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Guardians #2
Magia rubata
Inghilterra, 1748
Il mondo lo conosce come conte di Falconer, enigmatico e influente. Ma in realtà Simon Malmain è uno dei Guardiani, uomini coraggiosi e dotati di poteri magici che lottano per il bene dell’umanità. Simon è da tempo sulle tracce del malvagio lord Drayton, ma quando lo affronta deve soccombere a una forza immensa che lo trasforma in unicorno. Naturalmente, Drayton vuole il corno del magico animale e per farlo cadere nella sua trappola ha un solo modo: farlo attirare da una vergine. E l’unica che frequenta il suo castello è Meggie, una fanciulla del volgo forse toccata dalla follia. Eppure custode di un segreto tanto grande quanto potente...
Il mondo lo conosce come conte di Falconer, enigmatico e influente. Ma in realtà Simon Malmain è uno dei Guardiani, uomini coraggiosi e dotati di poteri magici che lottano per il bene dell’umanità. Simon è da tempo sulle tracce del malvagio lord Drayton, ma quando lo affronta deve soccombere a una forza immensa che lo trasforma in unicorno. Naturalmente, Drayton vuole il corno del magico animale e per farlo cadere nella sua trappola ha un solo modo: farlo attirare da una vergine. E l’unica che frequenta il suo castello è Meggie, una fanciulla del volgo forse toccata dalla follia. Eppure custode di un segreto tanto grande quanto potente...
325 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2005
91 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
November 12, 2016
++SPOILERS++
1.5 stars only because I finished.
Returned for refund. Not worth 7.99
This has got to be one of the worst "fantasy" books I have ever read. I should have heeded all the negative reviews. As far as the "romance" aspect of it, that too was horrible.
I have never read anything from this author before, but apparently she is popular. I was not impressed by her writing, and don't plan on reading any more from her.
Since most reviewers have already summarized this tale, I will only highlight my reasons for a bad review, not wishing to further waste my time with this book, but to at least warn true fantasy readers to avoid this one like the plague.
1. No logic to the magic.. as another reviewer had stated, and I agree, the magic is just thrown in at points when needed, convenitent to the author. It is not realistic or consistant.
2, Injured people get up and walk around as if suddendly healed.. and no mention of a healing spell used. It is as if the author was just sloppy.
3. I was bored with the details of secondary characters (the Whites) and the whole inventing thing.
4. Characters were flat, uninteresting, dull. I didn't particularly care for the heroine or the hero, didn't hate them, but they were so flat and dull I just didn't care.
5. The entire story was all tell no show
6. I didn't feel the romance at all.
7. Our "virgin" hero acts as if he is experienced until the very end when we learn he is a virgin, but we get a nice bit about his former love and how he must have explored much passion with her. Yeah thanks for that Putney.
8.The whole unicorn thing was idiotic IMHO.
9. The world building sucked
I could keep going but I wont. I will however debunk one reviewers comment on how there is too much history woven into the story. Ah.. no. There is very little history mentioned.
Safety
Hero-Virgin
Heroine-Virgin - and we are beaten over the head about her virginity the entire time
Cheating-No
OM/OW-OM -no... OW- The hero was in love before but the woman refused his proposal. He doesn't love her anymore, but there was clearly a history between them. She shows up in the story, confronts the heroine and hero, just to make it knownby the author that she was his first choice apparently, and that it was her decision not to wed, not his. I found this ruined the romance for me.
Violence-Mild
Rape-Mind rape yes. Physically no
Abuse-Yes mentally through magic
Adultery-No
Cursing - The f-bomb said once
Sex-Once and very poorly done
HEA/LIY-Yes
Marriage-To be comming not shown
Baby-No
1.5 stars only because I finished.
Returned for refund. Not worth 7.99
This has got to be one of the worst "fantasy" books I have ever read. I should have heeded all the negative reviews. As far as the "romance" aspect of it, that too was horrible.
I have never read anything from this author before, but apparently she is popular. I was not impressed by her writing, and don't plan on reading any more from her.
Since most reviewers have already summarized this tale, I will only highlight my reasons for a bad review, not wishing to further waste my time with this book, but to at least warn true fantasy readers to avoid this one like the plague.
1. No logic to the magic.. as another reviewer had stated, and I agree, the magic is just thrown in at points when needed, convenitent to the author. It is not realistic or consistant.
