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Northern Circle Coven #1
His Dark Magic
Its power is legendary. It can fulfill every impossible magical desire. But for one young witch seeking redemption, the Northern Circle coven will challenge her skills—and her heart—beyond measure.
One tragic impulsive mistake made Chloe Winslow an outcast to her influential magic family. As a medical student, she wants to combine science with sorcery to heal those she hurt and right her wrongs. But brilliant, charismatic Devlin Marsh re-routes her plans with a once-in-eternity offer: membership in the exclusive Northern Circle, a mysterious Vermont coven known for pushing the limits.
Enthralled by Devlin and their mesmerizing mutual attraction, Chloe makes a dangerous sacrifice to help the Circle’s high priestess awaken Merlin himself—and learn his timeless cures. But a foreshadowing soon causes Chloe to doubt the Circle's real motives, as well as Devlin’s . . .
Now Merlin's demonic shade is loose in the human world, while Chloe and Devlin's uneasy alliance will pit them against ancient enemies, malevolent illusions, and shattering betrayal. And with the fate of two realms in the balance, Chloe must risk her untried power against a force she can't defeat—and a passion that could destroy her.
One tragic impulsive mistake made Chloe Winslow an outcast to her influential magic family. As a medical student, she wants to combine science with sorcery to heal those she hurt and right her wrongs. But brilliant, charismatic Devlin Marsh re-routes her plans with a once-in-eternity offer: membership in the exclusive Northern Circle, a mysterious Vermont coven known for pushing the limits.
Enthralled by Devlin and their mesmerizing mutual attraction, Chloe makes a dangerous sacrifice to help the Circle’s high priestess awaken Merlin himself—and learn his timeless cures. But a foreshadowing soon causes Chloe to doubt the Circle's real motives, as well as Devlin’s . . .
Now Merlin's demonic shade is loose in the human world, while Chloe and Devlin's uneasy alliance will pit them against ancient enemies, malevolent illusions, and shattering betrayal. And with the fate of two realms in the balance, Chloe must risk her untried power against a force she can't defeat—and a passion that could destroy her.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2018
58 people are currently reading
757 people want to read
About the author
Pat Esden
9 books251 followersPat Esden would love to say she spent her childhood in intellectual pursuits. The truth is she was fonder of exploring abandoned houses and old cemeteries. When not out on her own adventures, she can be found in her Northern Vermont home writing about brave, smart women who are determined to protect the people and places they love. She is the author of the contemporary fantasy Dark Heart series, and the Northern Circle Coven series.
(I only review and rate books that I've enjoyed reading)
(I only review and rate books that I've enjoyed reading)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 7, 2018
His Dark Magic by Pat Esden is the first book of the Northern Circle Coven series. This series is a romantic paranormal fantasy with characters in the new adult age range.
Chloe Winslow is a young witch that is approached with the offer of joining the Northern Circle Coven. After a traumatic event in her past Chloe is lured into all of what the coven seems to be offering along with being attracted to one of it’s members.
Despite numerous warnings from family and friends Chloe finds herself going through the coven’s initiation and joining their group. Once inside though Chloe finds that the magic she was intrigued by is much darker than she ever expected.
His Dark Magic was a solid series opener in this particular genre. There was a good mix of romance and story to blend together. However, for me I didn’t think this one was overly new or original in the content. I know I’ve read many times how one is drawn into dark magic and conjuring up something more sinister than imagined so while it was a decent story in the end I thought this one was just alright at three stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Chloe Winslow is a young witch that is approached with the offer of joining the Northern Circle Coven. After a traumatic event in her past Chloe is lured into all of what the coven seems to be offering along with being attracted to one of it’s members.
Despite numerous warnings from family and friends Chloe finds herself going through the coven’s initiation and joining their group. Once inside though Chloe finds that the magic she was intrigued by is much darker than she ever expected.
His Dark Magic was a solid series opener in this particular genre. There was a good mix of romance and story to blend together. However, for me I didn’t think this one was overly new or original in the content. I know I’ve read many times how one is drawn into dark magic and conjuring up something more sinister than imagined so while it was a decent story in the end I thought this one was just alright at three stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 18, 2019
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Chloe Winslow wants a fresh start in Vermont, an opportunity to be the version of herself she knows she can be, all while studying medicine in hopes of righting the wrongs of her past. As a witch who is unaware of her true strength, Chloe is invited to the mysterious Northern Circle Coven, with their high priestess offering her the chance to harness her powers. Chloe finds herself crushing on fellow coven member, Devlin, with her lust for him and her desire to learn glossing over her common sense. When the coven attempts to awaken Merlin himself they find that not every member's motive is for good and Chloe must trust blindly and put her faith behind her untrained power to discern good from evil.
