centuries family-held land tangibly glows p83. Putney's adult books are "romances", so is this. Does YA have to mean so much kissy-smooch as well as two-syllable proliferation? My "Abduction" dvd review led to Twilight oogly-googly Taylor Lautner action star as 11 year old world karate champion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Da5vI... I like acrobatics without stick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1_U8T... I see girl cheerleader baton twirler, but FAST
This gushy girly series could use some Taylor inspiration.

I see promise.
Expressions, such as eating "quicker than the cat can lick her ear" p69, dancing "stirred her blood and made her want to laugh out loud" p75.
Humor, such as "she might as well be miserable where there was food" p124
Situations, such as the unexpected kiss has two sides (abridged) p80.
C: "I thought you were my friend, and friends don't kiss."
J: "Why kiss a girl who isn't a friend? I wouldn't want to kiss a girl I didn't like!"
C: "You're not a girl."
J: "I'm glad you noticed. Would it even the score if you slapped me? I'll hold still."
Playfullness, double levitation becomes dancing together in the air p87.

The potential descends to stilted YA restricted vocabulary, repetitive hark-back commercialism for Book 1, tedious harping on American-modern equality (despite gender or birth), ooey-gooey "first love is forever" mindset ("Was it possible to die from a broken heart? ... she would pay for the rest of her life" p97"), sprinkled with researched trivia such as Christmas puddings p73, kissing bough p75.

Factual quibbles:
"infections like pneumonia" p141; antibiotics cannot stop viruses, they stop bacteria
"inflammation was always the greatest fear after an injury" p141; infection can lead to inflammation and vice versa, but they are not the same

Spoiler Questions:
Why did Tory cringe repulsed at ammunition and not take some for defense? p198
Toddler Aaron endangered everyone p232; an underlying assumption in his chase upsets me.
If Cynthia knew her insistence on a dress was foolish, caused Jack's capture p235, why didn't she strip down?
Will Jack's magnetism for the "ugly" injured influence Cynthia's scar fear?

www.mjputney.com

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stilted dialogue, stiff delivery of background information, and a juvenile melding of history with World War II made this book a lackluster read for me. To a young YA reader, I think the adventure, mythology, and age appropriate romantic elements would be much more enjoyable, but the advanced reader copy I read did not have much potential as an adult cross over.

I had not read DARK MIRROR, the prequel to this book, and for a new reader the background information provided was useful, if stiffly delivered. Tory and her friends share so much information out loud to each other, dialogue pros and cons are compounded ten times over. Of course, my copy of DARK PASSAGE was not the final text, so I can hope that the the final edit will improve the sections that bothered me. Any changes made to tighten up the dialogue in the final book would improve the overall appeal of this book quite a bit.

Writing aside, the adventure elements of DARK PASSAGE are interesting, if lightly handled. Putney touches upon 1800's class attitudes, and some of the difficulties of World War II, but in a glancing way that does not make these story elements too dark for young readers. As an adult, there were parts of the book that seemed a little naive (such as assuming that Tory and her friends are aware of class prejudices in their time, but not religious ones). For a young reader, however, I think Putney has done a good job of bringing in real-world elements without getting bogged down in too much darkness. The romantic story lines were the strongest part of the book for me, deftly written in a way that is appropriate for young readers and fleshed out enough for my adult interest. Tory and Cynthia both handle some tough considerations and make well-thought-out decisions that were pleasant to read.

On the whole, I would not recommend DARK PASSAGE as a crossover YA for adults, or for preconscious teens used to the darker, urban YA, but there is the foundation of a good adventure and sweet romance. Most importantly, there is no darkness or behavior portrayed that would have me hesitating to hand this to any young reader, which means don't hesitate to read an excerpt, give it as a gift, or pick up a copy to try for yourself.

Full review at All Things Urban Fantasy.

Sexual Content: Kissing.

[All Things Urban Fantasy]

Stilted dialogue, stiff delivery of background information, and a juvenile melding of history with World War II made this book a lackluster read for me. To a young YA reader, I think the adventure, mythology, and age appropriate romantic elements would be much more enjoyable, but I don’t think DARK PASSAGE has much potential as an adult crossover.