2, Injured people get up and walk around as if suddendly healed.. and no mention of a healing spell used. It is as if the author was just sloppy.
3. I was bored with the details of secondary characters (the Whites) and the whole inventing thing.
4. Characters were flat, uninteresting, dull. I didn't particularly care for the heroine or the hero, didn't hate them, but they were so flat and dull I just didn't care.
5. The entire story was all tell no show
6. I didn't feel the romance at all.
7. Our "virgin" hero acts as if he is experienced until the very end when we learn he is a virgin, but we get a nice bit about his former love and how he must have explored much passion with her. Yeah thanks for that Putney.
8.The whole unicorn thing was idiotic IMHO.
9. The world building sucked
I could keep going but I wont. I will however debunk one reviewers comment on how there is too much history woven into the story. Ah.. no. There is very little history mentioned.
Safety
Hero-Virgin
Heroine-Virgin - and we are beaten over the head about her virginity the entire time
Cheating-No
OM/OW-OM -no... OW- The hero was in love before but the woman refused his proposal. He doesn't love her anymore, but there was clearly a history between them. She shows up in the story, confronts the heroine and hero, just to make it knownby the author that she was his first choice apparently, and that it was her decision not to wed, not his. I found this ruined the romance for me.
Violence-Mild
Rape-Mind rape yes. Physically no
Abuse-Yes mentally through magic
Adultery-No
Cursing - The f-bomb said once
Sex-Once and very poorly done
HEA/LIY-Yes
Marriage-To be comming not shown
Baby-No
December 21, 2023
Does it get any better? Unicorns, virgins, a powerful mage meets an equally powerful female mage although she’s been held in thrall to a vile and dangerous mage.
An escape, a recapture!
All right here in Georgian England.
This is Simon’s story and I loved it!
An escape, a recapture!
All right here in Georgian England.
This is Simon’s story and I loved it!
October 1, 2015
So bad. I'm giving two-stars because it's possible the narrator is partially to blame. The way he did the female voices really made them sound like ninnies. I listened for 30 chapters and just couldn't press on for 5 more to finish.
Our hero is transformed into a unicorn by a rival mage and escapes. Bad guy uses Meg, a simpleton with virgin blood, to bait & recapture him. So blah blah blah, they escape & she's freed from a spell that made her ugly & dumb. A drop of her blood changes him back to a regular ole naked man, but he goes all unicorn when he loses his temper.
So, hero is super attracted to Meg in unicorn form. They make out a bit in human form, he transforms to uni, and is embarrassed by his obvious arousal in horse form. That was a bit icky. Also, the narrator's tone just made things feel pervy, like maybe this is actually unicorn porn.
More blah blah blah boring plot & details about magic. I do not care -at all - whether or not the two mains end up hooking up. Then, I glanced at my TBR pile and realized that life is too short for books I don't care about. I feel cheated, because unicorns should be awesome.
March 26, 2009
I found the world that Mary Jo Putney created in this book to be very imaginative and unique. I loved the unicorn aspects, since I have been an avowed unicorn admirer my whole life, and the fact that the hero of this book was also a virgin was great. In this universe, the Ton are Sorcerors and Sorceresses, and that was pretty interesting. Spells are everyday, common occurence, although some don't realize that magic is being used all the time.
Simon is the biggest strength of this book. I admired him tremendously. I really appreciate an honorable hero, and Simon is definitely that. It's nice to read about antiheroes, but I find that too many romance novel heroes are unprincipled, in either their dealings with women, or their life philosophy. As romance novel readers, we have come to accept heroes who sleep around and don't commit to women, because they are just waiting for the woman they love to change their ways. I don't mean to judge this, but I grow weary of it at times. Honor is a multi-faceted thing, and a lack of honor can show in many ways. I think rakes show a fundamental lack of honor, even though they may only sleep with women who "know the score." Simon is not like this at all. He is not perfect, but he really does care about doing the right thing. He takes his sense of responsibility very personally, even to the degree of offering to marry the heroine who's reputation has been harmed by their association, even though she easily could leave the Ton and build a life elsewhere without anyone knowing she has been "ruined."
So it really fitted Simon when a spell cast by an evil warlock turned him into a unicorn. In my mind, unicorns are synonymous with purity and nobility, and I don't mean being born a royal or peer nobility. I loved the scenes where he is in unicorn form, and finds himself irresistibly drawn to the heroine, who is a virgin, but is also his soulmate, although he doesn't know it.