The foggy Vermont shores are meant to be an escape for Chloe, a place for her to learn how she can combine her power and medicine, but it soon becomes a fight to not drown in the dark magic that calls to her as the coven unearths the shade of Merlin. A classic new adult character, Chloe easily allows her emotions to get the better of her, allowing the story to be a mix of romance and gothic witch drama. She discovers that trust, while easy to give at first, can be tested too many times, and that power can be intoxicating even when thought to be used for good. I enjoyed Chloe's naivety and felt it really allowed the story to progress with significant character development. I was intrigued by her past and her future hopes, especially as she joined the coven and fell for the promise of power. Her romance with Devlin, though brief in their interactions, happens very quickly, which really highlighted Chloe's youthfulness. However, she builds a strong friendship with another local witch and I loved them as friends, their dialogue was so fresh and entertaining.
His Dark Magic was the perfect story to introduce a new series, especially with the format of the Northern Circle Coven series where each is told from the perspective of different characters. While the setting, general character personalities, and the overarching plot line of light versus dark magic is obvious, there was little detail given on the rest. I wanted to understand the characters and their ties to the coven more, in fact I wanted to understand the coven more in general. We aren't given enough information and while the characters are fiercely protective of it we don't understand why. On top of that, we aren't given motives behind why some of the characters have chosen to go dark. It's a very large part of this first novel and I think it could have been explained further. I am, however, looking forward to exploring the dark versus light side of the characters in the future novels, especially now that lines have been drawn and characters have chosen sides.
His Dark Magic is a stunning fantasy and paranormal release from Pat Esden that introduces a new series that I am very much looking forward to reading. It reminded me of the books I used to read about witches in the early '00's that I enjoyed so much. I enjoyed the characters, the overarching theme of good and evil, the friendships, and I loved the contemporary setting that the coven managed to somehow still fit into. I recommend His Dark Magic to fans of new adult paranormal/fantasy reads.
ARC provided.
Chloe Winslow wants a fresh start in Vermont, an opportunity to be the version of herself she knows she can be, all while studying medicine in hopes of righting the wrongs of her past. As a witch who is unaware of her true strength, Chloe is invited to the mysterious Northern Circle Coven, with their high priestess offering her the chance to harness her powers. Chloe finds herself crushing on fellow coven member, Devlin, with her lust for him and her desire to learn glossing over her common sense. When the coven attempts to awaken Merlin himself they find that not every member's motive is for good and Chloe must trust blindly and put her faith behind her untrained power to discern good from evil.
The foggy Vermont shores are meant to be an escape for Chloe, a place for her to learn how she can combine her power and medicine, but it soon becomes a fight to not drown in the dark magic that calls to her as the coven unearths the shade of Merlin. A classic new adult character, Chloe easily allows her emotions to get the better of her, allowing the story to be a mix of romance and gothic witch drama. She discovers that trust, while easy to give at first, can be tested too many times, and that power can be intoxicating even when thought to be used for good. I enjoyed Chloe's naivety and felt it really allowed the story to progress with significant character development. I was intrigued by her past and her future hopes, especially as she joined the coven and fell for the promise of power. Her romance with Devlin, though brief in their interactions, happens very quickly, which really highlighted Chloe's youthfulness. However, she builds a strong friendship with another local witch and I loved them as friends, their dialogue was so fresh and entertaining.
His Dark Magic was the perfect story to introduce a new series, especially with the format of the Northern Circle Coven series where each is told from the perspective of different characters. While the setting, general character personalities, and the overarching plot line of light versus dark magic is obvious, there was little detail given on the rest. I wanted to understand the characters and their ties to the coven more, in fact I wanted to understand the coven more in general. We aren't given enough information and while the characters are fiercely protective of it we don't understand why. On top of that, we aren't given motives behind why some of the characters have chosen to go dark. It's a very large part of this first novel and I think it could have been explained further. I am, however, looking forward to exploring the dark versus light side of the characters in the future novels, especially now that lines have been drawn and characters have chosen sides.