I had not read DARK MIRROR, the prequel to this book, and for a new reader the background information provided was useful (if stiffly delivered). Tory and her friends share so much information out loud to each other, dialogue issues are compounded ten times over. Of course, my advanced copy of DARK PASSAGE did not contain the final text, so the final edit may improve sections that bothered me. Any changes that tighten up the dialogue in the published book would improve the overall appeal this story quite a bit.

Dialogue issues aside, the adventure elements of DARK PASSAGE are interesting, if lightly handled. Putney touches upon 1800's class attitudes, and some of the difficulties of World War II, but in a glancing way that does not make these story elements too dark for young readers. As an adult, there were parts of the book that seemed a little naive (such as assuming that Tory and her friends are aware of class prejudices in their time, but not religious ones). For a young reader, however, I think Putney has done a good job of bringing in real-world elements without getting bogged down in too much darkness. The romantic story lines were the strongest part of the book for me, deftly written in a way that is appropriate for young readers but fleshed out enough for my adult interest. Tory and Cynthia both handle some tough issues and make well-thought-out decisions. It is rare for a YA to provide such a nuanced look at romantic decisions, and I was impressed by this aspect of the story.

On the whole, I would not recommend DARK PASSAGE as a crossover YA for adults (or for precocious teens used to darker, urban YA) but there is the foundation of a good adventure and sweet romance in this Paranormal YA. Most importantly, there is no darkness or behavior portrayed that would have me hesitating to hand this to any young reader, which means there’s no reason not to read an excerpt, give it as a gift, or pick up a copy to try for yourself.

Sexual Content: Kissing.

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked this a bit more than the first. This one featured alternating POVs between Tory and Cynthia, which was interesting. In the first one Cynthia was only a supporting character. We come to understand her better in this one, and her romance with Jack is adorable. I prefer them over Tory and Allarde. Probably because Jack is more my type. Allarde is rather dull, although I enjoy both Tory and Cynthia. But both romances are very subdued. If you are looking for a hot romance, you wont find it here. Just sweet words, a few kisses, and some hand holding.

But the story is where this books excels. A group of teenagers use magic to help fight nazis. It is extremely exciting and action packed. All the young mages are incredibly talented and I love seeing the ingenious ways they use their magic. The next book might feature alternating POVs between Tory and Rebecca, since there are hints of a romance between her and Nick, that would be a way to flesh it out like they did for Cynthia in this book. But I would rather see more of Jack and Cynthia.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series, and I waited to review this book until I finished it. And I like it, a lot. DARK PASSAGE presents lots of things I love, magic, History (with a twist), romance, adventure, action, suspense, time travel (though I didn't know I liked it).

Tory is a fun character, though her inner turmoil gets a little old. After you get through with the inner dialog Tori proves to be a valiant and strong lead character, she perseveres and constantly strives for greatness. Tori has grown tremendously since the first book and I through out the series. And Allrade!! Oh sweet baby Jesus, YES! He is broody, protective and sexy all mixed together, YUM!

Cynthia is a big part of this book and watching her develop and getting to know her was actually a true treat, I found myself liking her a great deal. I think Cynthia is actually one of the stronger characters and after hearing her story... you can't help but love her.

DARK PASSAGE was well written and overall a touchdown! I recommend this book as well as the whole series and I hope you all enjoy!

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues the adventures of Tory, Allarde, Cynthia, Jack, Elspeth and Nick. Once again the 1803 Irregulars are assisting Nick in 1940's occupied France. This time to rescue a scientist from the Nazi's before his talents are used for the wrong side during WWII.

Lots of suspense, tension and teen angst. I look forward to the conclusion of the series.

[Corey Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first one!

I really enjoyed this book! I was a bit uncertain going into it, because I didn't like the first one as much as I had anticipated— it felt rushed & lacking character development. In the previous book I felt as if author Mary Jo Putney was doing a lot of telling, & that the large cast of characters were very one dimensional. Since I usually love her work, I was disappointed & wary of beginning book 2.

Luckily, this book, Dark Passage, remedied many of the issues I had with its predecessor. The first 3rd or so of the book was spent doing more character building between the FMC Tory & MMC Allarde. Watching them spending time together & sharing some experiences made their feelings for one another seem more realistic & less forced. I particularly enjoyed the development of a second couple from the supporting characters. Lady Cynthia ended up having the type of growth arc I have come to expect from Putney's work, & I thought her burgeoning relationship with Jack was exceptionally well done.