Every scene that Simon was in sizzled and kept my attention. To me he is a one of a kind hero. The heroine, Meg, was interesting and likable, but she didn't really stand out to me from other heroines. The secondary characters were all very interesting, and you cared about them. The villain was a detestable piece of work that you despised.
I can't give this book five stars because the resolution fell a little flat for me. One of the major reasons was a pet peeve of mine. I am a big proponent of world building and establishing the rules in a fantasy or urban fantasy book. It's obligatory, just like writing a mystery must include introducing all the possible subjects before the killer is revealed. Ms. Putney did build a fantastic world and did lay down the rules of this world, but towards the end, she shifted gears in a way that felt very abrupt. All of a sudden, the worship of the earth as a Goddess became part of the mythology of this story, when initially it didn't seem as though this was the belief system of these sorcerors and sorceress. Initally the world was setup with characters who lived in a magical world, but seemed to follow a Judeo-Christian belief system
(and she didn't make this clear that it was merely for show but they were in reality pagans. You really do believe they worship the Judeo-Christian God). Then all of a sudden, the origin of their magic and the root of their beliefs became more pagan. That was too jarring for me, and really got me off track as I read the climax of this book. So I can say that I enjoyed this book and found it to be a keeper, mainly for Simon's character, and for the innovative world that Ms. Putney built, I can't say it was exceptional. Very good, but not exceptional.
So although I was a bit disappointed with this book, I would love to read the other books in this series at some point to see where she goes with this series. I do have to thank Ms. Putney for creating the wonderful Simon.
Simon is the biggest strength of this book. I admired him tremendously. I really appreciate an honorable hero, and Simon is definitely that. It's nice to read about antiheroes, but I find that too many romance novel heroes are unprincipled, in either their dealings with women, or their life philosophy. As romance novel readers, we have come to accept heroes who sleep around and don't commit to women, because they are just waiting for the woman they love to change their ways. I don't mean to judge this, but I grow weary of it at times. Honor is a multi-faceted thing, and a lack of honor can show in many ways. I think rakes show a fundamental lack of honor, even though they may only sleep with women who "know the score." Simon is not like this at all. He is not perfect, but he really does care about doing the right thing. He takes his sense of responsibility very personally, even to the degree of offering to marry the heroine who's reputation has been harmed by their association, even though she easily could leave the Ton and build a life elsewhere without anyone knowing she has been "ruined."
So it really fitted Simon when a spell cast by an evil warlock turned him into a unicorn. In my mind, unicorns are synonymous with purity and nobility, and I don't mean being born a royal or peer nobility. I loved the scenes where he is in unicorn form, and finds himself irresistibly drawn to the heroine, who is a virgin, but is also his soulmate, although he doesn't know it.
Every scene that Simon was in sizzled and kept my attention. To me he is a one of a kind hero. The heroine, Meg, was interesting and likable, but she didn't really stand out to me from other heroines. The secondary characters were all very interesting, and you cared about them. The villain was a detestable piece of work that you despised.
I can't give this book five stars because the resolution fell a little flat for me. One of the major reasons was a pet peeve of mine. I am a big proponent of world building and establishing the rules in a fantasy or urban fantasy book. It's obligatory, just like writing a mystery must include introducing all the possible subjects before the killer is revealed. Ms. Putney did build a fantastic world and did lay down the rules of this world, but towards the end, she shifted gears in a way that felt very abrupt. All of a sudden, the worship of the earth as a Goddess became part of the mythology of this story, when initially it didn't seem as though this was the belief system of these sorcerors and sorceress. Initally the world was setup with characters who lived in a magical world, but seemed to follow a Judeo-Christian belief system
(and she didn't make this clear that it was merely for show but they were in reality pagans. You really do believe they worship the Judeo-Christian God). Then all of a sudden, the origin of their magic and the root of their beliefs became more pagan. That was too jarring for me, and really got me off track as I read the climax of this book. So I can say that I enjoyed this book and found it to be a keeper, mainly for Simon's character, and for the innovative world that Ms. Putney built, I can't say it was exceptional. Very good, but not exceptional.
So although I was a bit disappointed with this book, I would love to read the other books in this series at some point to see where she goes with this series. I do have to thank Ms. Putney for creating the wonderful Simon.