His Dark Magic is a stunning fantasy and paranormal release from Pat Esden that introduces a new series that I am very much looking forward to reading. It reminded me of the books I used to read about witches in the early '00's that I enjoyed so much. I enjoyed the characters, the overarching theme of good and evil, the friendships, and I loved the contemporary setting that the coven managed to somehow still fit into. I recommend His Dark Magic to fans of new adult paranormal/fantasy reads.
ARC provided.
August 3, 2018
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Truthfully, I am already an Esden fan from her prior Dark Heart series (love me the djinn). So I was looking forward to falling in love with a new set of new adults discovering their power and walking the edge of darkness and light.
Chloe made a mistake that lead to a tragedy. Now she's just at school in Burlington, VT trying to pick up the pieces of her life and make a career in medicine to find a way to atone.
But Chloe is a witch. While her ability to sense magic and cast wards isn't anything special, she longs to be part of a coven that would give her life purpose. When a handsome stranger drops off an invite to the nearest coven as a potential initiate, she can't resist attending. Lured by the promise of a magic that will help her atone, she is slowly, bit by bit, lured to the dark side of magic.
Confession: I didn't fall in love with Devlin, the male lead, as I did with Chase from Esden's other series. (Although Chloe had no problem falling for him-- steamy fun times were had) However, I did fall in love with Chloe's friends. The little merry band of friends outside the Northern Circle Coven, including Keshari with her demon-avoiding atomizer, were awesome and engaging. There's definitely potential in some of the coven members (Midas the engineer, Em the AA attending alcoholic, and Chandler, the welding artist with her son) but we didn't spend enough time with them for me to get hooked as we did with Chloe's Wiccan friends.
The other thing this book does well is give you a sense of place. From the Burlington Earth Clock to Lake Champlain, I could totally visualize each scene's surroundings in a solid way. And this is chock full of cool little witchery details like sand is just dozens of tiny crystals and the way to make rosemary oil, and the more gruesome method of casting an illusion on oneself. There's also a bunch of bonus Arthurian myth thrown in for those of us who might at one time have been addicted to the musical Camelot....
Great opening for a new series. I can feel the potential in many of the characters and hope to follow them on further adventures.
Chloe made a mistake that lead to a tragedy. Now she's just at school in Burlington, VT trying to pick up the pieces of her life and make a career in medicine to find a way to atone.
But Chloe is a witch. While her ability to sense magic and cast wards isn't anything special, she longs to be part of a coven that would give her life purpose. When a handsome stranger drops off an invite to the nearest coven as a potential initiate, she can't resist attending. Lured by the promise of a magic that will help her atone, she is slowly, bit by bit, lured to the dark side of magic.
Confession: I didn't fall in love with Devlin, the male lead, as I did with Chase from Esden's other series. (Although Chloe had no problem falling for him-- steamy fun times were had) However, I did fall in love with Chloe's friends. The little merry band of friends outside the Northern Circle Coven, including Keshari with her demon-avoiding atomizer, were awesome and engaging. There's definitely potential in some of the coven members (Midas the engineer, Em the AA attending alcoholic, and Chandler, the welding artist with her son) but we didn't spend enough time with them for me to get hooked as we did with Chloe's Wiccan friends.
The other thing this book does well is give you a sense of place. From the Burlington Earth Clock to Lake Champlain, I could totally visualize each scene's surroundings in a solid way. And this is chock full of cool little witchery details like sand is just dozens of tiny crystals and the way to make rosemary oil, and the more gruesome method of casting an illusion on oneself. There's also a bunch of bonus Arthurian myth thrown in for those of us who might at one time have been addicted to the musical Camelot....
Great opening for a new series. I can feel the potential in many of the characters and hope to follow them on further adventures.
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October 1, 2019
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨
Magic!!! 🖤
It’s been a long time since I read a book about witchcraft. His Dark Magic, is a book about craft, betrayal, friendship and family. I really loved the premise of this story, merging the old folklore tales with something so up to date. The main character, Chloe, has a very tortured but good soul and she is really likeable and relatable. Desperate to fit in and to prove she is better than her previous mistakes.
The writing is lovely, very short chapters, fast paced and exciting. Characters are well developed with some surprising ally and enemy moments. I also really love the cover!! Looking forward to reading the next book 🖤
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Magic!!! 🖤
It’s been a long time since I read a book about witchcraft. His Dark Magic, is a book about craft, betrayal, friendship and family. I really loved the premise of this story, merging the old folklore tales with something so up to date. The main character, Chloe, has a very tortured but good soul and she is really likeable and relatable. Desperate to fit in and to prove she is better than her previous mistakes.