The remaining portion of the book picks up the action again, with the return of Nick Rainford from 1940, requiring more help from the group of young mages known as the Irregulars. The action in this book didn't feel nearly as forced or rushed as it did in book 1. Instead, it was gripping & fun to read. There was more explanation of how magic works, which expanded the world & made it more realistic.
Basically all of the elements that let me down during Dark Mirror were fixed for Dark Passage, leaving me very excited to see where the story goes for the last book. The stakes seemed higher than in the first book— both the 1803 & the 1940 plotlines had immediate consequences & I was entirely invested this time around.

Bottom line, this is the MJP that I am used to reading! While this trilogy is technically considered YA, I feel like it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. As usual, Putney does a terrific job of weaving together history & fiction into an engrossing tale of magic, war, romance, & friendship.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time-traveling magelings are summoned to Northern France, risking their lives to use all their magic, might, and cunning to save a Medical researcher working on antibiotics. This book was not as good as the first, but it was still enjoyable to see Tory and her group settle back into life at Lackland after their first adventure, then get literally dragged into a war zone in 1940 France. The story line is cute and engaging both on a personal level for the characters as well as the adventure. They also learn to save energy between mirror locations by using message stones which adds flexibility to the stranded nature of mirror travel and the huge energy demands it requires.

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I read book one, but I had no trouble getting back into the magic-and-time-travel story. I liked the developments in Cynthia's character arc and backstory the best. My one quibble, that the magic is a bit too easy, was addressed when a character is 'burned out'.

[Viola Sung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I'd expected! A good, refreshing sequel, especially the addition of Cynthia's narration :)

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good continuation to the trilogy that started with Dark Mirror. I am eager to see what the next one has in store. :)

[Sarah Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy read. continues story well from the first book

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel was just as enjoyable as the first...here's to high hopes for Dark Destiny!

[Larry Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good series. The author really pulls you in. Magical history jumping teens help in a rescue attempt in World War 2 France. Well written.

[Waysla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I love Tory as the main character, Cynthia deserves her own series

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent, if formulaic, sequel to Dark Mirror. The writing is not great, but it's mildly entertaining. I'll probably read the last book in the trilogy. Just to see what happens. Very clean.

[Carleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book. It was very hard to put down.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't realise Florey was an Aussie.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

TimeTravel between the Napoleon wars and WW2 is dangerous and necessary for our heroes.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was boring in the beginning. But good in the end. I'm glad that they got together in the end.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up right where Dark Mirror left off, we see the Irregulars recovering from their heroic actions at Dunkirk and adjusting back into normal life at the oppressive Lackland Abbey school where they are supposed to be getting "cured" of their magic. One thing they all agree on is that they will avoid travel through the mirror again at all costs. Though they still keep tabs on how Nick and his family are faring by notes sent through the mirror. As the Christmas holidays come, Tory's sister suddenly moves her Christmas wedding to their brother's estate just so Tory can attend in defiance of their father. There Tory joyously runs into Allarde, but also realizes that if she truly loves him she will not ask him to sacrifice his land, title and magical tie to his family estate for her. Cynthia meanwhile is moping about Lackland Abbey on her own until Jack Rainford drags her to his family's house for Christmas and Cynthia finds the family has a stunning ability to get underneath her prickles and defenses she's set up. Could it really be possible for her to become a more likable person and recover from all those hurts that have scarred her in the past? After everyone returns from the holidays, Tory stumbles upon not just a note from Nick, but Nick himself come through the mirror. He has had a vision that he must rescue a Jewish scientist from the Nazi's clutches in Northern France. He has come through to find out if there could be another outlet of the mirror in Northern France to help facilitate this mission. Tory's connection with the mirror makes her the ideal mage to help him, so she combines her magic to Nick's finder magic to search out the paths of the mirror. While they are doing so, Nick inadvertently triggers the mirror and it drags them to 1940s France. Allarde had reached out to grab Tory back from the pull as he saw what was happening, but he too was dragged through. The three of them have to figure out how to rescue the scientist from the Nazi camp nearby and return to 1940s Britain unscathed. But Allarde is having premonitions that things will be much harder than they could ever foresee, so it is a good thing the rest of the Irregulars and ready and waiting on the other side of the mirror to help however they can.