July 5, 2022
Pur non essendo la Putney tra le mie autrici favorite, il primo volume di questa serie, dedicata a un gruppo di famiglie di stregoni dediti alla protezione della Corona inglese durante il periodo georgiano (1748), mi era piaciuto molto.
In particolare, Simon, in veste di Guardiano-cacciatore, si era ritagliato uno spazio interessante, per cui sono contenta di poter dire che ho apprezzato anche il secondo volume.
Ok, anticipo che qui c'è di mezzo un mutaforma unicorno e già questo potrebbe far sorridere e indurre a sottostimare questa storia, ma in realtà io l'ho trovata comunque ben inserita nel contesto magico, senza per questo distorcere troppo l'aderenza storica.
Il conte di Falconer sta investigando circa l'attività di un Guardiano che potrebbe essere passato, per così dire, al lato oscuro, e, pensando di farcela da solo nell'impresa, si ritrova vittima di un sortilegio quanto meno curioso: anziché in rospo o in qualche altra bestiolina sgradevole, si ritrova trasmutato in un possente unicorno e braccato per il suo corno dai poteri curativi.
Poiché (confesso che l'ho appreso durante la lettura) il punto debole degli unicorni sono le fanciulle illibate, le uniche in grado di attrarli e poterli toccare, per prenderlo in trappola il mago oscuro coinvolge Maggie la Matta, una ragazza sgraziata e semplice, prigioniera a sua volta.
Quello che inizia come un racconto dai risvolti di favola, si trasforma presto in un'avventura ricca di inseguimenti, agguati, tranelli magici, apprendistati in poteri e in coreografie di danza, in un'epoca in cui si stanno sviluppando i primi progetti legati all'elettricità e alle macchine a vapore.
Sia Simon che Meg sono personaggi particolari, non i soliti belli e perfettini, il loro rapporto si evolve gradualmente, ed è piacevole che ritornino anche gli altri comprimari già conosciuti in precedenza.
Non mi sono per nulla annoiata e l'ho trovata una gradevole lettura di puro svago.
La consiglio a chi ama gli storici con un tocco magico/paranormal e soprattutto... gli unicorni.
In particolare, Simon, in veste di Guardiano-cacciatore, si era ritagliato uno spazio interessante, per cui sono contenta di poter dire che ho apprezzato anche il secondo volume.
Ok, anticipo che qui c'è di mezzo un mutaforma unicorno e già questo potrebbe far sorridere e indurre a sottostimare questa storia, ma in realtà io l'ho trovata comunque ben inserita nel contesto magico, senza per questo distorcere troppo l'aderenza storica.
Il conte di Falconer sta investigando circa l'attività di un Guardiano che potrebbe essere passato, per così dire, al lato oscuro, e, pensando di farcela da solo nell'impresa, si ritrova vittima di un sortilegio quanto meno curioso: anziché in rospo o in qualche altra bestiolina sgradevole, si ritrova trasmutato in un possente unicorno e braccato per il suo corno dai poteri curativi.
Poiché (confesso che l'ho appreso durante la lettura) il punto debole degli unicorni sono le fanciulle illibate, le uniche in grado di attrarli e poterli toccare, per prenderlo in trappola il mago oscuro coinvolge Maggie la Matta, una ragazza sgraziata e semplice, prigioniera a sua volta.
Quello che inizia come un racconto dai risvolti di favola, si trasforma presto in un'avventura ricca di inseguimenti, agguati, tranelli magici, apprendistati in poteri e in coreografie di danza, in un'epoca in cui si stanno sviluppando i primi progetti legati all'elettricità e alle macchine a vapore.
Sia Simon che Meg sono personaggi particolari, non i soliti belli e perfettini, il loro rapporto si evolve gradualmente, ed è piacevole che ritornino anche gli altri comprimari già conosciuti in precedenza.
Non mi sono per nulla annoiata e l'ho trovata una gradevole lettura di puro svago.
La consiglio a chi ama gli storici con un tocco magico/paranormal e soprattutto... gli unicorni.
April 27, 2008
I Loved this book! This is the second book in this trilogy. Simon the Earl of Falconer is put to the test of his Guardian powers. He is the enforcer of the Guardians, if one steps out of line or goes rogue Simon is sent to enforce disastrous results if needed. When Simon suspects that Lord Drayton is up to no good and is Evil he goes to his Estate. But Lord Drayton captures his pursuer in a transformation spell. When Simon tells the panel of Jury there seems to be no evidence. Meg a young woman that Lord Drayton is holding in thrall is willing to help Simon. If Lord Drayton doesn't put her under his spell of binding and enthralling her again. This was a very good book.