The writing is lovely, very short chapters, fast paced and exciting. Characters are well developed with some surprising ally and enemy moments. I also really love the cover!! Looking forward to reading the next book 🖤
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December 2, 2019
This is the first book of the Northern Circle Cover series, and it delivers witches, romance, suspense and action. A fun read for fans of modern-day paranormal/supernatural stories!
October 25, 2018
Sometimes you just need a solid witch paranormal and man, does Pat Esden deliver with His Dark Magic!
Chloe and Devlin have immediate chemistry, but Esden takes time to develop their relationship. There's a great balance of romance (and related intrigue), friendships (I loved Chloe's apartment mates and Keshari), and general witchiness and mystery. Something's clearly off, and the signs are there but delivered subtlely enough to keep you guessing.
This book is a standalone within the interconnected Northern Circle Coven series (thank goodness, because the next book's not coming out for a while).
I won an advanced copy of His Dark Magic and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Chloe and Devlin have immediate chemistry, but Esden takes time to develop their relationship. There's a great balance of romance (and related intrigue), friendships (I loved Chloe's apartment mates and Keshari), and general witchiness and mystery. Something's clearly off, and the signs are there but delivered subtlely enough to keep you guessing.
This book is a standalone within the interconnected Northern Circle Coven series (thank goodness, because the next book's not coming out for a while).
I won an advanced copy of His Dark Magic and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 7, 2019
This book is way outside my normal reading—and it was a really fun foray into a new genre. Witches and demons running loose on a Vermont campus—what more could you want? The book kept me up way later than I wanted on more than one occasion. The entire second half of the book was really compelling stuff, shifting between taut suspense and really exciting action.
Loved this one.
Loved this one.
December 11, 2018
Thank you to Lyrical Press and Netgalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.
Chloe has recently moved to Vermont to go to school, and she is surprised by an early morning visit with a magical invitation. Chloe is excited at the prospect of redeeming herself and joining a new coven. Plus it doesn't hurt that Devon is sexy and interesting.
Soon Chloe finds herself caught up in a relationship with Devon and trying to fit in within the Northern Circle, when she finds out that they want to awaken Merlin, even though she isn't sure it is a great idea she goes along with it. However, Chloe keeps getting mysterious warnings and soon she doubts the Circle's motives and Devon's as well.
Can she help stop what she has unleashed upon the world? Is Devon who she thought he is? Will Chloe be able to redeem herself or will she give into the darkness?
I must admit I have read some of the author's other books so even though I don't normally read this genre I thought why not. I wasn't disappointed, this was a good book. I know that doesn't seem like high praise, but considering I set aside more books than I don't in this genre the fact that I read it all the way through should tell you a lot. I thought it was interesting world, I liked the magic and I really liked Chloe and her friend! I thought the friendship was one of the best parts of the story.
I liked Devon and Chloe, and thought he really came through in the end. I am excited to see where the story goes, I wonder if it will focus on two different characters in the next book or if it will still be Chloe.
Chloe has recently moved to Vermont to go to school, and she is surprised by an early morning visit with a magical invitation. Chloe is excited at the prospect of redeeming herself and joining a new coven. Plus it doesn't hurt that Devon is sexy and interesting.
Soon Chloe finds herself caught up in a relationship with Devon and trying to fit in within the Northern Circle, when she finds out that they want to awaken Merlin, even though she isn't sure it is a great idea she goes along with it. However, Chloe keeps getting mysterious warnings and soon she doubts the Circle's motives and Devon's as well.
Can she help stop what she has unleashed upon the world? Is Devon who she thought he is? Will Chloe be able to redeem herself or will she give into the darkness?
I must admit I have read some of the author's other books so even though I don't normally read this genre I thought why not. I wasn't disappointed, this was a good book. I know that doesn't seem like high praise, but considering I set aside more books than I don't in this genre the fact that I read it all the way through should tell you a lot. I thought it was interesting world, I liked the magic and I really liked Chloe and her friend! I thought the friendship was one of the best parts of the story.
I liked Devon and Chloe, and thought he really came through in the end. I am excited to see where the story goes, I wonder if it will focus on two different characters in the next book or if it will still be Chloe.
January 2, 2020
This massively entertaining blend of magic, intrigue, and romance kicks off a new series for author Pat Esden, and if this first entry is any indication, this is one to watch!
HIS DARK MAGIC is a well-crafted and cleverly plotted urban fantasy, and fans of the genre should love this first entry in the Northern Circle Coven series. (I'll be picking up the second book in the series right after I finish this review-- I'm intrigued by the way Esden planted the seeds for book 2 without ever distracting my attention from this volume!)