Like the first book, I love the combination of Regency and WWII eras in this book. They're two of my favorite time periods to travel to through literature, so this is the literary equivalent of a swirly ice cream cone. I don't have to choose, I get both! It also creates some interesting dynamics among the characters. What is ok in 1940s England could be scandalous in 1803 England, and the Irregulars have to wrestle with unlearning habits they pick up in other times. I also found it refreshing that none of them is eager to timetravel again. The experience is so draining and unpleasant most of them would be happy never doing it again. Lots of timetravel books make the travel slightly unpleasant, but few go to the extent of making it something to be avoided at all costs if possible. (That would usually mess up the plot line.) It's an interesting twist, that also helps show the character and bravery of the Irregulars. I liked that Putney has the Irregulars continuing to grow in their magic, so readers get the fun of seeing some new magical abilities and applications discovered. But what I particularly liked in this book was the character development Cynthia received. She is no longer just the unlikable snob; Jack and his mother help peel back some of her layers and get to the root of her hurt and prickliness. Her interactions with Jack are funny, but also heartwarming as you watch her heart slowly heal. As for Tory and Allarde's relationship drama, well, it seemed inevitable. Not only is this the second book of their relationship (which almost always means things get rocky), it does help make Tory that much more likable that she's putting his needs above her own wants. But in some ways it felt like it was just a literary formality and in the end unnecessary. I saw from the start how things would end up at the conclusion of the book. Allarde declares he needs his link with her more than his link with his family land. Why didn't he realize that immediately...? Anyway, overall I really liked the book. The adventures in France in the 1940s are quite thrilling, and it's fun to see the Irregulars working in the heat of a war zone again.

Notes on content: One minor swear word. No sex scenes. There's some intense kissing, but nothing beyond that. The part in WWII France has several dangerous scenes where people are shot, a house is collapsed on people, a car is crashed with injuries resulting, and one person is beat severely. Still hardly any blood or gore is described.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

J.K Rowling spoiled me. When it comes to appreciating wizards and witches, muggles and monsters, the Harry Potter series set a high standard for me. Dark Passage surprised me. Initially I thought the novel was a knockoff of English sorcery schooling. But the reading provided more romance than fantasy and split this offering of the seminal Dark Mirror series into a different class. Nevertheless, it’s difficult not to compare the two franchises.

Rather than Hogwarts coed castle to protect and educate wizards and witches, here we are exposed to Lackland, a converted abbey, that is a gender-specific institution, casting a magic-suppressive pall over students and offering to deprogram mages and magelings in order to fit into proper 19th Century British class life.

Two prime characters create tension and movement in this episode. Tory, or Lady Victoria Mansfield, proficient as a weather mage and exploring levitation, has been disowned and cast into the institution by her father, the Earl of Fairmont. Her roommate, Lady Cynthia Stanton, disguised beneath an illusion spell and learning the powers of hearth-witch magic, is Tory’s haughty foil and timorous counterpoint in most encounters. Both have extraordinary love interests: Tory with Justin Allarde and Cynthia with earthling Nick Rainford.

The two girls are part of a group called the Irregulars, a gang of recalcitrant teenagers who gather secretly in the Labyrinth to test their sorcerers’ skills. In this chamber they use a magic portal called Merlin’s mirror as a gateway to time travel between Napoleonic and Nazi France. In this installment the Irregulars’ prime target is 1940s France to rescue a modern wonder-drug scientist imprisoned by the Germans. There’s plenty of adolescent angst and teenage heart-throbbing along the way.

The two eras are well-described and differentiated. We leave behind bonnets, skewbald ponies, kissing boughs, clothespresses and pillions when we are propelled through the mirror into a modern era. I do wonder, however, why the youths aren’t more mystified, shocked, or stymied by the gritty mechanical and militant matériel of war-torn France.

There are passages that slow the action. For instance, during the interior emotional anguish of love scenes and when the Irregulars debate rescue strategies at length and then rather tediously execute a strategy, yet with some surprising glitches. But these portions may be a necessary part of a genre to which I haven’t been converted. I’ll probably need to sample more romances prior to adapting.

I am left with one puzzle: Cynthia is described as delighted in wearing her riding outfit, especially her shako hat. A shako is a plumed uniform chapeau like the type worn on parading West Point cadets or topped on Christmas nutcracker soldiers. Suspension of belief is necessary in most fiction. But I simply cannot formulate the picture of Lady Stanton wearing a brimmed military miter. Perhaps that image is articulated more clearly in another Dark Mirror installment.