January 27, 2010
What an awesome book!! It has everything, magic, mage's, unicorns, bad guys, romance, love, and a man every women wants! I didn't realize this is a series until after I checked this one out, being book two in the Gaurdian books, but I was hooked from the beginning. And who doesn't like a strong accented british guy reading stories?? What a voice! A true love story wrapped up in the mystery of magic and the ever present bad guy that you know isn't going to get away with it but at the same time you start to wonder maybe he will........
September 20, 2010
I’m still not sure why the name change, but I love Mary Jo Putney’s writing under any name. I devoured Stolen Magic. As usual, I fell in love with the hero (as both man and unicorn -- I seem to have a particular fondness for shapechanger characters, even though the shape changing wasn’t voluntary in this case), and I always like a strong heroine. Since I always love MJP’s books, it’s hard to say, but I think this one may become a particular favorite. The magical background works well and the building sexual tension between the hero & heroine is intense and compelling.
February 3, 2010
This was a really great book. I enjoyed Simon the most out of all of the characters. He seemed incredibly genuine and a wonderful knight in shining armor.
September 7, 2011
I loved it, just what I needed to read. It kept my attention the whole time and I didnt want to put it down.
April 12, 2010
This was such a lovely story, filled with romance and magic.
October 15, 2024
Romantasy from 2006. Corny but sexy. Not a great book but pretty fun anyway. Really skirts the edge of decency several times. I was worried there would be unicorn sex but thankfully she didn’t go that far. If you are a fan of MJP and want to read all her books then get the audiobook from the library and bust through it at double speed. Otherwise give this series a miss. Definitely not her best work.
August 20, 2022
Not a terrible story but not the best out there. I did enjoy elements of it, mostly how easy it was to hate Drayton. He had some good moves as a villain which made him feel a little wasted because he turned super-creep pretty quickly on.
October 20, 2022
2.5 / 2 Stars
***HOOPLA Audio***
MCs: Meg and Simon
I really hate giving low ratings.....it ruins my rating average on GR. However, I just couldn't get in this book. The unicorn shifting was just...over the top for me. I also didn't feel any real connection between the MCs. Ended up fast forwarding to the last 45 minutes just to get to the ending. The first book was decent. Will continue on and see how #3 is.
***HOOPLA Audio***
MCs: Meg and Simon
I really hate giving low ratings.....it ruins my rating average on GR. However, I just couldn't get in this book. The unicorn shifting was just...over the top for me. I also didn't feel any real connection between the MCs. Ended up fast forwarding to the last 45 minutes just to get to the ending. The first book was decent. Will continue on and see how #3 is.
May 28, 2024
Um dos piores livros que já li.
Escrita fraca, personagens superficiais, trama inconsistente e sem lógica.
Escrita fraca, personagens superficiais, trama inconsistente e sem lógica.
March 8, 2021
Really loved this one. Couldn’t put it down.
October 3, 2012
2.25/5
for all the books i've dropped left and right, --some of them historical romances that i didn't even bother to put on the "dropped" shelf-- i should be walking the walk of shame..
so:
stolen magic is one of the few i've actually been able to read cover to cover, despite the ridiculous unicorn-virgin aspect of it and a one-dimensional villain. now, leaving those complaints aside, there were some good scenes too that kept me reading till the very end, like this one where the heroine (rightfully!) opposes the decision to wed the book's hero:
for all the books i've dropped left and right, --some of them historical romances that i didn't even bother to put on the "dropped" shelf-- i should be walking the walk of shame..
so:
stolen magic is one of the few i've actually been able to read cover to cover, despite the ridiculous unicorn-virgin aspect of it and a one-dimensional villain. now, leaving those complaints aside, there were some good scenes too that kept me reading till the very end, like this one where the heroine (rightfully!) opposes the decision to wed the book's hero:
What kind of life did she want?
More than anything, she wanted to be strong. It was good to be protected, but even better would be the ability to defend herself against a villain like Drayton without aid. That meant learning how to use the tantalizing magical abilities that seemed to be part of her. She wanted to be a woman equal to a man, which seemed possible among the Guardians if Lady Bethany was typical.
Next to safety, she wanted to belong somewhere—to be part of a circle of family and friends. Though she had been welcomed into the Guardians by Falconer and Lady Bethany, she still yearned to find the family that had produced her. She wanted a home where she was accepted by right of blood, not by charity.