HIS DARK MAGIC is a well-crafted and cleverly plotted urban fantasy, and fans of the genre should love this first entry in the Northern Circle Coven series. (I'll be picking up the second book in the series right after I finish this review-- I'm intrigued by the way Esden planted the seeds for book 2 without ever distracting my attention from this volume!)
December 11, 2018
Chloe went to her altar in her window and lit a candle and started to chant. There was a sense of forbidding in the air, a whisper and a chill a witch like her could not ignore. Someone else with powers was near. They were thinking about her- at least that is what her intuition murmured. Chloe went to the top of the stairs outside of her small apartment Than she heard sounds like someone had leaned into the front door. Than something was put through the mail slot followed by a hum of magic. Chloe went down the rest of the stairs and scene a narrow envelope inside the door with her name on it. It wasn’t really an envelope but a handmade paper folded and sealed with gold sealing wax with the letter N surrounded by a circle. Chloe had not seen any true witches or magic here. She had left her parents and was going to college in Vermont and than planned on medical school after that. She then ran outside and caught up to man and his magic purred around him. Clearly the man was extraordinarily gifted. On her requested he opened the paper- she didn’t want to chance some weird spell to befall her- he told Chloe it was an invitation from the Northern Circle coven. Chloe said she had not heard of them when asked by the man. The man told her the invitation was to a party. A meet and greet. To see if the coven would fit her and her it and there would be other newbies there. He also said the coven was dedicated to finding ways to access ancient knowledge through out of body travel, retro cognition…. The coven believed there were cures to modern diseases and conditions that have been lost in time. Chloe went back to her apartment and sat down and did a little spying of her own to the woman who sent the invitation. The life changing possibilities they offered were immense. She would always be part of her parents but joining the second coven of witches who wouldn’t judge her for her past mistakes. Maybe the chance to discover a potion or a spell to reverse the harm she had caused five years ago. The man who had delivered the invitation was Devlin and there is an attraction between Chloe and him.
Even though Chloe was warned by family and friends she joined the Northern Circle coven.She was leered by the promise of magic to help her atone for her mistakes. Once a part of the coven she finds the magic darker than she had expected.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I really enjoyed the mystery, danger, and intrigue of this book. I got annoyed with Chloe at times. I did like Chloe's friends outside of her new coven. I liked the plot and loved the fast pace. I loved the characters and the twists and turns of this book and I recommend it.
Even though Chloe was warned by family and friends she joined the Northern Circle coven.She was leered by the promise of magic to help her atone for her mistakes. Once a part of the coven she finds the magic darker than she had expected.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I really enjoyed the mystery, danger, and intrigue of this book. I got annoyed with Chloe at times. I did like Chloe's friends outside of her new coven. I liked the plot and loved the fast pace. I loved the characters and the twists and turns of this book and I recommend it.
December 18, 2018
Chloe is trying to start her life over away from the demons of her past. She works hard at school to one day become a doctor and and be capable to right her wrongs. When she receives an unexpected invitation to join the local coven, she has her doubts- made worse by the rumors surrounding the coven. But when she learns to coven's goal to master healing with magic, there is no way she can't join. Unfortunately, not everything is as it first seemed.
I loved Pat's previous books, The Dark Heart series, so when I saw that she had a new paranormal romance series featuring witches coming out I had to get my grabby hands on it. It also doesn't hurt that the cover is absolutely gorgeous! I can honestly say I have never read a witch book like this before, with the type of magic and powers being used, making this stand out from anything else. And yes, while there is some romance and a few sexual encounters, I felt like the book was more a supernatural mystery with a few romantic undertones than a romance (which I appreciate). I do love me a good, twisty plot and that is what Pat delivers.
This is just the start of what appears to be a complex and dangerous series, where mysteries are left unsolved, making the reader desperate for more. We get to see the start of what potential the young coven has, and I for one would love to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this read for any fan of supernatural or witch books, prepare to be on the edge of your seat the entire book!.
I reviewed a complementary copy of this title. Come hang out with me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
I loved Pat's previous books, The Dark Heart series, so when I saw that she had a new paranormal romance series featuring witches coming out I had to get my grabby hands on it. It also doesn't hurt that the cover is absolutely gorgeous! I can honestly say I have never read a witch book like this before, with the type of magic and powers being used, making this stand out from anything else. And yes, while there is some romance and a few sexual encounters, I felt like the book was more a supernatural mystery with a few romantic undertones than a romance (which I appreciate). I do love me a good, twisty plot and that is what Pat delivers.