If Falconer was right that her magical power made her a desirable bride in Guardian circles, did that mean that marriage between them might someday be seen as a reasonable match? Perhaps. But not now—she felt that in her bones. To accept Lady Bethany’s suggestion would be to lose her chance to find strength and equality.
If they were ever to wed—and privately she admitted that the idea was . . . appealing—it must be after she became a woman secure in herself and her power. She might never be Falconer’s equal, but she must be her best self, or she would always be humble and unsure around him.
Read
August 29, 2011Questo libro, anche se nel complesso mi è piaciuto, mi è sembrato come struttura più un fantasy che un rosa, perché al centro non c'è la storia d'amore tra Simon e Meg, ma la lotta tra bene e male, il primo rappresentato da Simon che è un mago con la capacità di trasformarsi in unicorno che usa a fin di bene i suoi poteri e lord Drayton che invece è un mago che usa i propri poteri per scopi di potere personale e di sopraffazione degli altri... in mezzo c'è la Londra del '700 con i primi esperimenti sull'elettricità e le sue applicazioni pratiche, compiuti da un amico di Simon in un'epoca in cui certi fenomeni naturali e non stavano uscendo nella percezione collettiva dall'ambito magico per entrare in quello scientifico...
September 1, 2011
Actually it was the cover that intrigued me about this book. I was not too happy when it proved to be about magic, even though "good" magic,. but after reading a couple of chapters i found myself enthralled by this book and wanting to read book 1, which I did after this one.
Simon Falconer, is a very powerful mage and a member of the Guardians who is charged with dealing with rogue mages, he goes after Lord Draton, who instead changes him into a unicorn. However, one of Drayton's thralls, Meggie, helps him to escape and finds unknown powers while partly break the spell on Simon. The two join forces in order to destroy Drayton, but soon find themselves embroiled in all sorts of evil planned by Drayton. Recommended.
Simon Falconer, is a very powerful mage and a member of the Guardians who is charged with dealing with rogue mages, he goes after Lord Draton, who instead changes him into a unicorn. However, one of Drayton's thralls, Meggie, helps him to escape and finds unknown powers while partly break the spell on Simon. The two join forces in order to destroy Drayton, but soon find themselves embroiled in all sorts of evil planned by Drayton. Recommended.
November 29, 2013
I thought this (audio version) was so much better than the printed. (I started this in the printed form) Simon Prebble did a fabulous job....as he always does. His reading and his spot on ccharacter portrayal took a good story and made it so much more. That's what I think a great narrator can do...thy have a magic about them when they read. Once you e heard a great narration you can barely tolerate the average again!
I always know how really good an audio is when later...days, weeks months...much later....I won't be able to remember if it was
A Book I read in print or movie I saw a dream I had... It only has become a part of me. THAT is what a great book with a great narration does
I always know how really good an audio is when later...days, weeks months...much later....I won't be able to remember if it was
A Book I read in print or movie I saw a dream I had... It only has become a part of me. THAT is what a great book with a great narration does
August 13, 2012
Great book! I was hooked right away. What a fun, magical world Putney created with a forbidden love to carry the story along. It was an easy read and I enjoyed every minute. I wish I had known this was book 2 ( I now am going to read the series).
March 27, 2007
A "romance" with a tinge of fantasy/magic. Not too cheezy...actually, the story is pretty interesting. An entertaining, quick read!
January 13, 2015
A twist on the traditional legend of the maiden and the unicorn.
Both main characters are under enchantment and must work together to break the spell. An excellent blend of romance and fantasy.
Both main characters are under enchantment and must work together to break the spell. An excellent blend of romance and fantasy.
April 28, 2025
'Magia rubata' è il secondo romanzo della trilogia de 'I Guardiani' (anche se può essere letto separatamente). La trilogia si apre con 'Un bacio del destino' (in cui la Putney affrontava il difficile tema dell’insurrezione giacobita del 1745 e della disfatta degli uomini di Bonnie Prince Charlie a Culloden) e si chiude con 'Magico incanto' (che non ho letto).
L’idea di unire il genere romance al fantasy l’ho trovato estremamente originale ed accattivante e le prime 20-30 pagine sono bellissime, suscitando dentro un’attesa incredibile per il proseguo del libro. Aspettative che, purtroppo, la Putney non soddisfa in pieno.
'Un bacio del destino' non avevo potuto amarlo perché l’autrice spinge i Guardiani, sebbene scozzesi, a far vincere gli Hanover per non far scorrere troppo sangue, dimenticando (o fingendo di dimenticare) che in seguito alla disfatta di Culloden tutte le tradizioni degli scozzesi verranno cancellate, estirpate, violentate e gran parte degli highlanders saranno costretti ad emigrare in seguito alle leggi ingiuste ed inique delle Clearances.
Questo romanzo è più digeribile rispetto al primo, ma anche qui ci sono un paio di elementi che non mi sono piaciuti. In primo luogo il sesso e il linguaggio volgare di alcune scene. Il lento innamoramento tra i due personaggi principali è bello, ma sarebbe stato più interessante se anche la loro attrazione fosse cresciuta lentamente, magari descrivendo anche la tensione e la preoccupazione perché Meggie doveva restare vergine. Di pessimo impatto la scena in cui i protagonisti infine consumano il matrimonio, con un atto di violenza fisica da parte di Simon sull’arida terra di un campo per togliere la verginità a Meggie e strapparla al collegamento mentale con Drayton. Se proprio si devono scrivere scene del genere, perché non descriverne la dolcezza, la purezza, l’amore anziché ridurle sempre e solo ad un atto fisico? Di pessimo gusto anche l’esaltazione del sesso come fonte di piacere e non come dono di sé.
Il secondo elemento che mi ha disturbato è l’esaltazione dell’industrializzazione e, di contraltare, la visione negativa della vita in campagna, la coltivazione, il rapporto con la terra. Lord Drayton, malvagio e spietato, rappresenta tutti questi valori che invece devono essere estirpati. Sia ben chiaro Lord Drayton è un individuo spregevole e i suoi fini maligni, ma la visione del mondo è troppo netta e negativa. Un’esaltazione esagerata ed unilaterale.
Per il resto il romanzo è un romance ricchissimo (a differenza di molta spazzatura che gira), la trama ha molte sfaccettature (molti i personaggi secondari che arricchiscono la trama), richiami storici interessanti (studi approfonditi sulle macchine a vapore, richiami alla Menagerie Reale alla Torre di Londra, etc.) e la scenografia non è male.
Una volta terminato il libro si rimane delusi, perché con queste premesse si avrebbe voluto avere di più. Molto di più. Mancava poco per rendere questo romanzo bellissimo. E il commento si potrebbe riassumere in una parola: peccato.
Voto: 8 (trama) 5 (realizzazione)
L’idea di unire il genere romance al fantasy l’ho trovato estremamente originale ed accattivante e le prime 20-30 pagine sono bellissime, suscitando dentro un’attesa incredibile per il proseguo del libro. Aspettative che, purtroppo, la Putney non soddisfa in pieno.
'Un bacio del destino' non avevo potuto amarlo perché l’autrice spinge i Guardiani, sebbene scozzesi, a far vincere gli Hanover per non far scorrere troppo sangue, dimenticando (o fingendo di dimenticare) che in seguito alla disfatta di Culloden tutte le tradizioni degli scozzesi verranno cancellate, estirpate, violentate e gran parte degli highlanders saranno costretti ad emigrare in seguito alle leggi ingiuste ed inique delle Clearances.
Questo romanzo è più digeribile rispetto al primo, ma anche qui ci sono un paio di elementi che non mi sono piaciuti. In primo luogo il sesso e il linguaggio volgare di alcune scene. Il lento innamoramento tra i due personaggi principali è bello, ma sarebbe stato più interessante se anche la loro attrazione fosse cresciuta lentamente, magari descrivendo anche la tensione e la preoccupazione perché Meggie doveva restare vergine. Di pessimo impatto la scena in cui i protagonisti infine consumano il matrimonio, con un atto di violenza fisica da parte di Simon sull’arida terra di un campo per togliere la verginità a Meggie e strapparla al collegamento mentale con Drayton. Se proprio si devono scrivere scene del genere, perché non descriverne la dolcezza, la purezza, l’amore anziché ridurle sempre e solo ad un atto fisico? Di pessimo gusto anche l’esaltazione del sesso come fonte di piacere e non come dono di sé.