This is just the start of what appears to be a complex and dangerous series, where mysteries are left unsolved, making the reader desperate for more. We get to see the start of what potential the young coven has, and I for one would love to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this read for any fan of supernatural or witch books, prepare to be on the edge of your seat the entire book!.
I reviewed a complementary copy of this title. Come hang out with me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
December 15, 2018
Chloe comes from a magical family but a tragic accident from her past has brought shame down upon her and she has escaped away to college in Vermont to re-evaluate and recover her self confidence. When she is approached by the handsome Devlin to come and check out the Northern Circle Coven Chloe is hesitant, but decides to take a chance and meet with them. She is excited to learn that their purposes align, to use magic to heal, and she agrees to join their group.
Athena, the high priestess of the Northern Circle coven has an ancient relic that she wants the coven to use to bring Merlin back to life, saying that they’ll use his knowledge to make great discoveries in the medical field. Her purpose is actually quite a bit darker which gives this novel a malevolent feel turning it from a romance to a thriller.
I really liked a lot of the characters in His Dark Magic, but there was something holding me back from loving them. Chloe seemed tentative and even though she is taking a chance with joining them, she is fearful of her choice. It turns out her gut feelings were right, but I did rather wish she’d just owned that decision from the start. The surrounding characters, including her love interest Devlin were interesting and I wanted to know a lot more about them, however, the author chose to only give depth to Chloe’s character leaving the others feeling rather 2-D.
I liked the idea of this book more than I actually liked the book. My feelings were pretty ambivalent which is too bad because it had so much promise!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!
Athena, the high priestess of the Northern Circle coven has an ancient relic that she wants the coven to use to bring Merlin back to life, saying that they’ll use his knowledge to make great discoveries in the medical field. Her purpose is actually quite a bit darker which gives this novel a malevolent feel turning it from a romance to a thriller.
I really liked a lot of the characters in His Dark Magic, but there was something holding me back from loving them. Chloe seemed tentative and even though she is taking a chance with joining them, she is fearful of her choice. It turns out her gut feelings were right, but I did rather wish she’d just owned that decision from the start. The surrounding characters, including her love interest Devlin were interesting and I wanted to know a lot more about them, however, the author chose to only give depth to Chloe’s character leaving the others feeling rather 2-D.
I liked the idea of this book more than I actually liked the book. My feelings were pretty ambivalent which is too bad because it had so much promise!
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!
December 24, 2018
Couldn’t put it down!
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Pat Esden’s latest book, the first in her new Northern Circle Coven Series. From the very first pages, I was drawn into the heroine’s story. Chloe is young woman driven to correct the wrongs of her past, even at the expense of darkening her own soul. I love a character who is willing to be a little bad if it’s for the greater good.
Stir in some dark magical forces, a clever and subtle description of the differences between Wiccans and wielders of true magic, and the freight train-esque attraction Chloe feels for Devlin and his reciprocal need for her, and Pat Esden has hit this one out of the park (sorry, it’s the 1st day of the World Series and I have baseball on my mind).
Even if it weren’t for the excellently crafted characters, fresh plot, and the I-need-to-go-to-bed-because-I-have-an-early-day-but-can’t-put-down-this-book pacing of His Dark Magic keeping me enthralled, there were magically-animated metal flying monkeys! Flying monkeys!
I will definitely be waiting to read book 2 of the series.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Pat Esden’s latest book, the first in her new Northern Circle Coven Series. From the very first pages, I was drawn into the heroine’s story. Chloe is young woman driven to correct the wrongs of her past, even at the expense of darkening her own soul. I love a character who is willing to be a little bad if it’s for the greater good.
Stir in some dark magical forces, a clever and subtle description of the differences between Wiccans and wielders of true magic, and the freight train-esque attraction Chloe feels for Devlin and his reciprocal need for her, and Pat Esden has hit this one out of the park (sorry, it’s the 1st day of the World Series and I have baseball on my mind).
Even if it weren’t for the excellently crafted characters, fresh plot, and the I-need-to-go-to-bed-because-I-have-an-early-day-but-can’t-put-down-this-book pacing of His Dark Magic keeping me enthralled, there were magically-animated metal flying monkeys! Flying monkeys!
I will definitely be waiting to read book 2 of the series.