Il secondo elemento che mi ha disturbato è l’esaltazione dell’industrializzazione e, di contraltare, la visione negativa della vita in campagna, la coltivazione, il rapporto con la terra. Lord Drayton, malvagio e spietato, rappresenta tutti questi valori che invece devono essere estirpati. Sia ben chiaro Lord Drayton è un individuo spregevole e i suoi fini maligni, ma la visione del mondo è troppo netta e negativa. Un’esaltazione esagerata ed unilaterale.
Per il resto il romanzo è un romance ricchissimo (a differenza di molta spazzatura che gira), la trama ha molte sfaccettature (molti i personaggi secondari che arricchiscono la trama), richiami storici interessanti (studi approfonditi sulle macchine a vapore, richiami alla Menagerie Reale alla Torre di Londra, etc.) e la scenografia non è male.
Una volta terminato il libro si rimane delusi, perché con queste premesse si avrebbe voluto avere di più. Molto di più. Mancava poco per rendere questo romanzo bellissimo. E il commento si potrebbe riassumere in una parola: peccato.
Voto: 8 (trama) 5 (realizzazione)
September 12, 2024
I read this book many years ago during my first foray into historical romance fantasy. As a genre that was new to me at the time, I remembered this book fondly. However, now older, although not much wiser, rereading this book had broken the magic (ahem, get it?). The rules of magic did not feel well established. During the climax, new ideas relating to the working of magic in this world was introduced, helping the main characters to win and vanquish the antagonist. However, having introduced it so late and with very little reason for how it worked, it felt very much like a deus ex machina. How the unicorn spell was broken was especially disappointing. Also, the logic of the guardian society felt really off. The way the story set it up so that the main characters were practically the only ones trying to foil Drayton, a potentially dangerous menace to society, felt really unbelievable, especially given their mandate. The only reason is so that our male and female lead can face something together, without much involvement from other characters, and further their romance. At the end of the day, it's a run of the mills period romance and a mediocre reflection of fantasy
February 7, 2020
I read this series out of order, which wasn't wildly disturbing except that I was seriously tempted to pick the others up again to read them, if not in order at least with the second in mind. Looking at the expanse of my TBR mountain range I decided I'd do better to chip away at that rather than now re-read another series. (Although I did enjoy re-reading the Bride trilogy a few months ago, just before sending part of it off to a bookmoocher). At the very beginning I was a bit put off by this - ok, not rainbows, but...(no spoiler). Eventually I came to appreciate the various aspects of the spell, as did, apparently, those affected by it. Putney remains right up there with my favorite (historical) writers. Despite the innocence and sweetness, there was also some pretty hard core evil here. I liked the different aspects of magic, and the point that there's a dash of it in many of us...
January 6, 2018
I liked this book even though some of it is a little too wee. A Guardian of the paranormal people in Britain the Earl of Falconer is charged with hunting down rogue paranormals. But, when he tries to "arrest" Lord Drayton, he's turned into a unicorn. Drayton wants his horn so that he can call on the magic of the unicorn to get more power. Falconer escapes but is trapped again when Drayton's servants tempt him with a virgin. The virgin turns out to be a very powerful wielder of magic. Drayton has been using her as a magic well that he can draw from when he needs more power. This is a romance so of course after many obstacles and dangerous escapades, everything turns out all right.
May 15, 2024
Pure Fun!
So far my favorite of Putney’s magical stories. Fast-paced plot, engaging characters and a creative and refreshing spin on historical romances. The book blurb is accurate so no need to repeat it here. If you enjoy strong leading ladies, handsome, decent leading gents and villainous villains, you’ll likely enjoy this tale of love and magic. There is a few scenes of on-page sex. The audio version is well-performed.
So far my favorite of Putney’s magical stories. Fast-paced plot, engaging characters and a creative and refreshing spin on historical romances. The book blurb is accurate so no need to repeat it here. If you enjoy strong leading ladies, handsome, decent leading gents and villainous villains, you’ll likely enjoy this tale of love and magic. There is a few scenes of on-page sex. The audio version is well-performed.
March 26, 2018
Always loved Mary Jo Putney's historical romances, but when I saw she had written a historical fantasy, I just had to have them! Read this entire series. I think the first book was one of the best, but this one was pretty great too.
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October 22, 2019
Me encantó el libro. Empecé a leerlo porque había unicornios en él y eso era suficiente para que me atrapara. La trama es muy ágil y me ha sorprendido muy gratamente el arco argumental, los personajes y cómo son capaces de hacerle frente a todo. Lo recomiendo.
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