April 22, 2024
With the focus on magic and Chloe growing up, I’d say this is more New Adult than Paranormal Romance, though it does have a lot of steamy scenes. Dark Paranormal New Adult Romance?
As the title suggests, the magic is on the dark side – necromancy, shape-shifting, communing with spirits, etc. But it’s not as dark as some other things I’ve read.
For lovers of Arthurian mythos, Merlin and Nimue make an appearance and play an important part in the climax.
Of course, I like the dog! (And he is safe and happy throughout – even when he seems in danger – so I didn’t DNF when things got a little dark around him.)
There’s even a mystery plot loosely woven through the story – which is what leaves you wanting to read the next book.
If you like spicy witch stories with lots of magic and the fate of the world riding on the heroine’s choices, you’ll like this book.
Trigger warnings: brain washing, animal cruelty, arson, murder, blood, language.
As the title suggests, the magic is on the dark side – necromancy, shape-shifting, communing with spirits, etc. But it’s not as dark as some other things I’ve read.
For lovers of Arthurian mythos, Merlin and Nimue make an appearance and play an important part in the climax.
Of course, I like the dog! (And he is safe and happy throughout – even when he seems in danger – so I didn’t DNF when things got a little dark around him.)
There’s even a mystery plot loosely woven through the story – which is what leaves you wanting to read the next book.
If you like spicy witch stories with lots of magic and the fate of the world riding on the heroine’s choices, you’ll like this book.
Trigger warnings: brain washing, animal cruelty, arson, murder, blood, language.
December 12, 2018
His Dark Magic has some absolutely excellent world building with wonderfully descriptive settings. That combined with magic and a bit of darkness should've made this one perfect for me. In spite of that, I felt like the first half of this book was spent just waiting for things to really get started, then the second half rushes to conclusion. The story does have good bones, and the blurb promises quite the tale. Yet, despite all that, we get other woman drama. The author does have talent, but this story had a ton of potential that just wasn't realized. Instead of the thrilling story it could've been, it's just like so many others with nothing new to wow the reader. I realize that this is just the start of the series, but as it stands, I'm on the fence about whether I'll move forward with it.
January 4, 2019
This was such a fun read to start the New Year! Chloe is instantly relatable with her devastating history and burning determination to right her mistakes, and this carries her through the storyline right to the end. I love her unswerving devotion to resolving her past, and her devotion to her friends. The setting feels lived in and the details authentic, and the eerie atmosphere hooked me right away, growing in tension from start to finish. The location almost feels like a character itself – I love when authors live or have spent extended time in the area they're writing about as it really makes the writing come alive. And I completely didn't see the end twist coming. I recommend this one to anyone looking for a witchy urban fantasy with suspense, romance, and characters who pop off the page.
September 27, 2019
I would like to thank Kensington Publishing Corporation and Netgalley for this partnership.
I was immediately attracted by the cover of this book, you can see the pretty Chloe with her face in the sky above a forest.
She is a young witch in search of redemption, the Nordic Circle assembly wants to test her to test her skills and her heart.
She made a tragic mistake and became a pariah for her family. She is a medical student and wants to combine witchcraft and studies to heal all those she hurts and repair her wrongs.
She's going to enlist in a strange circle and wake Merlin up. And his demon shadow will find its way into the human world.
A book read in one go so much I hooked on the story so addictive, captivating and full of suspense and twists and turns and with endearing characters. Looking forward to reading on.
I was immediately attracted by the cover of this book, you can see the pretty Chloe with her face in the sky above a forest.
She is a young witch in search of redemption, the Nordic Circle assembly wants to test her to test her skills and her heart.
She made a tragic mistake and became a pariah for her family. She is a medical student and wants to combine witchcraft and studies to heal all those she hurts and repair her wrongs.
She's going to enlist in a strange circle and wake Merlin up. And his demon shadow will find its way into the human world.
A book read in one go so much I hooked on the story so addictive, captivating and full of suspense and twists and turns and with endearing characters. Looking forward to reading on.
December 16, 2018
His Dark Magic is quite a suspenseful and intriguing read. From the beginning I was curious about Chloe's past and the draw of the Northern Circle. The chemistry between her and Devlin was immediate yet I was on the fence about if things were really as they appeared. Their story definitely took some unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing and by the end I wasn't sure how everything would play out. With a great blend of romance, suspense, intrigue, interesting characters and a steady, fast pace His Dark Magic is a great start to the Northern Circle Coven series.
January 24, 2019
This is an exciting addition to the Northern Circle series, and acts as a stand-alone for new readers.
The author does a fantastic job of balancing a twisty-turny mystery plot, complex world building, and a slower-burn romance. Chloe and Devlin have an immediate connection, but after already making one life-altering mistake, Chloe takes her time before committing, and Devlin gives her that room to make her choice.
The two get closer as they discover the Coven's real agenda, and Chloe grows as a person, realizing magic can't always fix human mistakes.
The author does a fantastic job of balancing a twisty-turny mystery plot, complex world building, and a slower-burn romance. Chloe and Devlin have an immediate connection, but after already making one life-altering mistake, Chloe takes her time before committing, and Devlin gives her that room to make her choice.
The two get closer as they discover the Coven's real agenda, and Chloe grows as a person, realizing magic can't always fix human mistakes.
March 27, 2020
The target audience is obviously younger than me, I suspect it is aimed at late teens to early twenties. As a 59 year old it felt one paced, something I find common with a lot of American authors.
The story itself was okay, not great, but interesting none the less. One thing that was mentioned, but not developed, was Chloe's power upgrade.
I actually found the sample of the second book in the series more interesting (Kindle edition).
Would I read the next book? Yes, I probably would.
The story itself was okay, not great, but interesting none the less. One thing that was mentioned, but not developed, was Chloe's power upgrade.
I actually found the sample of the second book in the series more interesting (Kindle edition).
Would I read the next book? Yes, I probably would.
November 19, 2018
I received a copy of this in a Goodreads giveaway and it has not affected my review.
The writing was descriptive and atmospheric and set a dark tone. I read this at least a month ago and don't remember much, just that it was more of a creepy paranormal than the romance I was looking for. But given the cover and the book description, that's my bad. Three stars because it wasn't for me but I think it would work well for someone that wants what it's offering.
The writing was descriptive and atmospheric and set a dark tone. I read this at least a month ago and don't remember much, just that it was more of a creepy paranormal than the romance I was looking for. But given the cover and the book description, that's my bad. Three stars because it wasn't for me but I think it would work well for someone that wants what it's offering.
December 1, 2018
I have enjoyed other books written by Pat and this one is being added to that list. This held my interest with the story line and suspense. I couldn't figure out who to trust and even Chloe has her secrets to keep. She was a frustrating character at times when I could hear myself asking why she did something when I would have done it differently. There is romance, magic, and danger. All a great mix for the start of a new series.
December 5, 2018
A very good start for a new paranormal series! This book was entertaining and engaging and I had to end it as fast as I could as I was engrossed in the story.
The characters are well written even if the heroine sometimes grates on my nerves.
The plot is fast paced, full of twist and turns, and it never bores you.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
The characters are well written even if the heroine sometimes grates on my nerves.
The plot is fast paced, full of twist and turns, and it never bores you.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
November 12, 2018
A college student is invited to join a coven lead by a young witch and her brother. A fun and fast paced adventure that has plenty of romance and also darkness reveals itself. Friendships and adversarial relationships are tested. This enjoyable book will appeal to all who enjoy paranormal stories. I couldn’t stop reading it.
December 2, 2018
Nuanced, with complicated subplots and multi-layered characters, Esden's book does not disappoint. I was pleased to read a complex story of a coven divided against itself. As always, hot romance plays a role in the book, but just as sexy is the interplay emotionally between the two mains. Merlin is truly a jerk also.
December 4, 2018
Another amazing book from Esden! I really got sucked into this dark and unique world the author has created. The fast pace makes this a real page turner, until of course you read the romance scenes with Devlin and you want to slow down and savor them! I also loved Chloe’s friends. They’re so fun, and I can’t wait to see more of them in future books. A great start to a new series.
July 1, 2020
This was...fine. I wanted to like it more than I did. It was competently written and I liked some of the descriptions of magic, but the story wasn't that interesting to me.
If you like a soft – verging on cosy – witch mysteries, with some sex then this would probably work for you, but I won't be reading any more in the series. It was too twee for me.
If you like a soft – verging on cosy – witch mysteries, with some sex then this would probably work for you, but I won't be reading any more in the series. It was too twee for me.
June 24, 2020
I just could not bring myself to care about Chloe or her problems, and had no interest in the tension about the coven or anything else. Maybe it ends up going somewhere more interesting than college witch,but it wasn't doing it for me. DNF 26%.
November 27, 2018
Another yummy romantic read from Pat, set in Vermont.
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